PNC’s Goodyear fiesta brings neighbors together

Being part of the community means being there with people, even when you’re not doing something that’s part of a transaction.”

David Crummey, PNC vice president and community development officer

PNC Bank branch banker Anthony Villanueva stepped into a different role Oct. 9, joining Happy Mariachi Trio to sing “Estos Celos” at the bank’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in Goodyear.

“It was my first time singing that song, actually, so I was nervous,” Villanueva said.

His performance added a personal touch to the Fiesta Fridays celebration, a free afternoon gathering that brought music, food and neighbors to the parking lot of the PNC branch at 1559 N. Litchfield Road.

Adults and children gathered around tables covered in orange, green and pink table covers to eat and chat. Even the mariachi musicians took a break to enjoy the food.

The celebration featured tacos from Taco Head, an Elotopia street corn bar, a prize wheel and giveaways, with PNC volunteers helping run the activities.

Behind the festivities was an effort to keep a neighborhood tradition going.

David Crummey, a PNC vice president and community development officer, said FirstBank had hosted the celebrations for several years. PNC acquired FirstBank earlier this year, he said, and was eager to keep the celebration alive.

“We live in a time when it’s hard to get together with people that we don’t know,” Crummey said.

For him, sharing food and conversation gives the bank another way to be part of the neighborhood.

“Being part of the community means being there with people, even when you’re not doing something that’s part of a transaction,” he said.

The gathering also offered a chance to share community resources. Crummey highlighted PNC Grow Up Great, an early childhood education program that provides free materials in English and Spanish for children from birth through age 5. He said the program works with the Fred Rogers Institute and Sesame Workshop.

“The children will become our future workforce and our future neighbors," Crummey said.

 Looking ahead, Crummey said he hopes the tradition continues, giving families another reason to gather over food and music.

Noah Flug
Reporter | Litchfield Park and Goodyear

nflug@iniusa.org

Community: Litchfield Park and Goodyear

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in Digital Audiences from Arizona State University

Random Fact: I only have one biological cousin.

Hobbies: Watching movies and TV, spending time with my friends, aspiring stoic.