Penn Hills assisted living facility brightens up with art from the BOB Project

Residents at a Penn Hills assisted living facility will have brighter days thanks to some district students and staffers.

Middle and high school students involved with the charity Bring out the Best Project, also known as the BOB Project, brought some color to Seneca Manor this week. They painted butterflies, hearts, fish, birds, a sunrise and other images on the exterior windows and a patio door.

“It’s very rewarding to see the people inside here looking so happy as we’re painting,” senior Joelle Nelson said. “It feels like we’re doing something good.”

Joelle painted a sunrise with classmate Anna Gdovichin. Both took a district art class and found it interesting to paint outside the classroom.

“It’s different,” Anna said. “Instead of making things for yourself, it’s more for other people.”

Painters wore masks and practiced social distancing when possible.

They were not allowed inside the facility because of covid-19 restrictions.

Still, residents were able to admire the volunteers’ handywork from afar.

“I enjoyed watching them paint,” resident Genevieve Garvin-Isaac said. “I think they’re doing a great job.”

Betty Peters said watching the students work brought back memories.

“I used to paint,” Peters said. “The green and blue flower is one of my favorites. I hope they leave it and don’t wipe it away. I’d much rather have this to look at. The more they do, the better. I can’t wait to see it all done.”

There are about 70 residents in the facility off Saltsburg Road. Seneca Manor activities coordinator Deanne Thomas reached out to the BOB Project to see if there was something they could do to brighten residents’ spirits.

Volunteers were under the direction of Amanda Power, Linton Middle School teacher and BOB Project artistic director.

Power said designs, site evaluation and base coats were made Monday, and a bulk of the painting was done Tuesday. The finishing touches, referred to by the BOB Project as “Amandaizing,” were to be done Wednesday.

The sunrise was inspired by a song residents would sing.

“Deanna told us that they sing with the residents, ‘You Are My Sunshine,’ ” Power said. The group used tempera paint for its vibrant colors.

Seneca Manor Administrator Debra Schuetz said the art has lifted residents’ spirits after being cooped up in the facility for a long time because of the pandemic. Building access was restricted to doctors and other medical personnel with family members only permitted during dire circumstances.

Schuetz said they recently started allowing outdoor family visits.

“They’ve been stuck in this building for so long,” Schuetz said. “I think it adds some liveliness. It helps them with knowing there’s people out there that care. The BOB Project and all of Penn Hills has just reached out and helped us. They’ve brought us lunches. They’ve made cloth masks for us, everything. They’re making these beautiful windows.

“This community’s really come together in really a time of craziness to try to make our lives a little bit better. The employees enjoy stuff like this, too.”

Middle school instructional aide Michele Ruperto said the best part about working on the project, besides the smiling residents’ faces, was spending time with her eighth-grade daughter, Gionna.

“With the pandemic, everybody has suffered in one way, shape or form,” Ruperto said. “To bring a little bit of fun, and laughter and love to the community here that can’t get out or have anybody come in, is just extra special, and plus doing it with Gionna.”

The pair worked on an aquatic scene with a large yellow and blue fish and other smaller fishes.

The BOB Project has done multiple endeavors throughout the municipality, including murals at Linton Middle School and Butler Gas Products at the intersection of Verona and Sandy Creek roads.

More information about the charity is available at bobproject.org.