SOUTH AMBOY, N.J. — DCH Auto Group asked its dealerships to be creative to generate funds for relief efforts in earthquake-hit Haiti. Some stores responded with a campaign centered on carnations; another focused on the chance to dress down.

At DCH Tustin Acura in Tustin, Calif., the dealership ran a campaign called, "Carnations for Donations." Customers received a carnation for making a donation of any amount.

Meanwhile at two other group dealerships in California, employees conducted a "Dress-Down Day." At DCH Acura of Temecula and DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula, dealership staff could trade a donation toward the Haiti relief effort for the pleasure of wearing jeans while at work.

Finally in Freehold, N.J., DCH Freehold Toyota is actively collecting donations from customers and employees.

No matter the fundraising concept, DCH's total donation went to Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres, an international medical humanitarian organization that operates independently of any political, military, or religious agendas.

"Our deepest sympathy goes out to everyone who has been affected by the terrible earthquake in Haiti," explained Susan Scarola, president and chief executive officer of DCH Auto Group.

"Our donation to Doctors Without Borders, helping the victims of this improbable disaster, is an extension of DCH Auto Group's unyielding embrace of the tenants of corporate citizenship," Scarola added.

DCH consists of 27 dealerships in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and southern California.

"We are incredibly proud of our employees who responded on their own to this urgent call to action," stressed Shau-wai Lam, chairman of DCH.

"We are grateful to everyone who supported our employees' efforts to aid the victims of this unspeakable tragedy," Lam concluded.