Chris Field, Steve Gruber, Steve Novacek and Matt Rosemeyer, men from Pittsburgh’s only Division one Men’s rugby team, The Harlequins, visited Braddock yesterday to lend a hand.  The teammates traveled to Braddock to help fellow rugby friend, Miles Loewy (Heritage’s Volunteer Manager) in his efforts to resurrect the old ball park on Library Street in Braddock.  The ball park, better known as “The Field” to Braddock residents, is being granted $5,000 by the Pittsburgh Pirates, $1,000 from Dick’s Sporting Goods and $3,000 from Braddock Redux in a three  year effort  to transform the park into a usable field for the residents of Braddock, complete with batting cages, bleachers and concessions stands.  The Field has been used for pick T-ball and little league games, and even pickup games of football and baseball in the past.  Unfortunately, in its more recent years, the batting cages were destroyed by a tree split in half by last year’s snowfall.    The roots and branches from the tree have since grown intertwined with the batting cage and have collapsed the fence preventing Braddock’s youth from using the cages. 

The Harlequins, avid believers that exercise promotes the healthy development of children, gave up an entire work day to participate in “Tree-mageddon” ; the sawing and chopping down of the tree preventing the usage of the batting cages.  The Harlequins used chain saws and a log splitting machine to begin to clear the tree from the batting cage.  Beginning at 8:30a.m., The Harlequins worked through rain and sleet to clear the tree, only stopping for the occasional drink of water or a bite of a “Triangle” hoagie, to take down the biggest, thickest parts of the tree and split logs into usable pieces of firewood.  

Braddock is in need of suitable recreation facilities and while many residents use the park for pickup games, it is Heritage’s hope that the cleanup of the park will make parents feel more comfortable allowing their young children to play at the park as well. 

Stay tuned for more projects related to the field!

Winchester Thurston (WT), a nationally recognized private school located in Shadyside, recently visited Heritage 4 Kids Early Learning Center.  Winchester Thurston boasts a dynamic learning environment where teaching is innovative and students are gifted in areas of academics, arts and athletics.  Heritage has had the pleasure of working with the senior class and a few teachers from WT for the last year and recently WT’s third grade class has jumped on board. 

Recently, the third grade students have adopted the preschoolers at 4 Kids as their Little’s; becoming pen pals and getting to know each other through visits and writing letters.   The third grade students visited the center earlier this month to complete a teacher created lesson and made “Valentine People” complete with accordion arms and legs!  The preschoolers at 4 Kids were especially excited to have their Big’s visit and help them with the activity. When the children were finished, everyone went outside to play on the playground!

In addition, the Upper school’s senior class had the opportunity to visit 4 Kids Early Learning Center this month.   While there, the seniors who are Big’s to the WT third graders also partnered with the preschoolers.   The seniors came equipped with pre-cut hearts and flowers for the preschoolers to decorate and make valentine necklaces. 

We look forward to working with the students of Winchester Thurston on various projects this spring and summer!

The Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank visited the HOST program last week.  All students in the 3rd-8th grade classroom had the opportunity to participate in a hands-on cooking activity.  The students were supplied with their own electric skillets and spatulas and given directions to make a breakfast burrito.  After choosing their own ingredients, the children enjoyed making their very own breakfast burritos!   

The children as young as 8 years old, cooked the eggs, and added ingredients like tomatoes, green peppers, and cheese.  After the students were finished they all enjoyed their yummy, healthy treats!  All of the students enjoyed being "mini chefs" for the day! 

Allowing the students to create their own healthy snacks promotes a healthy attitude toward food and nutrition and an understanding that healthy food can be delicious and easy to make.  The Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank will be visiting the HOST program again to make smoothies with the students, again promoting the idea of delicious healthy foods that are easy to make.