Longtime West View medical practice hosts 2nd backpack, school supplies giveaway

A West View family medicine practice started giving backpacks and school supplies to children in need last year, but this year was the first time that Savannah Bledsoe came with her three children.

“I love it. I absolutely love it,” she said Aug. 9 while attending the second annual giveaway hosted by Heyl Family Practice. “Bookbags are expensive so this is nice for all three. All the supplies and bookbags, they add up.”

Heyl Family Practice, part of Genesis Medical Associates, has been around for 77 years, started by Dr. Frank Heyl in 1948, and at its Center Avenue location since 1953.

“We are community-based,” said business operations manager Jess Merolillo, who organizes the giveaway. “We are all about trying to do what we can for everybody in the community. We know there’s a need in the area.”

More than 15 businesses donated school supplies, and almost $1,000, for this year’s event, Merolillo said. There were 150 backpacks available, with 60 children preregistered for them.

Most families were coming from the borough, but it was not limited to West View.

First responders including police, firefighters and medics attended, giving children a chance to check out their vehicles. There also was plenty of food.

“It’s a good way to show us all working together,” Merolillo said.

Previously a teacher, Merolillo knows how teachers have to buy supplies for their classrooms. And from her work in West View, she also knows that there are people who need the help.

“We know it’s a reality because we’re here and we see them all the time,” she said.

Merolillo said they reviewed school supply lists to make sure they would have everything children needed to go back to school. Rather than having backpacks pre-filled, children were able to select the backpack they wanted and the supplies they needed.

Ethan Riley of Ross said his sons, Clive, 7, and Wesley, 5, will be attending West View Elementary School this year, with Clive in second grade and Wesley in kindergarten. With his wife working, he appreciated being able to get everything they needed in one place.

“It’s fantastic,” he said. “It’s so helpful for everybody in the community. They get what they need to start the school year and (are) excited to start the school year. It’s nice to build that excitement.”

Kim Ferrand of West View homeschools her son, Noah, 8, and daughter, Daisy, 4, and has a 3-year-old, Jojo.

“As a homeschool family, sometimes we miss out on community events,” she said. “It’s nice to be included in that.”

Her husband, Tim, started his medical career with Genesis and Heyl as a scribe and is now in his residency at Mercy Hospital.

“They’re an amazing force in the community,” she said of the practice.

Merolillo said anything that was not given away will be given to West View Elementary School, and any money left over will be used to make baskets containing supplies for teachers.