Bob Siracusano looks back on 2024 with gratitude and satisfaction. That's because the owner of Sawyer Motors at 166 Ulster Ave. in Saugerties gave away more than $84,000 to families in need and nonprofits at his 20th-annual Sawyer Motors Car Show in July.

Siracusano always credits his faithful donors for the burst of generosity, but as the founder of the Sawyer Automotive Foundation, the Saugerties native and his family pull it altogether behind the scenes to meet the needs.

“This was a tough year financially for many,” Siracusano said. “We helped a lot of local families with sick children and were able to infuse our area nonprofits with extra money, so they can continue their great work. We count it as joy to give back to the community that has been so good to us.”

Siracusano does not act alone. His brother, Larry, daughter, Macy, and their staff work together a year in advance to pull off the car show every year. The Sawyer Motors Car Show, known as the “Best Little Car Show in the Northeast,” is not just about the hundreds of dazzling cars on display in the village of Saugerties every July.

The real thrust of it is the check presentation at the finale. That's when Bob and his team bring tears to the eyes of spectators, who gather at the main stage to see an army of angels in action.

In 2024, they handed out a check for $20,500 to the family of Ethan Burke, a 13-year-old boy, who was diagnosed earlier in the year with neuroendocrine carcinoma (a tumor in his lung).

The Sawyer team also presented a $20,500 check to the parents of Octavia Schlegel, a toddler fighting leukemia.

Her parents were overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity and said the money will be used for costly chemotherapy treatments and other medical expenses as well as time off from work to care for her and take her to medical appointments.

“Words will never begin to express how grateful we are to the Sawyer Automotive Foundation for taking us under their wing, showing us how many people are in Octavia's corner supporting her and granting us the opportunity to keep fighting her battle with everything we have,” they said. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much.”

Local nonprofits also benefitted from the generosity of the Siracusano family. The VFW Post 5034 received a check for$3,604; the Arc Mid-Hudson, $5,000; Children's Home of Kingston, $5,000; Sleep in Heavenly Peace, $5,000; Nothing But Love Canine Foundation, $5,000; Boys and Girls Club of Saugerties, $10,000 and the Saugerties Athletic Booster Club. $10,000.

“Once again, thank you to our faithful donors for their continued dedication to our community,” Siracusano said. “We couldn't have pulled it off without them.”

While the car show is the main event each year, Siracusano and his crew also work throughout the year to raise money for the annual Holiday in the Village on Dec. 8.

Toys of all sorts from play kitchen sets and tricycles were given away at three raffles throughout the afternoon. Tablets, basketballs, Squishmallows, trampolines and backpacks also were also gifted to local children. Highlighting the event was the bike giveaway. At least 100 bikes were raffled off during the afternoon.

“We love this event,” Siracusano said. “It's the Christmas spirit in action. There's no better feeling than seeing grateful Moms and Dads, who need a little help with presents this year, and I have my donors to thank for that.”

A week later, Sawyer Motors partnered with the First Responders Children's Foundation and Jazwares for another round of toy, clothing, bicycle and sneaker giveaways. The Sawyer team joined local police and fire departments as well as volunteers from CSX Railroad and the Saugerties School District to help families select gifts. By the time it was over, more than $150,000 worth of merchandise was distributed to local families.

People's Place, a Kingston-based charity, was another beneficiary of the Sawyer Automotive Foundation's generosity. A truckful of bikes and toys was delivered to the nonprofit on Dec. 16 for its annual Project Santa toy drive.

Siracusano not only works overtime during the holidays and planning for his car show, but throughout the year. In 2024, he and Ray Tucker, sales manager at Sawyer Motors, serve as auctioneers at area fundraisers, including The Arc Mid-Hudson's Wine and Dine, the Boys and Girls Club gala, Ulster County SPCA Fur Ball, Saugerties Animal Shelter Blue Jeans Ball and Diaz Ambulance Service fundraiser.

“My family and I are blessed,” Siracusano said. “We feel it is our duty to bless others, and it's from the heart. We love this community and will continue to lift up those who are struggling because we truly care about Saugerties and our neighbors in the surrounding areas of the Hudson Valley. We can't wait to see what 2025 will bring, and we'll be there again to lighten the load.”