Bethel Park mother, son continue to bring smiles through Easter basket project
Maria Rovers knows the feeling of caring for a child with health issues.
There is intense worry and incredible fear, sleepless nights and unpredictable days.
“I have been there,” the Bethel Park resident said. “It’s hard to understand unless you’ve lived it.”
Rovers’ son Sean, 16, was diagnosed in 2017 at age 9 with a rare brain tumor. His cancer is a type of CNS Sarcoma called intracranial myxoid mesenchymal.
He had his first brain tumor resection on Oct. 24 that year and was in the hospital for two weeks. The tumor recurred, requiring a second surgery and radiation.
Through all of his medical procedures, Sean continued to smile. He and his mom decided to bring smiles to other families by creating Smiles From Sean, an organization that focuses on brightening the faces of children with medical issues.
One of the many ways they reach out is through their annual Easter Basket Project. They fill colorful baskets with toys, gift cards and love.
It started during in 2020, during the early stages of the covid-19 pandemic.
The original plan was to make a donation to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, but the hospital was not accepting donations because of the pandemic.
Maria knew families whose children were ill. She and Sean decided to make Easter baskets and drop them off safely at homes of children. They also brought baskets for any siblings.
They delivered 33.
This year, they’ve made 346 total baskets since the project began.
On March 16, 24 volunteers spent nearly four hours packing baskets at Bethel Park School District’s Independence Middle School.
They filled baskets with toys, books, stuffed animals and gifts cards from McDonald’s, Rita’s Italian Ice and Dairy Queen. Basket donations came from Smiles From Sean team members and volunteers, Every Child Inc., Independence Middle School, school district administration, faculty and staff, and Anita Lauro, Danielle Krall and Joy Soltes.
Seventh and eighth graders from Independence’s Junior National Honor Society helped.
Sharilyn Oravetz, a reading specialist for the district, invited the students. She also brought her parents, her husband and their 10 year-old-son Nolan.
“I want my son to see there is good in the world,” Oravetz said. “I want him to know the importance of volunteering and that the Bethel Park community is always so supportive. And they always come through.”
Oravetz said the students told her helping made their hearts feel good.
“This will continue to grow if the kids continue to get involved because they will take ownership,” she said.
Having students join in is so important, said Pam Tiano, the Bethel Park Interact Club’s Rotarian adviser. There are nearly 15,000 such Rotary-affiliated groups around the world providing leadership skills for students ages 12 to 18. Her students have been volunteering for Smiles From Sean for years. Her daughter came back from college to help with the baskets.
“You can’t help but fall in love with Maria and her passion for what she and Sean are doing,” said Tiano, who is treasurer for Smiles From Sean. “She is a mom of four and does so many things. I don’t know when she sleeps. She is an angel.
“Sean is wonderful. He was so excited to be there for the basket build. He is one in a million.”
He definitely is, agreed Eileen Wallace, a school nurse in the district. She was Sean’s nurse when he was in elementary school.
“Maria is incredible,” Wallace said. “When we try to give her a compliment, she thanks us for all we do. She does so much behind-the-scenes stuff. She loves giving back.”
Maria said wasn’t sure about doing the basket project a second year in 2021, but Sean suggested they buy a bunny costume for him to wear while delivering the baskets.
“I want to make sure kids are happy no matter their struggles,” said Sean, a sophomore at Bethel Park High School. “I want them to know what happiness feels like.”
More smiles are coming through an annual coin drive that begins May 1 in Bethel Park and Blair County school districts.
The cash is raised through the Sean Rovers and Kaylee Kruise Smiles Fund.
Sean and Kaylee, who was from Altoona, met at Children’s Hospital as they underwent treatment for brain cancer. The two shared the same December birthday.
Kaylee passed away in February 2021.
After the loss, Maria Rovers reached out to Melissa Kruise, Kaylee’s mother, to help keep the girl’s memory alive. The mothers formed a bond immediately, understanding what each one was going through.
The first coin drive raised $3,885. Last year, $11,061 was donated to the Social Work Department at Children’s Hospital.
“I do all of this because in 2018, we were one of these families,” Maria said. “When you’ve been there, you understand, so now we want to be there for others. It makes me smile.”
For more information, visit www.smilesfromsean.org.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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