"Our Project Spark initiative has opened the door to new economic and mobility opportunities to individuals and families in need of accessible transportation options," said Lenny Valentino, Jr., President and COO of Midas International. "Today's donation event is even more meaningful given we're honoring and remembering the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Many of these recipients have personal ties to one of the darkest days in our country's history, and we're honored that Midas was able to bring a little light to each of their lives through a new vehicle."
Since 2018, Midas' Project Spark initiative has provided hundreds of refurbished vehicles across the U.S. and Canada to first responders, veterans, and families in need of transportation. According to a University of Michigan report, nearly one in five adults in the U.S. lack access to reliable transportation, making it one of the country's most common forms of material hardship—underscoring why Midas launched Project Spark with the goal of closing this gap and helping people move forward with their lives on their own terms.
"Project Spark is giving me so much more than a reliable vehicle—it's giving me freedom, independence, and the opportunity to keep moving forward," says Brian Ellerson, a recipient whose grandfather was a firefighter who responded to the World Trade Center on 9/11. "I've worked hard to get where I am today, from finding my voice as a child to earning my driver's license and becoming a college student. Thanks to Project Spark, I'll have a much easier time getting to my college classes, which will help me achieve the future I'm working towards."
The nine participating Midas franchisees included:
- Peter Fonseca of Fonseca Group
- Peter Cofrancisco of A&E Automanagement
- The Prenlyn Beers Group
- Hilda Zaidan, Midas of Paramus, NJ
- Sam Ayoubi of Auto Experts USA DBA Midas
- Tommy Miller of Midas Auto Service of Riverhead
- Steve Rizzi of Gold Crown
- Randy Lindhurst of Max Auto Supply ESOP
- Adam Genuario of AMG Enterprises dba Midas Tires and Auto Service
The group collectively owns and operates more than 280 Midas stores across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
The eleven 9/11 Project Spark recipients included:
- Brian Ellerson, college student, grandfather was a 9/11 first responder
- Jaleesa Olson, a single mother of two
- Tabatha Foster, a nurse turned NYPD officer post-9/11 and single mother of three
- William Heerema, US Marine Corps Veteran, volunteer firefighter with the Paulsboro Volunteer Fire Department
- Anthony D'Andrea, Firefighter accepting on behalf of his teenage daughter, a HS honor student
- Jessica Sharo, a police dispatcher married to a Newark Firefighter, accepting on behalf of her teenage daughter
- Carla Caccavale, a public advocate for the families of fallen police officers whose own father was a NYPD officer who died in the line of duty, on behalf of her teenage son
- John Barnes, U.S. Veteran, Firefighter and Volunteer EMT
- Dominick Vallo, retired Jersey City firefighter who responded to Ground Zero on 9/11
- Heather Larson, on behalf of her teenage daughter, whose father is a volunteer firefighter who responded to Ground Zero after 9/11
- George Bowman, a volunteer firefighter, on behalf of his teenage daughter
Midas partnered with the First Responders Children's Foundation, Voices Center for Resilience, and the New Jersey State Firefighter's Association to identify today's recipients, which you can read more about here.
"Twenty-five years after 9/11, First Responders Children's Foundation remains committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of first responders by taking care of their families and helping their children heal, grow and thrive," said Jillian Crane, President and CEO of First Responders Children's Foundation. "Reliable transportation is about so much more than getting from one place to another. It means being able to get to school and work, greater independence and, importantly, peace of mind. We are incredibly grateful to Midas and Project Spark for investing in first responder families in such a meaningful and tangible way—removing an everyday burden so they can focus on what matters most and the opportunities ahead."
"The New Jersey State Firefighter's Association provides monetary assistance during times of need for our firefighters," said Joseph Hankins, Vice President, New Jersey State Firefighter's Association. "When Midas reached out to us about Project Spark, we saw this as a great opportunity to nominate several New Jersey firefighters who needed a means of affordable and reliable transportation as recipients."
In partnership with Advance Auto Parts and NAPA Auto Parts, and with vehicles donated through 1-800-Charity Cars and other charities, Midas franchisees and their teams donate the labor to provide Project Spark recipients with reliable vehicles. By providing necessary repairs like installing new tires—all donated by Mavis Tire—completing required inspections, and performing oil changes, Project Spark lets Midas help others by doing what it does best: fix cars.
For more information about Midas or Project Spark, visit www.Midas.com.
About Midas
Midas is one of the world's largest providers of automotive services, offering brakes, maintenance, tires, exhaust, steering, and suspension at nearly 2,100 franchised and licensed locations in 20 countries, with about 1,200 in the United States and Canada. At Midas, we believe in "No B.S."—putting customer service and community first. To bring transparency and value to every customer, we proudly stand behind our Golden Guarantees, which include the Limited Lifetime Tire Guarantee™, Limited Lifetime Parts Guarantee™, and the Closer Look Vehicle Check™. Our commitment to the community is further demonstrated through initiatives like Project Spark. Whether it's a routine oil change, new tires, or a major repair, Midas is ready to serve. To find a location near you, visit Midas.com.
SOURCE Midas International
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