Bobby and Carolyn Crabtree Recognized as Corporate Leadership Honorees at the American Red Cross Ruby Red and White Ball
There’s a saying that the best leaders don’t just build businesses — they build communities. On April 25, 2026, that principle was on full display when Bobby and Carolyn Crabtree were named Corporate Leadership Award honorees at the American Red Cross Ruby Red and White Ball, one of Connecticut’s most celebrated philanthropic events of the year.
The Ruby Red and White Ball commemorated the American Red Cross’s 40th anniversary in the region and raised over $1.3 million to fund disaster relief, blood services, and emergency response programs across Connecticut. The Crabtree Motor Group served as a presenting sponsor of the evening, joining fellow community leaders and organizations committed to making Connecticut a stronger, more resilient place to live.
An Honor Built on a Lifetime of Giving Back
The Corporate Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a lasting, authentic commitment to their community — people who don’t just write checks but show up, get involved, and inspire the people around them to do the same.
Bobby and Carolyn Crabtree have embodied that standard for as long as we’ve known them. Here at Bobby Crabtree Chevrolet in East Haven, CT, we see that commitment reflected in everything from the way our team engages with local organizations to the pride we take in being a dealership that genuinely belongs to this community. This award is a recognition of Bobby and Carolyn’s character — and we couldn’t be more proud to celebrate it.
East Haven, Connecticut — and Beyond
Bobby Crabtree Chevrolet has been a fixture of the East Haven, CT community and a proud member of the Crabtree Motor Group family of five Connecticut dealerships. Across every location — from East Haven to Watertown to Milford to Middlebury — the Crabtree name has come to stand for something beyond the automotive business: a genuine, long-term investment in the people and places that make up this corner of Connecticut.
Bobby and Carolyn have never treated community involvement as a marketing strategy. For them, it has always been a responsibility — one they take seriously and one that has touched countless families, schools, nonprofits, and organizations across the state.
The American Red Cross Mission
The American Red Cross is on the ground in Connecticut every single day — responding to house fires in the middle of the night, ensuring a stable blood supply for hospitals, training community members in lifesaving first aid, and providing comfort and support to military families. None of that work is possible without the sustained generosity of community partners like the Crabtree Motor Group.
The $1.3 million raised at the Ruby Red and White Ball will go directly toward expanding the Red Cross’s capacity to serve Connecticut residents when they need it most. We are proud to have played a part in that effort and proud to have Bobby and Carolyn leading the way.
Get Involved
From everyone at Bobby Crabtree Chevrolet and the entire Crabtree Motor Group family — congratulations to Bobby and Carolyn on this richly deserved honor. It is a privilege to work alongside people who lead with such integrity and heart.
If this story moves you to get involved with the American Red Cross — through a blood donation, volunteer hours, or a financial gift — visit redcross.org to learn how.
To learn more about Bobby Crabtree Chevrolet’s community involvement and the full Crabtree Motor Group family of dealerships, visit our About Us page or stop by and see us in East Haven, CT.
