WCCF Announces Creation of Fund For The African American Community In Washington County

The Washington County Community Foundation is commemorating Black History Month by announcing the creation of a new perpetual grant making fund targeted to the African American community in Washington County.

Initiated in 2022, the African American Community Fund seeks to promote and support the African American community in Washington County in five focus areas: culture, community development, education and enrich-ment, history and preservation, and entrepreneurship. The WCCF Board of Trustees approved the Fund as the Foundation’s newest pooled, special-interest fund. This designation will result in ongoing efforts by the Foundation to actively seek contributions to grow the Fund through current and planned gifts. “We are very grateful to the founding donors of the African American Community Fund for their generosity and their vision to craft a comprehensive charitable purpose for the fund, which will serve to celebrate and uplift African Americans in Washington County in perpetuity,” remarked WCCF President & CEO Betsie Trew. “And we are grateful to other donors who made leadership gifts to the Fund so that it could begin issuing grants in 2023. Our hope is that others will follow the lead of these donors and make contributions to the Fund to increase its grantmaking impact.”

Contributions to the African American Community Fund can be made via the Foundation’s website at www.wccf.net or by contacting the Foundation at 724-222-6330.

The first round of grants from the Fund will be awarded in the second quarter of this year. Nonprofit organizations who would like to be considered for a grant should submit a request via the Foundation’s grants management portal. Requests may range from $1,000 to $5,000. A primary goal of the Fund is to empower community members to think creatively to design or sustain programs and projects for the African American community. However, grants will only be issued to nonprofit organizations so interested community members are required to apply for a grant through an established nonprofit organization.

The Foundation manages about 200 component funds that support a variety of charitable purposes to improve the quality of life in Washington County. Grants are provided to public charities, public school districts and other educational institutions, fire departments, municipalities, etc.

Irish Dancing‘GET YOUR IRISH ON’ at Baldwin Borough Public Library

Join Liz Shovlin along with the Shovlin Academy of Irish dance for an evening of entertainment at Baldwin Borough Public Library on Thursday, March 30. Doors open at 6:30 PM for Irish beer and snacks. Dancers begin at 7:00 PM. This event is for ages 21+. BYOB or enjoy an adult refreshment provided by the library on a first come first serve basis. Cost is $10 per person, pay at the door. Cash or card accepted. Registration required. Sign up HERE: https://tockify.com/baldwin.library/detail/463/1680215400000

Rostraver Woman’s Club Announces Art Contest Winners

At the February 1, 2023 Rostraver Woman’s Club meeting, members voted on local student and member projects as part of the General Federation of Women’s Club Art Contest. Winners are as follows:

• Division 2 (Grades 3, 4, 5)

Student Poetry: Nathan DudzinskiThe Yellow Friend

• Division 2 (Grades 3, 4, 5)

Student Short Story: Molly GoukerDon’t Listen to Them

• Division 3 (Grades 6, 7, 8) Student

Poetry: Vito Francia - My Mother

• Division 3 (Grades 6, 7, 8) Student

Short Story: Zachary David Plymire -

Hershey Park’s Adventure

• Division 4 (Grades 9, 10, 11, 12)

Student Poetry: Maria Spedaliere -

Carpe Diem

• Member Short Story: Kim MaceBack in the Day

• Member Suncatcher: Lee Gilmore

All winners will now move forward to compete at the Southwestern Pennsylvania District Level.

COVER STORY:

Officer Sean Sluganski Honored Throughout South Hills/ Mon Valley Communities

By Matthew Peaslee

A community hero was remembered Feb. 14 by family, friends, fellow civil servants and complete strangers. Officer Sean Sluganski, a North Baldwin native and McKeesport police officer, was laid to rest that day. At 32 years old, he was gone way too soon.

Officer Sluganski was shot and died heroically while responding to a domestic dispute call on Feb. 6 in McKeesport.

A week later, thousands of police officers from western Pennsylvania and around the country descended upon the South Hills to pay their respects for Sluganski’s life of service. Community members from Baldwin, Brentwood, West Mifflin, McKeesport, Pleasant Hills, Jefferson Hills and other South Hills/Mon Valley communities lined a miles-long procession route to also offer their thoughts and prayers and show respect for police officers and first responders.

Sluganski, known affectionately as ‘Slug’, was a beloved son, brother, fiancé, father, friend and partner. He is survived by mother, Terri, sisters, Sarah and Shela, fiancé, Chelsea and daughter, Haven. He was preceded in death by his father, David.

His funeral Mass was held at St. Albert the Great Church of Blessed Trinity Parish in Baldwin. Mass was celebrated by bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, David Zubik, along with the Rev. Stephen Kresak, pastor of Blessed Trinity, and a host of other priests from the area.

“The sudden, tragic and seemingly senseless way that Sean has left this world is so sad and it is so heavy. But today we know that Sean is with the Lord in a place that he has prepared for him in heaven,” Kresak said.

Kresak said Sluganski was described by friends as a “tough on the exterior but gentle, caring and loving on the interior kind of guy.”

His partner, Officer Charles Thomas Jr., was also shot in the domestic dispute on Feb. 6. He survived but is still shaken by the incident. “I couldn’t have had a better partner and he'll forever be my hero,” Thomas said at the funeral.

Officer Frank Durante of McKeesport also spoke at the funeral. He helped train Sluganski as a rookie cop several years ago. He became a part of the Durante family as they grew closer over the years.

“I miss you, I love you, and you'll always be my best friend,” Durante said. “I would give anything in the world just to hear you tell my son you love him one more time.”

Sluganski was a hero to many, especially his own family members.

“When I was with my brother nothing was too big or scary enough. He grew up the man of the house always protecting my sister and mom,” said older sister, Shela. “You were my hero long before you were a cop.”

His fiancé, Chelsea Cancilla, remains strong despite her world turning upside down over the past couple weeks. "He left this world doing exactly what he loved and believed in so much. He left a hero not only to us but to everyone he met," Cancilla said. "He brought the brightest light to every dark corner of my life, and gave me everything I could have ever wanted in our family and our daughter.”

Officer Sluganski was a graduate of Baldwin High School and studied law enforcement at the Allegheny County Fire and Police Academy.

Easter Bake Sale in Jefferson Hills Set for April 1

Jefferson United Methodist Church, located at 310 Gill Hall Road, in Jefferson Hills, will be holding their annual Easter Bake Sale on Saturday, April 1, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. A variety of homemade baked goods will be available for purchase including Easter rolls available in nut, apricot and poppyseed varieties, cookies, candy, and pies. Come early for the best selection! Easter rolls are also available for pre-order purchase ($10/each) by calling 412-653-3222 x3. Pre-orders will be accepted in advance through Sunday, March 26, 2023.