A company contest with the word ‘challenge’ in it brought anything but that to five team members from Faulkner Subaru of Bethlehem.

Instead, an impromptu and fun ice cream sundae and bingo party Feb. 23 shared with residents of Moravian Village of Bethlehem brought as much joy to the team as it did to the residents.

“To make people smile, that’s what it’s all about,” said Dave Kopew, general manager of Faulkner Subaru of Bethlehem. “This is cameraderie for us as well.”

Subaru’s annual Random Acts of Kindness Challenge is its name and its mission is simple: to make the world a kinder place, brightening up someone’s day. Kyle Manley, sales manager at Faulkner Subaru of Bethlehem, knew exactly where to go for his team to spread the kindness.

Manley took his team back to a place where he developed the first leg of his career and where he said he “learned a lot.” At a mere 16 years old, Manley’s very first job was in dining services at Moravian Village, where he worked for six years, making his way through the ranks to dining room manager before expanding his career at Faulkner.

When asked why he chose Moravian Village as the recipient of Faulkner Subaru of Bethlehem’s Random Acts of Kindness Challenge, Manley quickly smiled.

“The residents are nice and the staff is awesome,” Manley said. “It is important to us to show that we are not just a car dealership, but that we care about the community and can bring a little happiness.”

And bring happiness they did, with endless amounts of ice cream and a full toppings bar for residents to enjoy. While Zach Weagly, lead adviser at Faulkner Subaru of Bethlehem, and Jacob East, internet sales manager at Faulkner, dished out the ice cream for residents, the rest of the team garnered a great crowd for an hour-long bingo marathon where they donated over $200 in gift certificates for residents to use in Moravian Village’s Upper Deck bistro.

When Manley asked his team to join him for this endeavor, it did not take much.

“I was taught to always give back,” said East, who was a volunteer firefighter. “Subaru gave me an opportunity to help people in a different way.”

It was an easy decision for Weagley, as well.

“I jumped on it,” he said. “It’s worth it. Giving back to the community is important.”

“It’s wonderful to be able to interact with the people that allow us to exist,” said Tom Joyce, chief operating officer for Faulkner Automotive Group. “It makes our employees better because they are not just a part of our business but of the larger community.”

If Faulkner Subaru wins the Random Acts of Kindness Challenge, $1,000 will be donated in its name to a charity of its choice.

“I thought it was more rewarding to participate in something that not only helps us but somebody else,” said Moravian Village Market Street Cottages resident Linda Robbins, who was faced with the dilemma of choosing between her regular exercise class or indulging in an ice cream sundae and bingo. “The [Faulkner] guys were engaging and concerned, and they even cleaned up afterwards. They were wonderful.”