On a recent bitter cold Friday, the Westinghouse Academy in Homewood was full of warmth. An assembly, All Lives Matter to Do the Right Thing, presented by Help the Needy Not the Greedy and The Youth Project Inc., honored students for their academic accomplishments and added sparkle to their holiday season.

“It is impactful that we are being remembered as a school, that our students are not forgotten, and that someone cares enough to do this for them,” said Westinghouse principal Dr. Virginia Hill. “It is very humbling and huge.”

That someone was Hank Commodore, 76, the founder of Help the Needy Not the Greedy, community leader and anti-violence advocate, who shared a message of love and kindness that resonated throughout the school.

He purchased a variety of gifts for the students, including a television, an electric keyboard and a scooter. A raffle was also held for living room furniture. Commodore said the young girl who won the furniture shared that her mom had just been looking at new living room furniture.

“That’s what this is all about, Westinghouse,” Commodore said during the assembly.

In addition to the raffle prizes, every student walked out with a gift and teachers received poinsettias. Two students with the highest academic achievements were awarded $500 gift cards to go on shopping sprees.

Eighth grader Carlee Little, 13, won the electric keyboard. His eyes beamed with excitement and a smile spread across his face as he hugged the keyboard, which nearly covered his frame while walking down from the stage.

“It feels excellent,” Little said. “This afternoon just encouraged me, and I think it inspired the rest of my classmates to stay dedicated to the work we are doing.”

The assembly also emphasized the importance of stopping violence.

“Today means kindness. Kindness should be everywhere,” said Taliyah Lomax, 12, a seventh-grader at Westinghouse. “Everyone’s life has value.”

“Today made me cry,” Commodore said. “These kids have love for one another; we all have love. We never give up on love for one another. All lives matter to do the right thing. Wisdom is doing the right thing, and it makes this world a better place. Be the change.”

Tiara Coaston, the community school site manager through Homewood Children’s Village, partnered with Commodore for the event. “This event was all about spreading love and kindness, and kids need that. The students here don’t always get that, and it’s important that they feel that support,” she said.

“I hope the students felt loved and that they know it is not just the people inside the building who care about them, but also people in the rest of Pittsburgh who are supporting and making sure that they do well,” said assistant principal Tenille Thomas.

Dawn Webb-Turner, a science and history teacher and a graduate of the Westinghouse class of 1985, reflected on the community’s resilience.

“Our community has been subject to so much poison with drugs and violence, but this is just a reminder that, like a phoenix, we can rise up. Westinghouse has gone through everything, but we are still here,” she said. “We are not giving up on them.”

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