Community Service With A Smile

Giving makes Stephen Singer — and others — very happy

by Mike Morin

“I’ll bid $3,450,” said Grace, her voice collapsing into hyperventilation. “$3,550,” came the immediate reply from Dan. Seconds later, the duel was over. Dan became the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind “Hotel California” acoustic guitar signed by all five members of the Eagles. The bidding exceeded expectations for the charity auction on WZID-FM, which benefited the Kiwanis Club. The stunning airbrushed guitar, donated by Stephen Singer, brought more than the $2,000 he had quietly hoped for. The unexpected windfall, no doubt, made his day.

Starting Early

“It’s been a calling for me since I was a youngster, even at four or five,” Singer recalls.  “Every Jewish house had a tzedakah, or charity box. I remember going to my grandmother’s house when she was 75 or 80, struggling to make ends meet. Yet, they gave to charity and weren’t that wealthy themselves.” As a child, Singer would often spend his Saturdays raising money for the March of Dimes. “It’s been a way of life for all of the Singer family. It’s a part of our upbringing, a way of life. We’ve been blessed. There’s no better way to help those not as fortunate as you,” Singer says.

Singer, a long-time collector of pop-culture memorabilia, has found that by procuring amazing artifacts, bidding increases exponentially. “First, I gave away my doubles. They were just lying around the house and I thought they could do more for charities in need of unique items to create some buzz. Response has been incredible. Those doubles are gone, so now we buy up to 50 collectibles from vendors that we give away to different charities,” he says. Singer is also a collector of unique art. “We have a collection of contemporary art at the house. It brightens your day,” he smiles. “What we like is quite whimsical. I come home at night and see my collection and it makes me feel good,” he adds.

Anyone who knows Singer will rarely see him attired in what one might expect of an owner of a $200 million business. This day Singer is dressed in a black shirt, slacks, and black and white shoes. The ensemble is topped off by a Three Stooges tie.

“There are lots of Singer brothers so to separate myself from the crowd, I do things unique and cool.  You have to package yourself so you’re appealing to people.  How you look is how people respond.  When people see me, they might say, ‘This guy’s cool.’  It’s a good icebreaker.”

Passion and Inspiration

One of Singer’s great joys in life is playing competitive basketball. At 61, he admits to being one of the “older” guys and prefers to compete against younger opponents. “Older guys don’t care who wins,” he says. “We play very competitively. Like the Celtics and the Bulls. Spirited and intensive. In the end, we’re all still friends.”

The interview stops briefly while Singer picks up a call from one of his brothers. They enthusiastically discuss breaking news of a possible Celtics trade with Phoenix. One glance around Singer’s office leaves no doubt about his passion for sports.

“Like every kid, I wanted to be a professional athlete. Sports have been part of my personal and professional life at Merchants Automotive Group. I would have used my athletics to give back like Mohammed Ali. He’s been a role model to me,” he explains. Singer has assembled a mini museum to honor the legendary boxer in his office and hallways of Merchants. Pictures, boxing gloves, and artifacts comprise one of the most comprehensive collections of Ali memorabilia anywhere.

“He used boxing as a platform to make the world a better place. He’s so much bigger than boxing,” Singer says. “So many great qualities. When he is out, it’s all about doing a great deed. We’ve met on several occasions and he’s always exceeded my expectations, and I have high expectations. The collectibles show Ali as a humanitarian.” Though slowed by the effects of Parkinson’s disease, Singer knows that Ali, a lover of magic, still has a playful side to him.

“He has a sense of humor. And is still a kid at heart. He’ll pretend to pull a silver dollar from behind your ear. He could be a bitter guy but isn’t,” he says.

Opening Doors

While the automobile business ebbs and flows at the mercy of an uncertain economy, the Brothers Singer continue their full-court press for community fundraising. Tom Kallechey, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Manchester, knows first-hand that Singer is a key cog in bringing high-end auction items to the table.

“He has been involved in so many charitable events that when he speaks you listen carefully. He is the voice of experience . . . [he] has a great sense of what works and what doesn’t. Plus, with one phone call he can make things happen or open doors that would be closed to most of us,” says Kallechey. “The cool thing about the items that Stephen donates is that they generally are one-of-a-kind or hard to find, the type of thing that would be difficult or impossible to buy. It’s a fantasy thing. It gives your event a cache that helps set it apart.”

“He’ll call three or four times a year with a ‘Singer treat’ from his house,” says Lou Catano, executive director of Webster House in Manchester. “He’s a giving, caring, genuine person. He does it under the radar half the time,” Catano adds.

Charity Is Personal

Aside from donating music and sports memorabilia, Singer has an ambitious goal that has little to do with raising money. Singer’s brother, Gary, lost his wife, Gail, at the very young age of 29 a few decades ago.

“The Red Cross was very kind to her while she was ill. My brothers and I wanted a lasting legacy for Gail. We now have the Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive, the largest blood drive in New England, August 25 and 26 at the Center of New Hampshire,” says Singer, who reports nearly 1,400 donors turned out last year. “If I get the green light from the Red Cross, I’d like to make it the largest blood drive in America, with about 3,000 donors,” he adds.

Singer uses the term “partner” often as he credits the many business and media associates who help him and his brothers spread the wealth among many charitable New Hampshire organizations. “I mentioned to Stephen a quote from Kirk Douglas, well known for his philanthropy in the Los Angeles area,” says Kallechey. “‘You haven’t lived until you give.’ Stephen’s response was simply, ‘That’s it.’”