SHIM’s annual fundraiser, Celebrate the South Hills with SHIM, was a huge success! On May 14, under beautiful blue skies, more than 175 neighbors gathered to celebrate the diversity and generosity of the South Hills through multicultural performances, hands-on activities, fun games, tours of the food pantry, and delicious food. Thanks to donors like you, SHIM raised more than $108,000 in support of vital programs.
We are grateful for our generous Community Investor Sponsor, Highmark Wholecare. Additional thanks to our South Hills Champion sponsors UPMC and UPMC Health Plan, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield & Allegheny Health Network, Brentwood Bank, St. Clair Health, Dollar Bank, CONSOL Cares Foundation, Aetna, and Tom and Lynne VanHimbergen, Sara, Will, and Ben Dawes. We are also grateful for the support of our Neighborhood Hero sponsors Julia James Salon, PNC, Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, Eckenrode Real Estate, Strassburger McKenna Gutnick & Gefsky, Rycon Construction Inc., and NOVA Chemicals.
SHIM’s reimagined fundraiser welcomed neighbors to learn more about SHIM programs while helping their community. Participants learned about SHIM’s Community Garden program by planting sunflowers and building terrariums. Attendees got a behind-the-scenes look at SHIM’s Bethel Park food pantry while learning about food insecurity and suburban poverty in our neighborhoods. Neighbors packed beans and oatmeal for distribution at SHIM’s three food pantries. Teens in SHIM’s Youth Mentoring program made Chatpate, a tasty Nepali snack, and spoke about their experiences growing up in America as children of refugees. Kids also raced to sort and pack pantry items such as canned goods, allowing them to experience first-hand the work that SHIM’s volunteers do each week to help feed local families.
The event also featured an eclectic mix of South Hills performers, including a French horn trio of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians, a Burmese dance group, the Highland Bagpiper, bluegrass band Dirty Old Mill, and dancers from the Himalayan Foundation. Guests enjoyed sandwiches from Family Deli, cupcakes from Bethel Bakery, and Nepali momos and chow mein from Sagun Asian Restaurant.
As always, SHIM is so appreciative of the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event possible. From serving food and leading tours to setting up tents and carrying chairs, SHIM’s amazing volunteers were a vital part of the event’s success.
Celebrate the South Hills with SHIM brought together neighbors of all backgrounds and life experiences in a shared celebration of what makes the South Hills great. The staff, volunteers, and especially those we served are grateful for the attendees who took part in working towards our goal of building an inclusive community where everyone can thrive.
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