A community’s first response? Giving back to those who deserve it.
Wednesday morning, July 6, kicked off a Commack car wash and adjacent gas station collaboration in honor of Veterans, law enforcement, and first responders. With this program, persons belonging to each of the listed groups will receive five cents off each gallon of gasoline, and 50% off for a car wash.
Located at 1103 Jericho Turnpike, many Town of Smithtown and Suffolk County representatives turned out to join the owners of Spiffy Car Wash and Benit Fuel Sales and Service, Inc., for their 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“This is such a great day for our military, our police, firefighters, EMTs… I just hope it’s going to be a trend with all the other stations here in Suffolk County, and in New York State,” said Senator Mario R. Mattera (R-St. James).
Adds Mattera, “These are regular, hard-working owners that are just trying to make a living. The numbers are going up and down like the stock market, with these prices of fuel. This inflation. People like Todd and Lou say, ‘we care about the community, and we’re going to give back.’ And you know what? That means so much to me. Not just as an elected official, but as a resident of this great Town of Smithtown.”
The son of a six-year Veteran out of the 42nd Division 102nd Engineers, Benit Fuel owner Lou DeBenedittis first came up with the discount program as a full-serve operation. He and his camp are confident the discounts they are offering will continue to thrive in perpetuity, and that other local stations will be inspired to follow suit and roll-out similar programs.
“The pandemic put a damper on some of these events, so it’s good to bring them back,” said DiBenedittis.
“The Veterans in this town, and there’s Veterans everywhere, it’s great to give them some kind of thank you because they don’t walk around with their names on them,” said DeBenedittis’ father, Louis. “Most of them are the type of people who don’t want to be put in the spotlight, but it’s nice to reward them.”
Another well-known local Veteran shared this sentiment, with Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) personally thanking the Benit and Spiffy proprietors at the press conference held ahead of the grand opening.
“We are always honored to be able to open up and put a ribbon in front of our businesses,” said Wehrheim. “This morning, as a Vietnam Veteran, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the effort you’re making.”
“As a first responder and a lifelong resident of Smithtown, I am pleased to be able to attend an event like this,” said Town Clerk Vincent Puleo (C-Nesconset). “To help local business, it’s what keeps our economy thriving. 99% of all businesses are local. Something like this won’t only help first responders, but our Veterans, and I’m so appreciative of the owners of the car wash and the gas station, the DiBenedttis Family, partnering in making this event possible.”
Lou’s son Dante, 14, a second-class boy scout a few years away from earning the Eagle rank, was given the honor of holding the large pair of scissors required for the actual ribbon-cutting – a surprise he took in stride. He, the two generations of DeBenedittis’ in attendance alongside him, and everyone else lucky enough to assist them in their betterment of the community, will surely remember the moment for years to come.
