Over the past 12 months, Lockwood Motors has supported more than 75 local organizations, reflecting a deep, sustained commitment to the Marshall community and greater Southwest Minnesota. Beneficiaries range from child- and family-focused charities—Tuck Them In (building beds and providing bedding for children who don’t have one), Marshall Food 4 Kids, Hope Harbor, and Women’s Rural Advocacy Program (WRAP)—to critical health and wellness partners including the Marshall Avera Cancer Center, Prairie Home Hospice (with one hospice home named in memory of Chet’s mother, Betty), the Marshall Area YMCA, and the American Cancer Society. The dealership also backs local safety and enrichment through the Marshall Fire Department, Pride in the Tiger Foundation (scholarships for local graduates), Southwest Minnesota State University academics and athletics, Marshall Area Fine Arts Council, Lyon County PRCA Rodeo, Wabasso Drive for the Kids, and more. In addition, Lockwood funded an Action Track Chair for Camp Confidence Learning Center, opening up outdoor learning for kids with disabilities.
This impact is backed by significant financial leadership. Highlights include $7,500+ to Tuck Them In (funding 23 bedsfor children), $40,000 to United Way of Southwest Minnesota, a vehicle donation valued at $15,000 to WRAP plus headline sponsorship of its annual event, $20,000+ to the Avera Cancer Center, and $50,000 to Prairie Home Hospice. The team’s long-term commitment to education is evident in more than $100,000 to SMSU over eight years across academic and athletic programs, alongside an endowed gift from the Lockwood family naming the SMSU Alumni Center in honor of Elizabeth “Betty” Lockwood. Since its inception, Wabasso Drive for the Kids has raised $50,000+, and Lockwood contributed $6,000 to LeeMar Ranch Equine Center for equine therapy benefiting local youth. Beyond these marquee gifts are countless contributions to local high school athletic teams and community events throughout the year.
Lockwood’s culture of service runs through its people. Thirty-six employees participate in paycheck deductions to United Way of SW Minnesota (matched 100% by Mr. Lockwood, for a combined impact exceeding $6,400 annually), and team members regularly volunteer across food drives, youth events, and local fundraisers—led by sales professional Al, who serves as Board Chair of United Way of SW MN. The dealership’s philosophy is simple: when neighbors face hardship, we show up—with time, resources, and advocacy. In a small community, those actions go a long way, and the Lockwood team is proud to be known as a community-minded dealership.
