close

Local teams unite to aid hurricane victims

By Eleanor Bailey 3 min read
1 / 4

Sharon Rogers drops off donations for Hurricane Harvey victims from the Bethel Park football boosters to Brian Matthews.

2 / 4

Vivian Merideth, Jamie Ross, Heather and Brian Matthews man the donation table, which included T-shirt sales for victims of Hurricane Harvey, outside the gates at Peters Township High School stadium.

3 / 4

Brian Matthews loads boxes of donations into his Progressive Mobility and truck.

4 / 4

Brian Matthews and Sharon Rogers.

Jamie Ross of Venetia knows what it is like to lose almost everything. At the end of July, her home was flooded. The basement was submerged in three feet of water after a storm dropped a few inches of rain onto the ground.

“We lost everything,” she said.

The family had to replace the water tank, heater, washer, dryer, even beloved Christmas decorations. Thank goodness, they said, the basement was unfinished.

So it was with compassion and eagerness that Ross and her daughter, Katie, along with several other concerned citizens of Peters Township took up a collection immediately after Hurricane Harvey struck Texas. The first fundraiser was so successful – more than three pallets of supplies were collected – that another was held Sept. 8 before Peters Township hosted rival Bethel Park in football.

Vivian Merideth, whose daughter, Olivia, is also a cheerleader, joined forces with Heather and Brian Matthews. The McMurray couple, which also has a daughter, Morgan, on the cheerleading squad, own and operate the Progressive Mobility and Medical store located on Cameron Road in Washington.

In addition to lending trucks to load supplies gathered from the fundraiser, they donated red T-shirts created for the cause. All the proceeds from the 125 shirts sold at $10 each was donated to the hurricane relief cause.

“We sprang into action,” Heather Matthews said. “We thought it was a great way to get involved in the community and help those people who have suffered so much.”

In comparison to what she has gone through, Jamie Ross added, “I can’t imagine what it’s like going through that. They lost everything.”

From paper products to diapers, from food stocks to cleaning supplies, Sharon Rogers of Bethel Park dropped off more than a dozen bags filled with “essentials” before her Hawks prevailed over the Indians, 28-7. The Bethel Park Football Boosters donated more than $250 worth of supplies.

“These is a great way for neighboring communities to get together, pitch in and help in the relief efforts,” Rogers said. “It’s not much because they need so much but it’s a great way to show support for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. We hope it helps boost their morale and raises their spirits knowing people care.”

The caring efforts continue as Bethel Park will be holding another fundraiser to benefit victims of both hurricanes Harvey and Irma on Sept. 22. Cheerleaders will collect donations of canned foods; clothes, shoes and socks; toiletries, blankets, diapers, baby formula and baby food; toilet paper, paper towels and trash bags; bottled water, pet food, cleaning products, flashlights/batteries and cash. All donations will go directly to the hurricane victims.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $/week.

Subscribe Today