Penn Station East Coast Subs believes in giving back to the community. The brand has been supporting families touched by Down Syndrome for years, but their newest fundraising campaign, Deals for Down Syndrome, reflects the heart of the brand’s mission.
For Penn Station founder Jeff Osterfeld and his wife Sheri, this cause is deeply personal.
The Osterfelds are close family friends with Doug and Julie Kammerer, whose daughter, Ellen “Ellie” Kammerer, was born with Down syndrome. Ellie, now 28, has maintained a life-long connection with the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati, one of the brand’s longest-standing partners and the local nonprofit benefitted by Deals for Down Syndrome.
Ellie’s father, Doug, recalls vividly how the organization first came into their lives: when Ellie was born six weeks early with congenital heart defects, the DSAGC reached out with a welcome package and immediate support.
“Having a child is an emotional moment for any parent, and when your child is born with special needs, you quickly realize the difference that having community, guidance, and resources makes for their wellbeing,” Doug Kammerer said. “Being able to lean on the DSAGC made a huge impact in our lives.”
Since then, the Kammerer family has been deeply involved in DSAGC’s programs, which span therapeutic, educational, recreational, and social opportunities for individuals of all ages. Doug even served on the organization’s board of directors for a time, motivated by a desire to help other families access the same level of care, community, and encouragement his family received.
Ellie’s own journey through the DSAGC’s programs illustrates that lifelong impact. She participated early on in the Early Matters program, which focuses on children ages 0–5 and helps families build a foundation through education and enrichment. As she grew, Ellie participated in the School Age (ages 6-12) and Teen (ages 13-17) programs through the DSAGC. Today, she’s part of the organization’s Adult Programs, which foster learning, independence, and personal development as individuals with Down syndrome transition into adulthood.
That transition includes finding meaningful employment, which for Ellie is one of her greatest joys. She works at a local retirement home, where her responsibilities include greeting residents and interacting with guests. “She absolutely loves it,” Doug says. “She wakes up in good spirits every morning because, in her words, ‘I get to go to work.’”
Doug emphasizes that Down syndrome is a lifelong condition, one that doesn’t end when childhood does, which is why consistent support and opportunities matter so much. “Ellie’s job empowers her. The team at her workplace sees her for what she brings to the table—her enthusiasm, her kindness, and her reliability. That’s what true inclusion looks like.”
He hopes more businesses follow that example, by offering people with Down syndrome not just compassion, but opportunity. “The best way communities can support individuals with Down syndrome is by giving them a chance to contribute; to work, to connect, to prove they can do anything they set their minds to.”
It’s that same belief in empowerment and inclusion that fuels Penn Station’s ongoing partnership with Down Syndrome Associations across the country. Through Deals for Down Syndrome, franchisees and their teams see firsthand how their efforts ripple through the communities they serve. For a $5 donation, guests receive a coupon booklet valued at more than $22, featuring four Penn Station offers. All proceeds from the campaign directly support Down Syndrome Associations across the country, expanding funding and access for educational resources, social programming, and job readiness initiatives like those that have shaped Ellie’s life.
In Greater Cincinnati, the DSAGC serves 12 counties, including parts of southern Indiana, and last year alone, it provided more than 800 hours of programming and served over 1,300 individuals with Down syndrome. According to Beth Smith, the Eexecutive Director of the DSAGC, the organization also logged more than 4,000 hours of volunteerism, all powered by a commitment to building inclusive, connected communities.
For Penn Station’s franchisees, Deals for Down Syndrome has become a unifying effort that transcends transactions. “Our system takes great pride in knowing that every coupon booklet sold, every conversation started, and every dollar donated is helping someone like Ellie live a fuller, more independent life,” Osterfeld says.
Penn Station franchisees, team members, and valued guests all play a role in ensuring organizations like the DSAGC can continue their impactful work. The impact is felt not only in the funds raised but, in the awareness built and the relationships strengthened through shared purpose.
Through Deals for Down Syndrome, Penn Station reaffirms that true community partnership means showing up consistently, compassionately, and with heart.