What’s been happening around Pittsburgh during the holidays? Check out these photos to see how local organizations and community members are celebrating with cheer!
by Rachel Jones
96.1 KISS’ STUFF A BUS
Photograph from 96.1 KISS
The 96.1 KISS Morning Freak Show’s Mikey and Big Bob collected donated toys for their annual Stuff A Bus event. This year’s event filled 34 buses for the Marine’s Toys for Tots.
FAIRMONT PITTSBURGH + ANIMAL FRIENDS TREE-LIGHTING
Photograph from Ben Petchel
Fairmont Pittsburgh hosted a tree-lighting ceremony to benefit Animal Friends to celebrate the holidays and collect donated pet products. Fairmont Pittsburgh Public Relations Manager Julie Abramovic, Fairmont Pittsburgh’s Director of Operations Jean-Francois Lincourt, FP’s Director of Sales and Marketing Brian Calder, Animal Friends volunteer Darlene Oshop with Dawn, AF volunteer Andrew Lotz with Lightning, and AF volunteer Lindsey Smith with Gage, admired the non-traditional holiday tree.
PLAY IT FORWARD PITTSBURGH TOY DRIVE
Photograph from Allie Wynands, Point Park News Service
Play it Forward Pittsburgh provided gently used toys, books, and stuffed animals to more than 2,000 local children. The toy drive collected 20,000 toys — four times more than last year’s turnout.
EDGAR SNYDER & ASSOCIATES’ COLORING CONTEST
Réka Götz won the grand prize at the Ninth Annual Edgar Snyder & Associates’ “My Holiday Wish” Coloring Contest. Edgar Snyder & Associates donated $1,000 to Réka’s school, Marshall Elementary, and presented her with a $250 gift card.
POINSETTIAS AND POINTE SHOES
Pre-professional students Marissa Grylwalski and Sean Sessions of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School danced the night away at Poinsettias and Pointe Shoes: A Night of Nutcracker in the Garden. Grylwalski and Sessions play the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier in “The Nutcracker.”
STRONG FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Kim Epp Frenette and Karen East of the Wise Women of South Hills e-Journal hosted “Strong for the Holidays,” which raised more than $1,000 for Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Wise Women profiles successful women in the South Hills area.
OMNI WILLIAM PENN CHANDELIERS
The Omni William Penn toasted its staff members after the annual cleaning of the hotel’s historical, crystal chandeliers.
ROTARY CLUB OF FOX CHAPEL’S HOLIDAY PARTY
Arnie von Waldow, Fox Chapel Rotary President Mary Lee Gannon, Treasurer Terry Gerst, and Gerst’s husband Bill enjoyed the Rotary Club of Fox Chapel Area’s Holiday Party at the Pittsburgh Field Club. A portion of the party’s proceeds went to the Fox Chapel Area High School Madrigal Singers.
THE WARHOL’S “NAUGHTY OR NICE” BASH
Artist Jeremy Kost; Eric Shiner, The Warhol Museum’s director; and Nicholas Chambers, The Warhol’s Milton Fine Curator of Art, attended The Warhol Museum’s “Naughty or Nice” Holiday Bash. Drag queen Sharon Needles hosted the bash.
DUQUESNE LIGHT SANTA SPECTACULAR
Bill Rehkopf and John Shumway of NewsRadio 1020 KDKA, Melanie Taylor of 100.7 Star, and Paul Alexander and Vinnie Richichi of 93.7 The Fan celebrated the holidays at the 14th Annual Duquesne Light Santa Spectacular.
THE AMEN CORNER AWARD
Amen Corner President Mary Sue Ramsden presented Auditor General Jack Wagner with The Amen Corner Award for Outstanding Leadership at the group’s annual holiday party. Incoming President Eric Wagner was also recognized at the party.
HOWARD HANNA “CHOWCHOW” LUNCHEON
Hoddy Hanna, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services CEO, and Albert Lexie, “the show shine man” from Children’s Hospital, attended the Howard Hanna Corporate Office Annual “ChowChow” Luncheon to benefit the Children’s Free Care Fund. The event raised more than $50,000.
SHARE THE SPIRIT OPEN HOUSE
Photograph from Dave Slusarick
A Christmas elf is flanked by event attendees during the Share the Spirit holiday open house at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Easton, Pa. From left to right: Marissa Dowling, Taylor Hackley, Dave Slusarick, and Darla Dowling. The event committee surpassed its fundraising goal of $10,000, which was allocated to five nonprofit partners. Guests enjoyed music from rock-funk ensemble Abacus Jones, gourmet food donated by a dozen local chefs, and special visits from Santa Claus and WTAE-TV’s Mike Clark.
