IN McKeesport Summer 2019 | Page 32

Soap Box Derby takes to Eden Park Boulevard N early three dozen kids from across the region participated in the annual Greater Pittsburgh Soap Box Derby – racing down Eden Park Boulevard in front of McKeesport Area High School on June 17. This Father’s Day tradition includes races in the stock, superstock, and masters divisions, as well as a celebrity race for adults. The goals of the Soap Box Derby program have not changed since it began in 1934 – to teach youngsters the basic skills of workmanship, the spirit of competition, and the perseverance to continue a project once it has begun. This year’s winners are Aaron Cox, stock; Alta Bialon, superstock; and Stephen Westfall, masters. Firefighters raise funds for classroom safety The McKeesport Fire Department, in partnership with the McKeesport Police Department and local teachers, raised $22,000 in a May 5 fundraiser to benefit the McKeesport Firefighters Classroom Safety Initiative. Funds will be used to purchase five bulletproof vests for local police and coats for students at Twin Rivers and Francis McClure elementary schools and to provide safety upgrades to classrooms at Mary of Nazareth Catholic School. 30 MCKEESPORT AREA