Volunteers needed to help showcase 'Best of Blawnox'

From shoveling walkways to picking up trash and litter, a new volunteer group in Blawnox is pledging to showcase the borough through good deeds.

Best of Blawnox was launched in January “to recognize the greatness in our community and that through working together we can bring programs to the residents,” Director Diane Casile said.

“In addition to providing service to those who need it, we will also hopefully engage all of our citizens to get involved to grow community spirit.”

The group’s first initiative, Snow Angels, will help people that might not be able to do the heavy lifting.

Volunteers will be matched with people who request help removing snow from their walks or driveways.

“Snow-covered sidewalks can be hazardous for everyone,” borough Manager and group leader Kathy Ulanowicz said.

The Snow Angels program pairs elderly residents and those with disabilities with nearby neighbors who want to assist them.

It is just one of many programs the group plans for 2021 but, Casile said, the covid-19 pandemic is creating challenges to initiative rollouts.

“We are keeping our current programming to events that can be done safely and at a distance,” she said.

Next up will be “Adopt a Block” in honor of Earth Day this spring. Volunteers will pledge to take care of their block or someone else’s block for the year, in an effort to keep Blawnox beautiful, Casile said.

The mission of the nonprofit is to stimulate interest in the community through a rotating list of programs and events.

With Casile and Ulanowicz, other group leaders include Ann Petrus and councilperson Katie Coban.

Once the mild weather breaks, Ulanowicz said the group will be looking for people to help plant and tend to a community garden at the park along Center Avenue.

In its first few years, the garden has had 11 beds that produced corn, zucchini and green beans, along with herbs and watermelon.

Three of the beds are raised so that people in wheelchairs can easily work in the dirt.

In past years, anyone who put in time planting, watering or weeding the garden could enjoy the crops.

“We’ve had a lot of interest in volunteering opportunities so far,” Casile said. “We are hoping that all of our residents will be involved as new programs are announced.”

Anyone interested in learning more can email thebestofblawnox@gmail.com or call 412-295-1638.