Living United: Employees Donate Over $17,000 to the United Way

Tis the season of giving and Bianchi Honda has done just that. In keeping up with our tradition of giving back to our community, Bianchi Honda
employees contributed over $17,000 to the United Way of Erie for the 2015 campaign year.

The United Way of Erie County works with locally funded organizations, initiatives, volunteers, and businesses to mobilize the local community. The YMCA of Greater Erie, Family Services of NWPA, and the John F. Kennedy Center are just a few of the Erie organizations that these donations will benefit.

Jason Porreco, owner of Bianchi Honda and Porreco Nissan, says “It’s always important to give back to your community and support Erie’s future.” Between both stores, over $20,000 was raised for the 2015 campaign year. Jason presented the check to Boo Hagerty, who not only serves as the 2015 United Way Campaign Chair, but is also the Vice President of the Northern Tier Markets for UPMC Health Plan.

The mission of the United Way is “Together, improving lives and building a stronger community.” Through the supported organizations, the donations provide various youth and family services, such as early learning, after school and summer programs, as well as various health services.

The United Way has seen success in their initiatives over the last year, including their Imagination Library becoming one of the most successful in the nation. In November 2014, the program surpassed the 100,000 books mailed milestone, and the 150,000 books mailed milestone in July 2015. With the success of meeting the first milestone, the United Way, in collaboration with the Junior League of Erie and the John F. Kennedy Center opened the first Imagination Library Reading Nook, located inside the JFK Center at 2021 East 20th Street in Erie.

Financial contributions aside, the United Way also has a great deal of volunteers, who in 2014 alone put in over 24,000 hours. Volunteers contribute their time in efforts for our community through teaching and reading to children, packing meals for families in need, and getting involved with organizations they are passionate about.

According the United Way, benefits of volunteering include networking, developing new skills, gaining work experience, feeling valued and needed, and most of all, making a difference in someone’s life. Those that are interested in getting involved by giving, advocating, or volunteering their time can visit the United Way website to see how they can impact their community.