Everyone deserves hope during the holidays!

The Romano Auto Dealerships donated $37,500 to local nonprofit charities this holiday season.

15 local organizations were awarded $2,500 each to help those in need.

The Holiday Hope Project returns! The Romano Auto Dealerships are awarding $2,500 each to 15 local nonprofit charities, spreading hope throughout our community! We’re excited to announce the first $2,500 recipient of the Holiday Hope Project: The Baldwin Fund! 

Inspired by their motto, ‘Together We Will’, the Baldwin Fund is dedicated to finding cures for all cancers and supports critical research that brings hope and security to patients and families. This contribution will help fund local research grants in the names of our honorees at SUNY Upstate Medical University and support efforts to establish a designated National Cancer Institute in Central NY. Every dollar received stays in the community, funding lifesaving research and making a meaningful difference.

We are proud to announce our third recipient of the Holiday Hope Project: Interfaith Community Collective! 

Driven by a commitment to social justice and equity, the Interfaith Community Collective creates a welcoming community. They share access to life-supporting resources with our Central New York neighbors and achieve social justice when everyone in CNY is warm, safe, fed, and thriving.

This award will help provide emergency foods for Syracuse residents and support the infrastructure of the Interfaith Community Collective, one of the largest energy food sites in the city of Syracuse. Thank you, Interfaith Community Collective, for all that you do! 

We are proud to announce our fourth recipient of the Holiday Hope Project: Hope for Heather!

Dedicated to discovering a cure for ovarian cancer, Hope for Heather focus on funding research and improving survival through early detection and patient education. Their mission is to raise funds that advance ovarian cancer research, promote awareness and education, and offer comfort and support to women and their families who are devastated by cancer.

This donation will be used to continue supporting women with gynecological cancers by paying for their parking during chemotherapy treatments and doctor visits at the Madison Irving Garage and for Valet Parking at the Cancer Center. These parking fees become a burden when combined with co-pays and other cancer-related expenses. Thank you, Hope for Heather, for all that you do!

We are proud to announce our fifth recipient of the Holiday Hope Project: YWCA of Syracuse & Onondaga County! 

Their mission is to amplify voices, break barriers, and advance equity. The YWCA of Syracuse & Onondaga County supports marginalized individuals and families, especially women and girls of color, through direct services and empowerment programs while working to remove systemic barriers and promote equity throughout Syracuse and Onondaga County. 

This donation will support self-care bags for participants in the YWCA Domestic Violence Services program, as well as holiday gifts for children in Girls Inc. at the YWCA and for youth in YWCA Soccer Programs. It will also help provide basic winter items, such as hats and gloves, for both youth and adults. Thank you to the YWCA Domestic Violence Services program for all that you do!

We are proud to announce our sixth recipient of the Holiday Hope Project: 22 Until There’s None! 

22 Until There’s None is dedicated to raising awareness and understanding around the challenges faced by veterans, military, and first responders, helping reduce stigma through education and support. Since 2017, the organization has assisted many individuals and continues to work toward improving mental wellness within these communities. Although veterans are statistically more likely to experience mental-health struggles after service, 22 Until There’s None focuses on offering resources, connection, and encouragement to move those numbers in a positive direction and support a healthier future for all who have served. Thank you, 22 Until There’s None, for all that you do!

We are proud to announce our seventh recipient of the Holiday Hope Project: Women’s Opportunity Center! 

For 46 years, the Women’s Opportunity Center has empowered nearly 20,000 women to achieve financial independence and personal growth. They offer non-perishable food items, diapers, wipes, baby formula, feminine hygiene products, household cleaning supplies, office storage solutions, technology, or any other organizational need that directly benefits their clients. They also provide in-kind and emotional support to women in Syracuse at zero cost to them. Thank you, Women’s Opportunity Center, for all that you do!

We are proud to announce our eighth recipient of the Holiday Hope Project: Living with Dementia Inc.! 

Living with Dementia CNY’s mission is to provide carepartners of those affected by dementia with access to support, education, resources, and respite. Their vision is to build a community where every person impacted by dementia has the support they need to navigate their journey. This donation will be used to provide four caregiver summits for families caring for their loved ones with all types of dementia. They will provide care for the person with dementia, while their loved ones can learn valuable skills and get support to help them. Thank you, Living with Dementia, for all that you do.

We are proud to announce our ninth recipient of the Holiday Hope Project: Elmcrest Children’s Center! 

Elmcrest Children’s Center is a community of caring professionals who provide services to children with developmental, emotional, and behavioral challenges, helping them overcome barriers to success in their homes, communities, and schools. This donation will be used to support materials and staff training for their new Transition to Independence Program, which offers work readiness, vocational training, mentoring, personal and life skills training, and aftercare services to help residential youth aging out of foster care prepare for successful, independent living. Thank you, Elmcrest Children’s Center, for all that you do!

We’re excited to announce that Jowonio has been selected as the tenth $2,500 recipient of the Holiday Hope Project! 

At Jowonio School, children of all abilities come to learn and grow in inclusive preschool classrooms. This donation will help improve playground accessibility or provide the school nurse with improved equipment for treating medically fragile students. Their mission is to provide model programs for young children that are inclusive, celebrate diversity, and allow every child the freedom to learn and grow. We’re proud to support Jowonio School and help every child thrive!

We’re excited to announce that Sleep in Heavenly Peace has been selected as the eleventh $2,500 recipient of the Holiday Hope Project!

Sleep in Heavenly Peace builds and delivers beds to children who are currently sleeping on the floor. They believe that all children deserve a safe and comfortable place to sleep and that a bed is a basic necessity, essential for a child’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. They are committed to making sure every child in our town has a bed, so no kid sleeps on the floor. This donation would be used to purchase lumber and mattresses to build 12 beds, helping 12 children get off the floor and into a safe, comfortable bed. Thank you, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, for all that you do!

We’re excited to announce that the Hart and Tay Train Foundation has been selected as the twelfth $2,500 recipient of the Holiday Hope Project!

The Hart and Tay Train Foundation sponsors Challenger Sports, offering flag football, indoor soccer, and basketball programs for people with special needs, as well as sport-based programs that give back to the youth in CNY. Their mission is to support and strengthen our communities through youth-focused programming that inspires, educates, and creates opportunities for the youth. From providing meals to those in need, to hosting free camps and clinics, or donating equipment and books, they’re dedicated to creating a positive impact. Thank you, Hart and Tay Train Foundation, for making a difference in our communities!

We’re excited to announce that The Order of Saint Ignatius at St. Elias Orthodox Church has been selected as the thirteenth $2,500 recipient of the Holiday Hope Project!

This donation will serve as seed money to purchase healthy food items for families with children in need within the Syracuse School District. These families have been identified by the Syracuse School District social services, and the program will serve around 100 families before the holiday break. In total,120 food packages were assembled, each packed in a reusable duffle bag. Every bag contained over $100 worth of non-perishable food items, along with a $20 gift card! Thank you, The Order of Saint Ignatius at St. Elias Orthodox Church, for all the amazing work you do for our community!

We’re excited to announce that the Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse has been selected as the fourteenth $2,500 recipient of the Holiday Hope Project!

Their mission is to help all young people, especially those who need them most, reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Their after-school program will provide enriching field trips to destinations like museums, cultural centers, and recreational venues. These experiences broaden horizons, spark curiosity, and offer safe, structured opportunities for learning and fun, giving youth access to activities they might not otherwise experience. Thank you, Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse, for all the amazing work you do for our community!

We’re excited to announce that Food Bank of CNY has been selected as the fifteenth $2,500 recipient of the Holiday Hope Project!

Food Bank of Central New York is a non-profit organization working to eliminate hunger through food distribution, education, and advocacy in cooperation with the community. The need within the Food Bank of CNY’s 11-county service area has grown dramatically since the government shutdown. This donation will help the food bank continue to acquire and distribute nutritious food to the individuals, families, and children experiencing food insecurity in our community. Thank you, Food Bank of CNY, for all that you do!