One of the things I like best about community events like White Christmas is that I get to see a lot of old friends, and meet a lot of new people.
Like the Mastrodonato family, the new owners of Diamond Collision at 54 Donovan St., who had set up a table in front of Tom’s Garage on Main Street during the White Christmas Parade of Lights. They were serving up free hot chocolate for anyone who wanted a warm-up on what was a rather chilly evening.
I asked if they were taking donations in exchange for the treat, but was told that no, they just wanted to do something for the Webster community.
I recently exchanged a few emails with Carly Mastrodonato, one of the owners, to find out more about the new business. It became immediately clear that while paint and collision work is their main focus, their commitment to community comes in a close second.
Their community involvement began pretty much on day one, when they held a grand opening party with food, raffles and live music. They donated all the proceeds from that event to Miracle Field.
Since then, the Diamond Collision owners
- carved pumpkins for the Webster Recreation Center’s Pumpkins on Parade in 2020 and 2021
- participated in the Village of Webster’s Trick or Treat Trail
- try to buy local as much as they can, like using McAllister Signs for a lot of their signage
- and, of course, handed out hot chocolate and candy canes at the Parade of Lights
Carly explained,
It’s important to us to be a part of the community for two very important reasons. Number one, without the community we wouldn’t have a business. It’s the local community that allows us to run a successful business. They put their trust in us, so this is the least we can do. It was a small way to show thanks.
The second reason, we want to be recognized. We don’t want to just be some small collision shop on Donovan Street that no one has heard of. We want people to see Chuck and say “Hey, there is Chuck from Diamond Collision.” My father, like many others, has worked very hard his whole life and is just so happy to finally be a business owner and make this very important decision to be a part of the community as much as we can!
I think it’s important to understand that we truly enjoy this involvement. This is a part of who we are as Diamond Collision and as a family. It brings us joy to be able to give. Even if it is as small as a cup of hot chocolate. I was smiling from ear to ear the entire time at the Parade of Lights and had so many great conversations. That’s what it’s all about! These are the moments that last a lifetime.
On Friday Dec. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m., they’ll host Rochester artist Doug MacDonald and his Art for Sickos van at their shop in Webster. “We are very open and supportive of small businesses,” Carly wrote, “and we want to do everything we can to help and support.”
The Mastrodonato family only took over ownership of Diamond Collision in October, which makes their list of community accomplishments that much more impressive.
“We look forward to being a part of more events within the local community,” Carly added. “It brings us joy to meet people in the community that allow us to be Diamond Collision.”
May I be the first to say, welcome to the village.
Diamond Collision is at 54 Donovan St. You can check them out on their Facebook page, website, and on Instagram at @diamondcollision_webster.
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