Hope
This summer marked the tenth anniversary of McKeesport’ s Village for Kids, which precedes International Village with a day of free food, entertainment, games, and other activities for children of all ages. For the past ten years, Alison K.
Piccolino has co-chaired the event – making sure children from across the Mon Valley are the center of attention for a full day of fun in Renziehausen Park.
Piccolino’ s passion for community service and government and politics started at a very young age as she watched her father, Phil Krivacek, former Mayor of Duquesne. She learned that being involved is an opportunity to help others, to make a positive difference in your community, and to be an example by staying honest, humble and proud of where you came from.
Piccolino is the District Director for State Senator James R. Brewster – a role that combines her passion for community service with the government relations that make events such as the Village for Kids possible.
“ Not only is the Village for Kids a fun, memorable experience each year, but I’ m impressed with how strong the community support remains after ten years,” Piccolino said.“ The upbeat atmosphere of the Village for Kids is contagious! It’ s evident in every single person and activity throughout the day.”
Volunteers credit Piccolino with maintaining the event’ s vibrancy – calling her a dedicated volunteer and a natural leader.
In addition to her work with the Village for Kids, Piccolino serves as vice president of the McKeesport Trail Commission and a member of the Mon River Fleet. She served as volunteer coordinator for the Wall That Heals and event coordinator of Going for the Goal Sprint Triathlon. Past service includes the YMCA McKeesport, YMCA Greater Pittsburgh, YMCA Wilmerding, Carlow University Alumni Board of Directors, Healthy Start, Inc., and Steel Valley Authority.
Love
At Christy Park United Methodist Church, Jackie Flajnik and Stu Wilson operate a youth program known
as Celebrity Kids Kitchen, which brings children from the community into the church for fellowship, fun, and food.
What began as a pilot program led by Dianna Smith, Flajnik and Wilson developed Celebrity Kids Kitchen as a means to encourage youth involvement in the church and an opportunity for families to share new, positive experiences.
“ They’ re learning everything from reading the recipes to making the products,” Wilson said.“ They measure everything. We let them do everything themselves that’ s appropriate for their ages.”
Participants have made pies, cookies, and other treats for church bake sales and special events. They’ ve made pasta from scratch. In October, they will make the bread for World Communion Sunday events in the McKeesport Shared Ministries network of Methodist churches.
“ God gave each of us a gift,” Flajnik said.“ Stu and I are in the kitchen with these kids because that’ s what we have to offer, but we aren’ t just teaching them to cook. They’ re doing something they enjoy that makes them feel good about themselves.”
Each month, participants are entertained by a celebrity guest. They’ ve had visits from magicians, news anchors, and community members. Flajnik and Wilson said they want to keep children and parents engaged in the program, especially if the cooking experience or guest speakers can help them find their paths in life.
“ We’ ve had people tell us their kids come home wanting to bake more,” Wilson said.“ They share what they learned, and they talk about it with their families.”
Celebrity Kids Kitchen takes place each month, with the next event set for October 1 featuring Brenda Waters of KDKA-TV. For more information, contact Christy Park United Methodist Church at 412.672.2785.
CITY OF MCKEESPORT NEWS
cKeesport 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 jen. vertullo @ mckeesport-pa. gov. The deadline for the next round of nominations is November 2, 2018.
MCKEESPORT AREA ❘ FALL 2018 29