Benefits Network Makes Holiday Delivery to Somerset Food Pantry
Missing from photo: Joni Thomas, Kari Imhoff, and Tracy Tirko
Somerset, Pennsylvania – Employees of Benefits
Network and Your Health Insurance Shop teamed up to donate a pickup
truck full of food to the Somerset Area Food Pantry.
Throughout the year, employees donate money and chip in $1 every
time they choose to wear jeans to work (other than a Friday). At the
end of the year $600 was collected to buy food for the Somerset Area
Food Pantry.
As in years past, Casey Maschue and Debbie Sanner spearheaded the
effort by checking bargains weeks ahead and shopping from local
retailers.
Just before Christmas, Benefits Network employees gathered in the
parking lot behind their Main Street Office to load Mashue's pickup
truck. Shown, left to right, are Debbie Sanner, Heather Kiraly,
Tracey Kiesnowski, Deb Barron, Casey Maschue, Mandy Sujansky, Cristy
Pritts, Kelly Barron and Holly Purbaugh
Your Health Insurance Shop Agents Recognized by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Somerset, Pennsylvania- Three Individual and Senior Product Specialists with Your Health Insurance Shop in Somerset were recognized recently as Nationwide Top Performing Agents by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Kelly Barron, Heather Kiraly and Cristy Pritts, received national recognition as members of the HealthCare.gov Champions Circle for their success during the 2017 Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment.
Agents and brokers, who are certified through a registration process in order to assist people in enrolling in health insurance through the Marketplaces via HealthCare.gov, receive recognition when they exceed 20 consumers making plan selections on HealthCare.gov. The Specialists at Your Health Insurance Shop located at 608 Georgian Place in Somerset have already helped more than 200 individuals to choose a plan during this open enrollment season.
"Agents and brokers, like the ones we have recognized, are there for people in the community," said Kevin Counihan, Marketplace CEO. "They help people get the coverage they need for their families, when they need it."
Nationally, a record number of people signed up for Marketplace insurance coverage this fall with Pennsylvania among five states with the heaviest reported enrollment, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Your Health Insurance Shop agents will also help people determine if they are eligible for a tax subsidy, compare the health plan options and sign up online. There is no fee for their services. For more information, call 814.289.4222 or visit www.YourHealthInsuranceShop.com
Benefits Network and Your Health Insurance Shop Honor Clients with Donations to Two Western PA Charities Helping Children and Families
Benefits Network and Your Health Insurance Shop presented the Children's Aid Home and Society of Somerset County a check for $500. Children's Aid Home Executive Director Lynn Sablotski (left) accepts the check from Benefits Network Debra Barron, Vice President of Consulting Services and Joni Thomas, Director of Consulting Services and Somerset Operations. The donation was made in honor of Benefits Network clients.
Somerset, Pennsylvania – Two Western Pennsylvania non-profit organizations who help children and families are receiving donations this holiday season from Benefits Network and Your Health Insurance Shop. This year, instead of sending Christmas cards to their clients and business associates, Benefits Network chose to recognize and honor their clients by making donations to help residents in the local community.
The Children's Aid Home and Society of Somerset County and City Mission-Livings Stones based in Uniontown PA each received checks for $500 from Benefits Network.
The Children's Aid Society was founded in 1889 in Somerset and continues to this day in providing care and comfort to children. Today they offer residential, foster care, adoption and treatment services for children facing adversity.
City Mission –Living Stones serves over 500 homeless men, women and children annually, providing them with an entire continuum of housing services ranging from emergency shelter to permanent supportive housing. The agency also offers an array of support services helping clients move from homelessness to self-sufficiency.
"Both the Children's Aid Society and City Mission are Benefits Network clients that are doing wonderful things in our community. We are happy to help these organizations continue their mission of service to the community by making these donations in honor of our clients," said David Straight, President and CEO of Benefits Network.
Benefits Network President Honored as American Diabetes Top Fundraiser
Benefits Network President David Straight, left, with his ‘Rock to Stop Diabetes' co-chair, Greg Anderson President of Directworks. Greg also serves as Director on the Community Leadership Board for the American Diabetes Association of Western Pennsylvania.
David
Straight, President and CEO of Wexford based Benefits Network, was
honored by the American Diabetes Association of Western Pennsylvania
as this year's a top individual fundraiser. He received the award
recently at the ADA's annual recognition dinner held at the Lemont
Restaurant in Pittsburgh.
Over the last 5 years, Dave has raised $140,000 by hosting ‘Rock to Stop Diabetes' at Jergels Rhythm Grille in Warrendale. More than 300 people attended this year's event which brought in $31,000 from attendees, corporate donors, and silent auction donations.
Team members from Benefits Network's Wexford and Somerset offices were on board to help with the event along with Dave's band, Cracked Voices, which provided the entertainment.
Benefits Network holds ‘Rock to Stop Diabetes' in support of American Diabetes Association
For the fifth consecutive year, Benefits Network helped kick off the American Diabetes Association Walk to Stop Diabetes with a high energy Saturday afternoon rock fest led by Benefits Network CEO Dave Straight, team members from Wexford and Somerset offices and Straight's band, Cracked Voices.
Over the last 5 years, over $140,000 has been raised with this year's event bringing in more than $31,000.
The annual event which is held at Jergel's Rhythm Grille in Warrendale has morphed into a great time for Benefits Network clients, employees, sponsors and supporters. Funds are raised from corporate donors, ticket sales, auction donations and more with all proceeds benefiting the American Diabetes Association.
Dave's band, Cracked Voices, provides the much anticipated entertainment. The band was formed in the 1990s from a group of neighbors including Kevin Handerhan, and Rob Laird on guitar, Mike Chieppor on drums and bass guitar and Dave on harmonica and keyboard. Wives Lauren Laird and Val Straight add to the vocals with Val also playing Sax. Another former neighbor, referred to as the Percussion Wizard, flies in from North Carolina to play in the few gigs they play each other.
Cracked Voices now only plays two or three gigs per year – all for charity.
A special thanks to the Sponsors and many organizations and individual who donated auction items, all helping to make Rock to Stop Diabetes successful:
- Platinum Sponsors: MSA, UPMC Health Plan and Benefits Network
- Gold Sponsors: Directworks, Ron & Lisa Kuchera, Karen L. Vidt, CPA, Smart Security Solutions, Traf-Sys, Tucker Auto-Mation
- Silver Sponsors: AmeriServ, E.MAP, REHA
- Key Contributors: 525Flynn Consulting
Company, Smith and Foster Morris
Advertisers/Contributors: #1 Cochran, Appalachian Rock Shop, CTR Human Capital Management, Michael M. McDonough, Inc., Partners Alliance, UnitedHealthcare - Program Printing Sponsor: Ditto
- T-Shirt Sponsor: Spreadshirt
- Venue Sponsor: Jergel's Rhythm Grille
The signed Sidney Crosby jersey was a top auction item!
Kelly Jo Barron, Melinda Baronetski and Jim Monteleone (l-r) help spread the cheer at the annual Rock to Stop Diabetes.
Benefits Network team registering guests including (l-r) Tracey Tirko, Kelly Jo Barron, Cheranne Jurena, Susan McKee and John Mueller.
Benefits Network CEO Dave Straight channels his "inner rock star" on vocals, keyboard and harmonica!
The band, Cracked Voices, rocks the crowd at Jergel's Rhythm Grill.
Marketplace News
Our Licensed Insurance Agents will help you figure out your best options, determine if you are eligible for tax credits to reduce your premium, and even help you apply online. There is no additional cost to you for our services.
Call today, 814.289.4222 in Somerset or 724.940.9490 in Wexford.
Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO): An insurance plan that covers only care provided by in-network doctors and hospitals. Usually, a member needs a referral from a primary care physician to see a specialist.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): Care is provided by both inside and outside the plan's provider network. However, members usually pay a higher percentage for out of network care.
Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO): Very similar to HMO's but you may not need a referral to see a specialist.
