Bridgeville-South Fayette Rotary takes on comfort bag project

Police officers often meet people on the worst day of their life, and the Bridgeville-South Fayette Rotary club is trying to ease the pain for families in some of those situations.

The Rotary is putting together comfort bags, with necessities, for Bridgeville and South Fayette police officers to give to people after crises or emergencies.

“It was something you can do to help the local communities, and that’s always been our main goal — to help people,” said Joe Verduci, a rotary club member.

Verduci said the club plans on putting together 25 bags in mid-February to distribute to police. Some items that can be added to bags include blankets, toiletries, towels and toys for children.

The bags would be available in police cars so that when officers respond to events like car crashes or fires, they can distribute the bags to people or families during their crisis.

Through prior fundraisers, the rotary budgeted to supply items for the bags. The club is also getting support from the community to fill them. It plans a trivia night fundraiser April 12.

To coordinate donation drop-offs, call Verduci at 412-576-0940 or Bill Paviol at 412-722-3102 or email the rotary at bvsfrotary@gmail.com.

“I’m really excited to have the community get involved with it,” Verduci said. “It’s helping the community member have these possessions in a dignified way.”

The club hopes the comfort bag project can be ongoing, Verduci said.

“We’re hoping this is a growing project we add onto,” he said.