Car Seat from North Hills Community Outreach Secures Baby, Gives Mom Peace-of-Mind

The safety of our clients and their families is paramount to NHCO. For that reason, we provide free baby car seats to parents of young kids. Amber is a single mother of three kids; six, two and 11 months. She recently picked up her second free car seat through NHCO’s Transportation Assistance Program at our North Boroughs Office.

“Getting a brand-new car seat that you know is RELIABLE for your babies is a major relief and I’m beyond grateful for how they’ve helped me,” Amber said.

"We do whatever we can to honor car seat requests," said Dan Wonders, Transportation Assistance Program Manager. "They're required for a newborn to leave the hospital. And no wonder, studies show car seats cut the risk of an infant dying in a car crash by 71%."

The program helps individuals stabilize transportation to support employment, job search, or education and vocational training. Many clients, including Amber, can receive gas cards to help with travel costs.

“I’m BEYOND grateful, things are so expensive, and motherhood is so stressful sometimes especially when you’re struggling with money,” Amber added.

Learn more about the program at NHCO.org/transportation-assistance.

Vehicle donations fuel this program! Simply donate your unwanted car - pickup or towing is free! All funds raised through auctioning the car go towards helping our clients with transportation-related costs. Learn more at NHCO.org/donate-your-car, or contact Dan at 412-487-6316 x3225, djwonders@NHCO.org.

Teamwork and energy drove a collection that yielded more than 5,000 food items and $10,000 for NHCO.

“At Jim Shorkey Auto Group, our employees take pride in stepping up for the community, and this food drive was no exception. It’s truly inspiring to see our team come together to support neighbors in need, especially during the holiday season,” said Communications Specialist Kenzie Lanetz.

The collection was a collaboration with all their North Hills locations: North Hills CDJR, Kia Wexford, North Hills Mitsubishi, North Hills Chevrolet and North Hills Toyota.

Their employees rallied together to contribute to this worthy cause. To boost participation, they dispatched email blasts and text messages, shared flyers, posted on their company-wide communication platform and engaged on social media.

“We’re especially grateful for the leadership and enthusiasm of our General Managers Erich Schoenberger, Nolan Brink, Tim Ferraro, Mike Rossi and Duane Guthrie—who motivated their teams to contribute and helped create a culture of giving throughout the drive,” Kenzie said.

Would you like to hold a fundraiser for NHCO? We’re happy to help if you’d like. Please contact Scott Shaffer at sshaffer@nhco.org or 412-487-6316 x3110

Bell Ringers Brave Wind and Cold to Fill Up Red Kettles

Two hundred and nine volunteers jingled all the way for NHCO’s Salvation Army Campaign outside Kuhn’s in Allison Park and Walmart in Gibsonia. Some rocked the guitar, plucked the ukulele, puffed the trombone and caroled the classics. Others dressed like Frosty, Old Saint Nick, the Grinch or a Gingerbread Man. They all braved the cold (and sometimes downright blustery) elements to raise more than $19,000.

Brandon, a youth volunteer and first-time bell ringer, is already looking forward to the next holiday season. "We had a lovely time and really earned some money for those who will need it. I hope to do it again soon or at least next year."

"Individually, this devotion of each volunteer clearly demonstrated the NHCO philosophy of people helping people," said Harriet Klatte, NHCO Volunteer Coordinator.

Let’s give a harmonious cheer to everyone who made this joyous event a chiming success!

“The most interesting rider has been Betty, a 90-something year old Army veteran from WWII, who has lived many different lifetimes in different places,” they said. “We also got to know Bob who is a professional Santa Clause when the mood strikes him, or a costumed ghoul around Halloween. And Tom is a retired rock guitarist who, like a lot of them, still has the spirit but doesn't get to perform much

these days.”

For seven years the dynamic husband and wife duo have been driving older adults to doctor’s appointments, grocery stores, restaurants and more as part of FRFS. They logged more than 1,800 miles - the distance from Pittsburgh to Las Vegas, NV. But they recently retired from volunteering and hope others will take the wheel.

“There will be some big shoes to fill, but we are optimistically looking for caring individuals to volunteer," said Tracy Elway, FRFS Coordinator. “They spent the last seven to eight years caring for their community by working together to not just provide transportation, but provide friendship, stability, community and hope to older adults on the shuttle.”

This service is a vital resource, providing much-needed transportation that is growing in demand. Our volunteers make it possible to meet this rising need, which means we need YOU! No special license is needed for drivers. Co-pilots receive calls, help the driver with navigation and assist passengers with walkers when needed.

Interested? Please contact Tracy at 412-449-0151 or tlelway@NHCO.org.

Caring Donor Makes the Holiday Season Brighter for a Struggling Mother

Through NHCO’s Holiday Toy Shop, 34 volunteers distributed approximately $100,000 worth of gifts to 334 families, including 826 kids.

One mother was especially grateful for the NHCO Toy Shop. She has three kids – six, 10 and 13 years old. Her youngest recently rang the bell after beating a rare form of cancer, making this holiday season an extra special occasion. She also cares for her disabled brother, and her husband has a chronic condition that limits his ability to work. While she works, she still needed help bringing holiday joy to her family.

Vicki Burstynowicz, who oversees NHCO’s Sharing Projects, sympathized with her situation and connected her with a donor who was looking for a family to support with toys. The donor gifted the mother with a holiday shopping spree.

“It was the best Christmas we ever had. All the kids got exactly what they wanted and were so happy,” the mother said. “We gave the donor a thank you card. Wish we could do more for her. It was a blessing to have such a wonderful experience.”

In the past, her kids also received winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves through NHCO’s Winter Coat Collection. They got backpacks and other school necessities through our Back to School Collection.

“And I want to thank Vicki especially since she's the one who made this all happen. She is such a saint,” she said.

Learn how you can help with NHCO’s Sharing Projects at NHCO.org/sharing-project-donations.

New Orchard Takes Root at NHCO Garden

Members from Tree Pittsburgh and volunteers from Accenture spent a Saturday morning last fall planting trees and setting up fencing at NHCO's community garden in Bellevue. Their efforts will bloom into a lush fruit orchard, a first at our garden.

“This was one of my favorite days ever at the garden,” said Kate Robson, NHCO Garden Coordinator. “There were so many amazing people who helped transform what was once a weedy vacant lot into a beautiful, productive orchard. What an awesome accomplishment!”

They planted a variety of trees that will begin yielding fruit as they mature. Some are already more than two years old, so NHCO might harvest a few peaches, apples and figs this year. Others, like blueberries, persimmons, and papaws, will take longer.

“It will take three to five years before these plants reach maturity, but it will be one of the most beautiful orchards in the North Hills,” Kate boasted.

Tree Pittsburgh, who donated the trees, is an environmental nonprofit that focuses on urban gardening and education. They approached Kate last year about planting the orchard. They researched the best planting practices, including tree orientation and spacing. They also picked disease resistant plants that can yield copious quantities of fruit. 

Learn more about NHCO’s Rosalinda Sauro Sirianni Garden at NHCO.org/garden.

Events and Fundraisers NHCO.org/fundraisers

Please visit NHCO.org/volunteer to see how you can volunteer with NHCO.

If you're interested in volunteering and/or have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Harriet Klatte
Volunteer Coordinator
412-487-6316 x3204
hzklatte@nhco.org

Group and youth volunteer opportunities are also available.

NHCO's Sharing Projects and Other Ways to Help

Sharing Project and food donations can be dropped off at any of our three offices Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm. Our Allison Park location also accepts donations the first Saturday of the month between 9am-noon.

Sharing Winter Warmth

Help neighbors in need stay warm and keep and lights on. During the winter months, NHCO provides assistance in paying these bills to more than 500 vulnerable seniors, disabled adults and families.

Make a gift at NHCO.org/donate and have your contribution go towards "Sharing Projects."

Personal Care Collection, February 5 - April 5

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits cannot be used to purchase personal care items. NHCO collects these items and gives them to families and individuals who use our food pantries.

You can order items from our Amazon Wishlist and have them sent directly to our office. Or hold a collection and deliver them to any of our three offices Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm.

We are collecting full size:

• Lip Balm

• Dental Floss

• Shaving Cream

• Toothpaste

• Toothbrushes

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Washcloth or Loofa

• Deodorant

• Body Lotion*

• Bar of Soap*

• Shower Gel*

* Unscented preferred

Your Legacy has a Home at NHCO

North Hills Community Outreach's Legacy Society welcomes those who have included NHCO in their estate plans. This opportunity allows donors to leave a lasting impact to our organization and the community we serve.

We offer four ways to include NHCO in your planned giving

• Bequest - Designate a dollar amount or percentage of your estate that will be given to NHCO in your will.

• Life Insurance - You can name the North Hills Community Outreach as the primary beneficiary to receive all or part of the proceeds of your policy.

• Retirement Fund Assets - You can designate the North Hills Community Outreach to receive all or a portion of your qualified retirement assets.

• Endowment of The Pittsburgh Foundation - We are pleased to offer our donors and supporters many different options for planned giving through this Fund.

Learn more by contacting NHCO Executive Director Scott Shaffer at sshaffer@nhco.org or 412-487-6316 x3110

Office Supplies are our Power Tools

Please visit our Amazon Wishlist and have the items delivered directly to NHCO to support the important work in our offices.

Seven Easy Ways to Donate

1. NHCO.org/donate

2. Text NHCO to 44-321

3. Call our staff accountant to make a donation over the phone: Lin Kostura, 412-487-6316 x3131

4. Send a check to:
North Hills Community Outreach
1975 Ferguson Road
Allison Park, PA 15101

5. Corporate Matching Gifts - Multiply your gift with a donation match from your employer. Visit NHCO.org/matching-gifts to see if your donation will be matched. Learn more at NHCO.org/corporate-matching-gifts

6. Become a monthly donor. It's easy and automatic. Please visit NHCO.org/donate and choose "monthly."

Thank You Notes!

"Thank you for the gifts for my son! You've provided such joy when I otherwise couldn’t."

A mother who received gifts from our Toy Shop

"I just wanted to reach out and say THANK YOU SO MUCH. I was not expecting all of that, I am completely blown away. I am so grateful for you guys! Have a Merry Christmas."

A mother who received gifts from our Toy Shop

"That's great news. Thank you for all your help, Calvin. You guys at NHCO are doing great things for so many people, keep up the great blessings you are providing."

A Utility Assistance client’s note to one of our Resource Coordinators

"Thank you again for all the work you faithfully do to help our senior community (and the entire community, too)."

An older adult in our In Service of Seniors Program

"I’m at a loss for words which can adequately convey the depth of gratitude for your generosity and kindness."

An older adult in our In Service of Seniors Program