Partnerships often take much time and effort to develop; however, that wasn’t the case between Partners for Quality (PFQ) and the Dr. Richard R. O’Toole Pediatric Fund. It was a perfect partnership from day one. Here’s how it started:
In 2009, Focus On Renewal (FOR) contracted with Partners for Quality for help mailing its development newsletter. While overseeing the project, Todd Pontious, manager of the Training and Outsourcing Center, read FOR’s newsletter. He noticed that the agency was seeking empty printer cartridges to recycle and exchange for office supplies.
Todd immediately contacted Focus On Renewal and offered to collect cartridges internally, as well as from clients and outside agencies. Then he visited FOR and presented additional opportunities on how PFQ clients could give back to the local community. One option was helping with the seasonal farm stand the agency operates. Richard “Dick” O’Toole, Jr., who runs FOR’s farm stand as part of his pediatric fund, welcomed the assistance of Partners for Quality clients.
Each Thursday morning from June to mid-October, Mary Burford and Keith Miller, along with Todd, head to the Father Ryan Arts Center?a program of Focus On Renewal where the indoor farm stand is held. Mary and Keith help Dick unload his truck and carry in numerous bags and boxes of beets, corn, cucumbers, peaches, plums and zucchini.
A fantastic friendship has developed between Dick, Mary, Keith and Todd. Mary and Keith have made cards for Dick, which he proudly displays at the farm stand. Dick said, “The help I receive is invaluable, and gets each Thursday off to a great start. I am humbled by this service.”
Todd added, “We appreciate all the services our local community has to offer. The individuals who work at the Training and Outsourcing Center are always looking for ways to give back to the community. We couldn’t think of a better way to help Dick in supporting his worthwhile cause.”
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A sheltered workshop environment located in McKees Rocks, Pa., the Training and Outsourcing Center is a subsidiary of Partners for Quality. Its mission is to provide paid and volunteer work opportunities to adults with disabilities. The workshop is tailored to provide support to people who are not yet ready for competitive employment but are working to improve their skills, with the anticipated outcome of integrated employment in the community.
In 2007, Dick O’Toole formed the Dr. Richard R. O’Toole Pediatric Fund in memory of his father, Dr. Richard O’Toole (1909-1978), who practiced pediatrics in the Pittsburgh area. Dick O’Toole partners with Kaelin Farms to provide fresh fruits and vegetables at his “Markets on a Mission” farm stands. The Dr. Richard O’Toole Pediatric Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to healthier pregnancies and healthier children, achieved through educational and nutritional initiatives for women of childbearing years.
Focus On Renewal celebrated 40 years of service to the Sto-Rox community in 2009. The Father Ryan Arts Center is a multi-level facility in the heart of McKees Rocks. Its mission is to inspire, empower and enlighten local residents through the arts by developing the spirit, mind and body of all who participate.
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