Beth Shalom’s men’s club serves up sports luncheon for 250 special needs residents

Beverly Virgona loves the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“Oh, yeah. I like sports,” Virgona said, clutching a stuffed Pirates’ Parrot doll and just after meeting Iceburgh, the Pittsburgh Penguins mascot.

Virgona, 52, of Clairton and a client of Mainstay Life Services in Scott Township, was one of more than 250 guests who gathered Sunday afternoon at Congregation Beth Shalom in Squirrel Hill for the synagogue’s annual sports luncheon.

The event, which has been held for about 70 years, gives special needs residents the opportunity to meet professional athletes such as Pittsburgh Steelers’ safety Jordan Dangerfield as well as dozens of local college athletes at the University of Pittsburgh and Carlow University, who served a lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs to the guests.

Team mascots, professional wrestlers and cheerleaders also circulated through the large banquet hall meeting guests, taking pictures and signing autographs.

“We’re really about putting a smile on their faces,” said Robbie Zaremberg, chairman of the event.

And smiles were in no short supply.

Lenita Russell, a staffer with Pittsburgh Mercy’s Outlook program, accompanied a handful of residents to Sunday’s lunch.

“They look forward to it every year,” Russell said. “They’ve been dressed since 7 a.m.”

Virginia Barella, of Rostraver, works as a staff member for Mainstay and brought Virgona to the sports-themed event.

“We came for Beverly to be with her peers,” Barella said. “She has a good time interacting with her peers because sometimes she’s just with staff or her family. So, it’s nice to be with her peers in a situation of having fun. She does love all the sports.”

Carl Zappa, an assistant coach for Carlow’s men’s soccer team, said about three members of his squad and about 40 Carlow student athletes, in all, came out to participate.

“It’s really a cool event for our players,” Zappa said. “They get to be a star for the day. It’s special when as athletes we can smile and answer as many questions as we can. Connection with the community and serving is a big part of what we teach.”

Beth Shalom’s men’s club served as event host. None of the special needs guests were charged to attend. They included residents and staff from Achieva, Merakey Allegheny Valley School, Mainstay Life Services, Pittsburgh Mercy, Step by Step, Jewish Residential Services and 22 Cuties.

“This is something we’re able to do to help the people who are less fortunate and with special needs and people who are from our own community and from every community around the city. It’s such a wonderful feeling to look around and see all the smiles. The room is filled to the gills,” said Ira Frank, president of Beth Shalom’s men’s club.