Community Involvement

St. Mary’s honors two community leaders for their outstanding contributions; hundreds gather to support New York’s most critically ill and injured children.

BAYSIDE, NY – On Sunday, May 18th, Crocheron Park in Bayside was filled with hundreds of enthusiastic community members participating in the 19th Annual Big Hearts Walk, a charity walk-a-thon hosted by St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children. The event raised over $165,000—marking a record-breaking year in support of St. Mary’s mission to care for New York’s most medically fragile children.

This year’s celebration recognized Kirstin Callahan Austin, Vice President of Helms Auto Group, and Claire Mahon, Lead Therapeutic Activities Assistant at St. Mary’s, for their remarkable commitment to the organization and its patients.

Kirstin Callahan Austin, a driving force in the Queens business community, has continued the philanthropic legacy of her family through leadership at Helms Auto Group. The group, including Helms Brothers Mercedes-Benz, Bayside Volkswagen, and Volvo Cars of Queens, has contributed more than $125,000 to St. Mary’s since 1990. Kirstin also serves on the Board of the Alley Pond Environmental Center and remains active in numerous community initiatives.

Claire Mahon began her career with St. Mary’s as a student intern in 2014 and has since become a cornerstone of the therapeutic recreation program. Her compassionate and creative approach has made a lasting impact on the lives of countless children and families throughout her decade of service.

“Kirstin and Claire embody the heart and spirit of the St. Mary’s community—Kirstin through her decades of unwavering philanthropic support, and Claire through her hands-on dedication to our patients,” said Dr. Edwin Simpser, President and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children. “We are honored to celebrate their contributions as this year’s Big Hearts Walk honorees.”

The event featured a family-friendly walk followed by a vibrant carnival with games, raffles, face painting, music, arts and crafts, and a performance by the NYPD Band. Officer Jonathan Perez, who performed at the event, shared, “A lot of these kids are in tough spots—you know, music heals. If we can give them some joy, that’s what we’re here to do.”

Several families shared emotional stories of perseverance. Vanessa Del Rosario reflected on her daughter Lana’s incredible journey at St. Mary’s: “When she was first admitted, she was completely ventilator dependent. She is now completely weaned off the vents, making amazing progress in all her therapies. We have found a family here within the St. Mary’s family.”

The walk also served as a heartfelt tribute to children who have passed. One mother honored her son Lukas, who passed away in March 2024 at age 2: “We’re very grateful for all of our friends and family that continue to come down and support us and our warrior Lukas. This day is so special for so many people. We will continue to be here and support St. Mary’s.”

Since its founding, the Big Hearts Walk has raised nearly $400,000 for specialized therapies, long-term care, and early education for children with complex medical needs. St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children remains one of the only organizations in the country solely focused on providing intensive rehabilitation and long-term care for children with special healthcare needs.

To donate or learn more, visit stmaryskids.org/walk2025

The Helms Group is proud to celebrate the recognition of Kirstin Callahan Austin, Vice President of Helms Auto Group, as an honoree at the Alley Pond Environmental Center’s (APEC) Green Gala. This prestigious honor highlights Kirstin’s dedication to environmental education and community enrichment — values that are at the heart of our organization. The Green Gala also marked the unveiling of APEC’s new LEED-certified community resource and education center. Elected officials, community leaders, environmental advocates, educators, and supporters gathered to celebrate this milestone achievement. During the event, APEC expressed its heartfelt gratitude to Bros. Inc. and other generous donors whose contributions made the launch of the new facility possible. We extend our sincere congratulations to the Alley Pond Environmental Center on the opening of this remarkable new building. We are honored to support initiatives that foster environmental stewardship, education, and a stronger community for future generations. Read More Here

The Helms Group proudly sponsored the Alley Pond Environmental Center's 2023 Green Gala. Alley Pond is a nonprofit organization in Queens dedicated to educating the community on environmental issues and preserving natural spaces in the New York metropolitan area. With the completion of its new facility on the horizon, the center celebrated its progress and supporters at the annual Green Gala on April 26th, 2023, at Terrace on the Park. As a sponsor, the Helms Group proudly contributed to the success of this event and gladly continues to support the center's continued efforts to provide environmental education to over 72,000 individuals each year.