It’s not unusual for Toyota of Dartmouth to donate to local charities, especially youth sports. But when Scouts Troop 74 was in need, the dealership offered a different kind of helping hand.

Camping is one of the core activities scouts participate in, but Dartmouth’s troop had a problem. The trailer they typically used to carry much of their camping supplies, had an issue with its wheel well lights.

Joey Moniz, fixed operations director at Toyota, said, “It was definitely a safety issue.”

With Douglas D’Atri, a leader with the troop, being a long-time customer of the dealership, Moniz said they offered to help out. 

For five days, the trailer made a new home at the dealership while Technician Robert Ray completed the work as parts came in. The work took a total of about two and half hours and would have cost the troop between $1,300 and $1,500. 

However, the scouts paid nothing.

“It’s rewarding knowing it's going back to the community,” Moniz said. 

Ray said working on the trailer was an “interesting change of pace” given that he ordinarily just works on cars. He noted the fix was less complex than his usual work.

“It always feels nice to help people,” he said. “It’s part of job — it’s part of what I like about doing the work. One, I do enjoy the work, but two, I like trying to make things right for people, so to speak.”