Ninety Volunteers, 360 Hours, One House

Nov. 5, 2008 - Erie-based Employees volunteered in record numbers to help build ERIE’s third Habitat for Humanity house this summer.

In all, 90 Employees and family members collectively spent more than 360 hours constructing a home for future homeowners Ken and Pat Lindenberger.

“Thanks from the bottom of my heart to all the Erie Insurance volunteers,” said Nancy Milkowski, executive director, Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity. “What you accomplished between June and September was just incredible.”

Giving back

Lorianne Feltz-Upperman was one of many Employees who gave up several Saturday mornings to volunteer.

“Not only is ERIE’s Habitat house in the community where I work, but my husband, Mat, and I lived in the same neighborhood where the house is being built when we were first married,” said Feltz-Upperman, senior vice president and division officer, Marketing. “It’s great to be in a position to help the community where we once lived.”

Debbie Danowski was just as eager to give back.

“My youngest son has had three liver transplants, and the Erie community has been very supportive of our family,” said Danowski, an administrative assistant in IT. “It felt good to return some of the generosity that others have shown to me.”

Doing good, rain or shine

Greg Luce and 11 other committed Employees worked knee deep in mud the Saturday they volunteered. But the soggy ground didn’t deter them.

“I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything,” said Luce, supervisor, Market Research Operations. “I’ve been blessed with a wonderful family, my health and a job at ERIE that provides food and shelter. I felt I needed to give back, regardless of the weather.

“Besides, helping a coworker find a shoe in 8 inches of mud builds a bond that you just can’t get from a meeting in a conference room,” he laughed.

Gene Robertson, supervisor of the Home Office Support Services Section, Corporate Security, was one of several Employees who organized a volunteer day for his department.

“On the day we volunteered, it was a beautiful fall day, the weather was perfect, and the enthusiasm of the group was high,” said Robertson.

“The community may see Erie Insurance as a big building, but when we do things like this for our community, not only does it bring us together as a company, but it also helps highlight what we stand for,” he continued. “Ask any of the community organizations we support as a company, and they’ll tell you the same thing: that the people who work at ERIE are special folks.”

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