On Sunday, May 6, thousands of walkers will cross Brockton to battle cancer in the 13^th annual Champions Fighting Cancer Walk. The event benefits cancer programs and services at Signature Healthcare as well as the Chrystine M. Sullivan Memorial Foundation and its community partners.   It is one of the largest charity events in the Metro South area, repeatedly drawing thousands of area residents.

“As the walk continues to grow, and we are thankful for the strong community support and our partnership with the Chrystine M. Sullivan Foundation year after year,” said Jeff Miller, Signature Healthcare VP of Philanthropy.  “This annual event, along with the celebration at the finish line creates a strong bond between our organization and the community we serve.  It is an inspiring event for all involved – those who walk and those who donate time and resources to make the event possible.”

The 4.5-mile walk begins — rain or shine — at Brockton High School and finishes at Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital.  A half-way water stop at the Central Branch YMCA continues this year, underscoring Signature Healthcare’s partnership with the Old Colony YMCA on health and wellness programs.  Those unable to walk the full route can participate in a shorter 1.5-mile walk that begins at City Hall. At the walk finish line, Signature Healthcare will be hosting a health fair for the community. 

The Walk is completely staffed and organized by volunteers, reducing administrative costs and allowing more funds to be funneled back into the fight against cancer on a local level. For the second year, the Fire & Iron Firefighters Motorcycle Club, Station 144 will be hosting the Champions Ride for Pediatrics, a motorcycle ride benefiting the Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Pediatric Department .

Below are some pictures from previous walks; Click here for more information, or to participate in this year’s walk.

 

Don’t miss the Jordan Rich Variety Show at Massasoit Community College, Saturday, May 5^th at 7:00 PM, sponsored by Sullivan Tire and Auto Service. Paul Sullivan will join the cast on stage in a hilarious comedy bit, and the show will feature celebrity guest performers Jordan Rich, Laurie Kirby, Rod Fritz, noted jazz singer Amanda Carr, Dan Kenney (former musical director for Britney Spears) and comedian Riley Matthews performing alongside a plethora of Massasoit students, faculty, and staff.

Acts include singing, dancing, comedy, martial arts, and a tribute to classic radio.  Tickets are $16, $14 students/seniors, and $12 per person for groups of 10 or more.  To order tickets call 508-427-1234 or email mccboxoffice@gmail.com.

All proceeds will benefit scholarships for students in the areas of radio, television, and theater at Massasoit Community College.  Come on out to the show and see the premier of a new singing, dancing Sullivan Tire commercial!

Todays guest blog comes from Patty Houpt, founder of the Sudbury Military Support Network.  

 

Sudbury Military Support Network (SMSN) is a non-profit organization designed to:

• Support Sudbury residents serving in the Military as they prepare to deploy, serve or return from military service.
• Develop avenues to Honor and Recognize all past and present Sudbury Service Military Service Personnel.
• Establish a network of Support for Families of Military Service Personnel.
• Raise Awareness in the community about Sudbury residents who have or are currently serving in the military.

Congress has declared the month of May as Military Appreciation Month. Locally, SMSN works with area merchants and local supporters to honor our hometown heroes throughout the month of May. We secure discounts and donations to distribute to families, hold a military family BBQ event and participate in the Memorial Day Parade, hoping to put names and faces to those who serve our country.

Last year, Sullivan Tire stepped forward to become one of our major supporters. We reached out to ask for assistance and they responded with an enthusiastic and outstanding offer which they will repeat in 2012.

From April 29-May 12, Sullivan Tire will donate $5 for every tire sold at their Sudbury location to SMSN. Further, they have donated free oil change coupons to our military families, and will hold a customer appreciation day on Saturday May 12^th.

Sullivan Tire donated over $1,100 to SMSN in 2011 and we hope to exceed that amount in 2012. It is so rewarding for all of our service members and their families when a major organization throws their support behind our military families.

Please look for ways to honor the service of your veterans, both young and old, throughout the year. Organize a care package drive, write letters, donate to the USO, etc. Locally, you can volunteer to help with yard work, home maintenance or child care for a family with a loved one deployed or injured.

Most importantly, don’t forget to thank your local military personnel for their amazing and unselfish service out our country.

 

For more information about the SMSN, please visit www.sudburymilitarysupportnetwork.org and we hope to see you at our celebratory event on Saturday, May 12th at our Sudbury location!

 Today’s blog comes courtesy of Ablevision, and recounts the great time they had last month at Red Sox Spring Training.

As March draws near, there is a palatable excitement among 2 members of the crew of the Ablevision program – they know in just a few weeks, they will be jet setting to Florida to attend a Spring Training game courtesy of Mr. Sullivan.  Mr. Sullivan began offering this trip to our crewmembers in 2010, in which 3 of them interviewed Red Sox Second Baseman Dustin Pedroia, who is as nice as he is talented.  Since then, the folks at Sullivan Tire, year after year, have given crewmembers of Ablevision the trip of a lifetime.

This year, Christine Murdocca and Paul Hedison joined Triangle staff members Alisa Carbone and Jeff Gentry on a whirlwind adventure down in Ft. Myers, Florida.  “I was excited because I was finally going!” says Christine, who also rode on the Goodyear Blimp courtesy of Paul Sullivan.

It’s difficult to choose the best part of the trip when we did such cool things such as tour the new stadium, swim in the giant pool, go on a nature walk at Six Mile Cypress Slough, and meet and talk to Red Sox fans from all over the country.  Oh, and lets not forget the fabulous food! We were delighted that Mr. Sullivan was able to relinquish Maureen Cullity from her duties and she was able to join us on our trip.

Maureen was our food and destination expert as she reserved some amazing restaurants for us to try.  Even with everything planned, Jeff had to throw a monkey wrench in the system by saying we just HAD to have Mexican food at Cantina Laredo.  In the end we appreciated this monkey wrench as the food was outstanding and Christine found to her wonder that yes, guacamole is delicious and should be eaten with every meal.

The day before the game, the crew shopped at the Red Sox gift shop before Brett Bodine treated us to an awesome tour of the new Jet Blue Stadium, where everything is state of the art and still smells new.  It was amazing to be able to touch the Green Monster, sign Pesky’s pole, and sit in the Red Sox dugout.  Paul gave us a historical tour of the Red Sox greats, whose numbers are proudly displayed in large statues outside the field.  Paul was so engaging, he drew a small crowd of onlookers to hear his knowledge of the players and Red Sox history.  I don’t think I’ve seen Paul grin so much, and he grins a lot.

The morning of the game was a perfect 88 degrees and we were ready to meet the fans.  Christine and Paul asked the hard hitting questions to a legion of Red Sox fans including, “What do you think about Jason Varitek retiring?” and “What is your favorite baseball food?”  We had a steady stream of fans (some who were even interviewed by last year’s crew) pass by the Sullivan Tire tent and pick up their magnets while being interviewed.  The crew interviewed the winners of Sullivan Tire’s trip to Ireland, a stuffed gorilla who had been to over 50 games, and many fans with interesting St. Patrick’s Day attire including green wigs, shamrock glasses, and a man in a kilt.  We had the hottest tent on the pavilion!  “I was excited with everything,” said Paul, “We did a lot of walking and that was a good thing for us to do.  It wasn’t a vacation, it was work.  But we had fun doing the work.”

As a perfect end to a perfect trip, we had seats on the 3^rd baseline to watch our team defeat the Orioles.  We will forever be grateful to Mr. Sullivan and his team, including Maureen, Tom and June Wilson, and Tara Guinan who helped make the trip so outstanding.  “I really enjoy the people from Sullivan Tire – they’re a lot of fun to hang out with.  It’s a privilege to have partners that are always creatively expanding possibilities for Ablevision,” says Jeff.  Every day we strive to provide opportunities and challenges to folks with ability, and Mr. Sullivan and his team are always there to help us meet that goal.  And even though our team is down 0-3, just being able to root them on during Spring Training makes them winners in our eyes.

For more information about Ablevision, click here or stop by their Facebook page, for pictures from their trip!

The big day is finally here, and everyone at Sullivan Tire is wishing the dedicated runners, especially Mark Sullivan, the best of luck today. For those of us not on the sidelines this morning, Boston.com will be our go-to source for all the Marathon updates.

How are you celebrating Marathon Monday? Where’s your favorite place to watch the race? Are you staying cool? Let us know in the comments!

Fenway Park has been home to the Red Sox and to all of Red Sox nation for 100 years – making it the oldest operating Major League ballpark in the United States! Fenway has officially withstood an entire century of thrilling ball games and some of the craziest, most loyal fans in all of baseball.

The Anniversary will be observed on Friday, April 20, 2012. The Red Sox are set to play against their rivals, the New York Yankees, the same team they played on April 20, 1912 (then the New York Highlanders). Before the game begins, there will be a grand pre-game ceremony to celebrate Fenway’s birthday. The Red Sox also have planned an Open House on April 19, Throwback Days throughout the season, and a symbolic ticket design to celebrate reaching the 100-year milestone.

What do you think the most memorable moment was in the past 100 years at Fenway? Do you think the Red Sox have what it takes to win it all during their 100^th year playing at Fenway?

Here we grow again!

We are very proud to open our 57^th tire and auto service location in Newport, RI just as we begin our 57^th year in business!

It’s an exciting moment as this is only our 2^nd location in the Ocean State (Warwick), and it’s in the beautiful and picturesque city of Newport.  This city is rich in history, tradition, and architecture that make it a unique vacation destination (or place to call home!).

Our newest location is still under construction, but check back soon for some pictures of our newly renovated store.

We’re proud to call Newport home, and we hope that you’ll come see us at 154 Connell Highway!

 

Hello everyone,

The days are counting down as the big day draws near. What seemed like an eternity a few months ago, is now just a week away. April 16th will mark the 116th Boston Marathon, adding another exciting chapter to the long, rich history of one of the most famous Marathons in the world.

As my many months of rigorous and time consuming training are winding down, the nerves and excitement are starting to build each day. I feel as prepared as I can be, and hope the weather is cooperative.  The course presents many challenges of its own, so no one running the race wants the weather to be a disadvantage.

We all need as much help as we can get after 20 miles, and knowing there are still 6.2 miles still yet to conquer… During those last few miles, the fear of the unknown starts to kick in as your body and  mind slow start to breakdown. It almost becomes a mind over matter race at that point!

Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their contributions, encouragement and support.  As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am running for the non-profit American SCORES Boston at this year’s marathon. They have been a pleasure to work with and this has given me a chance to see another side to this remarkable organization that I would not have seen if it was not for the Marathon.

Again, thanks so much for helping a worthy cause, and I hope to see you at the finish line on Patriot’s day afternoon!

Sincerely,

Mark E Sullivan

Here we go again… April 5, 2012.  Day one of 162 games.

Another exciting Red Sox season is about to start.  Opening Day is like a rebirth from Winter to Spring; flowers begin to blossom, grass begins to need mowing, the car gets checked out and washed. People seem to wake up from hibernation.

But while we are waking up, the players have been readying themselves for another tough season of baseball… and dealing with some tough,  die hard Boston fans.  I think it’s pretty safe to say that we’re never quite satisfied with the number of wins, but that’s simply because we want so much for the Sox to go all the way.

The first game of the year is rarely an indicator of how the team or players will do, unless we look at legendary Ted Williams. The Splendid Splinter  hit a career .449 on opening day in the 14 games he appeared in.  That’s impressive.

Jon Lester will start Opening Day for the 2^nd straight year for the Sox as they take on the Tigers.  He’ll be the first left handed pitcher to start back to back opening day games since Mel Parnell started 3 from 1952-1954.

I know the players are ready,  I just hope the fans are too…

How do you think the Sox will do this season? Let us know in the comments!

Over 450 employees of Sullivan Tire & Auto Service were in attendance Sunday, March 25^th at The Marriot in Quincy for our annual Awards Breakfast.

Sullivan Tire President Robert D. Sullivan, Vice President of Marketing Paul Sullivan, Vice President of Sales John Donovan and CFO Joseph Zaccheo presented awards in honor of the employees who qualified for various company recognitions as well as employees with 10 or more years of service.

Our Community Service Award went to Thomas Farley Sr. of East Bridgewater, MA for his volunteer work with Saint Bridget’s Church.  Also recognized at the event were technicians that recently received Master Technician status and all employees that have been with us for 10 years or longer. To date, twenty percent of the Sullivan Tire workforce has been with the company for 10 years or more.  That’s a stat we are very proud of!

Jim Barnes, Thomas Farley and Paul Sullivan