Man Accused of Stealing Donation Jars

The Sewickley man allegedly took donation jars meant for cancer patients and area volunteer fire departments. The alleged thefts took place on Neville Island, Scott Township and Peters.

A Sewickley man arrested this week is accused of stealing charitable donation jars from several businesses across the Pittsburgh area, including Scott Township and Peters. The jars contained loose change to help cancer patients and area volunteer fire departments. Ohio Township police Chief Norbert Micklos said they arrested Michael Coyle, 33, of Sewickley, after he allegedly took the donation jar at a 7-Eleven on Neville Island on Jan. 20. Ohio Township police, who cover Neville Island, charged him with theft and receiving stolen property. But Micklos said Coyle also confessed to similar thefts in Scott Township and Peters. Scott Township police said a donation box was stolen from the counter at the Panera Bread along Greentree Road. The …

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Looking for Donations? McMurray Rotary Could Help

The McMurray Rotary Club is seeking requests for philanthropies.

The McMurray Rotary Club is seeking requests from local organizations for its 2012-13 philanthropies. The club annually assists local organizations in the Peters Township and Washington County area. Most contributions are under $1,000, although some are higher.  Interested groups should send their request to the McMurray Rotary Club, 2012 Philanthropies, at P. O. Box 1291, McMurray, PA  15317.  All requests must be received by January 4, 2013. Additional questions can be directed to the club's treasurer Michael Silvestri at 412-941-4180.

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Nearby: Bridgeville Churches Opening Family Outreach Center

Bridgeville area churches are looking for help as it tries to supply residents in need of clothes, food, baby diapers and other emergency items.

Bridgeville area churches are looking for the community’s helps as it tries to supply residents in desperate need of clothes, food, baby diapers and other emergency items. In response, the Bridgeville Ministerium is opening up a new support center that will serve as a central location for the community. The new Bridgeville Community Outreach Center at 715 Washington Ave. across from the U.S. Post Office will be operated and sponsored by local churches. The Rev. Bryan Thiessen of Journey Church said this is an opportunity for the community and its churches to support those who need food, clothing and supplies before the winter. “(We) have witnessed a large increase in the volume of those in need in our community realizing that currently …

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Meeting, Greeting & Reading with 'The Bus'

Former Pittsburgh Steelers runningback Jerome Bettis met with fans at two area Panera Bread locations on Saturday in an effort to create awareness and raise money for his foundation, The Bus Stops Here.

To millions around the world, Jerome Bettis is known as "The Bus," the powerful retired Pittsburgh Steelers runningback. He's also a role model. On Saturday, hundreds of children—all with stars in their eyes—visited with Bettis, their hero, as he read Dr. Seuss' book, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." "That was one of my favorites when I was a kid," Bettis told Plum-Oakmont Patch. "Whenever I have a chance to read to kids, I read that book because it reminds me of when I was a kid." Panera Bread partnered with Bettis and The Bus Stops Here Foundation to help Pittsburgh’s underprivileged youth. Bettis visited the Penn Center Panera Café in Wilkins and the Waterfront Panera Café in Homestead for a free storytime and a meet-and-greet. Panera …

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Peters Resident Leads Holiday Tote Bag Drive

Monday is ‘Take Your Tote to Work Day.' Drop off a tote at the Coldwell Banker in Peters Township to support a great cause, an initiative part of the Pittsburgh Tote Bag Project.

The holidays are a time of giving, and Peters Township resident and real estate agent Julie Sasko-Bissell has joined a regional effort to encourage just that. Sasko-Bissell recently volunteered with the Pittsburgh Tote Bag Project—an organization helping the hungry while having a positive impact on the environment. She's leading a December drive, the Holiday Tote Drive Project, which runs through Dec. 18. As a drive organizer in the community, she’s doing everything to spread the word. “I’ve used social media, put flyers in my kids’ cubbies at preschool, emailed organizations and businesses, as well as included my open houses in on the effort,” she said. She said she’s seeing it take off—her dining room is stocked with totes and she said …

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Fall FoodShare Continues at Giant Eagle

The largest food and fund drive will last longer due to demand—see how you can help.

New hunger reports show that more than 20 percent of kids in southwestern Pennsylvania don't get enough to eat to live an active healthy life. Fall FoodShare is the largest food and fund drive of the fall. Please purchase a few most-needed grocery items at participating Giant Eagle stores, make a cash donation at the register, or donate online through the virtual drive, and help make sure local kids get enough to eat all year long. The Giant Eagle in Donaldson's Crossroads has been participating in the drive. Fall FoodShare includes about 60 Giant Eagle stores throughout western Pennsylvania. All food and funds donated stay in the county where the donation was made. Fall FoodShare lasted a little longer than usual this year, because the …

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Gifts to Nonprofits Go Further on Oct. 4

On Pittsburgh Gives' Day of Giving, donations to eligible nonprofits in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties receive a matching gift through the Pittsburgh Foundation.

Monetary gifts to area nonprofit organizations go a little further on The Day of Giving 2011. This year's event, sponsored by Pittsburgh Gives, an initiative of the Pittsburgh Foundation, is on Tuesday from 12 a.m. until 11:59:59 p.m. All donations during that 24-hour period will receive a pro-rated portion of the match pool—$725,000 for Pittsburgh Gives and $100,000 for Westmoreland Gives. Only credit card donations received through www.pittsburghgives.org during the 24 hours of Oct. 4 will be matched for this event. No donations via check, cash or stock can be accepted. Only MasterCard and Visa donations can be accepted. The minimum gift is $25. The maximum gift that an individual can give per organization is $10,000. Nonprofit …

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Great Escape

Clear Out the Clutter and Help Those in Need

Donating unused or unwanted items is a great way to clean house while also helping others in need.

This week’s Great Escape takes us to the thrift store of your choice. But we’re not going there to shop. We’re going there to donate. As fall weather sets in and you exchange the summer clothes in your closet for warmer ones, ask yourself a question for each garment you place at the back of your closet or in storage: Am I ever going to wear this again? If the answer is “no,” don’t box the item or toss it in a pile. Instead, donate it to a local thrift store. In doing so, you’ll benefit yourself and others in numerous ways. With each donation, you’ll lessen the clutter in your home, decrease the amount of landfill in your global community, and make something available to someone who needs or wants it, at a more affordable price than retail…

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