Teddy Nissan to resume $20,000 grant for Bronx music programs

Moses Kuwema

Picking up where they left off when the pandemic hit last spring, Teddy Cars, the huggable car dealer of Nissans and Volkswagens on Boston Road in the Bronx, will be continuing its $20,000 commitment to music education in the Bronx.

A year ago, the Teddy Cars Bronx Music Grant Program promised $20,000 of funding to 10 schools and community music programs in the Bronx. After funding five music programs, “Music Matters’ was put on hold because of the pandemic.

Beginning this month, Teddy Cars will resume its monthly commitment to five additional music programs, beginning with WHEDco’s (Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation) after school program at P.S./I.S. 218 in Concourse Village.

"We’re committed to supporting music programs in the Bronx,” said Teddy Cars President and General Manager Julio Batista. “Now more than ever it’s important to support creative activities for Bronx children and as a community-minded local business, we’re proud to do it.”

This month’s donation will be used to help provide staff for WHEDco’s percussion instruction classes for kids in grade K-5 at PS/MS 218.

“We would like to thank Teddy Cars for its contribution,” stated Jamie Yellen, Director of WHEDco’s After School Program at PS/MS 218.

“There are so many benefits to music instruction. It helps develop language and reasoning, master memorization, improve hand-eye coordination, build self esteem, provide a sense of achievement, develop a child’s imagination, teach teamwork, and keep kids engaged in school. Plus, our kids really enjoy being able to connect with their peers during these difficult times.”

Grants have already been distributed to the Renaissance Youth Center, PS 72 in Throgs Neck, The Bennington Band at PS 76, Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, and Baychester Academy.

Each month, Teddy Cars will provide a grant to a different Bronx music program. In February, the Music Matters funding will provide funds for the music program at the Bronx House Harriet and Robert H. Heilbrunn Music School.

Teddy Cars was founded on a vision of creating a world-class operation: a high volume, high customer satisfaction business. Owner Ted Bessen has pioneered one of the highest volume dealers in the Northeast, and one of the top customer-satisfaction dealers in the state of New York, featuring an extensive line of new and pre-owned vehicles at Teddy Nissan and Teddy Volkswagen.