The owner of Orillia Hyundai is offering to provide vehicles to local front-line health-care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tony Del Gobbo, principal and owner of both Orillia Hyundai and Newmarket Hyundai, did the same for workers at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, and a least a dozen nurses there have taken him up on the offer. He has delivered the vehicles with no physical contact, and at no cost to the drivers.
"We're very involved in supporting (Orillia) Soldiers' Memorial (Hospital) anyway," Del Gobbo said, noting Orillia Hyundai has donated to the Orillia hospital over the years.
He wanted to find a unique way to support front-line workers.
"Everybody's offering to help out, and I realized we can offer cars. These people need transportation," he said, noting many health-care staff rely on public transportation or cabs.
He has put aside 10 vehicles for staff at Orillia's hospital and is waiting to hear from any takers. He said he will continue to offer vehicles "until we get back to normal."
The cost of insurance and maintenance will 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 the vehicles.
“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 idea to offer the use of new vehicles for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic 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.”
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.
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.”
— With files from Nathan Taylor
