Toyota of Hackensack
New Jersey Dealership Hits Home Run for Local Little League Team
July/August 2018
Home Run
The Toyota of Hackensack team presents a $3,000 check to the local Little League program, Baseball of Hackensack. From left: General Manager Fred Radulic, General Sales Manager Mario Puentes, Bill White of Hackensack Baseball and Fixed Operations Director Nick Latino.
The Toyota of Hackensack team presents a $3,000 check to the local Little League program, Baseball of Hackensack. From left: General Manager Fred Radulic, General Sales Manager Mario Puentes, Bill White of Hackensack Baseball and Fixed Operations Director Nick Latino.
Nick Latino, fixed operations director at Toyota of Hackensack, wanted to help his community's local Little League team. To him, it seemed like a no-brainer. The team practically plays in the dealership's backyard.
“Growing up, both my parents worked,” says Latino. “I spent most of my days playing in the schoolyard, just like these kids. So, when I heard they needed help, I immediately wanted to do something. I asked our Dealer Principal, Frank Holtham, and he said, ‘Run with it.’”
Latino and other dealership employees did just that. For the second year in a row, they sponsored the team, paying for equipment and player registration. Toyota of Hackensack also covers costs for other local children who can’t afford the entrance fees, or who may not have money for mitts or cleats.
“It’s important to us that every kid has a chance to play,” says General Manager Fred Radulic. “We don’t want anyone turned away.”
The sponsorship is just one of several charitable initiatives happening at Toyota of Hackensack, after Radulic decided to reallocate some of the dealership’s advertising budget toward community service projects. Latino and his colleagues have created scholarship funds for students, provided backpacks and school supplies to local children, wrapped vehicles for breast cancer awareness and donated Thanksgiving dinner to the Hackensack High School football team.
“I’ve got to tell you,” Latino says. “It’s a great feeling. It feels so good to help people. Especially children. It’s very emotional to see these kids. The smallest things make them so happy. It’s not part of my job description, but I love to do it. It’s just the right thing to do.”
“Growing up, both my parents worked,” says Latino. “I spent most of my days playing in the schoolyard, just like these kids. So, when I heard they needed help, I immediately wanted to do something. I asked our Dealer Principal, Frank Holtham, and he said, ‘Run with it.’”
Latino and other dealership employees did just that. For the second year in a row, they sponsored the team, paying for equipment and player registration. Toyota of Hackensack also covers costs for other local children who can’t afford the entrance fees, or who may not have money for mitts or cleats.
“It’s important to us that every kid has a chance to play,” says General Manager Fred Radulic. “We don’t want anyone turned away.”
The sponsorship is just one of several charitable initiatives happening at Toyota of Hackensack, after Radulic decided to reallocate some of the dealership’s advertising budget toward community service projects. Latino and his colleagues have created scholarship funds for students, provided backpacks and school supplies to local children, wrapped vehicles for breast cancer awareness and donated Thanksgiving dinner to the Hackensack High School football team.
“I’ve got to tell you,” Latino says. “It’s a great feeling. It feels so good to help people. Especially children. It’s very emotional to see these kids. The smallest things make them so happy. It’s not part of my job description, but I love to do it. It’s just the right thing to do.”
