Sharpsburg residents and visitors are navigating sidewalks and bus stops a little easier after an effort coordinated by a community nonprofit.
About 25 people responded to Roots of Faith’s call for volunteers Jan. 31.
They included residents, elected leaders, a few Kerr Elementary teachers and people from a church group from Pittsburgh’s Banksville neighborhood.
Kathleen Stanley, Roots of Faith executive director and event organizer, said she first posted about the cleanup a few days prior and was overwhelmed by the response.
“We decided to organize it because I think our community, like every community right now, needed some help,” Stanley said Feb. 2. “I think our (public works) were doing a fantastic job, but this is overwhelming.
“We wanted to make sure the walkways were cleared and bus stops were cleared and the ramps that take you to the sidewalks were cleared.”
Stanley said it was minus 7 when volunteers gathered at the nonprofit at 800 Main St.
They went out and shoveled many of the Pittsburgh Regional Transit and Fox Chapel Area School District bus stops, connecting sidewalks and uncovered some hydrants along the way from 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Councilman Roman Mason was out with a snowblower. Other council members and Mayor Kayla Portis also participated.
Volunteers took breaks every 15 to 20 minutes to warm up.
Portis said that by the end of the day, she was “still thawing out.”
“It was a beautiful thing, a nice sense of community,” the mayor said. “People who aren’t even from Sharpsburg came to help our little community out. It was nice to see.”
Portis, a Roots of Faith board member, thanked Stanley for getting everyone together.
“I know the people, the members really well,” Portis said. “Kathleen is one of a kind. We’re very lucky to have someone like her here in Sharpsburg, and Roots of Faith does so much for our community.”
Nanci Goldberg, a retired Fox Chapel Area School District teacher with many Sharpsburg volunteer ties, said everyone put in a great effort.
“I love cold weather and I love helping the neighborhood, so it was a win-win for me,” Goldberg said.
“We really wanted to make sure bus stops were ready for Monday. We couldn’t to everything. It was unbelievably cold.”
State Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Fox Chapel, and her son, Jack O’Hara, also came out to shovel.
“The community gives us so much, a healthy place to raise my children,” Steele said. “It’s important for us to give back, in big and small ways. We are healthy and strong. The least we can do is show up to shovel some snow. It was cold, but once you start shoveling you get warm pretty fast.”
Those who did not bring shovels brought drinks and food, including Oakmont Bakery doughnuts. Sharpsburg-based Gino Bros Pizzeria & Bar provided lunch.
Stanley channeled the late Fred Rogers when talking about everyone’s support.
“Mr. Rogers always said, ‘Look for the helpers,’ ” Stanley said. “That’s what Roots of Faith has built our ministry on. … There’s more of us than there are of the bad.”
Public works crews are expected to continue working on snow removal throughout the month.
The borough also partnered with private contractors in that effort.
Snow removal updates are posted on the borough’s Facebook page.
More information about Roots of Faith is available at rootsoffaithpgh.org.
