Why we do what we do!

Each year we adopt a family that needs help to make a better holiday for them. This year we adopted a family of eight, dad, mom, and six kids.

A little about our adopted family

For privacy, all names have been removed. If any members would like more information, please contact Missy or Evan.

Dad lost his arm and is not working or collecting Social Security at this time. Mom lost her job due to time off needed to help her husband through this difficult time while also raising 6 children. As you might understand, Mom ended up in the hospital due to the stress and the emotional toll life was taking on her and her family. Currently dad is getting back on his feet going on interviews and looking for work. Even if he finds employment soon, the holiday season is right around the corner and they are still in dire need of assistance.

Mom and dad were in the Salvation Army office applying for Christmas assistance. When they started listing their children they had such kind, nice remarks about each child. Their face lit up with love as they humbly asked The Salvation Army for help!

From Missy:

I want to take a moment and share with you all my experience this morning. I made an appointment to go to The Salvation Army to drop off the gift to "our adopted family". Those of you who may have missed it...we were able to give $2,000 to our adopted family of 8.

When I got there, the social worker at TSA said she was going to drive to the family's house to bring them down to accept the gift personally. Their one vehicle for the whole family broke down over the weekend. Boy, I was nervous to meet them!

I was waiting in Captain Carters office and heard them coming in the office door. A very nice looking and young (30 years old each) walked through door looking quite humble.

I told them I had some very generous friends and we collected money to adopt thier family and I handed her the card. Before even looking at it she started to cry and said what a nice thing this was. He had tears in his eyes too. When they opened the card and saw how much was there - they both continued crying. After thanks and hugs - she looked at her husband and said..."honey, now we can go get a Christmas tree". Dad went on to explain that they didn't know what they were going to do this year, their 4 year old daughter kept asking when they would put up the tree!

We did a great thing for this special family! I found a little more about the family. About 15 years ago at age 15, the high school sweethearts became pregnant. 15 years later (today) they are still together and raising their now 6 children. Life has been tough...11 years ago dad lost his arm in a freak household electrocution. He wasn't working at the time. Everyday, they look for jobs and stay positive! 

This family is going to make it - and they are happier today because of what we did! Thank you! ~missy

...and this my friends is why we do what we do!

John McDonald Featured in Trop Rock Songs, Stories and Tales

SCF Co-founder and Trop Rock artist John McDonald is featured in “Trop Rock Songs, Stories and Tales” by Andy Forsyth. The club is also mentioned in the book. The book is available with or without the CD, which includes John McDonald and the Mango Men's “Lose My Head, Come to My Senses.” The book is available from Green World Gallery.

Steel City Fins article in August 2011 North Hills Monthly Magazine

A Message from Lieutenant Colonel Randy Batiste (Somewhere in Kuwait)

Added with Randy's permission

Duty here in Kuwait is really not bad. Its not very dangerous here and our primary mission is to run a base camp. Soldiers transition through here on their way into Iraq. We provide security and oversee the contracting for life support. All the important things like making sure they are keeping the toilets/portajohns  and showers clean, trucking in the water, running the dining facility and the support yard which provides bottled water and MREs among other things.

USO brings concerts here periodically; we have a meet and greet with the acts, then take them on a tour of the camp. I’ve got to meet Joan Jett, Kelly Pickler, Charlie Wilson (from the Gap Band) and Smash Mouth. They all put on great shows. I’ll have some more pics for you all soon but here’s a few. Oh I did get promoted to Lieutenant Colonel here also. I grew a Pencil Thin Mustache but got tired of it and finally shaved it LOL. You all can email me at this address anytime. I’m sorry I didn’t contact you all sooner, but I promise I’ll be better about staying in touch. I have 2 weeks of leave, which I’m going to try and schedule around Buffett’s appearance at Starlake. I wish he’d hurry and set a date! But our last leave cycle is in July so if its August I’ll have to miss the show this year. We should be back in the states early Sept. Half way thru this and I cant wait until its done! I miss you all. TTYS

Randy and Joan Jett		Randy and Kelly Pickler
"Buffalo Jills (cheerleaders) were here and one of them was a Steeler fan! So I got her to sign my Terrible Towel."		"Our doc is a Patriots fan so me and our food service sergeant took a photo of us abusing him with our towels. So we're having SOME fun here."
"I was driving down the road one day and that camel was standing right there just looking at me lol."		Border
Received March 26, 2011-This sandstorm came up with no warning yesterday about 1700 (5PM) It was unbelievable. It got pitch dark like night immediately, although the sun sets about 1830 now. It lasted about 3 hours. I had just gone to my trailer after work, getting ready to go toss the baseball around a little when I saw this HUGE wall of sand.

The Steel City Fins-The Pittsburgh Parrot Head Club, Inc., is a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation 501(c)(7). 

2010 Form 990-EZ Income Tax Return | 2009 Form 990-EZ Income Tax Return 

SCF members Mike Polombo, Karen Murray, and Sherry Carpenter wrote an article about our club and submitted it to Margaritaville Key West. The article is featured on the Parrot Head Clubs section of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Key West Website.

Read article

http://www.margaritavillekeywest.com/index.php?page=phc_month_pitts

GREAT JOB!!!