Dandy Mini Mart donates to 10 local nonprofits

Thursday, August 31st 2023, 6:46 PM EDT

By Linsey Madison

SAYRE, Pa. (WENY) -- At the Dandy Mini Mart Corporate Office in Sayre, people gathered to celebrate the company's 40th anniversary. Ten local nonprofit organizations were also celebrated and awarded $4,000 each.

"Throughout the growth and evolution of what Dandy is today, serving our people and the communities in them has been the foundation of our company's existence," said General Manager for Dandy Mini Marts, Duane Phillips.

Randy Williams, President of the Williams Companies, the parent company of Dandy Mini Mart said it's important to support organizations in the community.

"Our thought is it’s our responsibility to give back to the community, in some way, however we can," said Williams.

One of the nonprofits that received money was the Bradford/Sullivan Special Olympics. Elizabeth Porter is a Special Olympian who competes in long-distance races and swims. Porter said the money will be used to help start a new Bocce team.

"We will build Bocce courts…we will use funds to go to Bocce competitions," said Porter.

Cynthia Porter is a coach with the Bradford/Sullivan Special Olympics. She said the money will also be used to to buy Bocce sets and cover some travel costs when athletes travel to competitions. Cynthia said the new funds will benefit many athletes.

"With the athletes, it’s building them up because it’s giving them a skill-set that allows them to compete and feel good about themselves. It builds their self-esteem, [and] it also allows the athletes and their families to get together, and that’s creating [a] community," she said.

Georgie Taylor, the Executive Director for the Humane Society of Schuyler County said they plan to use the money to help subsidize its spay and neuter program. The spay and neuter program is for income-eligible Schuyler County residents and surrounding communities who can't afford to pay the spay and neuter service fees.

"This funding will really help the organization to achieve its overall mission to reduce pet overpopulation. Despite that, we still find in the shelter now we have 125 cats and kittens and about 20 dogs, and a waiting list for more to come in. The importance of spay neuter certainly cannot be minimized," said Taylor.

The other eight nonprofits who received money were: