On Saturday, May 22^nd, 2010, the 8^th Annual Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community will commence at Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park at 9am. Last year, the Brashear Association solicited and received donations on behalf of our two food pantries at the Henry Kaufmann Center in Arlington and at our South Side office.

Because Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield underwrites the entirety of the walk including beverages and food, activities, music, and prize drawings, 100% of all donations go directly to the agency of your choice. In addition, walkers can win prizes valued at $1,000 collectively. Free parking will be available at Schenley Park.

The Brashear Association fights food insecurity in partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Through our pantries, we provide food to hundreds of South Pittsburgh residents every month.

Ask your family, friends and neighbors to walk or sponsor a walker to fight hunger in South Pittsburgh. Walkers can register at www.walkforahealthycommunity.org. If you would like to learn how your donation benefits the Brashear Association, please contact Kalem Wright at kwright@brashearassociation.org.

This past Wednesday marked the end of another year of programming for Duquesne University Strong Women, Strong Girls at HillTop United Methodist Church. Instead of usual programming the girls celebrated a successful year making new friends, learning new skills and their service learning project that benefited the church, and the many community groups that utilize it. Many of the girls will be returning next year but we said goodbye to a few that will be graduating onto sixth grade. While we were sad to say goodbye, we are confident that the skills they learned at SWSG will enable them to be successful 6^th graders in the respective new schools.

We can’t wait to return next year and want to give a big thanks Barb and the Church Council, Rev. Sue Hutchins, Mark, Cyndie and Erma who all helped to make this program year a great success!

Strong Women, Strong Girls will resume programming fall, 2009, at HillTop United Methodist Church.

The Brashear Association announces the Mid-Winter Soup Contest, a South Side tradition challenging restaurateurs to step up to the plate and present their best dishes to chilly Pittsburghers.

The event, hosted by the South Side Local Development Company, is scheduled for Saturday, February 20th, with participating restaurants to be announced. Please visit the South Side Local Development Company’s website to learn more about the event and purchase tickets.

Remember to save the date! Saturday, February 20th.

The Brashear Association is a United Way agency. Our United Way Contributor Choice Code is 063.

The Brashear Association announces its annual Holiday Open House on Wednesday, December 16^th, from 6pm until 7:30 pm. Meet your neighbors, make new friends and enjoy good food, fun, and song courtesy of the children’s choir from Pittsburgh Phillips K-5.

The Holiday Open House is an opportunity to celebrate the season. For the agency, it’s an opportunity to reflect on our progress to date in the provision of programs and services to low income, South Pittsburgh families and to form resolutions for future directions.  Food and refreshments will be provided and The Brashear Association invites you to come, sing, and share along with your neighbors.

The Open House also provides a great opportunity to drop off donations of toys and food.  Share the spirit!

Donations to the Holiday Assistance Program and the agency’s two food pantries are welcome.  Non-perishable food items, food gift certificates from Giant Eagle, and new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any of our centers.  We can also arrange to pick up large donations.  Our staff will be pleased to provide information and assistance in the coordination of food or toy drives.

For more information on our services or to coordinate a toy drive, please contact Dora Walmsley at dorawalmsley@brashearassociation.org or at 412-431-2236.

The Brashear Association is a United Way agency. Our United Way Contributor Choice Code is 063.

For a second year, Therapeutic Massage by Mary Ann, located in the Kukurin Chiropractic Offices at 2415 Sarah Street, will be joining The Brashear Association to collect non-perishable food items and new toys for children ages twelve and younger. Donations collected will benefit the Brashear Association’s Holiday Assistance Programs.

If you schedule a massage with Therapist Mary Ann, now through December 14^th, 2009, you will receive $10 off if you donate a bag of non-perishable food items OR a new, un-wrapped toy. Mary Ann specializes in neck, shoulder, and back pain, relaxation, and stress relief. Call 412-983-2245 to schedule an appointment. Evening and weekend appointments are available.

Mari Dumbaugh, newly hired Education Coordinator for Brashear, comments on Mary Ann’s efforts saying, “It’s inspiring to see such how willing businesses and residents alike are to help their neighbors and I’ve quickly learned that community support is integral to the success of the agency’s programs.”

The agency’s holiday assistance programs serve low income families of several South Pittsburgh communities. For more information on our services or if you would like to coordinate a toy drive, please contact Dora Walmsley through her email address or at 412-431-2236.

The Brashear Association is a United Way Agency. Our United Way Contributor Choice Code is 063.

On November 2, 2009, The Brashear Association will begin to accept registrations for its annual Holiday Assistance Program. The program provides food gift cards intended for the purchase of food for Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as new toys for children, ages twelve and younger.

Applicants must reside in one of the following neighborhoods: Allentown, Arlington, Arlington Heights (Christmas toys only), Beltzhoover, Bon Air, Carrick, Knoxville, Mt. Oliver (city and borough), St. Clair Village (Christmas toys only), South Side Flats, or South Side Slopes

Applicants must provide proof of address, their total monthly income, and documents listing of birthdates of all children in the household.  Applicants must also indicate a reliable phone number. The income guidelines for our Holiday Assistance Program are available here. Dates of distribution have not yet been announced.

To place your name on our waiting list, please call our Allentown office at 412-390-3588 or our main office in South Side, 412-431-2236.

Please be aware that no assistance is guaranteed.  We will not know what toys or gift certificates will be available until the day of distribution.

Donations to the Holiday Assistance Program and the agency’s two food pantries are welcome.  Non-perishable food items, food gift certificates from Giant Eagle, and new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any of our centers.  We can also arrange to pick up large donations.  Our staff will be pleased to provide information and assistance in the coordination of food or toy drives.

For more information on our services or if you would like to coordinate a toy drive, please contact Dora Walmsley through her email address or at 412-431-2236.

The Brashear Association is a United Way agency. Our United Way Contributor Choice Code is 063.

The Board of Directors and staff of The Brashear Association would like to extend our thanks to all those who participated in the Pittsburgh StepTrek, hosted by the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association on Sunday, October 4th. The Pittsburgh StepTrek allows participants to experience breathtaking views of the city, learn about historic South Pittsburgh, and challenge their bodies in a unique way while reaching new heights.

A very special thanks goes to the noted Pittsburgh artist, Johno Prascak of Johno’s Art Studio who was responsible for the coordination of a food drive that benefited Brashear Association’s two food pantries.  Our gratitude also goes to everyone who participated and donated. The event was a great success, generating both cash and in-kind donations, which will benefit Brashear’s food pantries.  Our programs serve low-income families in the South Pittsburgh.

Your continued support of Brashear will help ensure a successful 2009 Holiday Assistance Program. For more information on our programs, please contact our main office at 412-431-2236 or at our email address.

The Brashear Association is a United Way Agency. Our United Way Contributor Choice Code is 063.

The Dollar Energy Fund, a cash grant available to low-income utility customers who have made good faith efforts to pay their bills, began to accept applications on October 1^st, 2009. The Brashear Association is a Dollar Energy intake site.  We have three staff members who are available to complete applications by appointment only.

Currently, clients must have a shut off notice or have had their utility service terminated to apply for Dollar Energy.  Customers of Equitable Gas must have utility service shut off to apply. The Dollar Energy Fund does not partner with the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority or any telephone service providers.

To make an appointment to complete a Dollar Energy Fund application, please call Kalem Wright or Michelle Flannery at 412-390-3588 at our Allentown center or Dora Walmsley at our main office in South Side, 412-431-2236.

If you would like to learn more about additional utility assistance programs including LIHEAP or CRISIS programs please call 1-866-857-7095 for more information. The Brashear Association can help individuals in the preparation of LIHEAP applications although most consumers can complete the application without assistance.  The Brashear Association cannot complete applications for the the CRISIS program; applications for that program are taken centrally.

The Brashear Association is a United Way Agency. Our United Way Contributor Choice Code is 063.

On Thursday, October 29, 2009, our neighbors, colleagues, and friends will come together to celebrate Brashear’s 92 years of service to the South Pittsburgh area.  We will also present the Georgina Chamberlain Peters Scholarship as well as our Community Service Award.  The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-South Side Branch will receive the latter for in honor of its century of service to the South Side.

The event will begin at noon on October 29th at Le Mont Restaurant in Mount Washington.  Reservations are required at a cost of $40.00 per person.  Corporate tables can be obtained for a donation of $600.00 for a table of eight.  Contributions of door prizes and sponsorships are also welcome.  If you plan to attend, please confirm your reservation by October 15, 2009.

For more information or to make reservations, please call 412-431-2236 or e-mail our main office. 

The Brashear Association is a United Way agency.  Our United Way Contributor Choice Code is 063.

The Brashear Association board and staff would like to extend thanks to all those who participated in the Joseph-Beth Booksellers Book Fair and Toy Drive on Saturday, September 5th. Special thanks to Joseph-Beth for hosting the event and for donating 20% of their proceeds on all items purchased with coupons distributed by Brashear’s staff and volunteers. The event was a great success, generating over $750 dollars, which will benefit Brashear’s Holiday Assistance Programs.  Our programs serve low-income families in the South Pittsburgh.

Throughout September and October, Joseph-Beth will continue support Brashear with a 10% discount on donated items purchased at the store. Bibliophiles and other ‘Burghers are encouraged to treat themselves to a good book and treat a South Pittsburgh child to a happy holiday by donating a toy or a book.

Your continued support of Brashear will help ensure a successful 2009 Holiday Assistance Season. For more information on our Family Assistance Programs, please contact Dora Walmsley at her email address or at 412-431-2237.  Dora can also help you and your friends coordinate holiday collections of toys or food.

The Brashear Association is a United Way Agency. Our United Way Contributor Choice Code is 063.