WHAT ’ S NEWS IN PINE-RICHLAND
AN EVENING OF SPARKLE FOR THOSE IN NEED : AUTISM CONNECTION OF PENNSYLVANIA ’ S 16TH ANNUAL GALA
The spectacular Carnegie Music Hall Foyer in Oakland was the perfect setting to celebrate volunteers and supporters at Autism Connection of Pennsylvania ’ s ( ACOPa ) 16th Annual Gala .
Elliot Frank , of Wexford , was presented with the Honorary Chairperson Award at the gala for his service at ACOPa for over a decade . Food , libations , entertainment , other special recognitions and auctions were also featured .
Proceeds benefited ACOPa , a privately funded nonprofit located in Etna , whose
Top left : Sewickley ’ s Charlie , Spencer and MJ Crane , Gala Organizer . Middle left : Luciana Randall , Executive Director of ACOPa . Middle right : Sewickley ’ s Steve Crane , Gala Organizer . Bottom left : Frank Coonelly , President of the Pittsburgh Pirates , and MJ Crane . Above : Senator Bob Casey , represented by Jordan Ball , recipient of the Special Honoree Award ; Elliott Frank , of Wexford , recipient of the Honorary Chairperson Award ; and Dr . Ralph F . Whilps , Jr ., of Forest Hills , recipient of the 2016 Grandin Award .
mission is to serve as a lifeline for families and autistic adults by providing support , information and advocacy .
GREYBROOKE GARDEN CLUB PROGRAMS
Regular meetings of Greybrooke Garden Club are held the second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a . m . in the Fellowship Hall of Parkwood Presbyterian Church located at 4289 Mt . Royal Blvd . in Hampton Township . The club ’ s members reside in various communities of the North Hills and guests are welcome at all meetings . A Spring Flower Arranging Workshop will be presented at the Mar . 8 meeting by club members who have served many years as National Council Master Flower Show judges . A business meeting precedes refreshments and the monthly program . For additional information , contact Barbro Kelley at 412.296.0538 .
SAINT SEBASTIAN SCHOOL COLLECTS BIBLES FOR INMATES More than 350 new Bibles will be distributed to inmates at the Allegheny County Jail , thanks to students at Saint Sebastian School in Ross Township .
The idea for the service project originated with Peyton Rihn , an eighth grader who serves as Student Council service director , a position she shares with seventh grader Rachel Sweeney . The students learned that the jail is in constant need of Bibles after a call was made to Reverend Kimberly Greway , director of chaplaincy services at the Allegheny County Jail . The jail currently houses more than 2,000 men and women .
The student council worked with teacher advisor Celeste Dickson to finalize the details of the project . As students are generally required to wear uniforms , the council sponsored a dress-down day as a way to raise money for the project .
“ We anticipated having more than one fundraiser and probably doing something more elaborate to raise this money ; however , once students and families heard what the money was going toward , they donated such a large amount that we only needed one quick fundraiser ,” says Dickson . “ The response to this cause was overwhelming , and many families have not just donated money , but also have donated additional Bibles .”
The school raised enough money to donate 360 new Bibles , approximately one per student at the school . Each will include a prayer card , and each child will sign his or her first name on the card . The Bibles will be distributed to the inmates through the jail ’ s chaplaincy office .
“ Both the kids on Student Council and the other students at Saint Sebastian have such big hearts and always want to help in charitable causes ,” says Dickson . “ They always come through for us when we have fundraisers for different causes , or help others in the community .”
COMMUNITY EVENTS AT THE PINE COMMUNITY CENTER
The following events will be taking place throughout the month of March at the Pine Community Center . For more information , visit twp . pine . pa . us / communitycenter / home . html .
St . Patrick ’ s Day Zumba Fundraiser
Party into St . Patrick ’ s Day with a fun-filled Zumba class at the Pine Community Center to benefit the Four Diamonds Fund . Visit fourdiamonds . org for more information . Date : Monday , March 13 Time : 6 to 7:30 p . m . Fee : $ 10 to $ 15 ( cash only ) * Purchase tickets in advance . * Limited tickets at the door .
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