Paying It Forward: A Holiday Fund for Andy

This isn’t charity, it’s an investment in someone who is truly spectacular.

Today, just like many days, I saw Andy, the dedicated man with cerebral palsy, slowly pushing his candy cart up the Hylan Blvd expressway ramp in Staten Island as traffic waited at the light. His dedication is truly inspiring.

Some days, seeing Andy makes me smile. But today, his determined effort brought back deep memories of my late brother, Robert. Robert also worked tirelessly despite his cerebral palsy and always faced the world with a bright smile, just like Andy. Today was a day when those memories brought tears, making me realize how much dedication and effort that smile takes.

Though the light changed before I could buy a treat, I immediately sent a gift to Andy via Venmo, a small token of gratitude for his incredibly hard work. But as the holidays approach, I realized I want to do more in honor of my brother Robert.

Our Goal: Give Andy the Gift of Rest

I am starting this fund to pay it forward to someone who truly deserves a break. Every day, Andy is out there working with resilience and a positive attitude.

We want to raise money so Andy can:

Take a well-deserved few days off this holiday season.

Perhaps plan a small vacation, like a cruise, with his own hardworking parents.

Or simply buy himself something nice to enjoy this winter.

I am asking everyone to find any amount—big or small—that you can contribute to this act of kindness. Let's come together to support someone who exemplifies hard work and resilience every single day.

My Promise to You

I will print out every donation and every personal message you send, and I will hand-deliver them to Andy right before Christmas. Your contribution is more than just money; it's a message of respect and appreciation that he will be able to read and cherish.

Let's find it in our hearts to help Andy relax and recharge this Christmas season.

ABUT ANDY:

Andy sells candy, but what he’s truly offering commuters is a daily, profound lesson in unbreakable determination.

For nearly a decade, the Great Kills resident has been a fixture at the intersection of Narrows Road South and Hylan Boulevard. It's a grueling routine: six days a week, Monday through Saturday, he’s there from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Despite living with cerebral palsy, a condition that significantly impairs his body’s motor functions, muscle coordination, and communication, Andy treats his job with absolute seriousness. His day begins at 5:30 a.m. with his alarm, followed by the demanding task of loading his vehicle before heading to his usual Concord spot.

Today, Andy is a mainstay, consistently putting in 50-plus hours a week. Over that time, he’s faced every reason to quit: brutal weather, being robbed on more than one occasion, and the loss of his commuter base during a worldwide pandemic. But with every obstacle came community support. His dedication has fostered a strong network of helpful neighbors, turning simple street-side transactions into meaningful human connections.