2023 Difference Makers

Congratulations to the class of 2023 Difference Makers!

I recently had the extraordinary opportunity to attend the prestigious 2023 Difference Makers event as the presenting sponsor. It was truly an honor to be part of an occasion that celebrated individuals and organizations making a profound impact in our community. Reflecting on this experience, I am filled with gratitude and inspiration.

The 2023 Difference Makers event brought together a diverse array of trailblazers, visionaries, and change-makers from various fields and sectors. From innovators in technology and science to advocates for social justice and sustainability, the event showcased individuals who have dedicated their lives to creating positive change and leaving a lasting impact on our world.

As a presenting sponsor, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the incredible stories shared by the remarkable individuals on stage. Each speaker had a unique tale to tell, filled with passion, resilience, and a burning desire to make a difference. Their stories served as a testament to the power of human determination and the impact that a single individual or organization can have on our global community.

To see all the honorees and our congratulations video, the link is below

Link: https://businesswest.com/difference-makers/

Town by Town: ‘Women in Business Summit’

Over in Springfield where Carla Cosenzi, owner of TommyCar Auto was a guest speaker at the annual “Women in Business Summit” on Friday.

As a successful businesswoman, Consenzi shared her experiences and insights on how to start and grow a business. She also discussed the challenges and opportunities for women as business owners.

“I’m honored to be here,” said Cosenzi. “I’m honored to be a panelist but I’m inspired by all of the women here and I think it’s really important to know that these are the women who are paving the path for the next generation coming up. These are the women who are inspiring our community who maybe want to start their own business or make a career change or need a support system or need a mentor.”

Friday’s summit attracted hundreds of women from various industries.

Click the link to see the full interview!

Interview

Surprise Squad honors beloved East Longmeadow math teacher

The Hyundai Dealers Surprise Squad is back and, this time, they took a trip to East Longmeadow High School. Students, staff, family, and friends all coming together to surprise their beloved math teacher, Jan Clini. It was an emotional surprise for everyone in the room as she is wrapping up her more than three decades in education and has made a mark for many as more than just a teacher.

Thirty-five years ago, Clini graduated college and entered the workforce with her master’s degree in business. She started working at a local insurance company, but that didn’t last very long. By lunchtime, on her first day, she quit.

However, Clini knew she couldn’t go home without a job, so she applied to dozens of schools and it was at that moment she began the next three decades working as a math teacher, but it became more than just a job for her, which is why her colleagues at East Longmeadow High School nominated her for the Hyundai Dealers Surprise Squad.

The surprises continued as the Western Mass. Hyundai Dealers gave back to Clini as she prepares to enter retirement in June.

“This was probably one of the most emotional Surprise Squads. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. The kids were so emotional and she was so emotional, which may have something to do with the fact she’s retiring next year,” said Carla Cosenzi, president of Country Hyundai.

To see the full video, click the link!

Full Video

Women’s Summit To Feature Inspiring Talk By TommyCar Owner Carla Cosenzi

Carla Cosenzi, owner of TommyCar Auto Group, has been invited to speak at the upcoming Women in Business (WIB) Summit in Springfield. The summit will take place this Friday, April 28, and is expected to attract hundreds of women from various industries.

As a successful entrepreneur, Cosenzi will share her experiences and insights on how to start and grow a business. She will also discuss the challenges and opportunities for women in a male-dominated field.

“I am honored to be invited to speak at the Women’s Summit,” Cosenzi said. “I believe that it is important for women to support and inspire each other, especially in male-dominated industries. I hope to motivate and empower the attendees to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals.”

To read the whole article, click the link below!

Read More

Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts Celebrity Bartending Fundraiser

Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts collaborated with some local celebrities for a bartending fundraiser Tuesday night in Springfield.

Over at the Student Prince, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Steve Nagle from Rock 102 WAQY, Carla Cosenzi from TommyCar Auto Group, and other business leaders served drinks for a great cause.

Overall, this was a great event that brought so many people in the community together for a great cause.

To read more about the event, click the link below!

News Article

Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Golf Tournament raises over $156,000 for Dana-Farber

The Tom Cosenzi Driving For The Cure Charity Golf Tournament hosted its annual charity golf tournament on September 28th, 2022 and the event was a resounding success. Golfers from the local community, as well as corporate sponsors, came out in droves to show their support for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The tournament raised an incredible $156,600, setting a new fundraising record for the event.

The charity golf tournament has been a cornerstone of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s fundraising efforts for many years, and this year's event was no exception. Generous donations from both golfers and sponsors have contributed towards the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's ongoing mission of conquering cancer.

"We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support we received for this year's golf tournament. The funds raised will go a long way in helping us to continue providing vital programs and services to those in need. We couldn't have done it without the help of our Presenting Sponsor, CDK Global, as well as other sponsors, volunteers, and golfers who participated in the event. Thank you all for your generosity and support,” said Carla Cosenzi, President and Co-owner of TommyCar Auto.

The charity golf tournament was held at Twin Hills Country Club.  The tournament featured a raffle, silent and live auction, hole-in-one contests, live music, adding to the excitement and enjoyment of the day.

News Link to Read More

Sip & Shop with the Gals!

A group of over 30 local women-owned businesses joined forces to host this ‘women-supporting-women’ event, called ‘Sip & Shop With The Gals’. Businesses were given the chance to make their presence heard, in an effort to increase their growth and profitability. Carla Cosenzi, the President of TommyCar Auto Group says this was an opportunity to introduce businesses in a different way.

Cosenzi told 22News, “there a lot of small women-owned businesses that maybe don’t have the type of opportunity to get the type of exposure they would need.”

Cosenzi added that inspiring women into becoming their best selves will continue as a tradition through the years to come.

Click the link to see the whole news article

Sip & Shop on the news

Tragic Earthquake in Turkey Affects One of Our Own

On Wednesday, TommyCar Auto revealed that Halil Kuzo of Northampton Volkswagen, one of their very own sales consultants, has been adversely impacted by the tragic earthquake in Turkey. His entire family resides in the town that was affected by the earthquake. 

Kuzo told 22News, “There is no network, there is no power, no electricity. There is no proper communication with my parents. I was able to reach my parents only twice. The first day, I was feeling very helpless, like ‘What am I going to do?”

“To have this tragedy affect one of our very own is devastating to the entire TommyCar Auto Family. Our thoughts and condolences go out to all those affected by the earthquake in Turkey. We are committed to helping in any way we can and hope to make a positive impact in the lives of those affected by this tragedy,” said Carla Cosenzi, President of TommyCar Auto Group.

To read more and find out how you can help, click the link below

Learn more & how you can help!

Surprise Squad honors dedicated Agawam teacher

The Hyundai Dealers Surprise Squad is back to kick-off the new year by honoring an outstanding educator in Agawam.

Hundreds of students, teachers and administrators, town leaders, and family and friends of Sara Tryba packed the auditorium at the Roberta G. Doering School for one of our biggest and loudest surprises yet. When asked the question ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ some may say a singer, some a doctor or a lawyer, maybe even an astronaut.

However, for Tryba, her dream was to be a teacher and for the past 22 years, she has been living out that dream at the Roberta G. Doering School in Agawam, but what makes Tryba’s experience extra special is she gets to do it alongside her best friend of 35 years, Erica Shlosser. The two met in their third-grade classroom in Westfield and have been inseparable ever since. It was Shlosser who nominated Tryba for the Hyundai Dealers Surprise Squad, knowing her friend would never expect what was on the other side of the auditorium doors.

To read more, click the link below!

Surprise Squad

No Shave November Raised $8,616 This Year!

This year TommyCar raised the most money yet for No Shave November Campaign! The sherif’s department brought in $2,400, which TommyCar matched. Then our TommyCard Rewards members were able to donate their points to this, which brought in $3,800 bring our total to a little over $8,600.

“I’m so proud, I mean anytime we can do something to raise awareness for cancer. Or to raise money to support cancer research, obviously it’s really important to us.” Carla Cosenzi of TommyCar Auto Group

“We are grateful once again to have this opportunity to partner with the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office to raise even more money for such a deserving cause,” said Carla Cosenzi, adding, “It was a great deal of fun too!”

To see the full interview, click the link below.

Full Interview

Surprise Squad honors Ludlow teacher who goes the extra mile

The Western Mass. Hyundai Dealers Surprise Squad is back with a surprise like no other. This month, we’re celebrating an educator at Ludlow High School who is always willing to go the extra mile for her students.

While we are surprising Ms. Heather Pighetti, we have something else in store. It’s a little bit tricky for this month’s surprise because she thinks we are here to interview Mr. Lee, who is retiring this year, but little did she know everything was all for her.

Pighetti, the special education inclusion teacher at Ludlow High School, is beloved throughout the school.

To see the full video, click the link below!

Surprise Squad honors Ludlow teacher who goes the extra mile

Bob ‘The Bike Man’ surprised with new car

Bob “The Bike Man” Charland, founder of Pedal Thru Youth, was honored Wednesday with a surprise from The Western Mass Hyundai Dealers as the winner of the 2022 Hyundai Salute to Heroes.

Pulling off the surprise was a bit of a challenge. Gary Rome, President of Gary Rome Hyundai, slowly drove the new 2023 Hyundai Tucson through the Eastfield Mall, parking it outside of the Pedal Thru Youth repair shop.

Charland’s diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease does not stand in the way of what he does for the community. He founded Pedal Thru Youth, which supplies bikes and helmets to children in need. He also organizes and distributes backpacks filled with warm gear to the homeless population in Western Massachusetts.

To see the whole view, click the link below!

Bob The Bike Man

Tommy Car Auto Group raising money for cancer treatment, research through No Shave November

The owners of the Tommy Car Auto Group in Hadley are busy raising money all this month to help the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute work towards a cure for cancer.

Their employees along with the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Department are engaged in No Shave November, a campaign to raise thousands of dollars for cancer research-beyond the nearly one and a half million already raised in the name of cancer victim Tom Cosenzi.

Daughter Carla Cosenzi was on Mass Appeal Thursday about how the public has embraced these fun raising events.

“Unfortunately, all of us have either been affected by cancer, know someone whose been affected by cancer, have a friend or family that’s been affected by cancer… so I think people are very grateful,” said Cosenzi.

No Shave November Interview

Hyundai Salute to Heroes: Country Hyundai

We all know a hero, a teacher, nurse, first responder, whoever it may be Hyundai wants to make sure they feel appreciated. Mass Appeal’s Kayla Hevey spoke with Carla Cosenzi, Dealer Principal at Country Hyundai, to share how the hero in your life can win a 2023 Hyundai Tucson in Hyundai’s Salute to Heroes.

To watch the full interview, click the link below!

Hyundai Salute to Heroes

Hyundai Hope on Wheels donates $100K to Baystate Medical Center

Baystate Medical Center will be receiving a $100,000 grant from Hyundai Hope on Wheels, aimed at ending childhood cancer.

Every 36 Minutes, a child in the United States is diagnosed with pediatric cancer. The Hyundai Hope on Wheels non-profit organization has awarded more than 1,000 grants over the last 24 years to fund critical research and work towards ending childhood cancer.

The grant will also fund the child life program that helps pairs children and their families with specialists during procedures, helping them with activities during long transfusions or chemotherapy as well as helping them keep up with their school work if they are in the hospital for a long time.

To see the full video, click the link below!

Baystate Interview

Surprise Squad honors special Springfield math teacher

The Western Mass Hyundai Dealers Surprise Squad is back, recognizing those who go above and beyond to serve their community. In this month’s edition of Surprise Squad: Cool Schools, we are celebrating an educator who is also the “team mom” of the Springfield Central High School Golden Eagles football team.

Ms. Tammy Jones teaches math at the school, but she also is the “team mom” of their nationally ranked team.

“She runs the booster club. She runs our concession stands. She does everything,” said Springfield Central High School head football coach William Watson.

“Wow, you can see all the passion and emotion she has for all of the students here and especially this football team and I am so honored to be here and be able to celebrate her and spoil her a little bit because you can see she goes above and beyond. You can see why they call her the mom of everyone here at the school,” Cosenzi added.

To see the full video, click the link below!

Surprise Squad honors special Springfield math teacher

Cosenzi family holds 14th annual “Driving for the Cure” charity golf tournament

For the 14th consecutive year, the Cosenzi family held its “Driving for the Cure” charity golf tournament in honor of the cancer victim patriarch of the family.

Tom Cosenzi, the owner of the Tommy Car auto dealerships, was in the prime of life, a life cut short by brain cancer. His children began this tradition of “Driving for the Cure”, an annual event that has so far raised upwards of $1.5 million for Cancer research..

Carla Cosenzi told 22News, “This is in memory of my dad Tom Costenzi, who was diagnosed in 2007, and at the age of fifty two, passed away in 2009.

All the money raised during the 14th annual fund raising golf tournaments at Longmeadow’s Twin Hills Country Club go directly to Dr. Patrick Wen and his team of researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

“Dr. Wen was able to able to keep my dad alive for a little over two years, when the life expectancy was only six months,” Cosenzi said. “So we’re honored to help support the cause, to help other people not have to endure the type of pain my dad or my family went through.”

To see the full interview, click the link below!

Full Interview

Tommy Car Auto hosts golf tournament to raise money for brain cancer research

The Tommy Car Auto Group held its annual Driving for a Cure Golf Tournament. It was held at Twin Hills Country Club on Shaker Road in Longmeadow.

Carla and Tom hold the event each year to honor their father Tom’s memory, and raise money for brain cancer research.

They have now raised over $1.4 million to support the Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Over 40 teams of golfers took part. There were several raffle prizes, an auction, and a pig-roast dinner for the hundreds of attendees.

To see the full interview, click the link below!

Interview

Surprise Squad honors Brooking’s Elementary’s ‘Mr. Sunshine’

School is back in session and so is the Western Mass. Hyundai Dealers Surprise Squad. This month, we’re recognizing a Springfield educator who goes above and beyond not only for the students in his classroom, but for his entire community. With a nickname to match his positive energy and infectious smile, John Morgan can brighten any room, but in this case the field outside the Brookings School.

It was a beautiful September day in Springfield and the sun was shining outside Brookings Elementary School when dozens of students, teachers, and community members were waiting to surprise the real sunshine, who was behind a set of doors. “He’s just a fantastic guy and does so much not only for school, but for church, for community,” said Sabrena Brantley.

“It’s really easy to understand now why his nickname is ‘Mr. Sunshine’ because he does change the whole energy in a room or a crowd when he walks in,” Cosenzi noted.

To see the full video, click the link below!

Surprise Squad honors Brooking’s Elementary’s ‘Mr. Sunshine’

Surprise Squad honors special Springfield charter school volunteer

The Western Mass. Hyundai Dealers Surprise Squad is in full swing and in this month’s edition, we are recognizing an educator who volunteers her time to help underserved youth.

We are headed over to Phoenix Charter Academy in Springfield to surprise Nana Shirley. She has been a volunteer there since 2017 and Nana Shirley is a young 85 years old

Once we arrived, it was nothing but high praise for Nana Shirley. “Anything we ask her to do, she is always willing to do it. Sometimes we will say, ‘Nana, we will take care of it.’ She says, ‘No Mr. Johnson, it’s alright.’ It’s a great relief for all of us, in all honesty,” said Phoenix Charter Academy Head of School Calvin Johnson.

“We are all here for Nana Shirley and she deserves this surprise big time,” said Carla Cosenzi, president of Country Hyundai.

To see the full video, click the link below!

Surprise Squad honors special Springfield charter school volunteer