The Ziemski family of North Huntingdon has good reason to give back to their community.
“When we were young and our kids were in school, my husband lost his job and someone anonymously paid the balance of our children’s parochial school tuition,” said Paula Ziemski. “We never found out who it was.”
A few years later, the Ziemskis were in much better financial shape.
“We could afford to do some different things, and we really wanted to pay it forward,” Ziemski said.
The couple founded the nonprofit Norwin Play It Forward Fund, which subsidizes Norwin students who wish to take private music lessons or attend summer music camps. The fund will host its 10th annual “Wind-Up, Wine Down & Music on Tap” fundraiser on Nov. 23 at The Kitchen by Vangura.
The event has come a long way since the Ziemskis crammed 90 people into Hazuza’s Greenhouse.
“When they opened up their new facility a few years ago, we moved there,” Ziemski said. “But we outgrew it in three years and moved to Vangura last year, and we’ve doubled our audience. We’re nearly sold out for this year and we love that space and the size.”
The 21-and-over event will feature wine sampling and sales by Greenhouse Winery, craft beer from Quinn Brewing Co. and New Crescent Brewing, food stations from Atria’s, Cenacolo, Jacktown Ride & Hunt Club, Patti’s Pasticceria, Philly Pretzel Factory and the Pittsburgh Popcorn Company, raffles, 50/50 drawing and door prizes, along with live music by the Good Guys acoustic duo.
Tickets are $45 and reservations can be made at Eventbrite.com — search “Norwin Play It Forward” — or by visiting NorwinPlayItForwardFund.org. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Ziemski said she loves to see the fundraiser’s results.
“Every summer, we have up to a dozen students who go to music camps all over the U.S.,” she said. “They’ve gone to Duquesne University, Penn State and all over the place. We’ve had kids march in the Rose Bowl and the Macy’s parade.
“It’s been wonderful to have the community’s support,” she said.
For more, email norwinpiff@gmail.com or call 724-864-1426.
