Semper Fidelis
celebrates 100 years
The Semper Fidelis Club of McKeesport
celebrated its centennial with a September
7 banquet honoring the organization’s
contributions to the community. The club’s
roots stretch back to 1919, when a group
of African-American housewives sought
to promote education, civic engagement,
and community leadership. Semper Fidelis,
which means “Always Faithful,” is best
known for its scholarship program, which
offers annual awards to top-performing
minority graduates of McKeesport Area
High School, and has fundraised for local
causes including the city’s hospital, library,
downtown area, and playgrounds. The club
has a long history of civil rights advocacy –
having hosted race relations meetings and
teas to open dialogue during both times
of turmoil and unity and to build a strong,
healthy community through outreach and
assistance.
Movies in
the Park
Thanks to funding through the
Allegheny Regional Asset District,
Mayor Michael Cherepko and the
McKeesport Recreation Board were
able to host a series of family-friendly
movies at the Lions Bandshell this
summer. Attendees enjoyed free
popcorn and drinks while watching the
movies from the bandshell lawn.
30
MCKEESPORT AREA
Men of Valor distribute backpacks
to McKeesport youth
Mayor Michael Cherepko had the opportunity to partner with the Men of Valor
mentoring group to distribute more than 200 backpacks to McKeesport Area students
before the start of the 2019-20 school year. On August 18, families attended giveaway
events at Harrison Village, Crawford Village, and the McKeesport Ambulance Rescue
Service base on Evans Avenue. They enjoyed free hot dogs and drinks, and school-aged
students received backpacks full of school supplies.