Marking the 25th anniversary of September 11, Midas International hosted the largest Project Spark car donation event in its history on Sept. 10 at the Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen.
Nine Midas franchisees representing stores across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut banded together to provide fully refurbished and serviced vehicles to 11 recipients, many of whom hold direct personal ties to 9/11 first responders and affected families.
“Today’s donation event is even more meaningful given we’re honoring and remembering the 25th anniversary of 9/11,” Lenny Valentino, Jr., president and COO of Midas International, said. “Many of these recipients have personal ties to one of the darkest days in our country’s history, and we’re honored that Midas was able to bring a little light to each of their lives through a new vehicle.”
Since its inception in 2018, the Project Spark initiative has delivered hundreds of reliable vehicles across the U.S. and Canada to veterans, first responders, and families facing transportation hardships. Participating franchisees donate their time, labor, and maintenance expertise—partnering with organizations like Advance Auto Parts, NAPA Auto Parts, Mavis Tire, and 1-800-Charity Cars—to ensure each vehicle is fully inspected, repaired, and road-ready.
Among this year’s recipients was college student Brian Ellerson, whose grandfather responded to the World Trade Center as a firefighter on 9/11.
“Project Spark is giving me so much more than a reliable vehicle—it’s giving me freedom, independence, and the opportunity to keep moving forward,” Ellerson said. “Thanks to Project Spark, I’ll have a much easier time getting to my college classes.”
The event’s 11 recipients were identified in collaboration with community partner organizations, including the First Responders Children’s Foundation, Voices Center for Resilience, and the New Jersey State Firefighter’s Association. Honorees included veterans, single parents, active first responders, and family members of fallen service and public safety personnel.
The participating regional franchisees included Peter Fonseca (Fonseca Group), Peter Cofrancisco (A&E Automanagement), The Prenlyn Beers Group, Hilda Zaidan (Midas of Paramus), Sam Ayoubi (Auto Experts USA), Tommy Miller (Midas Auto Service of Riverhead), Steve Rizzi (Gold Crown), Randy Lindhurst (Max Auto Supply ESOP), and Adam Genuario (AMG Enterprises). Together, the group operates more than 280 stores throughout the tri-state area.
