Hallrich Donates $5,594 to United Way's Success By 6
POLAND, Ohio – Hallrich Inc., which operates more than 50 Pizza Hut restaurants throughout Ohio, donated 10% of its sales from personal pan pizzas in the Mahoning Valley to United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley on Tuesday. The fundraising drive, which ran from June to August, raised $5,594 for the United Way's Success By 6 program.
“The money will be used for classroom funding. It goes to teachers, teacher's aides and most importantly, educational materials,” said Kathy Mock, United Way's director of education and initiatives. “This year, they invested their time -- and pizza -- to all of the districts. They fed hundreds of children through the Success By 6 program, which is incredible.”
Success By 6 works with 17 Mahoning Valley school districts to prepare young children for school before they enter kindergarten by teaching reading, math and social skills. Last year, the first year of the fundraising drive with Pizza Hut, the program raised enough money to provide for five classrooms.
This year, the money will fund 42 classes.
“We understand the importance of getting students into the classroom so they're ready for their surroundings and even things like getting away from their parents where there's separation anxiety are key, too,” Mock continued. “We're getting them ready to be successful for kindergarten and beyond.”
Carol Magazzeni, director of marketing and public relations for Hallrich, said that although Pizza Hut is a national chain and the company has locations throughout the state, it's important for Hallrich to play a part in the Valley.
“We're from here. Our first Pizza Hut was in Austintown and we have grown since then. Yes, we have this big company called Pizza Hut, but most of our key operators are from this area. We're proud of that and we come to the Valley first when we have something we want to do that's community-service oriented,” she said. “It's important to us. We grew up here. We raised our families here. We feel like just another pizzeria in town that just happens to have the name 'Pizza Hut.' ”
Hallrich Incorporated also donated pizza to the program for students to have lunch some days.
“Some of these kids may not have the chance to have a pizza outing like they did. They got to enjoy that and we want to continue to help through this program,” Magazzeni said.
She also addressed health concerns, saying that teachers and parents were responsible for determining portion size.
“Perhaps they have half the pizza or the kids eat a slice then have a snack for later. It's portion control and something that every young person needs to learn,” she commented.
More people, Mock added, are recognizing the importance of pre-kindergarten education, which played a part in increased participation for this year's drive.
“More and more people understand the community is about working together and coming to the table together to help do good works in the community,” she said. “And more and more people understand there needs to be a focus on early childhood.”
Pictured: Michelle Smith, local sales manager; Bob Hannon, president of United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley; Kathy Mock, director of education and initiatives, United Way; Carol Magazzeni, director of marketing and public relations, Hallrich; Patrick Howlett, regional manager.
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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