518 Great Aims to Help More Families Across Upstate New York
When Ryan Holderman and Chris Mastantuono set out to provide Thanksgiving meals to local families, they expected to help around 100 households. Instead, the effort grew into serving more than 600 families—roughly 3,000 people—across the Capital Region and beyond, inspiring the Upstate New York entrepreneurs behind The Gym 518, The Car Shoppe NY, and Requalify 360 to launch a new nonprofit called 518 Great.
Holderman, owner of The Gym, 518 in Queensbury, and Mastantuono, owner of The Car Shoppe NY and Requalify 360, created 518 Great to provide year-round support for individuals and families who need a helping hand—not just during times of crisis, but throughout the year.
From Thanksgiving Meals to a Community Mission
The idea for 518 Great grew from a Thanksgiving meal drive that quickly expanded beyond what either entrepreneur expected.
“We had no idea there was going to be a need for 3,000 people that needed help,” Mastantuono said. “We were thinking 100, 150 families. And then it just kind of went crazy.”
Working alongside Southern Adirondack Independent Living, the pair watched requests continue to pour in. What started with 25 sponsored families eventually grew to more than 600 families receiving complete Thanksgiving meals that included turkeys, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, pies, and other essentials.
Holderman recalled how quickly the community responded.
“We had 50 families in the first like 45 minutes,” he said. “I remember calling Chris, and I was like, ‘Hey man, what do you want to do?’ And he was like, ‘Let’s just keep it going.'”
The effort relied on hundreds of volunteers, local businesses, and community members who stepped forward to donate food, transportation, and time. Looking back, both entrepreneurs realized the demand extended far beyond a single holiday meal.
Creating 518 Great to Help Year-Round
Rather than organizing another one-time community project, Holderman and Mastantuono decided to establish 518 Great as a nonprofit that could respond to needs throughout the year.
“We’re looking to just help people that just need a little bit of help and a little bit of guidance and a little bit of hope,” Mastantuono said.
Their first official fundraiser is a family-friendly Color Run scheduled at Moreau Recreational Park. The event will feature both a one-mile fun run and a 5K, along with bounce houses, pony rides, lawn games, food trucks, music, and activities designed to bring families together while raising money for future charitable efforts.
Those funds will help launch a back-to-school initiative providing backpacks, school supplies, clothing, haircuts, and other essentials for local students.
Holderman, whose client base includes many educators, said the idea came from seeing teachers and parents struggle to cover classroom and school expenses.
“The goal of this organization is not to solve, but just to help in every little way that we can… just to help people smile,” he said.
Making It Easier for People to Help
Throughout the conversation, both entrepreneurs emphasized that generosity already exists within the community. What many people lack is a clear way to contribute.
“Everybody wants to help,” Holderman said. “Everybody is ready to help. Some people just don’t have the avenue.”
That belief continues to shape 518 Great’s mission. While Thanksgiving meals and school supply drives remain major initiatives, the founders hope the organization can also respond to everyday situations where families quietly need groceries, clothing, or other necessities.
Holderman shared one experience that continues to motivate him.
“I went into a family’s house, and I said, ‘Where do you want me to put this box?’ And they said, ‘On the floor.’ They said, ‘That’s where we eat.'”
For Mastantuono, the mission comes down to a simple idea: “Let’s promote hope.”
As 518 Great continues to grow across Upstate New York, Holderman and Mastantuono hope more residents, businesses, and volunteers will join them in expanding that mission—helping families not just during the holidays, but every day of the year.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is 518 Great and how does it help families in Upstate New York?
518 Great is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing year-round support and hope to individuals and families across the Capital Region. Rather than focusing on single-crisis events, 518 Great organizes ongoing initiatives—such as school supply drives and meal assistance—to offer guidance and essentials to those who need a helping hand.
How did the 518 Great non-profit organization begin?
The organization grew organically from an unexpectedly successful Thanksgiving meal drive. Founders Ryan Holderman and Chris Mastantuono initially intended to feed around 100 families, but the community need led them to serve over 600 households. This response inspired them to create a formal non-profit to provide that same level of support throughout the entire year.
What types of community programs does 518 Great support?
In addition to their foundational Thanksgiving meal efforts, 518 Great hosts fundraising events like the family-friendly Color Run. Proceeds from these events support a back-to-school initiative that provides local students with essential items, including backpacks, school supplies, clothing, and haircuts.
How can community members volunteer or support the mission of 518 Great?
The founders emphasize that generosity already exists within the community; they aim to provide the avenue for people to act on it. Community members, local businesses, and volunteers can support 518 Great by participating in fundraising events, donating resources, or contacting the organization to assist with their year-round charitable missions. Learn more at 518great.org.
