Bethel Park High School football coach Brian DeLallo had an idea for his players to get a workout while learning about community service.
In the wake of the Jan. 16 snowstorm, he felt it would do his team and residents some good to clear out driveways and sidewalks. The message was sent via his Twitter page.
“Due to expected severe weather, Monday’s weightlifting workout has been canceled,” the coach wrote. “Find an elderly or disabled neighbor and shovel their driveway. Don’t accept any money — that’s our Monday workout.”
Due to expected severe weather, Monday’s weightlifting workout has been cancelled. Find an elderly or disabled neighbor and shovel their driveway. Don’t accept any money - that’s our Monday workout.
— Brian DeLallo (@BDeLallo) January 16, 2022
District officials said 40 players, including some eighth graders, shoveled out more than 100 homes throughout the municipality. They even went back out Tuesday afternoon to clear off some more sidewalks.
David Shelpman was one of those players.
“My stepfather and I have been shoveling our older neighbors’ driveways since I was about 8 or 9 years old,” he said. “Honestly, it’s just the right thing to do and it feels great to be able to help people who truly need it.”
Some students were bundled up with winter hats, boots and gloves while others braved the mid-20-degree temperatures in gym shorts and sneakers.
“It’s genuinely a privilege to be able to hang out with your friends and have fun while at the same time making a big difference to someone who would love to shovel their driveway but can’t for whatever reason,” said Aidan Campbell, who helped clear out multiple driveways those couple days.
Homeowner Robert Klein was one of the residents who had his driveway shoveled. He commended the students for their efforts.
“I have lived in Bethel Park for more than 40 years now. And acts of kindness like this are exactly why I have stayed for as long as I have, and why I will never leave,” Klein said. “These young men have no idea how much something like this means to me and it makes me so proud to live here.”
DeLallo said he couldn’t take all the credit for getting the players outside the gym and into the snow.
“The tweet received a lot of attention, but honestly, this is nothing new. (Former coach) Jeff Metheny started it and I am just carrying on that legacy,” DeLallo said. “Also, many other area schools also do things just like this all the time.
“That is part of what makes coaching in Western Pennsylvania so special: the opportunity to help shape so many genuinely good kids who have been raised right by their families.”
