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“Giving back” runs deep with Anthony Damato and Toyota of North Miami VIP Sales. Through a program that Damato created, the dealership has donated a three-year car lease each year to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools “Principal of the Year”. This year, the winner was Rachel B. Autler from Hialeah Gardens Elementary School, and the community came out to congratulate her. As the Dade Association of School Administrators and Damato presented the keys to a new 2021 Toyota Highlander, cheerleaders from Hialeah Gardens High School were cheering their principal on along with many staff and students.
As Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho shares, “In addition to supporting our administrators and teachers, Anthony is a champion for our most fragile students. He has personally donated funds and provided resources to our migrant families and to children suffering from cancer. He has ensured that no student goes hungry, giving of his heart and time on the frontline of meal distributions.”
But this is only the beginning of the story. Damato also created a “Partners” program, where each time a school board employee in either Miami-Dade or Broward County buys a car from Toyota of North Miami VIP Sales, they receive special employee pricing and a $300 donation to their classroom for school supplies or special projects.
And it doesn’t end there. For the last five years, Toyota of North Miami VIP Sales and Damato donated a car for the AFSCME (American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees) Employee of the Year.
And there’s more. The dealership and Damato are tireless supporters of Miami-Dade County Public Schools through Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s Foundation for New Education Initiatives. In the past four years, they have donated over $500,000 to support meal distributions, backpack give-aways and bikes at Christmas time.
Just ask the students of W. J. Bryan Elementary School about Anthony Damato—he’s their ‘special hero’. Each time he serves as Community Principal, he buys pizza for the entire school. At-risk students have grown to know this gentleman as he always takes the time to talk to them and encourage them. Diana Rizikow Venturini, Executive Director, Fund & Resource Development for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, said, “We are so blessed to have such a caring supporter for our students and staff. Anthony is a real champion especially for our families in need. He not only contributes funds and resources, but generously gives of his time.“
“If each of us gave a little of our time, talent and treasure to help support our local public schools, we really could change the world” said Damato. “ I hope to lead by example and show that it is not only ethically the right thing to do to get involved in our community, it actually is the duty of business to support the communities they serve. ”
Toyota of North Miami is located at 16600 NW Second Avenue, Miami 33169. Anthony Damato, Director of VIP Sales & Community Engagement, 786.384.9505, anthony.damato@toyotaofnorthmiami.com
