WHAT’ S NEWS IN MCKEESPORT AREA
MCKEESPORT HOSPITAL GIFT SHOP CELEBRATES 90 YEARS
On Oct. 8, the McKeesport Hospital Gift Shop will mark its 90th anniversary with a special open house from 11 a. m. to 4 p. m. Community members are invited to join the celebration and thank the dedicated volunteers who have kept this tradition alive for nearly a century.
The Junior Committee, founded in 1935, began by painting beds, preparing bandages and raising funds through teas, fashion shows and the annual Holly Ball. Over the decades, their efforts expanded with a snack bar, Teen-Aides delivering treats to patients, hand-sewn puppets for the Pediatrics Department and even a nursing scholarship.
Since 1979, the gift shop has been located in the Prescott Building, where volunteers continue to provide flowers, gifts, snacks and more— all while raising vital funds for the hospital. To date, more than $ 3 million has been donated to support equipment and programs, such as a linear accelerator, MRI technology, oncology chairs and music therapy.
Today, the shop is staffed entirely by volunteers, with 25 active members led by manager Jean Collage. The open house will honor their service while celebrating 90 years of community support.
JOHN CINDRICH AUTHORS‘ FINLEY, THE FISH WHO LOVED FOOTBALL’
John Cindrich— a U. S. Army veteran who served in Italy, Iraq and Afghanistan— has swapped boots for books, bringing his storytelling talents to children’ s books. Formerly a staff writer for The Daily News of McKeesport and a finalist for the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania’ s Golden Quill Award, Cindrich focuses on young readers with his debut picture book,“ Finley, the Fish Who Loved Football.”
The quirky tale begins when Finley, a curious river fish, becomes obsessed with football after stumbling upon an old TV at the bottom of the water. With help from his inventive underwater friends, and scraps salvaged from a submerged junkyard, Finley embarks on an adventure.
Together, they dodge pumpkins, face boisterous fans at a stadium, and prove that friendship, creativity and determination can make even the most unlikely dream come true— especially when you’ re up to your gills in mayhem! Available now in print and e-book formats, find“ Finley, the Fish Who Loved Football” on platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kindle, Apple Books and more.
MICHAEL SEXAUER NAMED CEO OF HOLY FAMILY INSTITUTE; SISTER LINDA YANKOSKI BECOMES PRESIDENT EMERITA
Michael Sexauer— president of Holy Family Institute( HFI) since 2022— has been appointed chief executive officer, becoming the first lay leader in the organization’ s 125-year history. He succeeds Sister Linda Yankoski, CSFN, who becomes president emerita after over 40 years of service.
Sexauer, who joined HFI in 2015, previously served as executive director of the Holy Family Foundation and as chief operating officer. He brings extensive leadership experience and a commitment to HFI’ s mission of supporting vulnerable members of the Pittsburgh community. Sister Linda will continue as an advisor and ambassador for HFI and Nazareth Prep, a private Catholic high school.
The HFI board expressed gratitude for Sister Linda’ s visionary leadership as well as confidence in Sexauer’ s ability to guide the organization forward. Sexauer emphasizes expanding access to services, strengthening community partnerships and supporting families’ longterm success. n
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