Penn Hills organization puts all hands on deck to help others

Nestled uphill on Frey Road in Penn Hills is a center that offers a variety of services many residents may not be aware of.

The Western Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Development Center is a nonprofit that “has become the only search and rescue agency in Western Pennsylvania,” according to the organization’s website. Residents can find an abundance of services, including an adult day center, a human trafficking division and a safety program that provides a radio transmitting safety device for those who have special needs and wander.

“There’s always going to be something someone needs that is missing,” Matt Mitcheltree, sales and marketing director for the organization.

The center has been around for 20 years, Mitcheltree said. In the beginning, it primarily focused on serving the needs of people who have disabilities and/or autism. To further help the population, the organization expanded its efforts to reach more people, including starting an open market for residents to take free food.

The market opened in early April and will be open on select dates. All items are free to take with no limit per person. People are encouraged to take as much as they need, Micheltree said.

The nonprofit receives no grants or funding, all proceeds are raised through their own fundraising efforts. The center holds an annual golf outing in honor of Canonsburg native Andrew J. Rameas — a police officer who lost his life in an accident while off duty in Texas. The event raises money to fund service dogs for veterans with PTSD, police departments and individuals who have special needs.

“Any money we bring in, we put towards a cause we are working towards,” he said.

Mitcheltree said the organization’s proudest moment was stepping up to help the 30 families displaced by the fire that occurred at Rodi Arms apartments in January. WPSARDC raised money to give families a space to stay until they found a home and accepted donations to provide food, clothes and furniture to families as a part of their disaster relief program.

Ron Carson, one of the victims affected, said Micheltree and his team went above and beyond to help the families out.

He lived in his apartment for two years before he and his fiancée, Lisa Thompson, lost their belongings. He said the center helped provide an additional three weeks with a roof over their heads after the funds from the Red Cross for a hotel ran out. The couple stays in contact with Micheltree, who continues to keep in touch with other families.

“You can tell they are the type of people that aren’t just trying to put their face out there and get publicity, they really want to help,” Carson said.

Michaeltree said he will exhaust every resource he has to help a person. He estimates 35 people come through his office door each day.

“I just remember when I was someone where I couldn’t afford things and didn’t know where to go next,” he said.

The center takes donations of non-perishable food, toiletries, paper products, cleaning products and small household item are acceptable Mondays through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.