IN McKeesport Fall 2019 | Page 32

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.