Shults Ford in the Community
Steel Valley Scholarships:
In 2020 Richard Bazzy, started a $5,000 scholarship fund for his alma mater, Steel Valley High School. He wanted to give back to the community in which he was raised, and in particular, he would like to see students go on to higher education awarded with the same support he was given.
Students were asked to write a 1 page essay on how Steel Valley has prepared them for success beyond high school. And what skills have they developed to ensure that success.
In 2021, we continued with the Scholarship Fund with the intention of awarding once again, one winner the $5,000 scholarship. When we received the 11 applications, Richard couldn’t pick just one winner, stating “The essays for the scholarship were emailed to me, and when I read the first one, I declared them the winner. However, I didn’t realize there were 10 more attached. All 11 were such compelling stories, I could not pick one.” So, we picked all 11 students to receive the scholarship. With everything that was endured during the pandemic, Richard thought this year more than any the assistance was needed.
In 2022 we have received 18 applications for the Scholarship Fund. We had full intentions of selecting just one winner, but again, after reading all of the applications Richard thought to himself, “how could I possibly pick just one?”. So, we didn’t pick one, we picked all 18 students to each receive a $5,000 scholarship.
In 2023 we were set to award two students a $5,000 scholarship. One $5,000 scholarship for a student attending a college/university and one $5,000 scholarship for a student attending a trade school. We received 26 applications for the scholarship. Without hesitation, Richard is granting all 26 students with a $5,000 scholarship.
Bazzy and Bubba’s Backpack Brigade:
It started back in 2015 when Richard and Bubba from 100.7 Star had a conversation on the radio with local radio Host, Bubba, about back to school shopping. How every year kids want a new backpack for the school year when they already have a perfectly good one from the previous year at home. They questioned what everyone does with their old backpacks, keep it, donate it, throw it out? The idea hit them – hold a backpack drive at our dealership and collect gently used backpacks and donate them!
We did some research on who/where to donate them and landed on The Education Partnership. The Education Partnership provides school supplies for students and their teachers in under-resourced schools in Southwestern PA
The first year we collected backpacks an school supplies that valued over $9,000! As the years continued so did the level of donations we were seeing – with our best year being $109,000!
Since the start of the backpack brigade in 2015, we’ve managed to raise over $500,000 worth of backpacks and school supplies for The Education Partnership
Richard Bazzy’s Turkeython
Each year, Richard teams up with 100.7 Star for our annual Turkeython! The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, we set up a call center at the radio station and take callers from 6:00am – 10:00am. Anyone who calls in the radio station gets a free turkey – no question asked! Because this iniative, we have been able to put thousands of turkeys on tables for the holidays!
Pet Adoption Event
In 2022 We teamed up with Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley for our first-ever animal adoption event!
We hosted the event our Shults Ford Harmarville location. Anyone who was interested in adopting an animal could come to this event to meet some of the adoptable animals from Animal Protectors! If someone adopts a pet during the event, Shults Ford will cover the cost of the adoption fee.
If someone couldn’t make it to the event but still wanted to adopt from Animal Protectors, Shults Ford paid all adoption fees for a whole week!
13 dogs and 12 cats found homes during this week!
Yes, Pittsburgh, There is a Santa
Richard and 100.7 Star team up again for Yes, Pittsburgh, There is a Santa to make sure those in need have Christmas gifts under their trees. Richard takes callers who nominate families in need. Shults Ford personally shops and delivers gifts to the nominated families.
