Volunteer spotlight: FCA US

Published on August 24, 2017 in

When FCA US LLC put out the call for volunteers at United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Meet Up and Eat Up Community Block Parties, Trenton Engine Complex employees Erika Knisely and Lina Belchunas jumped at the chance to give back.

“We had such a good time, just watching the kids have fun,” says Erika, a 22-year veteran of Trenton Engine and resident of Romulus. “They’ve got full bellies, and we loved seeing them be kids and not worry about how they’re going to eat.”

“It’s all about the kids,” echoes Lina, a Detroit resident who has worked at Trenton Engine for 24 years.

Their commitment to community is no surprise: Trenton Engine hosts monthly fundraising events and holds the United Way Cup, which recognizes the FCA plant that makes the highest percentage of contributions to United Way.

Volunteering lets donors like Erika and Lina see their dollars in action. And we’re grateful, because our Meet Up and Eat Up block parties couldn’t happen without help from our union and corporate partners.

Motor Citizens

In 2017, United Way hosted five block parties in Southeastern Michigan, serving more than 2,000 meals to families. The events raise awareness about summer meal sites and connect families with local resources.

This summer, FCA US sponsored our Meet Up and Eat Up block parties, bringing not only their employees but also their mobile training truck to three events, providing interactive technology for kids to play with and learn on.

FCA US employees like Lina and Erika—known at the company as “Motor Citizens”—volunteered a total of 320 hours at our block parties. Lina and Erika, who both volunteered at three block parties, say that volunteering brings their team closer together.

“It’s rewarding to be a part of it—to see the kids and see where our contributions are going,” says Erika. “We’re blessed – we have good jobs. Everybody at FCA US just wants to help out in the community.”

This summer, 159 people volunteered more than 520 hours at our Meet Up and Eat Up block parties! Thank you to our corporate partners who volunteered with us, including:

And our labor partners: