Hope
Love
CITY OF MCKEESPORT NEWS
cKeesport
When she started hearing about the uncertainty of the 2019-20 school year,
Tasha Chism was like any other McKeesport Area senior parent. She wondered how
her son, Kevonte Simpson, would be affected by a lack of in-school time or how he
would react to the elimination of experiences that make up so many seniors’ dreams.
Tasha knew she couldn’t bring back the prom or a full-scale graduation ceremony,
but instead of dwelling on what could have been, she stepped up and made the most of
an unprecedented situation.
Tasha created the McKeesport Tiger Seniors group on Facebook and encouraged
community members to “adopt” a senior to shower with gift baskets and other gestures
to help them get past the disappointment of missing out on the senior year they
expected to enjoy.
“I felt so bad for the kids,” Tasha recalled. “I kept wondering, ‘What can we do for
them to help them realize that everyone loves them, and everyone is here for them?’
This is their senior year with or without some of those ‘normal’ experiences.”
She invited parents to join the group. Those parents invited their friends and
neighbors. McKeesport Area High School provided Tasha with a list of more than 200
seniors, and from there, the adoption program took off.
Adopted students were surprised at home – sometimes by familiar faces, and
sometimes by strangers – with balloons, gift cards, McKeesport Area spirit wear, and
unique gifts for their special interests. Participants shared photos of the gift giving so
that the public could join in the celebrations with Facebook likes and words
of encouragement.
“The kids enjoyed this so much,” Tasha said. “At the senior parade, they were
stopping and waving their hands and screaming, ‘Thank you!’ They’re all great kids and
this experience is making them stronger. If it wasn’t for McKeesport coming together,
this wouldn’t have happened. These kids know their community is behind them.”
Tasha always has supported student programs as her children came through the
school district. A McKeesport Area graduate, herself, Tasha has been proud to volunteer.
In recent years, she has organized away-game meals for the Tigers football team.
Members of the McKeesport community may also know Tasha for her work with Waters
Funeral Home.
The word “agape” is used to describe the notion of love, specifically the love that is shown
when individuals give selflessly for the benefit of others. When Kelly and Mike Doyle
formed the McKeesport Agape Center, its ministry was born from that concept of agape,
which requires faithfulness, commitment, and sacrifice without expecting anything
in return.
The McKeesport Agape Center was incorporated on December 31, 2019. As local business
owners of Doyle Mails It along Lincoln Way and administrators of a White Oak Facebook
page, the Doyles have regular contact with the public. Every so often they would be asked
for a connection to resources for food and self-care, and the McKeesport Agape Center would
meet that need.
“We knew we wanted to do something for our community, and we started to do a little
bit of outreach,” Kelly said. “When COVID happened, our service went from helping a few
families to helping fifty almost instantly.”
Being able to provide for the McKeesport community, as well as others across
the Mon Valley, brings a sense of purpose to the Doyles’ lives. They said their faith as
nondenominational Christians has guided them through the process of serving those
in need.
“A lot of people ponder about the meaning of life, and they really don’t know what it
is,” Mike said. “I’ve done a lot of things in my life, and they were just events. I’ve received
awards and accomplished things in my work as an engineer, but I don’t feel that that’s my
purpose. I think if you’re doing something to help the world, then that’s your purpose.”
The Doyles make weekly connections with 412 Food Rescue and other agencies that
distribute produce, bread, and other perishable foods throughout the Greater Pittsburgh
region. Currently, a nonperishable food drive is taking place at Doyle Mails It,
1133 Lincoln Way.
“Every person who asks for help has an incredible story,” Kelly said. “I am inspired by the
things they are overcoming. The actual people we meet are what keeps us going
every week.”
The McKeesport Agape Center is always in need of volunteers to help in packing and
delivering food. For more information on how to help, reach out to the McKeesport Agape
Center on Facebook.
organizations, we will find acts of kindness for which we all can be proud.
Living the Message awards are intended to showcase these individuals and
give the community an opportunity to share its good news. Awards are given
quarterly. Using 250 words or fewer, describe how the individual of your choice
embodies one of the four words.
For more information, contact the mayor’s office at 412-675-5020, ext. 605.
Nominations can be mailed to the mayor’s assistant Jennifer Vertullo, 500 Fifth
Avenue, McKeesport, PA 15132, or emailed to [email protected].
The deadline for the next round of nominations is September4, 2020.
MCKEESPORT AREA ❘ SUMMER 2020 21