INPERSON
The
Giving
Spirit
Thomas Jefferson
Youth Baseball
League player
makes a big hit on
opening day.
BY W.B. FRESA
14 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | West Jefferson Hills
Tracy and Steve Brnusak with their sons, Andy (left) and Ben.
T
his past Christmas, seven-year-old Andy Brnusak participated in his school’s pajama
drive, an event created to teach kids about the spirit of giving during the holidays. It
was the first time Andy had participated in something like this and it clearly made
an impression. Little did he know, his enthusiasm for the act of giving has now benefited
children almost 2,000 miles away.
“It’s basically what any mother wants her child to be—kind, caring and compassionate
toward others,” says Tracy Brnusak, Andy’s mom. “After the pajama drive, Andy asked if
there was something else he could do to help more people. I told him we would definitely
think of something.”
And with that simple request, Brnusak began the task of researching organizations
in the Pittsburgh area benefiting children. She found several but wanted to ensure that
her son could be as excited about the process as he was about the act of giving back.
That’s when she realized whatever they did had to include baseball, Andy’s favorite sport.
Putting the two goals together, Brnusak’s search led her to Roberto’s Kids, an organization
dedicated to continuing the legacy and commitment to social responsibility of the late
Pittsburgh Pirates player Roberto Clemente.
Roberto’s Kids works with baseball leagues, charitable organizations, individuals and
retailers to collect and distribute new and gently worn baseball equipment to Third-World
countries in Latin America.
“It was the perfect match,” says Brnusak. “We decided to hold a baseball equipment
drive to help kids who don’t have the means to buy the gear they need.”
She took her idea to Greg Rubinoff, board member of the Thomas Jefferson Youth
Baseball League where her son plays, and he loved it.
After contacting Roberto’s Kids, Brnusak was introduced to Steve Pindar, an
organization representative in New York. He walked her through the process of how the
equipment drive works and how it directly benefits those in need. He also introduced
her to Patricia Shronce. Shronce is native to Nicaragua and she and her husband used
their retirement savings to open Hope Bilingual Academy in Nicaragua, which helps
impoverished children ages three to 16. It is their school and children benefiting from
Andy’s equipment drive.