Each summer, Kids In Need Foundation is proud to partner with Toyota through their Big Summer Giveback—an initiative that brings together Toyota dealerships across the country to support local students with the supplies they need to start the school year prepared and confident. Through in-class distribution events, dealership teams don’t just hand out backpacks—they step into classrooms, share encouragement, and become part of a student’s story. For one dealer in particular, the opportunity to play an integral role in a child’s educational journey meant everything.

For Sal Amendola of Hillside Toyota, the decision to become a Platinum dealer was rooted in a belief that extends far beyond business. It comes from a sense of responsibility. He believes deeply that dealerships exist because of the communities around them, and that giving back to those communities should be a natural extension of that relationship. As Sal shared, “At Titan Motor Group, and personally for me, it has never been just about selling cars.” Choosing the Platinum level meant having the chance to give more—more presence, more heart, and more impact on the children who are the future of those communities. 

Sal reflected, “it wasn’t about supplies. It was about connection, care, and showing these kids that their community truly has their back.” 

That belief came to life during their school distribution at PS165 in Jamaica, Queens. The day was filled with energy and anticipation as students gathered for their first assembly of the year, and backpacks were handed out one by one. Sal recalls seeing the “pure joy, excitement, and pride” on the students’ faces, each one feeling seen and celebrated. “In that moment,” Sal reflected, “it wasn’t about supplies. It was about connection, care, and showing these kids that their community truly has their back.” 

The impact has stretched far beyond that day. Inside the dealership, the experience left the team with a renewed sense of purpose and pride, a reminder that their work can create real, positive change. In the community, it strengthened trust and laid the foundation for an ongoing relationship with the school—one that continues throughout the year. 

For Sal, moments like these reinforce why showing up matters, and why giving back should never be a one-time act. The takeaway he left with was simple but powerful. “Becoming a Platinum dealer is not a cost—it’s an investment in people, purpose, and community.” His advice to other dealers is simple and rooted in the experience: show up, give more than expected and lean in with your whole heart. As this year’s program comes to a close, he hopes more dealers will see what’s possible—and consider taking the next step as Platinum partners in the year ahead. The return, he says, is something you feel long after the event ends—and why this work is worth continuing year after year. 

Stories like this one remind us why partnerships like the Big Summer Give Back matter so deeply. When community leaders, corporate partners, and educators come together, the impact reaches far beyond a single day in the classroom. It creates moments of connection, inspiration, and hope that students carry with them long after the backpacks are unzipped. Thank you for being part of this journey—turning preparation today into opportunity, confidence, and readiness for students this summer and beyond.

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Every day, teachers show up for their students with passion, creativity, and dedication—but too many of them are doing it without the supplies they need to create the learning environments their students deserve. No teacher should have to choose between giving their students the best education possible and paying out of pocket for basic classroom materials.

Your company can help change that at scale.

Through a partnership with Kids In Need Foundation, your organization can:

• Activate employees in meaningful, high-impact volunteer experiences
• Deliver essential supplies to under-resourced classrooms nationwide
• Advance education equity in the communities where your employees live and work
• Drive measurable social impact aligned with your CSR and ESG goals

A single corporate commitment can fill thousands of backpacks, stock entire classrooms, and remind teachers they are not alone. When companies invest in educators, they strengthen communities, support future talent, and help ensure every child has the opportunity to learn with confidence.

Join us in creating equitable learning environments—one classroom, one community, and one employee activation at a time.