Merchants Continues Support for United Way
Merchants Insurance Group is proud to support organizations that make a difference in our local communities!
Our colleagues exemplify their compassion through their participation in many philanthropic initiatives throughout the year. They get active for good causes such as the Alzheimer’s Association’s Buffalo and Erie County Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. They sustainably recycle electronics at Sunnking’s annual e-Scrap for Camp event to benefit Camp Good Days. They gather donations for our neighbors in need: families around the holidays, children at the start of the school year, and community members in times of distress.
One of the largest ways Merchants colleagues show their generosity, though, is through Merchants’ annual United Way campaign.
United Way’s Mission Statement:
“United Way seeks to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good.”
In June, Merchants colleagues participated in United Way Day of Caring, an annual, single-day service event that encourages companies to take part in community service projects. See the recap and photo gallery here: United Way Day of Caring 2024 – Merchants Gives Back!
Each fall, Merchants’ United Way campaign provides an opportunity for Merchants colleagues to give back and to learn about the impact United Way has in our local communities. Colleagues generously elect to contribute to United Way through year-round e-pledges and other fundraising efforts, such as events at our corporate office.
Here’s a look back on the 2024 United Way campaign:
United Way Campaign Kickoff
The 2024 United Way campaign officially began on Thursday, September 5th, with a company kickoff event at Merchants’ corporate headquarters in downtown Buffalo, New York. Corporate colleagues gathered in the first floor common area, while regional colleagues joined in virtually.
This annual informational event serves as an introduction to United Way and its mission and outlines Merchants’ campaign goals and the ways in which colleagues can participate in the campaign. Colleagues learned more about the impact United Way has in each of our local communities and examples of the initiatives our United Way donations would support.
Merchants values our involvement with United Way not only because of the great work this organization does, but because each of our regions has a nearby United Way chapter. Funds raised by each of Merchants’ offices have a direct impact on initiatives in the respective office’s community.
Corporate and Western Strategic Business Center (WSBC) contributions support United Way of Buffalo and Erie County.
Eastern Strategic Business Center (ESBC) contributions support United Way of Long Island.
New England Regional Office (NERO) contributions support Granite United Way.
Midlantic Regional Office (MRO) contributions support United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.
2024 United Way Campaign
Each year, Merchants sets goals for the campaign: a target dollar amount for the entire campaign to raise and a percentage goal of colleagues who sign up for e-pledge donations throughout the following year. Most campaign donations come from colleague e-pledge contributions.
To encourage e-pledge participation and thank colleagues for their generosity, the United Way committee raffled off prizes throughout the campaign, such as Amazon gift cards, PTO hours, and tickets to local shows and sporting events. Colleagues who increase their e-pledge donation amount from the previous year have opportunities to win additional prizes.
Once again, Merchants colleagues rose to the occasion!
Corporate Colleague Fundraising Events
At Merchants’ corporate headquarters, the United Way committee (comprised of colleague volunteers) hosted several fundraising events to rally additional support for the campaign.
Weenie Weeks
A favorite summer tradition at Merchants had a twist in 2024; our “Weenie Wednesday” became “Weenie Weeks,” where the United Way committee sold lunch off the grill throughout the week, with all proceeds donated to the United Way campaign.
Pizza Bingo
On September 25, 2024, the United Way committee hosted Pizza Bingo! Participants could purchase pizza and play bingo at lunchtime for chances to win various gift cards and other prizes.
Food Trucks
During the 2024 campaign, Merchants welcomed two local food trucks to help us fundraise: Pete’s Hoagie Roller Food Truck and the Polish Villa Food Truck!
Pete’s Hoagie Roller visited the corporate office on October 15, 2024, and Polish Villa came on November 7, 2024.
Colleagues enjoyed lunch from the food trucks, and both trucks generously donated 10% of their earnings from the afternoon to Merchants’ United Way campaign!
Buffalo Bills “Tailgate” Fundraiser
On October 17th, corporate colleagues showed their team spirit at the third annual Bills “Tailgate” Event!
Decked out in blue, red, and white, colleagues gathered for a “tailgate” lunch and Bills-themed fun in the breakroom, all to benefit this year’s United Way campaign.
View the full gallery and event recap – GALLERY: Merchants’ United Way Committee Hosts Bills Tailgate Fundraiser at Corporate Office
Basket Raffle
In November, the campaign events continued with another colleague favorite: Basket Raffle Week!
Various departments and individual colleagues generously donated baskets and other items to raffle.
Throughout the week, colleagues purchased and entered raffle tickets. Winning tickets were drawn on Friday, November 22nd.
Holiday Bazaar
December marked the return of the Holiday Bazaar, a two-day holiday shopping event in the first floor common area of Merchants’ corporate office.
At the Holiday Bazaar, colleagues could participate as both buyers and sellers. Shoppers supported their coworkers’ small businesses.
Colleagues were able to do some holiday shopping, and sellers donated 10% of profits from the event back to Merchants’ United Way campaign!
Holiday Trivia
Around the holidays, each Merchants office engaged in a little friendly competition at the company’s first-ever Holiday Trivia!
All proceeds raised from refreshment sales went to the United Way campaign.
Campaign Results
Between over 70% colleague e-pledge participation, corporate fundraising events, and a company match, Merchants Insurance Group’s 2024 United Way campaign raised $110,804.91! All proceeds to United Way will impact initiatives to strengthen our local communities.
Thank you to each and every colleague for your participation in this year’s campaign! Whether you made e-pledge donations, attended a fundraising event, or bought football squares, you played a role in the success of Merchants’ 2024 United Way campaign.
In addition to monetary contributions, many colleagues donated their time to Merchants’ United Way campaign. Special thanks to…
Our United Way Campaign Chairs:
Charlene Guadagno
Derek Guarino
Rachel Reid
Our United Way Regional Representatives:
Diane McIntyre, Eastern Strategic Business Center
Vanessa Nove, Eastern Strategic Business Center
Maritza Santiago, Midlantic Regional Office
Cate Tanzer, New England Regional Office
Our United Way Committee at the corporate headquarters in Buffalo, New York:
Rob Ader
Stacey Clause
Erica Kellogg
Joanna Eberts
Charlene Guadagno
Ray Guagliardi
Derek Guarino
Jillian Hoffman
Aamna Hussain
Ryann Kinyon
Matthew Leslie
Kyra Lewis
Umesh Mallya
Laurie Maniccia
Nina Marranca
Nicole Mindemann
Jennifer Nguyen
Rachel Reid
Jennifer Short
Katherine Trautwein
Corporate colleagues on the United Way committee celebrate a successful campaign at lunch with Charles Makey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Merchants Insurance Group!
Interested in learning more about the ways Merchants gives back? Visit our Philanthropy page!
