Ghandi, King, and Lennon. All 3 men are my heroes and some of the most important men of the 20th Century. And they all believed in the ultimate power of Peace and Love. Peace and Love are the two most powerful forces in the Universe. If you believe in them with all your heart and soul you can do anything in the world. ANYTHING. They are not just some stoner hippie concept. And some look at Peace and Love as weakness. But they are the sword and shield God uses to conquer evil. And they are the only two things of any value you can take with you when you leave this mortal coil.

The very essence of The Pittsburgh Foundation strenghtens and promotes the concept and power of Peace and Love. And each of you at The Pittsburgh Foundation plays a very important part in making this happen. Each and every one of you should be proud that you commit to making Pittsburgh and the surrounding area a better place to live and grow.

I was so deeply touched to know my friends at The Pittsburgh Foundation wanted to know how my family and I are doing. We are OK. You have gladdened my soul and put a smile on my heart.

My wish for “yinz” all comes from Bob Dylan\’s Forever Young.

“May your hands always be busy”
“May your feet always be swift”
“May you have a strong Foundation”
“When the winds of changes shift”
May your heart always be joyful”
“May your song always be sung”
“And may you stay Forever Young”

Peace and Love, Brothers and Sisters of The Pittsburgh Foundation, Peace and Love

High school hero, Mike Piccione, was honored at the 2009 Genesis Awards Reception hosted by the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, on October 15 at Hyde Park in Pittsburgh. Mike, a physical education teacher and coach at Rhinebeck (NY) High School, was recognized for his role in saving the life of Kaitlin Forbes when she suffered sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) at the age of 15 in 2005. He gave her CPR and used the school’s automated external defibrillator (AED), which restored a normal heart rhythm.

Kaitlin and her friends later started the HeartSafe Club of Rhinebck, in honor of Maggie O\’Malley, a friend who died from sudden cardiac arrest at the age of 17.

Now a college student, Kaitlin participated in the event via Skype. Her message to the audience: “Heroes aren\’t born…they are trained.” Kaitlin\’s story is featured in the Foundation’s publication, You Can Save a Life at School™.

Mary Newman, Foundation president, presented Piccione with an award inscribed with words from the Talmud: “To save one life is as if to save the world.”

Other stories of survival were celebrated during the reception. David Belkin, Esq., now a member of the Foundation Board of Directors, described his brush with death. His life was saved three years ago at an elementary school in eastern Pennsylvania, thanks to the availability of an AED and willing rescuers.

The program also paid tribute to the majority of SCA victims who do not survive. Sally Wiggin, WTAE TV Action News anchor and event emcee, shared her connection to the cause. “I had just returned from a homecoming dance. That’s when I found out my father had just dropped dead from sudden cardiac arrest. I was only 14.”

Bobby Khan, MD, PhD, chairman of the Foundation Board of Directors, and Assistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at Emory University in Atlanta, described the terrible toll that SCA has taken on our nation, noting it is the single largest cause of death in the U.S. He, too, has a personal connection—his mother died from SCA on Christmas Day several years ago.

There was not a dry eye in the room when Elaine Liberati, a Pittsburgh Public School teacher, shared the grief that she has experienced since the sudden death of her daughter, Annie, then 22, in 2007. Ever since, she said, quoting from Viktor Frankl, she and her family have been searching for meaning in the midst of their sorrow.

Jamie Dixon, men’s basketball coach at the University of Pittsburgh, told his story of loss–describing good times with his sister Maggie, until her sudden death at the age of 28, when she was coach of the women’s basketball team at the U.S. Military Academy. Dixon, who has lost other relatives to SCA, has become a strong advocate for the cause.

Rep. Mike Turzai, PA House of Representatives, 28th Legislative District, also spoke at the reception, expressing his support for PA HB 1803, which promotes CPR/AED education and AED placement in schools. He also announced he will be introducing legislation to designate an SCA Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.

In light of the Foundation awards reception, Chief Executive Dan Onorato proclaimed October 15 SCA Awareness Day in Allegheny County.

Cardiac Science, ZOLL Medical, Heartsine, St. Francis Foundation, The Gerald McGinnis Cardiovascular Institute at Allegheny General Hospital, and LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh sponsored the event.

Entertainment was provided by the North Allegheny High School Strolling Strings.

Judy Kristan, Ali Newman, Jennifer Bassett, Jeff Kristan, Janet Emery, and Carissa Caramanis O\’Brien served on the event planning committee.

It seems nearly everyone at the event had some connection to SCA. “I lost my father, four uncles and a cousin to sudden cardiac arrest,” said Mrs. Kristan, event chairperson.

Photos: http://www.blacktie-pittsburgh.com/premiere_events/details.cfm?id=791

Following was distributed today by PR Newswire:

Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign, Families of Flight 93 and PA State Senator Jane Orie Honor Volunteers Who Raised $1.1 Million for Flight 93 Memorial

By: PR Newswire
Sep. 10, 2009 12:29 PM

Memorial Campaign poised to begin new round of bracelet sales

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Pennsylvania State Senator Jane Orie, Majority Whip; General Tommy R. Franks, USA (Ret), Honorary Co-Chair of the Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign and Director of National Park Foundation Board; and Gordon Felt, the President of the Families of Flight 93, today honored the organizations and individuals who sold more than 100,000 Hearts of Steel bracelets to raise $1.1 million for the permanent Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, PA.

Also on hand for the luncheon, held at the Hilton Harrisburg, were Chris Sullivan, Chairman of the Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign and Director of the National Park Foundation Board; Joanne Hanley, National Park Service Superintendent of the Flight 93 National Memorial; and William Jones, President of Penn United Technologies, the company that manufactured the bracelets, each inscribed, “We Remember 9-11-01, United We Stand.” Verizon, Giant Eagle, the Harrisburg Hilton, Allegheny Energy, and the Hershey Company sponsored the luncheon.

Launched by Senator Orie shortly after the terrorist attacks of 9-11, Hearts of Steel is an enduring tribute to the 40 extraordinary men and women who changed history while resisting a terrorist attack on our nation’s capital. Their plane ultimately crashed in the remote fields of Shanksville on September 11, 2001.

The unprecedented grassroots volunteer effort brought together Pennsylvania’s steel industry, business sector and the local community in a campaign that drew support from veterans groups, and people around the country and around the world. The bracelets were manufactured free of charge by Penn United Technologies who along with Allegheny Ludlum Corporation and AK Steel donated tens of thousands of pounds of steel. Many other local organizations and individuals also contributed to the effort and the campaign which grew far beyond what anyone had originally expected.

“Initially I had hoped that we might raise $10,000 through the Fund,” said Senator Orie. “However, the resolve, determination and valor of passengers on Flight 93 touched so many people, not just here in Pennsylvania, but across our nation, who felt compelled to pay tribute to the sacrifices they made.”

In 2002, Pennsylvania businesses, unions, and individuals – some going door-to-door – volunteered their time and efforts to sell the Hearts of Steel bracelets, raising $1.1 million for the Flight 93 Memorial Campaign. Veterans organizations and soldiers around the world bought and distributed the bracelets, and many Olympic athletes wore them as a symbol of their pride in America. The donation, held in trust by the Pittsburgh Foundation, was formally conveyed to the Flight 93 Memorial Campaign led by the National Park Foundation in the spring of this year. The money will help to support further protection of the Shanksville crash site and construction of a visitor-accessible courtyard and plaza at the sacred ground.

In recognition of this important initiative, 40 special Hearts of Steel bracelets – each bearing the name of a Flight 93 hero – will be included as part of the Flight 93 National Memorial permanent archives. The original stamping dye that helped create the first bracelet will also be part of the permanent archives.

“The nationwide response to Hearts of Steel was simply overwhelming,” said Senator Orie. “It is a testament to the nation’s continued generosity. I want to thank all those involved, including my father Dr. John Orie and the many people who volunteered their time and donated materials and services. Your contributions are incalculable and priceless.”

“We are deeply grateful to Senator Orie and all the participating organizations and individuals for their heartfelt contributions to the Hearts of Steel Fund. A special thanks must also go to the Pittsburgh Foundation and for their administration of the trust. Finally, I can think of no better way to honor the memory of our loved ones than to include the 40 special bracelets as part of the National Memorial’s permanent archives,” said Mr. Felt.

General Franks said, “The Hearts of Steel program has been a tremendous boost to our overall fundraising efforts. This donation brings us closer to achieving the necessary goals to complete our sacred obligation — the construction of an inspiring permanent Flight 93 National Memorial. We are thankful to Senator Orie, the Pittsburgh Fund, all the Hearts of Steel volunteers, Penn United Technologies, Allegheny Ludlum Corporation and AK Steel for their generous commitment to this effort.”

“This was an incredible event and very emotional. I feel great satisfaction in making this gift, on behalf of all those who supported Hearts of Steel, including our wonderful event sponsors – Verizon, the Harrisburg Hilton, Giant Eagle, Allegheny Energy, and Hershey Candy,” said Senator Orie.

“The $1.1 million raised in less than one year through the Hearts of Steel program is really an incredible accomplishment. The Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign is excited about working with Senator Orie to re-launch this successful program,” said Mr. Sullivan. “We deeply appreciate the tremendous generosity of the people involved with the Hearts of Steel program as well as all our contributors from America and around the world.”

To pre-order a bracelet or to help fund the permanent Flight 93 National Memorial or for more information about the Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign, contact flight93memorial@nationalparks.org or call 202-354-6488.

About the Flight 93 National Memorial – On Sept. 24, 2002, Congress passed the Flight 93 National Memorial Act. The Act created a new national park unit to commemorate the passengers and crew of Flight 93 who, on Sept. 11, 2001 courageously gave their lives, thereby thwarting a planned attack on our nation’s capital. The Memorial is near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed with the loss of its heroic 40 passengers and crew. A capital campaign to support building the Memorial is being conducted by the National Park Foundation. For more information visit www.honorflight93.org.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Senate Republican Communications

The 19th Annual Greater Pittsburgh ATHENA Award Program will take place on Monday, September 21 from Noon – 1:30 p.m. at the Westin Convention Center hotel. .

The 2008 luncheon drew more than 800 attendees, affirming the status of Pittsburgh\’s ATHENA Award Program among the largest stand-alone events of its kind – with 500+ communities presenting the award across the globe each year.

The ATHENA Award recognizes women in our community who:

• Demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business profession
• Contribute time and energy to improving the quality of life for others in the community
• Actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential

It is the program\’s explicit focus on the importance of mentorship that distinguishes the ATHENA Award among other honors for women in business. For more information and to register, please visit www.ATHENA-Pittsburgh.com.

The recent Post Gazette article on East Liberty’s renewal (East Liberty becomes a vibrant community, PG 6/8/09) is a welcome notice to the larger Pittsburgh community about the transformation and continuing innovation of the area. This transformation is a model of public private partnership which has been the hallmark of so much of Pittsburgh’s progress over the last several decades.

The forward-looking collaboration between ELDI and East Liberty Presbyterian Church in developing East Liberty Town Square is another example of how the spirit and culture of a neighborhood, decimated by an ill-conceived sixties renewal effort, can be recaptured, recreated and realized in new forms, based on neighborhood need and sound planning ideas. .

There is another sector which increasingly takes a role in this remarkable renewal and it represents a large and viable – and almost invisible – piece of what is happening in East Liberty. The approximately 50 non profit organizations based in the 15206 zip code account for an aggregate payroll of almost $95 million dollars. When viewed from an economic impact perspective, this group of human service and educational organizations contributes in a major way to the vitality of East Liberty.

One of these non profits, East End Cooperative Ministry, an inter-faith, multi-program, social and human service agency, is joining the new physical face of East Liberty by building Community House, a new 58,000 square foot neighborhood center at the corner of Penn Circle East and Penn Circle North. This building joins the green infrastructure initiative of the Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development and is planned as a Platinum Level LEED certified addition to East Liberty’s array of new buildings.

Settlement houses or neighborhood centers have been a part of Pittsburgh’s history for decades, as its immigrant populations, both individuals and families, adjusted to the new industrial society of the day. Sarah Heinz House, Hill House, Kingsley House, and Hosanna House are some of the historic examples of how the non profit sector rallied to solve educational and family problems in the racially and culturally diverse neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. In these welcoming places, people learned languages, found new job skills, learned how government systems worked, found cultural enrichment through music and theater and learned to strengthen family ties and relationships.

Now East End Cooperative Ministry will add a similar space to the East End. EECM’s 14 program locations will be centralized in a physical and cultural community center designed to compliment the growing renewal efforts in the neighborhood. After 40 years of service to the homeless, the hungry, distressed children and families, EECM will be able to provide a new level of dignity, compassion and efficiency to its long record of service to East Liberty.

We proudly join with the enlightened retail and business community, the dozens of non-profit organizations, the hundreds of homeless and hungry, the countless children and families, and the thousands of volunteers, each doing a special task, each making a special contribution to the larger renewal. East Liberty is not only “becoming a vibrant community” as the Post Gazette says; it always has been one, in spite of hard times. These new times are full of hope – built on mutual commitment, sound planning, and community support rich with promise.

( Philip Hallen is President Emeritus of the Falk Foundation. Mark Bibro is Executive Director of the Birmingham Foundation. They are, respectively, President and Vice President of East End Cooperative Ministry’s Board of Directors)