Giving Good

The Woodlands is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with disability and chronic illness. Since 1998, The Woodlands has provided children and adults with disabilities a barrier-free environment, innovative programs and activities, and an impassioned, nurturing staff. With its 52-acre campus complete with a nature trail, fully-accessible Aquatics, Wellness and Fitness Center, an adaptive par-3 golf course, a sports court, and plenty of outdoor space, The Woodlands offers the ideal environment to explore physical activity and community and social integration.

The Mario Lemieux Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer research and patient care, as well as Austin’s Playrooms, an initiative that creates playrooms for children and families in medical facilities. Since 1998, the Mario Lemieux Foundation has given over $25 million to cancer research and patient care initiatives in the Pittsburgh region and beyond. In November 2018, the Lemieux Foundation announced a $5M gift to establish the Mario Lemieux Immunotherapy Center at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Other projects include a $2.5M gift in 2014 to establish the Mario Lemieux Lymphoma Center for Children and Young Adults at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and a $3.5M gift to the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute to open the Mario Lemieux Center for Blood Cancers at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in 2012. Additionally, the Foundation has opened 33 Austin’s Playrooms in southwest Pennsylvania and West Virginia, as well as three military playrooms.

The 2019 Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6K Run and Family Walk presented by Highmark. will mark the seventh year for this fundraising event. The unique 6.6K distance (4.1 miles) pays tribute to Pittsburgh Penguins great Mario Lemieux, and proceeds from the event benefit two local Pittsburgh charities; the Mario Lemieux Foundation and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. Support for this event can be in the form of a runner, walker, volunteer, and virtual participation.

Repack is a volunteer opportunity right here at our facility in Duquesne. Volunteers help us repackage both perishable and nonperishable product–to ready the product for distribution to agencies and clients. Repack is open Monday-Friday, and the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. Monday-Friday, you can volunteer with us 9 a.m.-12 noon, 1-3 p.m. or all day 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (with one hour lunch break 12-1 p.m.). Saturdays are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. To schedule a Repack opportunity, simply email me back with your preferred date(s).

Senior Boxes: Each month we pack boxes for seniors full of pantry staple items. This project is completed in an assembly line set-up and it requires a minimum amount of volunteers. We are always looking to schedule folks for this as a recurring opportunity.