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Local Giving Important To Next Generation

Meet John

by The Post-Journal

Jamestown will always be home to John. He has never considered living anywhere other than his hometown. John enjoys many of the seasonal activities available to him around the area, such as skiing and golfing, and is also a Buffalo Bills season ticket holder. He anticipates that he will stay in Jamestown for the foreseeable future.

“I like Jamestown,” he said. “My whole family is from Jamestown. There is always something going on and all of my friends are here. I have a good job and I know everyone. I have no reason to think about living anywhere else.”

As a teenager, John worked for his family’s business, Sandee’s Bakery, a restaurant and catering service which has served the Jamestown area for over 50 years. During high school he spent much of his time working at the bakery alongside his parents and his siblings. He graduated from Jamestown High School and continued his education at Alfred State College, majoring in HVAC technology. He is currently employed by the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities Wastewater Treatment Plant in the maintenance department and is a member of IBEW Local 106.

John has been giving to the United Way since he started working at the BPU almost eight years ago. “I like to give back to the community that has given so much to me,” he said. “I have always been surrounded by a culture of giving through my family’s business and the other projects that we were involved in.”

Community service is a very big part John’s life. Through his family he became involved with the Italian-American Golf Tournament that is held each year to raise money for WCA Hospital. As a member of the Planning Committee, he works from October to June each year to help plan the tournament and solicit donations and sponsorships. He is proud of his family’s contributions to the IA and notes that his father and brother are both past champions of the event.

John is involved with the Jamestown Area Midget Football League as a volunteer coach for the Northside Warriors.

Having played midget football himself, he recognizes the value that youth sports programs have for area youngsters.

His interest in working with young people has also made John more aware of the other opportunities that are available for youth in the city, especially through the agencies that benefit from his United Way dollars. He says that he appreciates the work of the Jamestown Boys and Girls Club and the after school programs to name a few.

“I am happy that my donation stays local, especially when I see the impact that it has on the kids.” he explains “When I was younger I had a place to go after school, but so many of my friends did not. Every kid deserves a chance to get ahead and these types of programs help them to stay focused and out of trouble.”

United Way of Southern Chautauqua County provides funding to 45 programs at 23 community partners. These programs seek to have a measurable impact by making sure families are self-sufficient, everyone is ready to work, young people succeed in school, and people in need can find help. Visit uwayscc.org or United Way of Southern Chautauqua County on Facebook to learn how you can join John and other donors in raising $1,300,000 by the end of 2015.

Pictured is John Foti, a BPU employee who believes in community service and a culture of giving back through the United Way and other opportunities. Submitted photo

Pictured is John Foti, a BPU employee who believes in community service and a culture of giving back through the United Way and other opportunities.
Submitted photo

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