Business & Merchant

Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 November 2017 02:11

The Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF) recently presented the 2017 Charles C. Keller Excellence Award for Corporate Philanthropy to Crossgates at the WCCF’s annual Philanthropy Banquet.

Arthur and Ryan Schwotzer of Crossgates

Created in 2011 and named in honor of Founding Trustee and past WCCF Chairman Charles C. Keller, the award recognizes local for-profit businesses for exemplary giving and community service.

Arthur Schwotzer, founder and chairman of Crossgates, Inc., has a simple yet effective philosophy for corporate and personal giving — “Give where the need is.” It’s a credo he has followed for many years.

Schwotzer graduated from the University of Pittsburgh as an engineer. He and a partner started a building company in 1952, and he initially specialized in constructing single-family homes. In 1959, he founded Crossgates, a full-service real estate and construction company. Over the years, the company has built apartments, nursing homes, offices, hotels, warehouses, and manufacturing plants. Schwotzer’s son, Gregg, joined the company in 1972. Grandson Ryan became president of Crossgates after his Uncle Gregg’s death in 2014 and today runs the company, “. . . with a little bit of aid from me here and there,” says a smiling Schwotzer.

While Crossgates has made a significant mark on the community through its numerous real estate and construction activities, the company also encourages its employees to give generously to those in need. Every holiday season, says Schwotzer, the company and its employees donate to three or four charities, usually the Washington City Mission, the Salvation Army, one organization chosen by the company’s Harrisburg office, and one other organization. In 2016, for example, employees proudly participated in the Salvation Army Treasures for Children Christmas Gift Program, which supports local children and their families.

Crossgates has supported numerous other charities and organizations as well, including the Holiday Acres Summer Food Service Program in Latrobe, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Catholic Charities, St. Clair Hospital, and HACC Central Pennsylvania Community College. Also, Schwotzer notes, “People here walk an awful lot” for charities such as muscular dystrophy. His employees often make him aware of instances where there is a specific or urgent need. “They like to see good things happen and are enthused by it.”

When asked what he would like to see as Crossgates, Inc.’s legacy in the community, he characteristically replies, “Staying successful and continuing to be involved in different realms of giving and social work that add value to [employees’] lives and the lives of those they help.”

For more information, please visit www.wccf.net.