Daystar Auto Group carries mission of service into new year

As the new year begins, Daystar Auto Group continues to make a meaningful impact across the communities it serves, donating well over $150,000 this year to a broad range of charitable organizations, schools, memorial funds, youth programs and community initiatives.

This support has reached organizations including Malvern Cares, Minerva Mission, the Josette Beddell Memorial Foundation, the Malvern Food Pantry, the 222 Group, North Canton Cares Pantry, Stark County Pet Food Pantry, Brown Local Schools, Garfield Local Schools, Mission 22, the Stark County Library, Global Improvement Group, local school backpack programs, Portage APO, Toys for Tots, Love Is Red, Backyard Critters 4-H, Shop with a Cop, Garrettsville Summerfest, the Malvern Booster Club, the Windham Bombers, Burton Boy Scouts, Crestwood Band Boosters, Malone University Baseball, Malone University Soccer, the Jake Crewson Memorial, the Zach Peterson Memorial, Hogs Helping Heroes and Akron Children’s Hospital.

Together, these organizations reflect Daystar’s commitment to supporting families in need, students and educators, veterans and first responders, youth athletics, faith-based outreach, animal welfare and health care throughout the region.

Led by Matt Leeders, president, Wendy Leeders, vice president and Dan Millat, chief operations officer, Daystar Auto Group was founded in 2018 with a clear and intentional mission rooted in faith and service. As a faith-based business, the company’s name carries deep meaning. “Daystar represents Christ, which was our primary reason in choosing the name,” Matt and Wendy Leeders shared when founding the company. “But Daystar is also known as the Morning Star—the last star seen in the sky before dawn. Since the Daystar signals the dawn of a new day, we felt it was comparable to the dawn of a new era at the dealership when we took over in 2018.”

That symbolism has become the foundation of the company’s purpose. “Our main goal was to be a light in the communities we serve,” the Leeders said, “and it has become the core mission of the Daystar Auto Group.” This mission is lived out not only through charitable giving but also through active community engagement, including the company’s Student Athlete of the Month program, which recognizes and encourages young leaders who demonstrate excellence, character and commitment both on and off the field.

As the year gets underway, Daystar Auto Group continues to look ahead with gratitude and purpose, shining its light through faith-driven values, sustained generosity and intentional community involvement, while strengthening the communities it serves and making a lasting impact far beyond the showroom. 

In 2026, the company plans to continue this commitment by expanding its community outreach and maintaining its strong support of local student-athletes through ongoing recognition and involvement.