Blog

At Steet Ponte Ford, we’re proud to be part of a company that truly appreciates its employees. Our annual company picnic at Enchanted Forest Water Safari is one of the most anticipated days of the year. The whole team, along with their families, got to enjoy full access to the park, indulge in a delicious buffet lunch, and relax in one of the most scenic spots in New York State. Held every summer for over 25 years, this tradition is a reminder that the Steet Ponte Auto Group is more than just a business — it’s a family. We can’t wait to do it again next year!

June 27th | Pine Hills Golf Club | Frankfort, NY The Steet Ponte Auto Group was proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the First Annual Putts for a Purpose Charity Golf Tournament, held on Friday, June 27th at Pine Hills Golf Club in Frankfort, NY. What began with a goal of raising $10,000 for local charities quickly turned into a huge community win— over $11,000 was raised during this incredible day on the course! Organized by Scott and Kelly Grates, hosts of the Love Living Local 315 podcast, the tournament was designed to spotlight and support the heart of our community— local charities and small businesses that often fly under the radar but make a major impact. Love Living Local 315 has become a must-listen for anyone who wants to discover hidden gems and meaningful stories across the Mohawk Valley. We were thrilled to not only sponsor this event but also to send a team of our own out to participate in the tournament. Representing the Steet Ponte Auto Group were: Dan DeLuke, Auto Group Social Media Content Creator & Coordinator Nate Smith, of Steet Ponte Nissan Jason Coleman & Dan Hermann of Steet Toyota of Yorkville The team brought the competitive spirit and camaraderie that make this community so special! As part of our sponsorship, we also offered a thrilling hole-in-one prize on Hole #14 —a 2025 Ford Mustang Convertible —which certainly turned heads throughout the day. One of the highlights of this tournament was that half of the funds raised—$5,500—will be donated to the MVHS Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network division, a cause very close to the Steet family’s heart. The Steet family has proudly supported the Children’s Miracle Network since 1989. This national nonprofit works to raise funds for local children's hospitals to help provide critical treatments, equipment, and services to children in need—ensuring that kids across the region have access to the best possible care, close to home. We extend our deepest thanks to Scott and Kelly Grates for organizing such a meaningful and well-executed event, and to everyone who came out to support the cause. We’re already looking forward to next year! And don’t forget to tune into Love Living Local 315 in July for a special podcast episode featuring Carly Steet Mathias and Joe Steet Jr., siblings and co-owners of the Steet Ponte Auto Group, as they talk about the importance of local giving, community involvement, and family business. #SteetPonteAutoGroup #PuttsForAPurpose #ChildrensMiracleNetwork #LoveLivingLocal315 #MVHSFoundation #GolfForACause #FrankfortNY #CommunityDriven #ShopLocalGiveLocal

Saturday, June 7th | Utica, NY The Steet Ponte Auto Group was proud to once again support one of our favorite community events— Wine in the Wilderness at the Utica Zoo! Held on a beautiful Saturday evening, June 7th, the event welcomed over 1,000 guests for a night of wine tasting, food, music, and wild animal encounters. As the official Designated Driver Sponsor, we were thrilled to help promote safe and responsible fun by handing out $15 Uber gift cards to the first 100 attendees who pledged to be a designated driver. Helping guests get home safely is a mission we take seriously, and we’re proud to continue making that possible through events like this. It was a perfect night at the Zoo, and the atmosphere was made even more exciting with the debut of their brand new dinosaur exhibit! The lifelike animatronic dinosaurs were a huge hit and are a must-see for kids and adults alike. If you haven’t checked it out yet, make sure to plan your visit before the exhibit wraps up in October. While you’re there, don’t forget to stop by the Gibbons exhibit, proudly sponsored by the Steet Ponte Auto Group, as part of our ongoing partnership with the Utica Zoo. Supporting local attractions and safe community events is what we’re all about. Thank you to everyone who came out to Wine in the Wilderness, and to the Utica Zoo for continuing to host such an unforgettable event. We’ll see you again soon! #SteetPonteAutoGroup #WineInTheWilderness #UticaZoo #DriveSafe #CommunitySupport #DesignatedDriverSponsor #AnimatronicDinosaurs #GibbonsExhibit #UticaNY

We’re thrilled to announce that the Steet Ponte Auto Group is once again a proud sponsor of the Boilermaker Road Race in Utica, NY and this year, we’re taking the lead in more ways than one! For the 2025 race, Steet Ponte Auto Group has been named the Official Pace Car Sponsor, and we’ll have two of our trucks setting the pace on race day. The Boilermaker Road Race, taking place this year on Sunday, July 13th, 2025, is one of the most iconic and beloved 15K road races in the country, and a signature event for the Mohawk Valley. As a local dealership group with deep roots in the Utica community, we’re honored to support this tradition that brings together thousands of runners, spectators, and volunteers from across Central New York and beyond. Catch Our Pace Trucks Around Utica Before the Race! In the weeks leading up to Boilermaker Sunday, keep an eye out for the Steet Ponte pace trucks! They will both be wrapped in bold, Boilermaker-themed designs, will be cruising through Utica, Yorkville, Rome, New Hartford, and other nearby communities, helping to promote the big day. Whether you’re training for the race or just enjoying the summer buzz, you’ll see our trucks building excitement all over the area. Proud to Support Local Events That Move Our Community Forward At the Steet Ponte Auto Group, we’re more than just car dealerships—we’re part of the community. With locations like Steet Ponte Ford in Yorkville, we’re proud to support events like the Boilermaker that make Utica, NY such a special place to live, work, and celebrate. So whether you're racing, volunteering, cheering from the sidelines, or just enjoying the festivities, we invite you to join us on Sunday, July 13th to experience one of the greatest community events in New York State. And don’t forget to wave when you see the Steet Ponte pace trucks drive by! Follow us on social media for pace truck sightings, Boilermaker updates, and more local events all summer long!

At Steet Ponte Auto Group, supporting the Mohawk Valley community is at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to share that we recently donated $10,000 to Hospice & Palliative Care, a vital organization based in New Hartford, NY, that provides compassionate care and support for individuals and families facing serious or end-stage illnesses. Representing our team, Joe Steet Jr., Carly Steet Mathias, and Steve Ponte Jr. had the honor of presenting the check to Mary Bogdan, CEO, and Joanne Moskal, CIO, of Hospice & Palliative Care. This donation helps further the organization’s mission of serving patients of all ages from newborns to individuals over 100 years old throughout Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison counties. Screenshot Touring the Siegenthaler Center: A Home Away From Home During our visit, we were given a tour of the Siegenthaler Center, a unique four-bed end-of-life residence that adjoins the main Hospice building on Middle Settlement Road in New Hartford. Opened in February 2005, the Siegenthaler Center offers a home-like environment where patients and their families receive expert medical care and emotional support during life’s most delicate moments. It was a moving experience to witness firsthand the love, dignity, and comfort that Hospice brings to those in their care. Proud to Give Back to the Greater Utica Area This donation is part of Steet Ponte Auto Group’s continued commitment to giving back to organizations that uplift and strengthen the Utica and New Hartford communities. We are deeply inspired by the work that Hospice & Palliative Care of New York’s Mohawk Valley Region does every day, and we’re honored to support their mission. Whether it's through charitable giving, local partnerships, or community events, Steet Ponte Auto Group is proud to be more than just a group of car dealerships in Yorkville, Herkimer, and Johnstown —we're your neighbors, friends, and supporters of causes that truly matter. Learn More About Hospice & Palliative Care: Visit hospicecareinc.org to explore how you can support their mission or access their invaluable services. Visit Us Locally at: Steet Ponte Nissan – Yorkville, NY Steet Ponte Chevrolet – Herkimer, NY Steet Ponte Ford Lincoln – New Hartford, NY

We are thrilled to announce Steet Ponte Auto Group's year-long sponsorship with the Utica Zoo, one of the most beloved attractions in the Utica, NY area for over 100 years! This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting local institutions that bring joy, education, and unforgettable experiences to Oneida County and beyond. The Utica Zoo is home to over 99 species of animals, making it a fun family-friendly destination. Whether you're admiring the majestic lions, playful red pandas, or the engaging gibbons (more on them later!), there’s always something exciting to see and learn. Exclusive Perks for Our Team As part of this collaboration, Steet Ponte Auto Group employees will enjoy special discounts at the zoo, just one of the many ways we’re bringing this partnership to life. It’s a great opportunity for our team members and their families to explore the wonders of nature close to home. Sponsoring Signature Zoo Events We’re also proud to sponsor some of the zoo’s most popular annual events: 🍷 Wine in the Wilderness:  We’re working on details to be the designated driver sponsor, ensuring everyone can enjoy the evening responsibly while sampling wines from across the region. 🎃 Halloween Spooktacular: This family-favorite event offers a fun and safe way for kids to celebrate Halloween with themed activities, costumes, and of course, plenty of adorable animal encounters. Proud Sponsors of the Gibbons Exhibit As part of our support, Steet Ponte Auto Group is also the proud sponsor of the Gibbons exhibit. These playful and energetic primates are a highlight of the zoo, captivating visitors with their acrobatics and endearing social behaviors. More Exciting Adventures Ahead We’re just getting started! Keep an eye out for more exciting collaborations and events throughout the year as we continue to support and celebrate our local zoo. Whether you're a regular visitor or planning your first trip, we encourage everyone to experience the magic of the Utica Zoo, it’s truly a local treasure. Stay tuned for more updates and we’ll see you at the zoo! 🐾

Held on Sunday, February 16th, 2025 at Gore Mountain in North Creek, NY! This past weekend, our Auto Group team came together for an unforgettable day on the slopes at Gore Mountain for our 5th Annual Ski Trip! This annual tradition has become a highly anticipated event, giving employees the chance to embrace the winter season, connect with coworkers, and enjoy a well-deserved day of fun and adventure. From seasoned skiers to first-timers, everyone had a blast exploring the mountain’s diverse trails, soaking in the breathtaking views, and experiencing the thrill of the downhill runs. The crisp mountain air and fresh powder made for perfect skiing and snowboarding conditions, ensuring a fantastic experience for all. To keep everyone fueled for the day, we provided a complimentary lunch at the Tannery Bar and Restaurant, where employees got to warm up, enjoy a delicious meal, and share stories from the slopes. It was the perfect opportunity to relax, recharge, and bond with colleagues in a casual and scenic setting. This event continues to be a wonderful way to bring our Auto Group team together outside of the workplace, strengthening our connections and building lasting memories. Whether carving through fresh powder or simply enjoying the mountain atmosphere, everyone left with smiles on their faces and excitement for next year’s trip. A huge thank you to all who participated and helped make this event such a success. We look forward to keeping this tradition alive and can’t wait to hit the slopes again next year! See you on the mountain in 2026!

As the holiday season winds down and we welcome the new year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in and contributed to our holiday events and donation drives. Your generosity, spirit, and dedication to community made this season truly special. Reflecting on the Joy and Impact This past holiday season, we set out to make a meaningful difference in our community by organizing several events and drives. Thanks to your support, our efforts exceeded expectations. Here’s what we accomplished together: Donation Drives School Supplies Drive: With your help, we provided backpacks, notebooks, and essential tools to ensure that students in our community could start the new year ready to succeed. Your contributions put smiles on countless young faces for kids in 19 local elementary schools including Utica, Frankfort, CVA and Herkimer NY Elementary Schools! Coat Drive: Winter can be harsh, but thanks to your kindness, many individuals and families now have warm coats to protect them against the cold. Every coat you donated was a gesture of care that truly mattered for the kids in the Utica and Rome City School Districts. Along with new coats, we were able to break a record and donated 1,017 items of winter outwear including new snow boots, snow pants, hats, gloves, scarves, mittens, and of course, coats! Food Drive: During a time when no one should go hungry, your generosity provided meals for families in need. The outpouring of support filled not only pantries but also hearts for those who utilize the Thea Bowman House Food Pantry in Utica, NY. Holiday Gift Drive: From toys and books to clothing and gift cards, you helped ensure that children in our community experienced the magic of the holidays. Your donations transformed wishes into reality for the families in the Adopt-a-Family program through ICAN, as well as the Amsterdam NY School District. Holiday Events Lights Around the Park Light Show: Held at the Kirkland Town Park and hosted by the Clinton Fire Department. This drive through light show went around the entire park, with over 30 different light displays, and was held every weekend from 11/29-12/29. On Sundays, Santa and Mrs. Claus even greeted each car with candy canes for those driving through! Together, We Made a Difference Through your contributions and involvement, you didn’t just donate or attend an event—you became part of something bigger. You helped build a stronger, more connected, and compassionate community. The ripple effect of your kindness will be felt far beyond the holiday season. Each meal shared, coat donated, and moment of joy created reminded us all of the power of coming together. Looking Ahead As we move into the new year, we carry with us the warmth and generosity you shared this past season. We’re excited to continue working with such an incredible community and invite you to join us in future initiatives to make a difference. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Let’s keep the spirit of giving and togetherness alive all year long. Happy New Year! From all of us at Steet Ponte Ford!

Steet Ponte Ford is proud to support the Clinton Fire Department’s 2nd Annual Lights Around the Park Light Show at the Kirkland Town Park!! This is a fun, family-friendly event that is one of a kind for our area. The show is held every weekend from Friday, 11/29 until Sunday, 12/29, 2024 from 6-9pm and is $10/car! On Sundays, Santa and Mrs. Clause themselves pass out candy canes during the show! The light show is a drive through light show, so you can stay warm in your vehicle, while listening to Christmas music by tuning into 93.9 FM! We have a fun display from the Steet Ponte Auto Group, and hope to see you there!

Our 17th Annual Holiday Gift Drive is going on NOW until Monday, December 16th at all of the stores in the Steet Ponte Auto Group! This year, we are adopting families in the Adopt-A-Family program with ICAN. ICAN is a non-profit organization that service Utica and Herkimer, all throughout Oneida and Herkimer Counties to help provide services to families in need. Each store in our Auto Group has tags on the Christmas Trees in our showrooms. As of today, all of our tags have been taken, but there are still ways to participate at our other stores on Commercial Drive in Yorkville!! It’s easy to participate! Simply take a tag from our tree, and return the unwrapped gift with the tag attached back to our tree by the 16th. The front of the tag has the gift or wish list item, and the back of the tag has the child’s name, age, and any relevant information like favorite colors, favorite characters, clothing sizes if applicable. We hope that you can help us spread joy for families in need to help provide a wonderful Christmas season for everyone! Gifts range from hair ties to toys, to gift cards, so there is something for everyone. We are also accepting donations of wrapping paper and tape as well!

Our 12th Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive was quite the success again this year! Throughout our 8 dealerships, we donated to the Thea Bowman House in Utica, NY, Catholic Charities of Herkimer County, and the Amen Place Soup Kitchen in Amsterdam, NY! Our Food Drive was held from November 1st-November 25th, 2024. We collected non-perishable food items for the food pantries to help during their Thanksgiving meal preparations, and beyond. Together, we collected 8 vehicles of non-perishable items, filling the entire basement at the Thea Bowman House! Additionally, Steet Toyota of Johnstown was able to donated an extra $1,000 to the Amen Place Soup Kitchen along with their donations. We spent the morning loading all of our donations into the vehicles to bring over to each location, and then helped sort the items for the food pantries. The first year this Food Drive started, we filled one vehicle total with donations, and now we are up to one vehicle per store! We are so thankful for our community, employees, and customers who helped us succeed this year. Whether you brought in one item or 20, we are so happy to have provided a great Thanksgiving to those in need in our Utica, Herkimer, and Amsterdam communities.

At Steet Ponte Auto Group, we believe in fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and appreciation among our team members. Our 22nd Annual Golf Tournament, held at Stonebridge Golf & Country Club, was a perfect example of this commitment, bringing together our employees and valued business partners for a day of relaxation, fun, and connection. On August 18th, the Steet Ponte Auto Group family gathered at the scenic Stonebridge Golf & Country Club in Frankfort, NY, for our 22nd Annual Golf Tournament. This much-anticipated event was an opportunity for our team to step away from their daily routines and enjoy a day dedicated to bonding and team spirit. With 14 teams participating, the tournament featured friendly competition, delicious food, and plenty of laughs, all set against the backdrop of a beautiful course. This year's tournament was particularly memorable, as it not only highlighted the skills and sportsmanship of our participants but also served as a reminder of the close-knit relationships we’ve built over the years. From seasoned golfers to those new to the game, everyone had a chance to showcase their talents and enjoy the day’s festivities. At Steet Ponte Auto Group, we know that our success is built on the dedication and hard work of our employees. Events like this golf tournament are our way of showing appreciation for their efforts and creating an environment where they feel valued and supported. By investing in our team’s well-being, we ensure that our customers receive the best possible service, backed by a motivated and unified staff. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated and helped make this event a success. As we look forward to many more years of growth and collaboration, we remain committed to nurturing a positive workplace culture that benefits both our team and the community we serve. Visit us today at Steet Ponte Ford to experience the Steet Ponte difference, where our commitment to excellence extends beyond our services and into the care we show our employees.