M&M AUTO GROUP HONORED FOR SUCCESSFUL TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE

Liberty, N.Y. - Feb. 13, 2012 - The Sullivan County Toys for Tots drive for this past holiday season accomplished its lofty goal: every single child identified as "in need" - 6,000 in total - received a new toy for Christmas in Sullivan County.

"The need this year was incredible, almost triple what it was the previous year, but supporters like M&M's Donna and Howard Braunstein helped us meet that demand," said Kinney, who - along with Marines Staff Sgt. Dustin Coco - presented M&M Auto Group owner Howard Braunstein with a plaque for his long-standing efforts. "The van from M&M made four trips to deliver toys to us and each time it was overflowing."

2010's toy drive at M&M brought in donations of roughly 3,000 new, unwrapped toys. According to Howard Braunstein, no official tally was compiled this year, but the volume was at least 50 percent higher than the previous year.

"The M&M showroom was filled and emptied regularly, thanks to the numerous donations we received, so it was just impossible to track," Howard Braunstein said. "But I can tell you that not a single day went by when someone didn't come in here with bags of new toys for our Sullivan County kids, and that was just incredible to watch."

Howard Braunstein added: "Donna and I want to thank each and every person who donated their time and money, and additional thanks to the businesses throughout Sullivan County which helped coordinate efforts to reach our goals."

This past season's efforts also included the collection of more than $2,000 in cash donations to support the Sullivan County Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (CASA), which provides volunteers who are appointed by the Family Court Judge to speak up for the needs of abused and neglected children.

For more information about Sullivan County CASA, visit www.sullivancountycasa.org or call 845.807.0672. For more information about M&M Auto Group, visit www.mmautogroup.com or call 845.292.3500.

M&M AUTO GROUP'S HOWARD BRAUNSTEIN HONORED AT NEW HOPE COMMUNITY'S AUTUMN AFFAIR

Nov. 17, 2011 - New Hope Community, offering support to those with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, selected M&M Auto Group owner Howard Braunstein as its Neighbor of Distinction during it 4th Annual Neighbor to Neighbor Autumn Affair on Nov. 10, 2011.

"For decades, Howard has hired those with disabilities and contributed generously to our foundation," said New Hope Executive Director Arthur Moretti before presenting the award. "Both he and his wife Donna are some of the most value-driven people we've ever met here at New Hope; if their kids are our future, than I think this country's going to be okay."

New Hope's Neighbor to Neighbor affair affords the agency an opportunity to give thanks to the numerous business partners, friends and "neighbors" who have contributed so positively to the lives of the people New Hope supports.

"The employees here at New Hope have the biggest hearts in the world; they deal with some incredibly challenged people, but they bring out the very best in them each and every day," said Howard Braunstein. "Being a good neighbor is about looking out for the person next door, the person down the block, the people throughout your own community. That's what New Hope does and we are proud to offer whatever help we can to support their efforts."

The M&M Auto Group is a family-owned and operated business located in the Catskill Mountains of Sullivan County. Each member of its staff has been trained to address its customers' needs professionally and quickly to assure that everyone receives the best buying experience possible. The largest dealer in Sullivan County, M&M offers eight manufacturers' brands - Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Buick, and Cadillac - in addition to over 100 pre-owned cards and trucks. The quality in the vehicles offered comes from the care M&M takes in pre-selecting and pre-servicing each before it ever hits the lot.

Nov. 16, 2011 - Christmas came early to the showroom at M&M Auto Group on Mill Street in Liberty on Saturday with the kick-off of this season's Toys for Tots drive and Sullivan County Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (CASA) fundraiser.

The festivities included not only M&M personnel, but also fellow sponsors Thunder 102, who broadcasted live throughout the afternoon, and a team of volunteer elves from Hilltop Homes in Monticello. Hilltop owner Dave Dunlop generously supplied several Christmas trees and cases upon cases of decorations he picked up after Christmas last year at the Monticello Home Depot. Each of the trees was decorated on Saturday, and will eventually be donated (fully decorated) to needy families in the area.

"We are proud to partner with such wonderful organizations like Thunder 102 and Hilltop Homes," said M&M Auto Group owner Howard Braunstein. "The staff at both really does embody the true spirit of giving."

Dunlop and his family host an amazing Christmas display, "Santa's Village," on their Monticello property that is open to the public at no charge on Dec. 16th & 17th from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. It includes an enormous light show, Santa's Workshop, a sleigh, and new this year, the Hilltop Express, a three-car train for the kids. The site also acts as a Toys for Tots drop-off center.

"There is such a need in this community, and these kids didn't ask to be here," said Dunlop. "We all have an obligation to help support them, especially during the holidays. I love Christmas and I'm pleased that we can help make it a joyous season!"

More than 200 toys have already been donated to the M&M drop location, and more than $3000 has been collected to support toy purchases and CASA, which provides volunteers who are appointed by the Family Court Judge to speak up for the needs of abused and neglected children. Several donors include Rolling V Transportation Services, Focus Media, Misner Agency, Progressive Physical Therapy, and Home Depot, with more coming daily (keep watching M&M's Facebook page - www.facebook.com/mmautogroup - for donor updates throughout the campaign).

Last year's M&M Toy Drive brought in donations of roughly 1,500 new, unwrapped toys. Howard and Donna Braunstein matched the donation with the purchase of an additional 1,500 toys in support of the campaign. The goal for this year's campaign is 2000 donated toys, with the Braunsteins once again committed to matching the final tally.

To widen the community involvement, M&M Auto Group is inviting Sullivan County businesses and service organizations to sponsor a tree in M&M's showroom on behalf of CASA. The sponsored tree can act as a "drop" point for organizations interested in collecting toy donations to benefit Toys for Tots, although it isn't required. If you are an interested organization, please call Thunder 102 Marketing/Promotions Manager Regina Hensley at 845.292.7535 for more information.

Donations will be accepted in the M&M Auto Group showroom during business hours. For more information about Sullivan County CASA, visit www.sullivancountycasa.org or call 845.807.0672. For more information about M&M Auto Group's Toys for Tots drive, visit www.mmautogroup.com or call 845.292.3500.

M&M AUTO GROUP PLANS KICK-OFF FOR HOLIDAY TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE, SULLIVAN COUNTY CASA FUNDRAISER

Nov. 7, 2011 - Not one child in Thunder Country should be without a toy this holiday season.

It's that strongly held belief that has driven M&M Auto Group owners Donna and Howard Braunstein and Thunder 102 to once again spearhead a toy drive in M&M's Liberty showroom to benefit the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Those toys will then be distributed to needy children throughout the Sullivan County area before Christmas Day.

"Supporting our area's youth is a commitment we made as a family years ago, and we are pleased to have such dedicated supporters behind this effort," said M&M Auto Group owner Howard Braunstein.

The official kick-off for the drive will be on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with light refreshments served. Thunder 102, a sponsor of the effort, will be airing live on the radio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the M&M Auto Group showroom during the official ceremonies. The public is welcome to attend; a new unwrapped toy is the only admission requirement.

"We understand the importance of supporting our area's most needy, especially during this holiday season, so we welcome the opportunity to promote the efforts of our area businesses and organizations," said Thunder 102 General Manager/Marketing Manager Paul Ciliberto. "M&M has always been community-minded so anything they're behind at this point, we're proudly behind."

Last year's M&M Toy Drive brought in donations of roughly 1,500 new, unwrapped toys. Howard and Donna Braunstein matched the donation with the purchase of an additional 1,500 toys in support of the campaign. The goal for this year's campaign is 2000 donated toys, with the Braunsteins once again committed to matching the final tally.

M&M Auto Group has decided to expand its efforts this year to include the collection of cash donations to support the Sullivan County Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (CASA), which provides volunteers who are appointed by the Family Court Judge to speak up for the needs of abused and neglected children.

To benefit CASA, M&M Auto Group will be selling "Paper Angels," which will be posted throughout the showroom during the holidays. The "Paper Angels" campaign has been named after "Paper Angels," a novel penned by country star Jimmy Wayne, a Sullivan County favorite and national spokesperson for CASA. Last year Wayne walked 1,700 miles across America through his "Project Meet Me Halfway" in an effort to raise awareness about the needs of foster children, and particularly those who are aging out of the foster care system without any additional support.

To widen the community involvement, M&M Auto Group is inviting Sullivan County service organizations interested in collecting Toys for Tots and CASA donations to set up individually decorated Christmas trees (generously provided by sponsor Hilltop Homes) in the showroom. Each display will act as a "drop" point for their organization's supporters to deliver toys. If you are an interested organization, please call Thunder 102 Marketing/Promotions Manager Regina Hensley at 845.292.7535 for more information. The participating organizations will be invited to decorate their trees during the kick-off festivities on Nov. 12.

"We thought a little healthy competition among these organizations might add a bit of fun to the whole effort," M&M General Manager Gary Samboy said. "Watching the piles of toys grow as we get closer to Christmas is half the fun."

Donations will be accepted in the M&M Auto Group showroom during business hours. M&M's efforts will be included in an ongoing campaign to highlight as many drives as possible on Thunder 102. Any business or organization collecting toys this holiday season is asked to contact Michelle Semerano at msemerano@boldgoldmedia.com or call 845.292.7535 Monday thru Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

For more information about Sullivan County CASA, visit www.sullivancountycasa.org or call 845.807.0672. For more information about M&M Auto Group's Toys for Tots drive, visit www.mmautogroup.com or call 845.292.3500.

M&M hosts 2^nd Annual Sweetest Ride Around Car Show to benefit the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless

9.21.11-The M&M Auto Group is proud to act as host to the 2^nd Annual Sweetest Ride Around Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 24^th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds for the event will directly benefit the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless.

The afternoon includes musical performances by Cory Wagar, Somerville, and several others.

Spectators are welcome free of charge, although they are asked to provide non-perishable food items. Cars may enter the show for a $10 fee. There will also be an all-you-can-eat Pig Roast BBQ for just $5 per person.

The Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless has been providing meals to residents since 1988. Last year the Federation delivered 40,000 hot meals at its Monticello location, and 130,000individual pantry meals that clients take home for weekend eating.

9.20.11 - The Liberty Indian Booster Club is teaming up with M&M Auto Group to host another exciting fundraising event during half-time of this year's Pride Weekend varsity football game on Friday, September 23, 2011.

Tickets will be sold during Thursday's (September 22) Varsity Boys Soccer games as well as before the Football game for a chance to 'Throw it and Win it'!

One winning ticket will be drawn at half-time and that person will get one chance to throw a regulation Nerf football 35 yards through the open window of a Ford F-150 truck. If they are able to hit their target, that person will be given a free 3-year lease on the truck courtesy of M&M Auto Group!

An arm length of tickets will sell for $10. Only those 18 years and older will be eligible for this contest. The lucky spectator whose name is called must be present at the time of the drawing to be eligible to compete in the toss. (The ticket is non-transferable.) Three additional prize winners will also be chosen.

All proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly towards purchasing permanent lighting on the field as part of the Booster Club's 'Light Up Liberty' campaign. The fund currently has over $20,000 and we are hoping with the community's help to increase that amount with this event. We hope to see you there!