Community rallies behind hot dog vendor

When Carole Crusco first started slinging hot dogs, she could tell it was her calling.

After about 20 years serving hungry customers from her truck in Hyde Park, Crusco takes pride in getting to know every person who stops by for lunch.

"The customers are wonderful, and I love them all," said Crusco, 79, owner of the eponymous Carole's Hot Dogs. "Whether they’re stopping in for the first time or many times, I talk with them and learn who they are. And these people really care about me for some reason. They've become my friends"

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And after Crusco faced a cancer diagnosis which threatened both her job and her home, these friends donated to a GoFundMe campaign to help the hot dog vendor always ready for a friendly conversation.

Though she got her start down in the Bronx, Crusco moved up to the Hudson Valley about 20 years ago, bringing her hot dog truck with her to Hyde Park.

"Being outside and serving all the Little League kids at the field across from my truck, I knew this was for me," she said.

Over the years the convenient lunch spot on St. Andrew's Road off of Route 9 became a local institution. Patrons could stop in for a hot dog and chat with Crusco.

Crusco prides herself on learning about her customers, even if she might not always remember the name. She often takes photos of customers just for stopping in, posting them later on her Facebook page.

And Crusco's customers are just as enthusiastic about her.

“Her hot dogs are great, and she is good to everyone,” said Richard Jankowski, of Hyde Park.

But an unexpected diagnosis during a routine doctor's visit stopped Crusco from serving those customers she calls friends last summer.

Crusco had breast cancer.

The disease left Crusco sidelined for about three months as she underwent surgery and 33 instances of radiation treatment. Unable to work, Crusco couldn't afford to pay her mortgage, and she was risking foreclosure on her Hyde Park home.

"I wasn't petrified of dying," she said. "I just wanted to pay these last three years [of my mortgage]. I just wanted to be able to pass this house on to my daughter so she doesn't have to pay for it."

While her treatment seems to have been a success, Crusco lost three months of work during her busiest season of the year. She had no way to pay her mortgage for three months.

Crusco didn't know about the GoFundMe campaign until her granddaughter Janella Minutolo, of New Windsor, told her about it.

"My granddaughter put it up, and when I found out I wanted her to take it down immediately," she said. "But then people started sending in money with all these kind messages. I couldn't help but cry."

The GoFundMe campaign reached $3,322 of its $5,000 as of 1 p.m. on March 3. The campaign was created on Jan. 7.

Many donor included messages of support for Crusco.

"It is a joy for us to be able to do even this little bit to help someone who makes everyone feel like family, and the hot dogs are great too," said Rich and Laurie DeSantola, who donated $20 on the GoFundMe page.

"Hoping this helps you work out some of your issues," said Monica and Jacob Frydman, who donated $250 to the campaign. "Everyone deserves a helping hand."

Though Crusco admits she still feels embarrassed asking for help for a "selfish" reason, she's been touched by the community's response.

"I've been astonished by the comments blessing me and thanking me for what I do," she said.

And the generosity hasn't been limited to the online campaign, as several customers have offered to help in the form of tips.

"One man came and ordered a couple hot dogs, left $100 on the counter and just left," she said. "I told him to come back so I could give him change, but he just said 'I follow you on Facebook.' He must have seen the campaign."

The campaign reached the necessary amount to cover the missed payments, and Crusco is no longer in danger of losing her home. However, the effect of missing out on the busy season means she still has overdue bills to pay.

To contribute to the campaign, go to gofundme.com/bw-save-grandmas-house.

Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: Geoff_LW