CHARITY CHAMPIONS:

The Andy Russell Foundation and
Fifth Third Bank Team Together

By Christopher Cussat

Just as the right combination of talent, dedication and passion is necessary to have a championship-winning football team, these same qualities are equally important in order to form a championship- giving team that truly cares about helping others and implements a successful strategy to achieve its benevolent goals. The Andy Russell Charitable Foundation and Fifth Third Bank of Western Pennsylvania epitomize such a partnership and they have teamed together in support of charities that are devoted to helping children.

Most Pittsburghers remember Andy Russell as one of the greatest linebackers in the NFL who played over a decade with the Steelers and helped them win two Super Bowls. In addition to his remarkable athletic career, he is also a very successful businessman and investment banker. But perhaps even more impressive than these achievements is the fact that Andy Russell is also known as someone who selflessly dedicates much of his life, fame and wealth to helping charities.

The Andy Russell Charitable Foundation was formally established in 1999 and primarily funds important medication research organizations that focus on children. To date, the Foundation has supported such charities as the Children's Hospital Free Care Fund, Ronald McDonald House, Mel Blount Youth Home, Leukemia and Cancer Societies, Junior Achievement, Mother’s Hope and Pittsburgh Vision Services.

For years, the main fundraising event has been the Andy Russell Celebrity Classic. Cindy Russell, Andy’s wife and co-trustee of the Foundation, proudly noted that the Classic is recognized as “one of the premier golf tournaments in the area and was started by Andy, Arnold Palmer and Walt Bent.” Sponsors donate at different monetary levels (depending on the number of golfers) and a celebrity athlete plays with each foursome of sponsors. Past participating athletes include: Mel Blount, Chuck Noll, Jack Ham, Rocky Bleier, Dan Marino, Lynn Swann, Joe Green, Reggie Jackson and Franco Harris. Throughout its history, the event has raised over $5 million for various charities.

The partnership between the Andy Russell Charitable Foundation and Fifth Third Bank was a natural fit because of the emphasis Fifth Third places on helping not-for-profit organizations. Bob Buzzelli is the bank’s Senior Vice-President (SVP) and Sales Manager for Investment Advisors. The Treesdale resident explained, “Fifth Third Bank has over 100 years experience in helping charities grow their endowments.”

They even dedicated a not-for-profit group of professionals to provide comprehensive financial services to charities and foundations. Added Buzzelli, “This dedication of resources is a rarity in today’s financial service industry; our team of professionals has established a reputation for quality service, client satisfaction and a high retention of relationships.”

The idea for partnering first began with discussions about the Classic. Russell recalled, “We talked to Fifth Third about being a high level sponsor for our golf tournament and they have become more and more involved and very supportive ever since.”

This eventually led to discussions about Fifth Third helping the Russells organize and manage their foundation. Buzzelli explained, “[Andy] spoke with us about creating a partnership to work with him and his foundation as both a sponsor and provider of not-for-profit services.” Russell acknowledged, “Now that we’ve gotten into this charitable aspect, it’s developed into a big relationship with them financially; we would like them to help us manage our foundation.”

Currently, the Foundation is run by the Russells. But as it grows, it is important that they have the proper financial and organizational support, which Fifth Third can readily and uniquely supply. Said Russell, “We’ve grown so much in the last two years that we have discussed working with them to handle it for us because we’re not familiar with all the laws that govern charitable foundations; it’s getting too big for just the two of us.”

Pine Township resident, Jill M. Sandilla, is Fifth Third’s SVP of  Retail Administration. She agreed, “Instead of them turning around and hiring a lot of staff, we can do it for them at a much lower cost ­ plus, we specialize in this and very few banks do what we do.” Added Buzzelli, “One of the things that distinguishes what we do from other banks that may also provide this [service] is that our people worked in the not-for-profit sector first.” He continued, “Our not- for-profit group is one of the only in the country that offers the services that can facilitate a family foundation like Andy’s.”

Thus a generous and giving partnership was born. SVP and Director of Marketing, Janette D. Petro, concluded, “Fifth Third has made a commitment to the communities it serves by funding such special causes. We are pleased to be a part of the Andy Russell Celebrity Classic that will ultimately improve lives by supporting new research and programs dedicated to children's health and well-being.”

This year’s Celebrity Classic will be held on May 18 and 19. A sponsor/athlete party and charity auction will take place Thursday at Heinz Field. Friday’s golf tournament will take place at two locations: Diamond Run Golf Club and The Club at Nevillewood. For more information about the Classic and the Andy Russell Charitable Foundation, or to become a donor or sponsor, please call 412-647-4285 or visit www.andyrussell.org.

Fifth Third Bank currently has two North Hills’ locations in Cranberry and Wexford. For more information about their not-for- profit services, please contact Bob Buzzelli or Bernadette Smith, Director of Charitable Foundations and Gift Giving, at 412-291-5430 or visit www.53.com.