At least a dozen nurses who work at Southlake Regional Health Centre now have a brand-new, shiny ride to and from work during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to Newmarket Hyundai dealer principal and owner Tony Del Gobbo.
Del Gobbo, whose dealership has been a fixture on the local business scene for more than 20 years, has so far delivered 12 vehicles to Southlake’s frontline health-care workers, all with no physical contact, and at no cost to the drivers.
An additional four vehicles are destined for new temporary owners this week, for up to a total of 25 SUVs and sedans for the medical staff’s personal use.
The cost of insurance and maintenance will also be picked up by the dealership. Filling up with gas is the only thing the drivers need to worry about for as long as they drive their Elantra, Kona, Tucson or Sante Fe.
“It’s heartening when you hear some of the stories, (like) a nurse who is living in Innisfil and having to take the GO train to Southlake, but it’s only running certain hours, and she’s had an almost impossible time getting to work,” Del Gobbo said.
“There are others who are forced to try to get rides from people they know to get to work and they are having a hard time with that, and then there are others who are driving 12-year-old cars that are just done.”
“But at the end of the day, this is help for them to get through these times,” said Del Gobbo. “If everybody pitches in, we’ll get through this quicker, faster and be in better shape down the road.”
The Newmarket businessman has been donating money and holding fundraisers for Southlake hospital for decades. But he said the current public health crisis facing the community needs more than money to help everyone get through it.
Del Gobbo had heard from friends on Southlake’s medical team that many staff rely on public transportation to get to work. And with the recent service reductions during the pandemic, getting around was becoming a problem.
The idea to offer the use of new vehicles for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic was eagerly accepted by the hospital foundation, and it caught the attention of Hyundai’s corporate office.
“When we heard about this at head office, what we liked about this was it was very much Tony doing what he can do best,” spokesperson Jean-François Taylor said. “People need to think that with the business they are in, what can they do that others can’t because they’re not in that business. You have to think in a more unique way of what I can bring to the table because of the unique position that I’m in.”
With Del Gobbo’s generous offer, it seems everyone wins.
Once the pandemic has been controlled and the vehicles are back in the lot, they will be detailed and sanitized, and offered for sale at a significant discount, Del Gobbo said.
“We have an amazing hospital in Newmarket that serves many people in the region,” he added.
“We have had a very close and positive relationship with Southlake for over 20 years now and when the pandemic hit, we knew that we had to go the extra mile this year,” Del Gobbo said. “The feedback we’ve been receiving from the staff has been heartwarming and we’re happy that we were able to help in our own special way.”
Del Gobbo, who also owns Orillia Hyundai, has issued a similar offer of free vehicles to medical staff of the local Soldiers' Memorial Hospital in that city.
President and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada Don Romano said the company encourages dealers to act locally and help their communities in their own ways.
“Tony has really gone above and beyond with this program,” Romano said. “It’s a great example of people stepping up during times of need.”
Newmarket Hyundai is at 17735 Leslie St., Newmarket. For more information, visit them online.
