35th annual Sheldon Park Community Day on tap
Local officials will celebrate the progress of a public housing complex in Harrison while looking toward its future during a community festival Aug. 12.
The 35th annual Sheldon Park Community Day will provide games and activities for children while speeches are delivered from Highlands Superintendent Monique Mawhinney, Harrison police Chief Mike Klein and former Allegheny County Commissioner Larry Dunn, among others.
“I look to continue building a relationship with the parents and students of Sheldon Park, so that our students can get the best education in order to be successful after graduation,” Mawhinney said.
The event will be from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 12.
Organizer Sydney Hayden, a member of the county housing authority board, said the celebration is a way to ensure Sheldon Park stays atop everyone’s agenda and reinforces an atmosphere where success is a priority.
“It’s good to get together and talk about what’s going on for the school year and how we can support our kids,” Hayden said.
A lunch of chicken, potatoes and green beans will be served. While the speeches are delivered, activities will abound for children, including two inflatables, a DJ and face painting.
Children’s lunches will include hot dogs, chips and cookies.
Hayden plans to reach out to Citizens Hose Fire-EMS-Rescue to request an up-close look at trucks and other equipment.
Students from the Highlands musical department are scheduled to perform. There also will be vendors to peruse.
“It’s a nice time just to socialize and come up with ideas,” Hayden said.
Mawhinney said it takes a village to raise children.
“I am so thankful that I have a community who can work together for the betterment of our kids,” she said.
Other speakers will include District Judge Carolyn Bengel, county Housing Authority Executive Director Frank Aggazio and Harrison Commissioner Chuck Dizard.
Dizard said he is grateful for what he called life-changing work by the staff and volunteers of the Hayden and Booker community centers in Sheldon Park.
“Their efforts are critical to providing a safe and positive environment for families and children,” he said.
Tawnya Panizzi is a TribLive reporter. She joined the Trib in 1997. She can be reached at tpanizzi@triblive.com.
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