FOR A GOOD CAUSE:

Some bosses would be lucky to get a fruitcake.

At Wilson Automotive Group’s company Christmas party this year, David Wilson’s employees presented their boss with a $277,000 check representing money that had been donated to local charities in his name.

It’s a tradition that began in 1989, when Wilson owned two dealerships, Toyota of Orange and Tustin Lexus, and had about 130 employees.

Their boss was generous, took care of his staff and was well-liked, Wilson Group Vice President Vicki Murphy said. Employees were racking their brains trying to come up with a gift for the boss who had everything.

Knowing Wilson was involved with the Orangewood Children’s Foundation, a local organization that provided shelter for abused, neglected and abandoned children, the employees decided to establish an endowment fund in Wilson’s name at Orangewood with an initial contribution of $10,000.

Wilson said he was honored and overwhelmed by the generosity of his employees, who chose to thank him by giving back to their community.

As a member of the Orangewood Children’s Foundation board, Wilson knew the importance of providing for children once they turned 18, when they were legally considered emancipated and left the shelter to begin living on their own.

“The children aren’t ready to be on their own,” Wilson said. “They need to have help after they get out of the home.”

The David Wilson Endowment Fund at Orangewood Children’s Foundation currently has $500,000 in it that provides university scholarships for Orangewood alumni.

Today, Wilson owns 16 dealerships, including Newport Lexus and South Coast Toyota in Costa Mesa and employs more than 2,000 people.

Each dealership contributes money to an organization of their choice.

The $277,000 raised by employees this year was distributed to recipients including Orangewood, the American Cancer Society and United Cerebral Palsy.

Wilson has always believed if you take care of your employees and treat them well, they’ll be happier and more committed to making your business a success.

Murphy has worked for Wilson for 21 years. She started out as his assistant and is now vice president of the automotive conglomerate.

Wilson said that’s the way he operates his business.

“This is like a family situation, with very little turnover,” he said. “We groom and grow our own, and we like to promote everyone from within.”

Wilson has always been involved with charities, Murphy said. He’s very proud of his employees for donating in his name, but when it comes to his personal donations, Wilson stays very much in the background and does things quietly.

“He sees things, reads about situations, that triggers things in him, and he wants to help,” Murphy said.

“He’s taught us by example. We’ve seen him do it over the years, and it has filtered down to his employees.”

SUE THOENSEN may be reached at (714) 966-4627 or at [email protected].