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 Mary.

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!

Donation Request

If your organization is interested in applying for a grant from the Steel City Fins - The Pittsburgh Parrot Head Club, Inc. please download the Donation Request Form.

Volunteer Request

If your organization is looking for volunteers to help with a project or upcoming event, please contact the PPHC Volunteer Coordinator Mary Cortazzo.

Submitting Volunteer Hours

Email your volunteer hours to: Anita Bocan

Submit your volunteer hours via the email form, which sends directly to Anita. http://www.steelcityfins.org/volunteer_form.php

You can Download the Volunteer Form, fill out and email back to Anita, or give to her at the meeting.

Please email any of your volunteer hours (or suggestions!!) to Anita Bocan

Ongoing collections at our monthly meeting:

• Since 1993, Ronald McDonald House- hot meals are delivered to the house quarterly after the March, June, September, & December meetings to be served the next day. Try to save your Pop Tops for the months listed above, they will be dropped in a bin at the House.
  
• Since 2002, Ink Cartridges - turned in for cash donation for the MS Service Society. Contact Sally Balogh
  
• Since 2008, Glasses - turned in to local Lion's Club for distribution to needy. Contact Sally Balogh
  
• Since 2002, Cell phones - donated to an Monroeville Public Library. The phones are recycled, and the money received benefits the library.
  Contact Kathy Karelitz
• Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank – Cereal (high fiber, low sugar), Tuna, Canned Salmon (packed in water), Vegetable Juice (100%, any size), Canned Beans, Canned Vegetables, Peanut Butter, Canned fruit, Toilet, Facial Tissue, Laundry Detergent, Diapers (baby & adult), ANY trial size toiletries, Make-up and personal hygene Samples, Non-perishable items only, PLEASE NO GLASS ITEMS. Drop Off Locations  If you drop off item to your local drop off site, please be sure to sign the sheet or let Anita know so you get credit.
  

Special volunteer opportunities with special organizations:

• Ronald McDonald House - hot meals are delivered to the house quarterly after the March, June, September, & December meetings to be served the next day. Try to save your Pop Tops for the months listed above, they will be dropped in a bin at the House when we drop off our dinner donations.
  
• Alzheimer's Association - October Memory Walk
  
• Gilda's House – November Thanksgiving Dinner (Darlene Bittner)
  
• Toys for Tots – November & December Toy Collection (Dede & Byron Ruth)
  
• Pittsburgh Blues Festival – Summer event benefits the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank 
  
• Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix – Summer event benefits the Autism Society of Pittsburgh & Allegheny Valley School
  
• Project Bundle Up - October shopping trips and December telethon benefits The Salvation Army

Guidelines for items donated and volunteered time

Donated items brought in to the monthly membership meeting will be recorded as points and events that we do will be reported as time. We will give credit each month to the person who had the most points for items donated and volunteered the most time.
Married cannot combine items brought in. In other words if you brought in pop tabs then only one of you will get credit. If you brought in two items you can alternate who gets the credit if you want. This will make it fair for everyone. We only get credited time for those events that are in the meeting minutes. Events credited for time:

• Sell 50/50 at Meeting ½ hr
• Hand out give away tickets ½ hr
• Recruit a new member ½ hour
• Deliver items collected at the meetings ½ hour
• Monthly Meeting 1 hour
• Attend a bar crawl 1 hour
• Attend a social 1 hour
• Attend St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2 hours
• Plan a volunteer event 2 hours
• Participate in a volunteer event - Hours need to be sent to Anita
• Chinese auction items (collect) 4 hrs
• Plan a Social (bar crawl, happy hour, get together, etc)- 8 hours
• Cabin Fever Committee Chair (Yearly) 30 hours
• Alzheimer’s Walk at the Zoo (Oct) - Hours need to be sent to Anita
• Gilda’s House Dinner (Nov) - Hours need to be sent to Anita

Any volunteer event that is presented at a meeting and other club members are given the opportunity to participate in ~ is a PPHC Club approved Volunteer Event. If you plan or participate, please send your hours to Anita. (in writing if you do not have e-mail).
If you volunteer on your own for a local organization and you are clearly representing the Pittsburgh Parrot Head Club ~ Steel City Fins – we ask you to schedule a time for either you or an organization representative to speak to the club and invite others to participate. Once this is presented to the club as a whole – you may submit your hours to Anita.

Collections - Monthly

• MS SOCIETY~ Sally Balogh - Printer ink cartridges
• LIONS CLUB ~ John Balogh Eye glasses
• GREATER PITTTSBURGH FOOD BANK ~ Barb Campbell - pantry items, toiletries
• Eye Glasses, Ink Cart, Cell Phones, Akita Rescue, Food Bank, Global Links, 1 pt
• Toys for Tots (yearly) 4 Points

If there are any questions about the guidelines for donated items and time feel free to ask Anita.