Latest news with #GaryRome
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dean Technical High School graduate wins a brand new car
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP)- The President and CEO of Gary Rome Hyundai gave back to the community by recognizing a high school student in Holyoke with a brand-new car. Since 2010, Gary Rome has awarded a Holyoke high schooler an Academic Achievement Award for their good grades, attendance, and behavior. 'I'm literally shaking, I'm so excited,' said Chelsea Salas, a senior at Dean Technical High School. Out of 150 finalists, 20 were chosen for the Gary Rome Academic Achievement Award. It's the only program in the region to offer a brand-new car to a deserving Holyoke high schooler. Each of the finalists was a good student with a 3.0 or higher GPA and fewer than 6 absences throughout the school year. In front of family, friends, school faculty, and staff, each student got in a line for a chance to pick a key that would start this red Hyundai Venue. A senior at Dean Technical became the lucky winner. 'We had to send an essay and write about what we felt like we deserved it and I wrote about being the youngest of four and growing up in a low-income household and didn't have anything. My parents work so hard, and I wanted to make them proud,' said Salas. Salas didn't know she won until she opened her eyes. 'I was the first one to pick out of the bowl, and I picked lucky number 3,' said Salas. 4 years of good grades, consistent attendance, and strong characteristics paid off. The school's guidance counselor is happy to see that Salas won her very first car. 'This is probably one of the most exciting days of our entire year. Seeing all their hard work kind of come to this has just been beyond exciting,' said Teresa Beaulieu, Guidance Counselor at Dean Technical High School. Right after she won the car, she graduated. This was an early present from Gary Rome Hyundai. Gary Rome said it's an award that is always remembered. 'This has made a difference in their lives, you know it's allowed them to get back and forth to college, allow them to take their parents to doctors' appointments, it's allowed them to make a difference,' said Gary Rome, President and CEO of Gary Rome Hyundai. Rome is thinking of bringing alumni back to future events. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Hyundai Hope on Wheels donates to local charity ‘Cops for Kids with Cancer'
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – National nonprofit 'Hyundai Hope on Wheels,' whose mission is to find a cure to childhood cancer, gave a generous donation Wednesday afternoon to one local charity. Springfield officials celebrate progress in city stump grinding program This nonprofit collected $65,000 for local runners who will participate in the Boston Marathon as a charity group, 'Cops for Kids with Cancer.' Since 2002, Cops for Kids with Cancer has volunteered their time to raise money for children battling cancer. To help them fundraise, Hyundai dealers donated $22 to this cause from every car that they sold. 'There were 14,910 children who were diagnosed with cancer last year, but only four percent of the money the research goes to pediatric cancer research,' said Gary Rome, CEO of Gary Rome Hyundai. 'So it's very important to me that we take care of our children.'For the 27th year, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will be donating $27 million in research grants for childhood cancer. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HCC Foundation raises $181K in one-day giving campaign
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Holyoke Community College (HCC) Foundation surpassed its fundraising goal during its fifth annual 'Together HCC: Drive to Change Lives' campaign. The one-day giving campaign, held on March 4, brought in $181,285 from 504 donors, including alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community members. The goal was to secure 500 donors, a milestone that was exceeded through widespread support. Free genealogy programs offered in Holyoke 'For the fifth straight year, our network of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends continue to show how much they care about HCC students,' said Julie Phillips, HCC's Director of Development. 'With so many people giving what they can, it shows our students that we are invested in their success.' The funds raised will directly support six key areas that benefit HCC students: Academic Excellence and Innovation Scholarships The Thrive Student Resource Center and Food Pantry The President's Student Emergency Fund The President's Fund for Opportunity The HCC Foundation's Unrestricted Fund Alumni accounted for the largest portion of donors at 37%, followed by HCC faculty and staff at 30%, friends of the college at 19%, parents at 5%, and students at 5%. Donors collectively unlocked $130,000 in challenge pledges, including a $5,000 contribution from Gary Rome, owner of Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke, and a HCC Foundation Board of Directors member. 'Every gift to the 'Together HCC' campaign matters,' said Phillips. 'When we remove barriers for one student, we're not just changing their life, we're transforming their family's future and strengthening our entire region.' The HCC Foundation originally launched the 'Together HCC: A Campaign for Caring' initiative in March 2020 to provide financial relief to students struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2021, with Rome's support, the campaign adopted the 'Drive to Change Lives' theme, collectively raising nearly $1 million for student aid programs. Those who missed this year's giving day but still wish to contribute can make a donation online. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Holyoke Community College hosts 24-hour fundraiser to benefit students
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – A 24-hour marathon took place at Holyoke Community College on Tuesday, to benefit the institution's students. The campaign started at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday and ends at midnight. The money raised will support both student success and education. 2024 Remarkable Woman reflects on her experience one year later Gary Rome Hyundai partnered with HCC to collect donations for student scholarships, the college's Food Pantry, the student emergency fund, and the President's Fund for Opportunity. HCC and Gary Rome look to secure 500 donors by the end of the day. This year, they hope to continue supporting students both in and out of the classroom. They're also looking to increase the number of people who receive education as well. 'It's a generational impact, because when one person in a family gets an education, usually there's multiple generations,' said Dr. George Timmons, President of HCC. 'And then it changes at the project area of not only your life, but the lives of those who come after you.' More than $770,000 has been raised for student support programs since the campaign started in March 2020. At the end of the campaign, they hope to raise $1 million. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Over $165,000 raised through 'Trees of Hope' for those in need of medical care
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Ronald McDonald House of Springfield announced in partnership with Gary Rome Hyundai that they've raised more than $165,000 through their 'Trees of Hope' event. The two groups celebrated during a check presentation in Springfield on Tuesday. This money will help provide vital resources for families with children who are receiving medical care in our area. HCC, Gary Rome partner for one day fundraiser campaign 'I think it's our responsibility as a business to give back to the community and support them in any way we can,' said Gary Rome, owner of Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke. 'It's because of our community partnerships that we have within the Springfield community that we are able to keep families together in their time of need,' Ronald McDonald House Charities Executive Director Michelle D'Amore said. This collaboration has raised more than $600,000 in the past four years. Gary Rome is calling this an incredible milestone. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
