Merrick Citgo Owner Pumped to Give Back

Those looking out for us have someone looking out for them.

Peter Holmstedt is owner of the Citgo gas station at 329 Merrick Ave. in North Merrick, where the motto is simply, "Good Gas, Good Neighbors." For the past month and for the month ahead, Holmstedt is making sure he puts action behind those words.

From June 15 to July 15, Holmstedt donated one cent of every gallon sold at his station to a fund for the North Merrick Fire Department. With that fundraiser now finished, Holmstedt will continue fundraising for Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing homes here in New York, as well as to buy sundries and gifts for our servicemen and women stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I'm a lucky veteran," said the soft-spoken Holmstedt, who is a member of the Merrick Post #1282 of the American Legion. "I served from 1961 to 1964, a happy time in this country. Those kids now, they're seeing things I have never seen, experiencing things I've never experienced."

What Holmstedt has seen is the dynamic of a fire department in action. It's their consistent dedication and courage that has inspired Holmstedt to work on their behalf.

"I worked in a station with a bunch of guys who were volunteers," Holmstedt said. "And whenever they got a call, they just hopped to it. Didn't matter what time or what the situation. I always admired that. These were big guys, but they're really little angels."

Holmstedt has also been on the receiving end of that type of help more than once. This only strengthens his commitment to his fundraising efforts.

"One time I had an employee go into shock behind the wheel in the garage," Holmstedt recounted. "Turns out he had a brain tumor, but anyway he was in shock, pinned the gas, revving the engine. If he jerks his arm, throws it in gear…," Holmstedt trailed off for a second, letting his silence fill with danger.

"Anyway paramedics came, got him out. It could've been a bad situation, but these guys acted," Holmstedt continued. "I also had another situation that I prefer not to go into, but I was helped in a fire and I'll never forget that. You add all that up, and you just feel like you should do something."

Holmstedt's penny per dollar donation is a simple "pay it forward" deed that also achieves the ultimate goal; it resonates with the community.

"I think it's totally cool," said a woman who only asked to be referred to as Kaitlin. "I don't live around here, but it's awesome," she said.

Another Citgo customer named Doug, who did not want his last name in print, said he may mention Holmstedt's generosity to his mechanic, with whom he said he has a good relationship.

"It's something worth telling him about, maybe he'll take up the cause. I think it's a great thing," Doug said of Holmstedt's efforts.

While Holmstedt does not openly seek attention for his grassroots charitable work, he doesn't shy away from it either.

"There are lots of everyday people, and business people, who give quietly. It's more common than you might think." he said. "We're not making a lot of noise, but if people catch on to what we're doing, and then they go and do something, that's good."