Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would like to nominate someone as a Neighbor Spotlight, see pennhillsprogress.com, select the “Post Story” button in the upper right corner and complete the form to publish your nomination. Questions? Email Neighborhood News Network editor Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com.

Beautification means everything to a Penn Hills couple who dedicates a lot of their time to making Penn Hills look presentable to the community.

Bill and Maureen Moutz are a part of several Penn Hills volunteer groups and organizations, including the Penn Hills Community Development Committee, Penn Hills Community Garden, Penn Hills Shade Tree Commission, Rosedale Civic Association and the Penn Hills Anti-Litter Group.

“We love volunteering and helping out to try to make our community better,” said Maureen Moutz, 70.

The couple started actively volunteering eight years ago. With both of them retired, the couple wanted to take advantage of the free time they had. They are able to fit their various volunteer opportunities into their schedules with no problem, as some occur during different days or seasons.

“Few people want to volunteer,” said Bill Moutz, 78. “If you don’t do it, it’s not going to get done.”

It’s not hard to miss the imprint the couple has left on Penn Hills. When you drive past the “Welcome to Penn Hills” sign on Allegheny River Boulevard, you will see a bed of flowers the couple helps maintain. Trees were also planted along the boulevard.

“We’ve gotten tons of compliments on the flowers on Allegheny River Boulevard,” Bill said.

Maureen said her favorite volunteer experience was during the first year of the three-year Plum Creek Restoration project. She loved seeing the families who came to plant trees with their children,

“Their children could come back when they get older and say ‘I helped plant this tree.’ That to me was amazing,” she said.

The restoration project was also Bill’s favorite volunteer experience along with the Penn Hills Community Garden.

“I like that we are growing crops and giving it away to the food shelter,” he said.

Even through lockdown and quarantine last year, the couple stayed consistent with volunteering by performing their own tasks and practicing social distancing when around groups.

Kathy Raborn, president of Penn Hills Shade Tree Commission, said the couple is committed to helping the community in any way possible.

“We need people like them,” Raborn said. “Penn Hills is lucky to have them.”

There’s no stopping Maureen and Bill as they continue to beautify Penn Hills. They are planting flowers near the “Welcome to Rosedale” sign and turning shrubs on Rodi Road into a monarch waste station.

“We want lots of people to see Penn Hills and think it’s a nice place to live and work in, so eventually people will want to move here,” Bill said.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)