Pitt-Greensburg community gives back during week of service

Service was the theme of this week at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.

Dozens of students volunteered through “Into the Streets,” a multiple-day service event that runs through Saturday and encourages students to give back to the community.

This semester, volunteers planned trips to places like the Westmoreland County Food Bank, Goodwill and Animal Friends Sanctuary.

“The goal is to get… lots of students out there, get Pitt’s name out there… (and) connect (students) with local agencies with the hope that it may also foster long-term volunteering,” said Al Thiel, university director of the Student Center and Student Involvement.

“Into the Streets” has taken place each semester for over 20 years, Thiel said.

About 30 students gathered Wednesday evening in Chambers Hall to make cards for nursing home residents, primarily in Greensburg’s Weatherwood Manor. Jenna Conty, a junior studying biological science, hopes the cards “brighten the residents’ days.”

Typically, students would spend time with residents in person, Thiel said, but they made the cards because of coronavirus restrictions.

Conty has experienced these restrictions firsthand: Her grandmother is in a nursing home right now.

“I wish I could visit (my grandma), but I can’t because of covid,” she said. “I think it’s nice to send cards to people to show that somebody’s thinking about them.”

Conty, a member of the women’s soccer team, made cards with several of her teammates. She said the team’s coach encourages the players to volunteer.

Thiel said campus clubs also urge students to volunteer. If a club has at least five members volunteer, it receives $100 toward fundraising.

“The students get to help out, but also are fundraising for groups they’re part of,” Thiel said.

Service opportunities aren’t limited to students. Kayla Heffernan, a Pitt-Greensburg math professor, joined students at the Greensburg Early Care and Education Center on Wednesday.

Heffernan and two student volunteers weeded the lawn and cleaned playground equipment and toys at the center, which is one of Seton Hill Child Services’ seven locations. Seton Hill provides care and education to about 450 Westmoreland County children.

The professor chose this event because she has two small children in daycare and “knows how desperately” child care services can use extra disinfection, Heffernan said.

Though many faculty members typically don’t participate in “Into the Streets,” she wanted to volunteer to give back to the community, she said.

“I feel like there’s less community involvement since covid happened as far as keeping our community looking nice,” Heffernan said. “I think if more universities could do this, we could make our area a nicer place to live.”

Julia Rowe, a freshman studying management, also volunteered at the center. Rowe hopes Pitt-Greensburg’s event gives the school a “good rap.”

“As a student, the community gives a lot to you,” Rowe said. “I think it’s a good thing to come out and help out.”

Thiel echoed the importance of the university making a positive impact. He described the service week as a “chance to give back.”

“I think a lot of times in towns like Greensburg, (locals) see college students as those rowdy folks,” Thiel said. “When they see them doing these projects, I think it helps with the image of the university.”