Burgan to Donate Over $30K in Equipment to Rich Center

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Burgan Real Estate plans to donate over $30,000 worth of electrical equipment to The Rich Center for Autism.

The equipment will be used in Phase 2 of the center’s Building for Tomorrow renovation project to upgrade interior and exterior lighting needs at its facilities on the campus of Youngstown State University.

“Every person deserves an opportunity to achieve the most out of their lives,” said Patrick Burgan, co-owner of Burgan Real Estate. “We are honored to help The Rich Center for Autism, who are committed to improving the quality of life for people with autism every day. We hope that this donation helps in carrying out their mission by upgrading their facilities that will shine a light on the great work they are doing.”

The decision to make the donation came through a conversation between John Burgan who, along with the late Leon Turek, founded Burgan Real Estate in 1977, and Jim Conti of Jim Conti Lighting Design, who is a cousin of Phyllis Ricchiuti, one of the founding family members of the Rich Center.

“I have been fortunate to know Phyllis Ricchiuti and Geri Kosar, founding families of the Rich Center, while also being an admirer of the work the center has been able to provide students with autism and their families,” John Burgan said. “It was through a chance conversation with Jim Conti that I learned of the need at the Rich Center and felt compelled to work with Sue [Filipovich] and Patrick to find a way for Burgan Real Estate to give back to these amazing families and program.”

Filipovich, co-owner of Burgan Real Estate, is Turek’s daughter.

“With a current CDC diagnosis rate of 1 in 36 children, there is a growing need to fund our mission focused on the treatment, education and research of autism,” said Mike Latessa, executive director of the Rich Center. This donation will allow us to increase the impact we’ll have on our students, families, the YSU campus and the regional community. John, Patrick, Sue and the team at Burgan Real Estate continue to impact our community with their generosity and commitment. On behalf of the Rich Center, I cannot thank them enough for this donation.”

Pictured at top: From left are John Burgan; Sue Filipovich; Patrick Burgan; YSU President Bill Johnson; Mike Latessa; Jake Ellis, Rich Center coordinator of community engagement; Geri Kosar; Charles Howell, YSU dean of Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education; and Phyllis Ricchiuti.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.