FEB. 2025. Blues Vol 41 No.2

THE HISTORY OF HELFMAN

THE HISTORY OF HELFMAN AUTO The legacy of Helman’s entry into the auto business dates back to 1959 when Alan’s grandfather Samuel Helfman opened a used car lot on Washington Avenue just south of I-10 (The car lot was there for the longest time under a variety of different owners from W&R Auto Sales to Buddy’s Used Cars). Alan’s dad, Jack Helfman, worked alongside his father Samuel honing his sales skills while at the same time helping to build a successful used car dealership. That experience gained over 13 years working with his dad laid the foundation to what would become a successful 39-year relationship with Chrysler. Fueled by the success of Helfman Motors, Jack began looking into the possibility of selling new cars. He had his eyes set on a small dealership, inside the loop, owned by a local businessman named Bob Ring. Soon the papers were signed, and in 1972 the Helfman’s took control of River Oaks Chrysler Plymouth. Unfortunately, Samuel Helfman would pass away shortly after the Helfman’s acquired the new dealership. During Jack Helfman’s years of success as a dealer, he had been very involved in the community. For more than 30+ years he had been a major contributor to the Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services, a nursing home in the Houston area. Contributing not only money, but his time as well. Throughout his years of service to Seven Acres, he donated wheelchairs, walkers, and other supplies as they were needed. He also encouraged his children into the service of the elderly, and on many occasions, they would spend their time reading to the residents. When it came time for the annual Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services Gala, he would donate a car or truck for raffle, and personally make the calls necessary to sell the raffle tickets. In 2001 Jack Helfman and his wife Elaine were presented with the 2001 Sprit of Life Award at that year’s annual Seven Acres Gala. But this is only one of many charities he had given to. He annually, contributed to: The United Jewish Federation, Muscular Dystrophy, March of Dimes, United Way, and many others. Seven Acres is simply the one believed to have been closest to his heart. Jack Helfman had been honored over the years for many achievements. In 2004 he was the recipient of the 2004 Time Magazine Quality Award. That award was given 96 The BLUES - FEBRUARY ‘25

to new car dealers for their exceptional performance in their dealership, and distinguished community service. This award was given to only 63 dealers out of nearly 20,000. It was the highest honor achievable by a dealer. Jack was honored that his son Alan decided at an early age to follow in his footsteps into the auto business. Alan earned his business degree at UT and quickly adopted the strong work ethic his dad lived his entire work life. “Dad was very austere but fair,” Alan said. “He taught you a hard work ethic - work morning ‘til night, six days a week. Work hard and play hard. He didn’t have a lot of outside interests. We (the car industry) went through some tumultuous times in 2007 but he was grateful that we had something. He wasn’t the kind of man to spend money on expensive hobbies or pastimes.” Jack Helfman also taught his son to give generously to worthy causes “as long as they were legitimate.” The Helfman family made a large contribution toward the construction of the Helfman Football Field at Emery-Weiner School, where Alan and Renee Helfman’s three children attended school - Blake, Eric and Caitlin. Today, Jack Helfman would be extremely proud of his son’s generosity and his unending desire to help others. Tom Kennedy, a longtime editor of the HPOU’s Badge & Gun Newspaper, wrote a great article about Alan a few years ago. Here is just some of that article on how Alan came to be known as “Mr. Humanitarian and Mr. Philanthropy.” Alan Helfman is the car dealer with a TCLEOSE (TCOLE now) Certification who constantly goes the proverbial extra mile for HPD Officers and other Law Enforcement causes, using his sales ability on the auction circuit to raise funds for Officers in need. The company chieftain in the well-tailored suit always seems to have a phone in his ear. He crisply moves from one call to another, juggling conversations about his car business or his extra-curricular passion - auctioning sports memorabilia to raise funds for injured or ailing Houston police officers. When soliciting auction The BLUES - FEBRUARY ‘25 97