NEW YORK -

Members of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association contributed $21 million to local charitable endeavors in 2019 in locations such as New York City, Long Island, Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley.

GNYADA owns and operates the New York International Auto Show, and during the show, the association hosts an annual fund-raising event for East Side House Settlement that has raised more than $15 million.

This year, as the COVID-19 pandemic creates more food insecurity, New York’s franchise new car dealers have stepped up once again. And they have gotten “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” comedian Tracy Morgan involved.

They delivered hundreds of turkeys to those in need this Thanksgiving.

In addition to working with Morgan, who is a New York City native, the association is working with East Side House Settlement and member dealers Manhattan Motor Cars and LaSorsa Chevrolet Buick in the Bronx to deliver 500 turkeys to families in need.

The turkey giveaway was part of a 20-year partnership between GNYADA and ESHS. Through that partnership, thousands of Bronx residents each year receive social services, including food distribution and educational and job training programs. ESHS is a nonprofit organization that provides education and social services throughout the Bronx and northern Manhattan.

The group distributed the turkeys at the Mott Haven Community Center in the South Bronx. According to GNYADA, the South Bronx has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. The community is home to many essential workers, and COVID positivity rate there was 10%. That is more than three times the citywide average.

In addition, the area’s asthma rates are eight to 12 times the national average. GNYADA says because of that, many residents, including children, are vulnerable to COVID-19.

“Franchise new car dealers are the brick-and-mortar economic backbone of so many of our communities, and they are often the most prominent and visible force helping to drive charitable efforts such as this,” GNYADA president Mark Schienberg said in a news release.

Schienberg continued, “I can think of no better examples of this incredibly generous spirit than Brian Miller of Manhattan Motor Cars and John LaSorsa of LaSorsa Chevrolet Buick in the Bronx. Their deep ties to their communities in the South Bronx, Southern Westchester and throughout New York City, and their work with East Side House to provide crucial services, is really making a clear impact on people’s lives. It is not just the holiday season, but all year round.”

GNYADA purchased the turkeys. The association represents about 400 downstate New York franchise new car dealers, as well as Miller and LaSorsa.

“East Side House is so proud to be on the frontlines of the pandemic relief serving the community we love,” said ESHS executive director Daniel Diaz.

Diaz continued, “Since the pandemic hit, East Side House has made sure families have what they need to survive, including access to healthy food. Today, we feed over 5,000 people per week. We are so grateful for the over two decades of partnership we’ve had with GNYADA, and their unwavering commitment to supporting New Yorkers in need. Now, when the need is greatest, GNYADA has stepped up in a big way. Their donation of turkeys will make Thanksgiving dinner a bright spot during a tough year for our families.”

 Manhattan Motorcars principal Brian Miller has gotten an up-close look at the work of East Side House.

“And I felt it was so important that, in this incredibly challenging time, we once again partner to deliver for those in need in our city, which has suffered so greatly,” Miller said. “Even as we face a difficult winter, our hope is that we can help families enjoy some comfort this holiday season.”

“As a longtime small business owner in the Bronx, nothing is more important than supporting our community through its time of need,” said LaSorsa of LaSorsa Chevrolet Buick. “We have continually worked with East Side House to try to create opportunities for Bronx residents to realize their potential. This Thanksgiving, as we take stock of what is important in life, it is critical to ensure that our neighbors have food on the table and hope for the future.”

The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association represents more than 400 franchised automobile dealerships in the metro New York area. Those dealerships collectively generate more than $51 billion in economic impact and support more than 71,000 jobs.