Elementary Schools: Explorers Club Cavaliers Game Experience
Students and families from Perry and McKinley Elementary Schools participated in an Explorers Club field trip to the Cleveland
Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors game. The experience brought families from two school communities together and included
such unforgettable moments for families like lining the court for the Warriors tunnel and high-fiving players as they entered the floor.
United Way funding and Community School coordination made the trip possible.
Aligns with Community School Pillars:
- Expanded Learning and Extracurricular Activities
- Family Engagement and Support
- Family and Community Partnerships
Middle Schools: Keeping SVMS Colonels Cozy for the Holidays
Strong Vincent Middle School’s “Keeping Colonels Cozy” initiative provided 541 students with warm blankets to support attendance
incentives and holiday-season student needs. Blankets were distributed on December 22 with help from community partners, including
Gannon University President Dr. Walter Iwanenko and his wife, Dr. Mary Iwanenko, who joined the celebration as Santa and Mrs.
Claus. The effort reflects how partner engagement and tangible supports can reinforce positive momentum and strengthen student
connection to school.
Aligns with Community School Pillars:
- Positive Environment for Wellness and Learning
- Family and Community Partnerships
- Family Engagement and Support
Erie High School: Expanding the Community Closet and Healthy Pantry Access
Erie High School continued expanding access to its Community Closet, ensuring more than 30 students received winter wear during
Erie’s cold-weather months. The school also continued monthly tasting events through the Second Harvest Healthy Pantry Initiative to
introduce students to healthy snack and meal options available on-site. December’s featured item, fresh apples, was widely accessed
throughout the month and reinforced consistent, practical supports for students.
Aligns with Community School Pillars:
- Positive Environment for Wellness and Learning
- Family and Community Partnerships
- Expanded Learning and Extracurricular Activities
Other Notable Highlights
Below is a snapshot of additional activities made possible by United Way of Erie County through the Community School Model. United Way directs funding to these activities, which are coordinated and led by the Community School Director. (This is just a glimpse - there’s so much more happening!)
Diehl:
- Hosted its first Family Photo Fun Night on December 15. Thirty families received a professional photo session with local photographer Amy Skarzenski and completed a holiday craft; each family received a printed photo and frame, supported through donations from Diehl’s Corporate Partner Coalition, including American Tinning and Galvanizing, Custom Engineering, Team Hardinger, Accudyn, Reddog Industries, and Lincoln Recycling.
East:
- Drama Club students presented the play “Box,” funded through United Way impact funds. Students shared a positive message about identity and belonging and celebrated at a cast party.
Edison:
- Partnered with Corporate Partner Wabtec for a schoolwide Giving Tree event on December 19. Wabtec volunteers and EPS staff joined classrooms for games, and every student received a toy to take home.
Erie High:
- In collaboration with Student Council, Community School Directors supported staff appreciation during holiday-themed spirit week through gifts, prize drawings, and social media highlights of student and staff participation.
Grover Cleveland:
- As part of the school’s 12 Days of Christmas, Generational Wealth Management (Corporate Partner Coalition member) provided a staff pizza lunch in recognition of the Grover Cleveland team.
Harding:
- With support from private donors and Corporate Partner Eriez Magnetics, every student received a winter-themed STEM kit and a pair of personalized Harding socks.
Jefferson:
- Community School Director Ashley Muhammad coordinated a 12 Days of Christmas staff appreciation effort with building leaders. United Way supported highlights included a catered lunch (Sabella’s), Dunkin’ gift cards, soup and sandwiches (Dee’s Deli), and a branded tote bag for each staff member.
JoAnna Connell:
- Supported the PTO’s Candy Cane Lane Holiday Shop with volunteer support from Corporate Partner Big Ideas Learning, helping students shop and practice money management skills.
Lincoln:
- Coordinated holiday support for nearly 60 students through the Corporate Partner Coalition which includes ERIE Bank, Erie Federal Credit Union, Marquette Savings Bank, Northwest Bank, and PNC. Participating families received a toy/game, a book, and an item of clothing.
McKinley:
- Launched the Holiday HOO (Helping Our Own) project. Selected families received pajamas, a new outfit, a toy/game, and a $100 gift card supported by United Way funding to help with a holiday meal.
Perry:
- Partnered with UPMC Safe Harbor Behavioral Health to provide toys, games, clothing, and holiday support to 73 students through Giving Trees, donations, and additional resources.
Pfeiffer-Burleigh:
- Volunteers from Erie Insurance and United Way delivered 600 food bags so every student could take home food support for winter break. This annual event was made possible by Erie Insurance through their United Way corporate partnership.
Strong Vincent Middle School:
- In partnership with Our West Bayfront, SV hosted a Community Events and Family Engagement day on December 20 featuring open gym, Bible and Basketball, open swim and aquatics, holiday crafts and cookies, self-defense, and a Kidz Korner; nearly 30 community members attended.
Wilson Middle School:
- Coordinated a Giving Tree which supported 124 students, with donations from Wilson Corporate Partner National Fuel. Assistance also extended to feeder-school Community School Directors to support younger siblings in participating families.
RECENT STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
goIT at JoAnna Connell and Pfeiffer-Burleigh United Way recently brokered a transformative partnership to bring goIT STEM curriculum to JoAnna
Connell and Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary Schools. The partnership emerged through strategic connection efforts of the Community School Model.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a partner of Erie Insurance, offers high-quality STEM programming as part of their community engagement initiatives. Erie Insurance's longstanding relationship with United Way through the Community Schools Model was a key element that brought all interested parties to the same table. Together, TCS, Erie Insurance, and United Way of Erie County launched the pilot goIT afterschool program at Perry Elementary, where trained Erie Insurance volunteers led two six-week sessions covering ideation, innovation, and design.
STEM teachers at JoAnna Connell and Pfeiffer-Burleigh will receive goIT curriculum and training for multi-week in-school implementation starting in fall of 2026. Fifth graders will showcase their accomplishments in a celebration organized by United Way Community School Directors at the
conclusion of the curriculum.
This collaboration represents a full-circle success, demonstrating how United Way's convening power
and strategic coordination can align corporate resources, district expertise, and community needs to
create meaningful opportunities for students in underserved communities.