Brooklyn, NY – Hikind: Bay Ridge Toyota Donates Special Vehicle To Wheelchair-Bound Borough Park Boy (video)

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    (L-R) Mekimi Chairman of the Board Chesky Kauftheil; Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn); Mike Ianelli, General Manager, Bay Ridge Toyota; Joe Ciaccia, Social Media & Web Manager, Bay Ridge Toyota; Jason Schroeck, Social Media & Web Manager, Toyota of ManhattanBrooklyn, NY – Just in time for Chanukkah season, Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) teamed up with Bay Ridge Toyota and Toyota of Manhattan and presented a 2012 Toyota Sienna Mobility Edition van valued at close to $50,000 to the family of 12-year-old Alter Pinter. Alter’s legs were amputated last year after he nearly lost his battle with a vicious case of swine flu which raged through his entire body and spread to his legs. He has been confined to a wheelchair ever since.

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    Photos-video credit: Shimon Gifter

    Hikind and representatives from Toyota presented the vehicle to the family at a ceremony today. “It’s easy to become cynical in today’s world,” said Hikind. “What Toyota has done is a shining example of the humanity that can and still does exist in the world. I am awed by their generosity, and am hopeful that other individuals and corporations will follow their example to help improve the quality of life for someone less fortunate. This is about different communities coming together to make a significant difference.”

    Echoing Hikind’s sentiments, Jason Schroeck, Social Media and Web Manager for Toyota of Manhattan said, “This is about reaching beyond our community to help others. It’s about the season for giving. But more importantly, it’s about a child and family in need. The families at Bay Ridge Toyota and Toyota of Manhattan hope that through our donation, we can somehow make life a little easier, and bring a smile to the face of such a wonderful little boy and his family in this difficult time of their lives.”

    Hikind was initially approached by Mekimi Chairman of the Board Chesky Kauftheil about the Pinter family. Mekimi (www.mekimi.org), which provides a host of support services to children and young adults who are combating cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, has been working extensively to help the Pinter family. “Mr. Kauftheil said to me, ‘is there anything we can do to help this family get a handicapped-accessible vehicle?’” Hikind recalled. ‘“Right now the only way to get Alter into the family car is to carry him from his wheelchair into the car. It’s very upsetting to him and the whole family.’”

    Soon after, Hikind met with the boy and his family to ascertain their exact needs and immediately contacted Mr. John Giuffre of the Bay Ridge Automotive Group to ask for his assistance. “It was a no-brainer for him,” remarked Hikind. “He said he just had to work out the logistics, but that he would have the car ready for the family within three weeks. He was nothing short of remarkable. John is truly the hero of this story.”

    “Mekimi is extremely grateful to Assemblyman Hikind and to all the executives at Toyota who helped make getting a handicapped-accessible van for Alter a reality,” said Mr. Kauftheil. “None of this would be possible without the immense generosity and kindness of Bay Ridge Toyota and Toyota of Manhattan. There are no words to express our tremendous gratitude.”

    Toyota hands over the Key to Mr. pinter

    Mr. Pinter drives away with the car


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    20 Comments
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    TheMaven
    TheMaven
    12 years ago

    WOW! John and everyone from Bay Ridge Toyota and Toyota of Manhattan…. WAY TO GO!!!!

    TheRealJoe123
    TheRealJoe123
    12 years ago

    Wow this is a great story I can appreciate this story double as a sibling of a special needs child

    Ben_Kol
    Ben_Kol
    12 years ago

    A big thank you to Bay Ridge Toyota.

    12 years ago

    The Pinters have shown such courage throughout their ordeal. They continue to provide chizuk to so many others. I’m so happy this worked out for them.

    Babishka
    Member
    Babishka
    12 years ago

    What a nice, inspiring story! I work in the automotive industry and can pass this story on for other dealerships as an example of helping the community.

    mewhoze
    mewhoze
    12 years ago

    so beautiful. made me smile when i read the article and saw how community and business can work together for everyones betterment.
    bless you all!!

    Yoilys
    Yoilys
    12 years ago

    I’m a proud costumer of Bay Ridge Toyota, I always loved their service, and now I’m delighted to hear that they did such an amazing thing, u should be blessed, only stick to Bay Ridge Toyota!!!

    YJay1
    YJay1
    12 years ago

    Kol Hakavod to Dov Hikind, Bay Ridge Toyota, Manhattan Toyota, Mekimi, and everybody who helped for this special cause. May Hashem give lots of strength to the Pinter family.

    This story shows us that there are still lots of good people out there!

    Miriam377
    Miriam377
    12 years ago

    What a huge Kiddush Hashem thank you bay ridge toyota!!!!!

    bklyn
    bklyn
    12 years ago

    what a nice thing!
    everybody involved in this mitzva,

    from the asken of klal yisroel mr chesky kauhftyl, & of course assembluman dov hikind, & on top of them the honerable staff of toyota bayridge! should you all have hatzlacha in everything you do!

    villyamsburger
    villyamsburger
    12 years ago

    Bay Ridge Toyota you are my current hero
    In a world where its all so negative lately such a positive light came in the right time. hope the Pinter family sees great nachas from their boy.
    with tears and cheers a villyamsburger

    Mrs_Boro_Parker
    Mrs_Boro_Parker
    12 years ago

    Defintitly THUMBS UP for bayridge toyota my lease is up soon and guess where I will be going to renew…

    metsfan123
    metsfan123
    12 years ago

    great story. but it sounds like the boy acquired a MRSA infection .Which is common in hospitals and enters through open breaks in skin ,even a paper cut in non hospital setting.in hospitals when healthcare workers dont wash their hands properly it transfers from an infected patient to another through iv lines and catheters.

    JoeCiaccia
    JoeCiaccia
    12 years ago

    Thank you so very much for the kind words. We @bayridgetoyota are happy to put a smile on the face of such a wonderful little boy. Have a blessed Holiday.

    12 years ago

    at this opportunity, it would be appropriate to commend the wonderful aide for Alter that has been so compassionate to him all along. it brings to the forfront the issue of having more community members sign up to become certified home health aides. In addition to doing a giant service to our community’s sick it is also very rewarding to give from the community to the community. It might not financially pay that well but it is a good entry level job and still far better than no job at all. The bikur cholim benefits and rewards to come from above is giant!!!
    Do not feel degraded when someone offers you to go for training to become a HHA. Look how proud Alter’s aide is to be with him!!