Monroeville Foundation hosts 4th annual CommUNITY Day

Monroeville celebrated its fourth annual CommUNITY Day on July 30.

The event was hosted by the Monroeville Foundation and sponsored by multiple businesses, including Forbes Hospital, Highmark and Allegheny Health Network

The day began at 9 a.m. with the CommUNITY Day 5k run/walk. After participants were done, they headed over to the Community Park West soccer field for the festivities at noon.

Highmark representatives were taking guests’ information for future services. The healthcare company is able to connect people with providers and make appointments for patients within its network.

AHN had a table set up where attendees could build their own first aid kits and get free health screenings, blood pressure checks and glucose checks. AHN was also advertising for its free cancer screening events in September and October.

In addition to free cancer screenings, Braddock Primary Care has partnered with the Brother’s Brother Foundation to provide free eye screenings to local communities in a mobile van. Participants are able to get their eyes tested by a doctor and necessary eyeglasses for free and without insurance.

AHN is also hoping to start a mobile van that provides free cancer screenings to local communities.

“Because of covid, we are finding that people have been skipping their annual cancer screenings, and it’s caused us to catch it in later stages,” said AHN’s Dr. Stephanie Miller. “We want people to know we’re here and we’re open. When we were having the surges, people were having trouble getting into hospitals. Now we’re focused on trying to get people back into that routine of preventative care so we can help prevent advanced issues.”

CommUNITY Day was packed with family- friendly activities. From live performances to a foam pit, there was all- day entertainment.

“We try to do something that brings the community together,” said Ernie Groover, Monroeville Foundation president. “What excites me the most is everything here for the kids. My grandkids come each year and love the foam pit. We have a DJ this year, so they’ll be jumping around and dancing to the music.”

Inflatable obstacle courses were spread out through the grass for children to race. State Farm’s Monroeville representatives set up a booth for face painting. There was a princess sing-along, during which children were encouraged to dress up as their favorite Disney character or superhero, and they were invited to the ampitheatre for a movie showing after the day ended.

Local vendors included the Monroeville Public Library, where volunteers handed out free comics to children. Members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness educated visitors on the importance of local support, and Char Le’May attended with its mobile boutique.

“We wanted people to be able to see how many different things are available to them within the community,” said Groover. “It’s also a great opportunity for people in the community to get to know each other.”

There were many local food vendors, including Chocolate Moonshine Fudge Co. and Dee’s Delights. The Monroeville Foundation was also hosting a raffle and selling barbeque plates.

The foundation will be hosting its annual Jazz Fest on Sept. 3. Profits from the events hosted will be used to sponsor local projects throughout Monroeville, Pitcairn and Turtle Creek.

For more information, visit www.monroevillefoundation.org.