VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT : COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Julie Pezzino

Julie serves on the Board of Directors for Pittsburgh Cares and has been volunteering through us since she moved to Pittsburgh a few years ago. One of Julie’s favorite nonprofit agencies is the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy since she loves to be outside, especially when it’s not raining! Julie says, “In a perfect world…we would all get along, there would be no hunger and poverty and everyone would eat their vegetables. Grilled cheese sandwiches would also be good for you.” Her favorite Pittsburgh hot spot is The Shadow Lounge and anywhere there is a PGH Party for a Purpose!

Jessica Megliss

Jessica started volunteering through Pittsburgh Cares in January 2007 and found us by Googling “volunteer opportunities in Pittsburgh.” She is motivated to volunteer because she knows that there are “individuals” (people, animals, places) that need help each and every day. Just a little bit of your time can go a long way for someone in need! Her favorite projects/agencies include Big for a Day/Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh and the Animal Rescue League of Western PA. Jessica’s favorite place to eat in Pittsburgh is Eat’n Park because it’s the PLACE for SMILES!

Brian Saulnier

Brian has been volunteering through Pittsburgh Cares off-and-on since 1997 and currently serves on the Board of Directors. He learned about Pittsburgh Cares through a friend who was working at Pittsburgh Cares and encouraged him to participate in a service project with Special Olympics of Pennsylvania. Brian’s favorite projects include anything having to do with children and/or education. If he could live in one Pittsburgh building/landmark, he and his family would live at the Pittsburgh Zoo because his kids would love it and they’d never ask to watch television! Brian says, “In a perfect world… pepperoni pizza would be good for you!”

Jennifer Sutter

Jennifer volunteering through Pittsburgh Cares since March of 2006 and has sat on the Communications Committee since December of 2006. Her favorite projects/agencies include Big for a Day, Book Buddies and the day at the zoo for Crohn’s Disease. Jennifer likes living in Pittsburgh because of the skyline, the people, and the culture, but her favorite reason is Pittsburgh sports teams…GO BLACK AND GOLD!!! She says a perfect world would be a lot like John Lennon’s “Imagine” and her favorite quote is, “Life is not waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.”

Pierce Cook

Pierce has been volunteering through Pittsburgh Cares for about 4 years. His favorite projects/agencies have included the Center for Creative Play, Toy Cleaning, Monumental Givers, and Redd Up Pittsburgh. Pierce works with people all day, which is great, but likes doing volunteer work where he can use his hands. His favorite place to eat in Pittsburgh is either Michael B’s Pizza (formerly Carusos) in Mt. Lebanon or Fioris in Brookline. Pierce is motivated to volunteer because he wants to do something meaningful with his time and give back to a city he has grown to like a lot.

Vivien Luk

Vivien has been volunteering through Pittsburgh Cares for 2 years and came across us when she was a student at CMU. She is motivated to volunteer because she believes that everyone is a part of the community they live in, so they should be involved with it. It’s not just a way to give back, but also to learn about the community and how one might best serve it. Vivien’s favorite Pittsburgh hot spot is the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty and she says, “In a perfect world…there would be live music in every street corner!”

Amy Baron

Amy has been volunteering through Pittsburgh Cares for about 5 years, with each of her sons (that makes 3 so far & 2 to go!) joining her when they turn 12 years old. Her favorite projects is working with the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry and she is motivated to volunteer to help those less fortunate and to teach her five boys the importance of being part of a community that helps each other. She likes living in Pittsburgh because she knows all of the driving shortcuts to get from here to there, which usually takes her through interesting neighborhoods and places she wouldn’t take notice of otherwise!

Pastor Phillip Martin

Phillip is new to Pittsburgh Cares, but in just a week, his group worked with five agencies. Phillip’s favorite projects are those that involve working with people however, he has had a great time doing activities for the environment. So far, all of the agencies he has worked with through Pittsburgh Cares have really been on top of things! Phillip’s favorite Pittsburgh hot spot is the Strip District on a Saturday morning and his favorite restaurants include Bella Notte in the Strip (best pizza) and Armstrong’s in Moon Township.

Ashley DiParlo

Ashley has been volunteering through Pittsburgh Cares as a member of the Communications Committee for over two years. Some volunteers may have seen her at various events with a video camera, capturing moments and memories that are changing not only our communities, but the people Pittsburgh Cares volunteers are helping. Ashley is motivated to volunteer because she says it can really be a small act that takes up a little bit of her time which can make a BIG impact in the lives of many. Her favorite place to eat in Pittsburgh is Mad Mex because likes the margaritas and a burritos!

Lauren Gilchrist

Lauren did her CORO fellowship project with Pittsburgh Cares and was instrumental in bringing the Pittsburgh Cares Online Donation Center to fruition! She learned about Pittsburgh Cares through close friends/family who have been extensively involved with Philadelphia Cares, so she knew Pittsburgh Cares would be a great resource to look for volunteer projects in her area that fit easily into her schedule. Lauren says, “In a perfect world…she would eat pizza and ice cream all day and never gain weight; sleep 10 hours a night; finish at least one novel a month; and force all of my friends to live in the same city!”

James Doyle

James has been volunteering through Pittsburgh Cares for over 6 years, served an AmeriCorps term with Pittsburgh Cares and worked at Pittsburgh Cares as the Executive Assistant as well! He is motivated to volunteer because he’s always felt as though it was his “civic duty” to give back to others by volunteering his time. Plus, he really enjoys it! James says, “In a perfect world… In a Perfect World…the minor differences between people would be overshadowed by the vast similarities.” His favorite Pittsburgh hot spot is Bloomfield and his favorite Pittsburgh restaurant is Mineo’s in Squirrel Hill.

Carolyn Rue and Family

Carolyn and her family have been volunteering through Pittsburgh Cares for over 4 years. Some of her family’s favorite projects/agencies include Shepherd Wellness dinners, the Story Walk, Harvest Fest and the African American Art in the Park Festival. Carolyn was introduced young to volunteering by her family and has emulated this practice with her family so that they can start caring about others, while also finding out what they may want to do for the rest of their lives. She says, “In a perfect world…volunteering would be a part of everyone’s daily life, and it would be like breathing.

Becky Casne

Becky has been volunteering through Pittsburgh Cares for about six years and enjoys doing projects at The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in Duquesne and the Humane Society. She is motivated you to volunteer because it makes her feel fortunate when she sees how much she has compared to others. If Becky could live in one Pittsburgh building/landmark, she would live in Heinz Field, because she could be near the Steelers all the time! She likes living in Pittsburgh because of the Steelers, the friendly people, the spectacular views!

Dave Reitman

Dave has been volunteering through Pittsburgh Cares since January 2008 and learned about us through Pittsburgh City Paper. He is motivated to volunteer because he is new to Pittsburgh and so far, what Dave likes most about living in Pittsburgh is the many cultural things to do. If he could live in one Pittsburgh building/landmark, it would be somewhere on Mount Washington and he says, “In a perfect world…everyone would be happy!