AGENTS HOLD FUNDRAISER — The Steubenville- and St. Clairsville-based HealthMarkets Insurance sponsored a benefit Car, Truck, Bike and Power Wheels Show in the Fort Steuben Mall parking lot Aug. 10. The fundraiser was to assist the medical needs of 3-year-old Neiko Boni, son of area residents Keasha Barz and Jake Boni, who has cancer. HealthMarkets employees pulled together to create the fundraiser, including, front, Christina Smith; and back, Mary Pyle, Elizabeth Ryan, Olivia Rosenberger, Phyllis Ryan, Sydney Hobson and CEO Serena Heckathorn. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Most people — without even being asked — will tell you they dislike their job.

There are any number of reasons why, from the hours to the boss to the co-workers — even the job itself.

According to Gallup, 85 percent of people employed say they are dissatisfied with their job.

But what if you could work for a company where your boss genuinely cares — not just about the customers, the clients — but about their staff and their employees?

What if your superior went so far as to have everyone in the company choose a community service project, and then, help with making that project become a success?

STAFF HELPS INDIAN CREEK — Those participating in a kickball tournament to help needy students in the Indian Creek School District, included, from left, Justin McCann, Jonathan Clark, Zachary Williams, Maurice “Moe” Brown, Dustyn Hennen, Breann Baker and Brett Worrels. Hennen is an agent working with HealthMarkets Insurance in Steubenville. He and his co-workers were told they could select a community person or group to help by their boss, Serena Heckathorn, who assisted the team in making their fundraisers possible. -- Contributed

Chances are, employees having such a boss would fall into that 15 percent of workers claiming they are happy with their job.

And such is the case for those who work for Serena Heckathorn, president and CEO of HealthMarkets Insurance.

With offices in Steubenville and St. Clairsville, Heckathorn leads a team of agents who have become more than just her employees. They have become her friends. They have become a close group who admires and respects one another.

Heckathorn has done more than just get along with her employees, however.

She is that boss who loves to give back, helping her community whenever she can.

STAFF SELECTS SERVICE PROJECTS — Staff at HealthMarkets Insurance held a car show fundraiser for Neiko Boni, a 3-year-old who has cancer, on Aug. 10 at 7 Ranges Entertainment. The event was to raise money for Boni’s hospital bills. -- Contributed

And this year, she has even allowed her employees to do the same.

Those working for HealthMarkets Insurance include Mary Pyle, Elizabeth Ryan, Dustyn Hennen and Christina Smith.

Each team member chose a person, nonprofit or organization they wanted to help.

The team stated this is the first year the workplace has done anything like this, noting Heckathorn came up with the idea, asking her employees to brainstorm and inform her of what she could sponsor on their behalf.

“We all agree we have never worked for a company that has sponsored fundraisers and community events the way Serena does,” employees said.

STAFF SELECTS SERVICE PROJECTS — Staff at HealthMarkets Insurance collected blankets and beds for OhioRISE to help the most needy families. Taking part in the project were, from left, Jeremy Miller, Lindsay Brandon, HealthMarkets Agents Christina Smith and Michaela Williams, OhioRISE coordinator Vicky Filtz and Michelle Wells. -- Contributed

So, what sets their company apart from other places they have previously worked?

The team agreed that what sets them apart is the compassion they have, as they are truly a family who works well together and sometimes, vacations together.

Heckathorn wanted to try something new this year, according to her employees. They explained she has always loved becoming involved with the community, whenever possible, but this year, she wanted each employee to select an event that held meaning to them, personally.

Dillonvale resident Mary Pyle has worked with the company for more than five years.

She chose to help Neiko Boni, the 3-year-old son of Steubenville Police officers Keasha Barz and Jake Boni.

Pyle explained she spoke with Ryan, where she learned about her co-worker’s own personal experience with having a son with cancer.

“When I heard how hard it was when she found out her son had cancer at such a young age, we wanted to help the Boni family in any way we could.”

Boni has undergone chemotherapy treatments following his diagnosis of Langerhans Histiocytosis, a rare disorder where one’s body makes too many Langerhans white blood cells. These cells build up and form tumors, disrupting the normal function of tissue.

Pyle was happy she could help this boy in some small way.

“No family should have to go through that,” she said.

And so, those with HealthMarkets Insurance held a benefit Car, Truck, Bike and Power Wheels Show at the Fort Steuben Mall parking lot Aug. 10.

“To make the event a success, we tried to get the word out to everyone we could,” Pyle reflected. “I did a radio interview and answered questions for the newspaper. Serena did several news interviews and printed fliers. I even joined online car clubs to help bring vehicles to our event.”

Pyle said there is a lot of work involved in holding such an event.

Among the list of tasks are locating a place in which to have the show, finding a disc jockey to entertain the audience, ordering trophies and dash plaques for the contest winners and finding food vendors that are willing to participate that day.

“I went to several local businesses to get donations for the Chinese auction and drawings,” Pyle continued. “We also wanted to focus on the community and the children since it was created to give back to the community, so that is where the free face painting came into play, along with a bounce house and dunk tank.”

“Serena and her entire team took part in planning and organizing this event,” Pyle added. “Without them and their spouses, this would not have been possible.”

“As I found out, it takes an army to organize such a large event,” Pyle continued. “I had a strong army helping me. My husband, Douglas Pyle, was a huge part of helping us, along with our entire team and their spouses. Serena and Pyle’s Handyman Business were even able to donate a police car Power Wheels to Neiko.”

A special Power Wheels contest was held for children, based on which entrant has the most unique Power Wheels vehicle at the show.

Bloomingdale resident Elizabeth Ryan chose for her community service project to help those who are involved in Jefferson County 4-H.

Ryan, who has been with HealthMarkets Insurance for almost five years, explained she has family members and friends who have participated in 4-H, which is why she selected this group to help.

“I have witnessed firsthand the hard work and dedication it takes to raise their market livestock,” Ryan said. “I wanted that hard work to be acknowledged and rewarded.”

Those taking part in 4-H spend most of the year working on a project to show at the fair.

The students are dedicated toward raising their livestock, caring for the animals they choose to raise each and every day.

Ryan stated she had the honor of buying one of A.J. Grafton’s market hogs.

Grafton’s hogs were among the animals who won their respective category and were sold during the Jefferson County Fair’s annual livestock sale, which was held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds Aug. 16.

“These purchases help the 4-H kids to do things, such as furthering their education,” Ryan said.

“My husband, Tom, and my friend, Mike Aftanas, helped me look at all of the animals,” Ryan said, adding the men taught her how she can know what to look for when inspecting a quality animal.

Mingo Junction resident Dustyn Hennen has been with HealthMarkets for about four years.

His chosen event to help those throughout the community was to assist students in the Indian Creek School District.

Hennen said he selected Indian Creek because it was his alma mater and his 5-year-old daughter, Willow, attends the school district as well.

He decided to put together a community kickball tournament, where he sought sponsors and donations for the event. All of the proceeds raised were to be used for students who are less fortunate than others, so they can receive items such as school supplies, clothing for the new school year and such items that will not make them stand out from anyone else.

“I had help from my amazing fiance, Breeann Baker, who helped get the word around about this event,” Hennen said. “I also had help from my amazing team of co-workers who stepped right in and made this event possible.”

Christina Smith, a resident of Mingo Junction, has been with HealthMarkets Insurance for three years. In addition to Heckathorn, Smith’s mother, Vicky White, donated toward her project, which was helping those with OhioRISE.

Why select OhioRISE? Smith explained she loves children and comes from a large family that has a history of fostering and adopting.

“I talked to a friend of mine that works with the program and asked what some immediate needs were for the children,” Smith stated. “Beds were at the top of their list.”

Smith stated Heckathorn ordered 10 twin beds and frames for the families. “My mother bought the bed sets and I bought the pillows,” she noted.

“Vicky Filtz, OhioRISE coordinator, helped to determine the 10 families from the surrounding counties with the most immediate need,” Smith noted. “We were able to send them everything needed for a good night’s sleep.”

“We love our team,” the staff agreed. “We appreciate everything Serena does for us and for the community. She truly is gold.”

The employees all agreed they hope they will be able to continue to do more community events and projects that will help others throughout the area in the future.