S T. L AW R E N C E C O U N T Y from Buffalo he had to borrow money from an uncle to buy the plant, and then the uncle called in the loan. He used to deliver the soda, then pick up the empty bottles, bring them back to wash them, fill them, and put them on the truck for delivery the next day.” She said perseverance kept the business afloat. “He got everyone he could to try it,” Mrs. Wright said. “He just never gave up.” Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce President Lori M. Smithers said the company’s story shows that businesses can thrive in the north country. “There aren’t that many family-owned businesses around here anymore,” Ms. Smithers said. “It’s a testament to what businesses in the north country can become with some hard work, dedication and support.” In addition to serving and heading multiple community groups, Mr. Winter helped establish the Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club, and funded the Richard E. Winter Cancer Center at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center.
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“He gave money to the cancer center to give back to all the people who supported him,” Mrs. Wright said. That sense of community service is still evident at the bottling company, which
to Bonnie and Dick and their children. They’re just so deserving of this award.” “With the economy the way it is, if it weren’t for our donations some organizations would go under,” Mrs. Wright said. Mr. Wright said it’s clear the community appreciates his company’s contributions. He said everywhere he and his family go, people have been congratulating them. “We’re just as proud of our community as they are of us,” he Bonita A. “Bonnie” Wright, president and said. “That’s the whole reason we CEO, Pepsi-Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers. got this award. They have been awfully good to us.” Scott Wright said if his grandfather sponsors numerous community events were still alive, he would be smiling. and donates to more causes than the “He would be unbelievably surprised Wrights can list. and proud of his creation, for sure,” he “There is not one organization I can said. think of in Ogdensburg that has not ben Pepsi-Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers efited from the generosity of the Winteremploys 48 people. Employees spend an Wright family and Ogdensburg Pepsi,” average of 18 years with the company. said city Mayor William D. Nelson. “It’s “If it weren’t for our people, we not just Ogdensburg. How many athletic wouldn’t have won this,” Mr. Wright fields and gymnasiums across St. Lawsaid. rence County have a scoreboard donated by Pepsi? Look at how many events are n ELIZABETH LYONS is a Johnson Newspasponsored by them. It started with Richpers staff writer based in Ogdensburg. Contact her at egraham@wdt.net or 393-1003, ext. 123. ard Winter and has gone right up through
Dad always had the philosophy to treat everyone like a potential customer, so he treated everybody well. —
September 2012 | NNY Business
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