SAUGERTIES – The owner of Sawyer Motors will be handing out thousands of face masks free to the public at a drive-through on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cantine Veterans Memorial Field.
Bob Siracusano, known for his annual Sawyer Motors Car Show, said he purchased 5,500 medical-grade masks from a wholesaler who supplies his nephew’s restaurant in Long Island as well as other businesses in the city.
Earlier this week, Siracusano was busy transporting them from the city to his car showroom on Ulster Avenue and working with town and village officials to iron out the details of the Saturday giveaway, which will be at the large pavilion at the complex.
Siracusano said the masks cost $6,000 and were paid for by his Sawyer Motors Automotive Foundation and included several individual contributions.
“The response has been great,” he said. “I’ve had people give me $100 here and $250 there. I couldn’t have done this without people like Diane Cruz and Pat Rauh, one of the major sponsors. Whenever I do anything, they’re always beside me. I was totally blown away by all the generosity and all those willing to help.”
Siracusano, who orchestrates the toy giveaway at Saugerties’ annual Holiday in the Village, said he knew he wanted to do something to help the community once the virus began spreading locally and social-distancing restrictions were put in place.
After hearing medical experts recommend masks to prevent coronavirus spread, the idea hit him.
“As this thing progressed, they began telling people all over the world that masks would help stop it from spreading. I believed that sooner or later we would all have to wear them,” he said. “I asked a lot of people what was most needed—food, toilet tissue, or masks—and they all agreed it was the masks, so that’s how it all happened.”
Siracusano said while quantities are limited, he has not yet determined how many masks he will give away per car and will act in the moment and according to circumstance.
As far as volunteers at the drive-through, Siracusano said he and his Sawyer Motors team have plenty of helpers lined up to distribute the masks and other hard-to-get items like paper products. “This is Saugerties. Getting volunteers in our community is never a problem.”
