Don K Subaru is honored to be recognized for our commitment to the community in 2025.
We are honored to be nationally recognized by Subaru of America, Inc. for our dedication to living the Subaru Love Promise.
We have been recognized for staying committed to our community using the principles of HEART: Honesty, Empathy, Appreciation, and Respect to earn your Trust.
Here at Don K Subaru, we love making a positive impact on the lives of all of our customers, employees, and neighbors. We thank you for your support.
What is the Subaru Love Promise®?
The Subaru Love Promise® is our vision to show love and respect to all people at every interaction with Subaru. Subaru and our retailers believe every day gives us an opportunity to positively impact the world around us - by how we support each other, our customers, and our community. Together, we are committed to making the world a better place. The Love Promise is what makes Subaru More Than a Car Company® and a Subaru retailer More Than a Car Dealer®. It sets a standard that we are committed to living every day.
What is the Subaru Love Promise Community Commitment?
At Don K Subaru, we believe in being a positive force in our community, not just with donations, but with actions that set an example for others to follow. We aim to make the world a better place through several key initiatives that help support and protect people, pets, and our planet:
How is Don K Subaru dedicated locally to the Love Promise?
The Don "K" Love Promise is all about community and how we can contribute to the social needs and cultural well being of the Flathead Valley. There are many community partners and organizations that we support and we are proud to be involved in the community where we all live and work.
Flathead Valley Animal Shelter, Flathead Spay and Neuter Clinics, Flathead Humane Society
Glacier National Park Conservancy, Montana Land Reliance, Eureka, Tobacco County Community Park
Area Schools scholarships, Steinway Fund, Montana Athletic Association, Regional Title 1 schools, BackPack Assistance Program
Whitefish Winter Carnival, Glacier Challenge benefitting MT Youth Homes, Flathead regional Food Banks, Alpine Theater Project - Scholarship Program
Sunshine Mental Health Services, Pediatric Health Services, Kalispell Regional Medi
Love Promise Stories from Don K Subaru
Subaru and Don K Subaru believe in making a positive impact on the communities in which we live and work. We uphold that belief through our Love Promise Community Commitment. Every month, we select inspiring stories from customers and partners from around our area who strive to support our collective commitment and feature them here
Subaru Loves the Earth 2026 - Tia L
This past spring, Don K Subaru teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation for our second annual tree giveaway! As part of the Subaru Loves the Earth Initiative, we were thrilled to provide free, ready-to-plant trees to our amazing local customers and neighbors. We had 100 free trees up for grabs, giving everyone the chance to reserve their tree ahead of time. During the pick-up event, customers who reserved their spot could choose between a Sugar Maple and a Red Maple. Thanks to an incredible community turnout, every single tree found a home! A massive thank you to everyone who participated and helped us make this environmental initiative a success.
$20,000 to Support the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation Through Subaru Share the Love Event - Tia L
A strong show of local support is making a meaningful impact in Northwest Montana, as Don "K" Subaru has contributed $20,000 to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation through the annual Subaru Share the Love Event. During the 2025 campaign, held in November and December, customers had the opportunity to direct a charitable donation with their purchase - choosing from national organizations or the dealership's hometown partner, BMWF. The overwhelming majority chose to support the local nonprofit. As the nonprofit partner to the U.S. Forest Service, BMWF plays a vital role in conservation, restoration, and education efforts across the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, one of the largest intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states. "This organization is incredibly meaningful to me personally," said Kevin Kaltschmidt, General Manager of Don "K" Subaru. "I grew up hiking and camping in the Bob, and some of my best memories are from time spent out there. Supporting this work and helping preserve that experience for future generations truly matters to all of us here at Don 'K' Subaru." The donation will directly support BMWF's 2026 field season. In 2025 alone, BMWF and its volunteers contributed more than 20,000 service hours: maintaining 448 miles of trail, clearing over 2,400 trees, and restoring historic structures - just a portion of the critical work completed each year. Funding from Share the Love will help expand 2026 efforts, including more than 50 trail and habitat projects and the engagement of approximately 400 volunteers across the 1.6 million-acre wilderness. "The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation is so grateful to Don K Subaru for having been selected to participate in the 2026 Share the Love event," the organization shared. "This donation will directly support important field work, seasonal personnel, and wilderness education, which are as important as ever. We are grateful to the Don K family and the Subaru patrons who chose to support BMWF through this event." The Subaru Share the Love Event continues to demonstrate how customer-driven giving can create meaningful local impact. To learn more about the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation or to support their mission, visit www.bmwf.org.
Thank You Letter from a Fellow Subaru Employee - Tia L
The following thank you letter was sent to our General Manager, Kevin after a positive experience with our Service Department! Good Afternoon Kevin, My name is Joe Oviguian, DPSM for the Minneapolis Zone. I want to share an experience with you regarding my daughter Natalie's 2011 Subaru Forester and Todd Wright and your Team at Don K Subaru… Natalie and her 2 college friends planned and were excited to take their first big road trip from Omaha to Montana for Spring Break. Usually when my kids communicate it's usually via text and phone calls usually mean something. Well, I got a call from Natalie which alerted my senses. She said that she had some warning lights on a little more than halfway through. My heart sank, as they are 3 girls traveling alone long distance during some weather and me in Minnesota. I tried to calm her by asking her questions and to look at certain things. By the grace of God, they managed to get to their Air BB which was conveniently close to your store. The next day she dropped her car at your store. Come to find out that she had some major issues with the car needing some substantial repairs. I arranged a rental car for them to finish their adventure and enjoy their Spring Break. Due to the extent of the repairs needed on the Forester, they had to take the rental car for their trip back to Omaha. As if that wasn't bad enough, on their way back, they had weather and she slid off the road and had an accident with the rental car, fortunately only the rental car was injured. They had to then go to another rental location to get a replacement car to Bozeman and then get another car that would allow them to drive out of state. They arrived in Bozeman and as luck would have it, no cars available. They then had to spend a night and take a flight from Bozeman back to Omaha to allow them to get back to school and their jobs. All this time I had been working with my Subaru colleagues DPSM Boris Gunjevic and DSQM Jim Pedicone to help me maneuver and manage the chaos and stress of all this. They got a hold of Todd Wright. After speaking with him, I knew this situation was going from a nightmare to a mere inconvenience albeit and expensive and stressful one. Todd immediately put me at ease and said that he will facilitate the situation. Todd related to my stress and concern as a father with kids and the 3 girls alone and an uncertain situation. When I told Todd about Natalie's accident and being stranded, he immediately offered to send someone to pick them up. I was so overwhelmed with his caring and compassion that I got emotional. As it turned out their was a State Patrol that came by and they worked with roadside assistance to get them to the nearest rental facility and did not require Todd's generous offer to pick them up. Todd kept in constant communication with me. He generously worked to ease the pain on me financially with the labor assistance and Boris's generous offer help with much of the parts for Natalie's car. On top of all this I had to arrange for transport of the car from Whitefish, MT to Omaha. They are scheduled to pick up the car tomorrow (Friday) on the journey back to Omaha. While they still had a great time in your beautiful state, their adventure will no doubt be an unforgettable memory. I cannot thank Todd and your Team enough for an amazing "Subaru Love Promise" in action experience and demonstrating "HEART" Pillars in full form. You have a truly exceptional staff and Todd is an amazing asset for you. Please thank the rest of the Team including Brandon Hadley the Technician for his attention to detail on the repair. Thank you Kevin for having the staff you do and being a true Subaru Retailer! Sincerely, Joe Oviguian District Parts and Service Manager |District 1 Subaru of America - Minneapolis Zone
Subaru Loves to Help Partners with United Way - Tia L
The recent Subaru Loves event at Northwest Montana United Way's Gateway Community Center in Kalispell was a beautiful reminder of how compassion can show up in the simplest, most powerful ways. In partnership with Don K Subaru and Operation Warm, the day became more than a distribution event – it became a celebration of dignity, care and community. Together, we placed 204 pairs of brand-new shoes into the hands of local families, and inside every box were two pairs of warms socks. Each pair represented more than footwear. For the children and adults who walked through our doors, it meant comfort, confidence and the reassurance that their community sees them and cares deeply about their well-being. There were quiet, unforgettable moments throughout the day. A child proudly trying on their new shoes and refusing to take them off. A parent visibly relieved knowing their family would be warmer and better prepared for the winter ahead. Volunteers knelt on the floor tying laces, sharing smiles and turning what could have been a simple handoff into a moment of connection and kindness. The Gateway Community Center was filled with laughter, gratitude and a sense of belonging that stayed long after the last pair of shoes was given. Through Subaru Loves, Don K Subaru and Operation Warm, the generosity became something tangible that our neighbors could hold in their hands and carry with them. The impact of that day will travel far beyond the walls of the center – walking into classrooms, workplaces and homes across our community. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and the message it sends: no one walks alone here. Because of this collaboration, families left not only with shoes and socks, but with renewed hope and the feeling of being supported by a community that truly cares. Sincerely, Jodie L Cross Executive Director Northwest Montana United Way
Subaru Loves Pets - Tia L
This past October, Don K Subaru celebrated Subaru Loves Pets a number of different ways in order to show support for our local furry friends! Don K Subaru was proud to donate $4000, as well as 10 cat and 10 dog adoption kits, to the Flathead County Animal Shelter to help prepare shelter animals for their forever homes. Photos were also taken of adoptable dogs and promoted on the dealership's social media. Here at the dealership, Don K employees wanted to celebrate their pets as well. Over 30 employees submitted photos of their own pets, so they could be displayed in the Subaru showroom. As more pictures were hung, customers who came in with their pets also asked if they could be displayed. By the end of the month, the showroom was filled with employee and customer pet photos! The activity was so overwhelmingly positive, that Don K has decided to continue the pet board next year. Thank you for a great month spreading love to all of our pets and animals in need!
Subaru Loves Learning - Tia L
Don “K” Subaru celebrated Subaru Loves Learning last month by supporting classrooms at West Valley School in Kalispell. Through AdoptAClassroom.org, the dealership awarded $500 each to six West Valley teachers to purchase supplies and learning tools tailored to their students’ needs, and contributed an additional $1,000 directly to the school to bolster school-wide educational resources. “Teachers are the heartbeat of our community, and when we invest in their classrooms, we invest in every student’s future,” said Kevin Kaltschmidt, General Manager at Don “K” Subaru. “Subaru Loves Learning is more than a slogan for us - it’s a commitment to equip local educators with the materials and support they need to inspire curiosity, confidence, and lifelong learning.” “This support means so much to us, not just financially, but emotionally as well,” said Alesia Hamill, Elementary Principal at West Valley School. “It shows our teachers that their hard work and dedication is seen and valued beyond the walls of our building. For our students, it means more engaging lessons, better access to tools that support their learning styles, and the simple but powerful message that their education matters to our broader community. We appreciate Subaru Loves Learning and Don ‘K’ Subaru!” This latest initiative reflects Don “K” Subaru’s ongoing focus on strengthening local schools and creating opportunities for students and educators across the Flathead Valley. By partnering with AdoptAClassroom.org, the dealership ensures funds go straight to teachers and programs where they can make the most immediate impact.
Subaru Loves to Care - Tia L
For the past few years, Don K Subaru has partnered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Logan Health through the Subaru Loves to Care initiative. The partnership involves delivering blankets and messages of hope to cancer patients and survivors. On June 7th, Don K Subaru passed out these items to patients during Logan Health’s Inaugural Cancer Survivors Day. A few of our team members were present for the event and were able to meet and spend time with survivors, who had the opportunity to share their stories. To show their appreciation, Logan Health sent the following: Dear Don K Subaru, Thank you for your generous donation of blankets during Logan Health’s inaugural Cancer Survivors Day. Our patients and staff greatly appreciated the gesture and will enjoy using the blankets throughout treatment and beyond. By supporting Logan Health’s cancer program through gifts like these, you are helping those in our community, uplifting their spirits and comforting them in some of the most difficult times of their cancer journey. We appreciate your support! Sincerely, Logan Health
Don K Subaru Supports Northwest Montana United Way - Joshua S
Imagine going without a coat, shoes, or even socks. For millions of children and adults experiencing homelessness and other urgent need situations across the country, even here in Whitefish, this is a harsh reality. Helping others strengthens communities, which is why Don K Subaru is partnering with Operation Warm®, a national nonprofit focused on connecting children with the resources they need to thrive. Through this partnership and other Subaru Loves to Help® efforts, Subaru and retailers like Don K Subaru have helped nearly 900,000 children and adults in urgent need. On 02/21/2025, Don K Subaru donated 204 shoes/socks to Northwest Montana United Way. These essential items not only help keep children protected, warm, and dry, it can have a significant impact on a child's mental and emotional well-being.
Don “K” Subaru Share the Love donates to Flathead Sheriff’s Posse - Tia L
Don “K” and Subaru presented a check in the amount of $17,110 on April 29th to the Flathead Sheriff’s Posse as a result of their being chosen by the employees at the dealership to become the 2024 hometown charity beneficiary of the recently completed Subaru Share the Love event. Subaru Share the Love is an annual giving program. The donations come from a portion of the sale price of every new Subaru sold or leased during the November through December 2024 campaign. Buyers choose a charity: The ASPCA, Make-a-Wish, Meals on Wheels Association of America, the National Park Foundation, or our local hometown charity, the Flathead Sheriff’s Posse. In addition to the national campaign, Don “K” Subaru added $50 per Subaru sold or leased to the total contributed by Subaru. The Flathead Sheriff’s Posse is a 60-member, well-trained volunteer organization that serves the public by providing supplemental auxiliary law enforcement services, including event security, election monitoring, crime scene assistance, fire scene duties, assisting sworn deputies, helping in detention centers, and more as needed. Captain John Shaw said, “Thank you seems inadequate to express our gratitude to the folks at Don K Subaru for this donation and support. The activities of the Sheriff’s Posse are not funded by taxpayers, so the loyalty and support of community businesses like Don “K” are vital to our ability to train our members and support the community at large. Kevin Kaltschmidt, General Manager of Don “K” Subaru, said, “Being locally involved is much more than just words to us, it is a priority. We live here, raise our families here, and, thanks to the incredible loyalty and support of our customers, we can give back in meaningful ways. In this case, we can help one of our vital first responders with the resources and tools that they need to provide help, safety, and protection to all of us. Subaru’s Share the Love campaign, and our hundreds of loyal Subaru customers have made this possible.” Don “K” Subaru is just one of the brands of exceptional vehicles sold at Don “K” Whitefish. Over their 35 years, and as the last remaining locally owned dealership in Northwest Montana, they have consistently received acclaim as the best dealership in the Valley and have repeatedly been recognized for their exceptional customer service across the Flathead.
Subaru Loves the Earth Arbor Day Event - Tia L
At Don K Subaru, we care deeply about our community and are committed to keeping our neighborhoods vibrant and healthy now and for generations to come. Trees are vital to this effort – they provide oxygen, cool our community, filter water, clean the air, prevent flooding and improve health. But every year, our community loses trees due to age, disease, infestation and extreme weather. Don K Subaru is proud to partner with the Arbor Day Foundation to help address this problem. This spring as part of our Subaru Loves the Earth initiative, Don K provided and distributed 100 mature, regionally appropriate trees that will benefit our local community for years to come. Customers were able to reserve trees online ahead of time and were able to choose between a Sugar Maple and a Red Maple tree. This was our first year handing out trees at the dealership and the positive feedback was overwhelming! All 100 trees were reserved a month ahead of the event. Thank you to everyone who participated!
