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CARSTAR Pete’s of South Windsor, CT, Hosts Networking Event with Local Officials Speaking on Poverty in the Region

By: CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts |  0 Shares     128 Reads

March 20, 2019 // Franchising.com // South Windsor, CT - The South Windsor Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Business After Hours was hosted by CARSTAR Pete’s and featured several local officials who spoke on the state of poverty in the South Windsor and Windsor regions.

The well-attended networking event was open to members of both the South Windsor and Windsor Chamber of Commerce to bring together businesses separated only by a five-minute drive over the Connecticut River. The event was also the culmination of a paper and personal goods collection effort by CARSTAR Pete’s and Geissler’s customers to benefit both towns’ food banks.

Several local officials at the event were asked to comment on the state of poverty in the region. Andrea Cofrancesco, South Windsor Human Services Director, and Ernest Perreault, Windsor Food and Fuel Bank President, explained the ongoing need to provide goods to families in their towns.

“During the holiday season, food is generously donated, but throughout the year there is a challenge to provide paper and personal goods such as toilet paper and toiletries,” Cofrancesco said.

“Diapers are also a high demand item,” added Perreault, along with his description of how the Windsor Food Bank has grown over the years as the need for it has expanded. Located in an old school, Windsor’s Food Bank has been able to take advantage of a walk-in refrigeration system and provides fresh produce and meats in addition to non-perishables.

South Windsor Mayor Saud Anwar explained further.

"Hunger is real and it is regional. We must know that there are people in our neighborhoods who are making difficult choices relating to hunger."

South Windsor’s State Representative, Tom Delnicki, continued “When we strengthen the business community in our area, thereby providing more and better paying jobs, we can directly address poverty in the region. CARSTAR Pete’s is a role model on how a business can care and be involved in the community.”

Windsor’s State Representative, Jane Garibay, gave perspective on the types of jobs that are available and well paying, but lack the appropriate hiring pool.

“There are many excellent paying trade and manufacturing opportunities in our region, but there is a shortage of people educated and trained to fill them. The emphasis on a traditional college degree has made a demand for skilled tradespeople who many times can get an entry level job at much higher wages than a new college graduate.”

Pete Gutska, owner of CARSTAR Pete’s, concluded “We are happy to have hosted this event that offered an educational, community service, and enjoyable business networking in a social atmosphere. It was encouraging that the attendees were evenly split between Windsor and South Windsor and that new business relationships were sparked.”

About CARSTAR Pete’s

For over 20 years, Pete Gutska has operated his collision auto body repair in South Windsor. CARSTAR Pete’s works with over 30 insurance carriers to provide quality services for personal vehicles including cars, trucks, RVs and boats, as well as commercial and municipal vehicles through its Elite Fleet program. CARSTAR Pete’s is an active member of both the South Windsor and Windsor Chambers of Commerce.

459 John Fitch Blvd.
South Windsor, Ct. 06074
860-528-8808

About CARSTAR

CARSTAR is North America’s largest network of independently owned and operated collision repair facilities with more than 600 locations in 35 states and 10 Canadian provinces. A part of the Driven Brands family of automotive aftermarket franchise brands, CARSTAR delivers national scale, premier vehicle repairs, repeatable outcomes and the industry’s highest customer satisfaction ratings. Celebrating its 30thanniversary this year, CARSTAR has maintained its commitment to give back to the communities it serves through a variety of fundraising initiatives, including raising over $3 million for Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and has made fighting cystic fibrosis its cause, North American wide. For more information visit www.carstar.com and www.carstar.ca follow on Facebook, twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts:

Jill McAllister
Pete’s CARSTAR
860-810-8993
jill@tonsha.com

Ernest Perreault
Windsor Food and Fuel Bank
860-285-1839

Andrea Cofrancesco
South Windsor Food and Fuel Bank
860-648-6361

SOURCE CARSTAR

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