Island Auto Group donates $14,000 to Staten Island Giving Circle, to benefit local food pantries - silive.com

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Thanksgiving week 2021 has inspired countless Staten Islanders to give back to the community to express gratitude for their blessings, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as more families than ever will be unable to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving.

On Tuesday, Nov. 22, the employees of Island Auto Group, joined by principal Marcello Sciarinno, gathered at Island Toyota’s Dongan Hills showroom, and presented a check for $14,000 to the Staten Island Giving Circle’s founder, Evelyn Kormanik, who will be distributing the funds to Staten food banks.

Officials from the food banks were in also in attendance, as were Councilman-elect David Carr and Borough President-elect Vito Fossello. Sciarrino, alongside his wife Charlotte Sciarinno, presented the check on behalf of his organization.

“We had an amazing food drive collection this season,” said Sciarrino. “Our employees did a great job and raised $5,000. We also received a check for $1,000 from a vendor and we at Island Auto Group are giving $1,000 as well.”

The $7,000 total was matched by Toyota Headquarters through the Dealer Match Program, which doubled the monies raised for a grand total of $14,000 that was donated to SIGC, which will also be using the money to assist in their “Backpack Program,” which gives children backpacks filled with food for them to bring home for Thanksgiving.

“The Staten Island community at large is a better place because of people like Marcello Sciarrino and his staff,” said SIGC’s Kormanik. “Their genuine concern for the welfare of others and their selfless efforts are exemplary. The SIGC and Island Auto are certainly on the same page.

“The fact that Island Auto has the extraordinary leadership of Marcello Sciarrino supported by a staff of empathetic community-minded workers works in tandem with the strong leadership, mission and membership of the SIGC. Both organizations work tirelessly to sustain and improve our own community.”

The pantries that will receive a portion of the donations include: South Shore Community Food Pantry, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Oakwood Heights Community Church, United Church of Praise international Ministries, Community Health Action of Staten Island, Christ Church, CALM Food Pantry, Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Yeshiva of Staten Island.

Staten Island Auto — Councilman-Elect David Carr and Marcello Sciarrino, principal of Island Auto, which donated $14,000 to Staten Island Giving Circle on Nov. 23, to benefit local food pantries on Staten Island. (Courtesy Jeremy Lieberman)

ABOUT ISLAND AUTO GROUP

Island Auto Group, Staten Island’s largest auto dealer, is a locally owned automotive franchise that owns/operates Kia, Hyundai, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Subaru, Toyota, Mazda, Volkswagen and Chevrolet dealerships.

Among other services, all Island Auto Group websites are interactive, and customers can even purchase a car online, he said.

As part of Island Auto Group’s mission, the company formed an aggressive community outreach program to help local Staten Island businesses and causes, including an initiative during the heart of the coronavirus pandemic where they were supplying first responders with free loaner cars to get to and from work.

“Staten Island Giving Circle is always amazed at the generosity of our fellow Staten Islanders,” said Michele Yacovello, President of SIGC. “We are so blessed, especially at this time of the year, to have the support of our community. This [donation] in particular is so impactful because every single employee at Island Auto participated to make this such a success.

“Together we will make a difference on Staten Island.