Making a Difference: Steet Ponte's First Annual School Supplies Drive

At Steet Toyota of Yorkville, giving back to the community we call home is something we’re proud to do year after year. For our 3rd Annual School Supplies & Backpack Drive, the Steet Ponte Auto Group came together to donate an incredible 576 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to students in our local communities. Backpacks were filled with everything from folders and crayons to glue sticks, scissors, pencils and more. Our goal was simple: help make sure students have the supplies they need to walk into the classroom feeling prepared, motivated and confident. The six Steet Ponte stores located on Commercial Drive in Yorkville were proud to donate to the Utica City School District this year. We’re incredibly grateful to be able to support local students and families and hope these backpacks help make the start of a new school year just a little brighter. Here’s to a great school year, Utica!

The Steet Ponte Auto Group team traded in the showroom floors for the ski slopes on Sunday, March 1st, as employees from across all of our dealerships gathered for our 6th Annual Company Ski & Snowboard Trip at beautiful Gore Mountain in North Creek, NY. This annual tradition has become a favorite event for our team, giving everyone the chance to step away from the busy winter sales season and enjoy a day outdoors together. Employees spent the day skiing and snowboarding across the mountain, taking in the incredible views and enjoying some of the best conditions of the season. After a winter filled with epic snowfall, the trails at Gore Mountain were in fantastic shape. Combined with the spring-like weather and sunshine, it made for a perfect day on the mountain. Whether team members were seasoned skiers or just getting comfortable on the slopes, everyone had a great time enjoying the fresh air and the beautiful Adirondack scenery. Midday, the group gathered for lunch at The Tannery Restaurant, where everyone warmed up, shared stories from the slopes, and enjoyed a relaxing break before heading back out for more skiing in the afternoon. Events like our annual ski trip are a great reminder of how special the Steet Ponte Auto Group team truly is. We’re proud to create opportunities for our employees from all eight stores to connect, build friendships, and make memories outside of work. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us this year and helped make the day so much fun. We’re grateful to be able to host this tradition and are already looking forward to hitting the slopes again next year for our 7th Annual Company Ski Trip! 🎿❄️

Steet Toyota was proud to host our 2nd Annual Paws for a Cause event, and this year’s gathering was bigger, better, and even more heartwarming than the first. Partnering once again with the incredible team at Freedom Guide Dogs, the event brought our community together to support an organization dedicated to changing lives. For decades, Freedom Guide Dogs has provided highly trained guide dogs to individuals who are blind or visually impaired and to veterans in need of mobility assistance. Their work empowers people with independence, confidence, and companionship, something we were honored to help celebrate and support. A Longstanding Connection with Toyota Over the past three decades, Freedom Guide Dogs has purchased countless Toyota Sienna vans to help transport their puppies and working dogs safely and comfortably. The spacious interior, reliability, and versatility of the Sienna make it an ideal vehicle for transporting training groups, equipment, and of course the stars of the show—the future guide dogs themselves. It’s a partnership built on trust, reliability, and a shared commitment to helping people live fuller, more independent lives. Meet the Future Guide Dogs This year’s event featured 10 adorable Labrador Retriever puppies who are currently training to become future guide dogs. Guests also had the opportunity to meet their proud father, Hutch, along with Seymour, an experienced guide dog who demonstrated the incredible skills these dogs learn throughout their training. Seeing these puppies up close was a highlight for everyone who attended, and a powerful reminder of the dedication and training that goes into preparing guide dogs for their life-changing roles. An Interactive Experience for Attendees One of the most impactful parts of the day was an interactive obstacle course hosted by Freedom Guide Dogs. Participants were invited to wear blindfolds and navigate the course with Seymour, experiencing firsthand the trust and teamwork required between a guide dog and their handler. It was an eye-opening experience that helped attendees better understand the importance of guide dogs and the remarkable work organizations like Freedom Guide Dogs perform every day. The event also featured: Toyota merchandise giveaways Cookies, popcorn, and refreshments Opportunities to meet the puppies and trainers Community members gathering for a great cause Giving Back Steet Toyota was honored to present a $2,500 donation to Freedom Guide Dogs to help support their training programs and mission. With the overwhelming turnout from our community, this year’s event surpassed expectations and showed just how much support there is for organizations making a real difference. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, participated, and helped make the event such a success. Thank You for Supporting Paws for a Cause Events like Paws for a Cause remind us how powerful community support can be. From meeting future guide dogs to learning about the life-changing work Freedom Guide Dogs performs, the day was filled with smiles, learning, and generosity. Thank you to everyone who joined us, we can’t wait to make next year’s event even bigger! Visit Steet Toyota of Yorkville If you’re looking for a dealership that believes in supporting the community as much as serving its customers, we invite you to visit Steet Toyota of Yorkville. Steet Toyota of Yorkville 📍 4991 Commercial Drive Yorkville, NY 13495 📞 (315) 736-8241 🌐 https://www.steettoyota.com From all of us at Steet Toyota, thank you again for helping make our 2nd Annual Paws for a Cause such a wonderful event. We look forward to seeing you again next year! 🐾🚗