Donna Robare

Donna Robare of New Kensington firmly believes in making a difference. “I want to be able to help,” she said, and “I like to help people”. This belief has taken her out of her home and work and right into the life of the community. A member of four major organizations and running one personal charity event, she has already made a difference. And, she has only begun in her efforts to see change and improvement.

Donna was one of seven children in her native state of Florida and one memorable part of her life was attending the Salvation Army unit near her home and participating in their youth program. That experience left such a strong impression on her that today she is a member of the New Kensington Salvation Army Advisory Board. Part of the Board’s responsibility is raising funds for the local programs, a work she loves to do. “I like taking responsibility to raise funds,” she said.

She also is President of the New Kensington Rotary Club. She was Secretary for two prior years before being elected to serve as President. Donna is very proud of the Rotary’s work and believes the public isn’t aware of all they do. She pointed out that they raise approximately $15,000 a year that is dedicated to assisting local organizations. Some of the money is set aside for other organizations that may need a one-time assistance with an event or program. She said 180 to 200 people show up to help raise the money each year through the “Rotorama” fund raising program. The Rotary is also involved in scholarships and other civic programs.

One wonders where Donna gets all the time to be involved in these organizations and hold positions. She and her husband Jeff own Robare Carpet and Floors at 527 Seventh Street in New Kensington. She works full time in sales and estimating for the company. They also have two children, a boy 15 and a girl 14. Yet, in the midst of this she is very active and works in other programs.

Last year Donna was recommended to take part in the Alle-Kiski Leadership program. Designed to train area persons in community leadership skills, it is a year long program that starts with a two-day retreat where participants are given a complete overview. Following that are nine sessions, held once a month, that comprise of an eight hour day class in specific topic areas such as government, health care, law and justice, economic development, human services, and education. Expert speakers (several to each session) in each of these areas teach the classes, giving participants real life experience.

Donna did so well at the Alle-Kiski Leadership program she was selected by her peers to be the class representative. This was to be the spokesperson and give an overview of what they learned. Graduating last June, she is now a Board member of Alle-Kiski Leadership.

You would think at this point that being President of the Rotary and board member of Alle-Kiski Leadership and the Salvation Army is more than enough, yet she is also an active member and board member of the Northern Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce in New Kensington. Pat Lattanzio, Chief Operation Coordinator, told me that if she needed something done in the Chamber, Donna is always there to help. She is particularly helpful with events and fund raising. And this great spirit of community involvement spills over to her son who gave up spending time at a recent Chamber car cruise to staff an unmanned plush animal booth the Chamber had. He manned it all day until closing and collected $460.00 in funds.

And, if this isn’t enough, there is more. Every year she participates in WPXI Channel 11 “Presents for Patients” Christmas program. She learned of this through the Rotary and remembered visiting nursing homes in her youth. Today she takes her daughter with her to learn what she learned about kindness and helping others. The program gives the name of a few people with needs and they bring them presents for Christmas.

Another charitable undertaking began in a family tragedy. Her husband’s brother became ill with a brain tumor. They brought him to the store to work, hoping it would help him during his ordeal, and during his time there he suggested giving away Christmas trees to the needy. Unfortunately, he died from the brain tumor, but Donna set up a memorial in his name to undertake donating free Christmas trees each year. Called the Rob Robare Memorial they give away 40 to 50 fresh Christmas trees every year, working out of a donated lot next to their store.

George Johnas, owner of Custom Auto Body located next to Robare’s store donates his lot for the tree distribution and financially assists the Robare’s in buying the trees.

In the midst of their kindness to others, Donna’s son Tyler, 15, was assaulted by nine other local youths on the way home from a football game. Sustaining serious injuries he was hospitalized for a day and had 17 stitches to sew up one wound. Happening last fall, Tyler and his parents struggled with the Christmas tree donations, but in the end decided not to forgo it in the midst of this tragedy. What is most amazing about this courageous decision is that some parents of the boys who assaulted Tyler receive their free Christmas trees from the Ronares. And Tyler was right there working with his parents helping give away the trees.

Although a native of Florida, she married Jeff Robare, a New Kensington native, while he was living and working in Florida. It wasn’t long after that he decided to return to home and the family moved back in 1990. New Kensington hasn’t been the same since. How one person belongs to so many organizations donating time, labor and finances to make a difference is just amazing. But, it certainly is the proof that one person can make a big difference.

Donna wants to see her community grow closer and her heart goes out to the youth of the area. She wants to bring hope to the youth and would like to see some type of youth organization that could reach them. Knowing her passion to serve, compassion for others and boundless energy, she will probably make this vision come true.

Watch the video interview of Donna Robare.