TheBurg

09.19 | theburgnews.com | 23 e Senate façade came down. Revenue from salvage rights bolstered HHA operations. e $130,000 seeded creation of the Community Historic Preservation Fund, which now stands at more than $239,000. Trustees have disbursed $100,000 in grants and loans for historic preservation and advocacy. "ere's not much historic preservation money out there anymore, and this is all for Harrisburg," Morrison said. at original deal also launched a fruitful relationship, with Penn National Insurance sponsoring HHA events, and employees serving on the HHA board and committees. e 15-story Penn National Insurance Plaza opened in 1996. "Local historians view our coming downtown in the late '90s as the turning of the tide that reversed the trend of businesses moving out of Harrisburg," said company spokesman Christopher Markley. "Bringing 500-plus employees downtown saw revitalization of restaurants and other businesses." FAbrIc oF communItY Since the days when Penn National Insurance employees volunteered at Melrose Elementary School next door to their 18th Street campus, the company has committed extensive financial and volunteer support to the Harrisburg Public Schools Foundation, the Joshua Group and Dauphin County Library System. "ey are focused on education, and not just traditional education, but all of those supplemental pieces that really make up the fabric of a community," said Enders. Penn National Insurance annually donates the maximum $333,333.33 allowed in earned income tax credits to the Harrisburg Public Schools Foundation, said Executive Director Chris Baldrige. Total contributions of $6.5 million have brought health education to students and families, boosted early learning, sent students to Messiah College summer camps, helped high school students earn college credits and backed STEAM learning. "Penn National Insurance is definitely a leader in supporting Harrisburg and the foundation and supporting the students and the entire community," said Baldrige. "ey are a great example of doing good within your own neighborhood and your community." United Way of the Capital Region has benefitted from Penn National Insurance's "time, talent and treasure" for decades, said Executive Director Tim Fatzinger. Dollar-for-dollar matches have generated $10.5 million in combined employee-employer donations in the last 10 years. Volunteers swing hammers and sling paintbrushes for United Way Day of Caring. Company officials serve on United Way committees, such as the IT security expert who "saves us a ton of money" by sharing his knowledge. Charitable organizations have "fewer and fewer" local companies to call on for support, Fatzinger said. "By choosing to stay local and to support local entities and be involved in the community, it improves quality of life for all of us," he said. Community involvement is "a part of our fabric," said Sears. "If you're at the theater or an arts event or a soup kitchen, you will likely find one of our employees volunteering. It is a good basis for what makes Harrisburg strong." Sears is a Steelton-raised, Bishop McDevitt- HACC-Penn State Harrisburg product who said that she has "never strayed far because I enjoy the Harrisburg area." She joined Penn National Insurance as a financial analyst in accounting in 1980 and, like many employees, grew her career from the inside up. Today's diverse workforce generates "different perspectives, (helping) us be able to be more agile, to have different thought processes," Sears said. She believes that Penn National Insurance has been a good, stable corporate citizen and employer, "and through that, we have contributed to the community both from an intellectual capacity, but as importantly, from a community and philanthropic opportunity." Her hope for the next 100 years? "Absolutely more of the same," she said. "at we just continue to be able to thrive and change and be resilient and continue to make a contribution." Penn National Insurance is located at 2 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.pennnationalinsurance.com. eBurg thanks Russ Banham, author of "Penn National Insurance: 100 Years of Helping People Feel Secure and Making Life Better When Bad ings Happen," for historical background. Employees pose with founder Jacob Rose, top right, 1930s. Penn National building under construction.

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