Branch 181 Answers the Call: Donates to Pennies from Heaven Fund

The Pennies from Heaven Fund of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh recently received donations from the St. John the Baptist Society – Branch 181 of United, PA. The first donation of $500 in April 2020 was presented on behalf of Branch 181 by Robb and Lindsay Patty and son, Reid. Since the Annual Family Picnic had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the officers of Branch 181 decided to send in a second donation of $500 in June 2020. At a previous meeting, the branch had discussed donating to a worthy local organization. Robb Patty, son of Darlene Patty, President of Branch 181, suggested the Pennies from Heaven Fund. Lindsay Patty is a Registered Nurse working as a Clinical Leader in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital. She sees first-hand the difficulties families face when their child is hospitalized.

Ashley Laber, Development Coordinator, Community Giving, of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation explained that the Pennies from Heaven Fund was created to ease some of the financial hardships parents face when their child is hospitalized for a serious illness or injury – and help to keep families together when they need each other the most. Funds can cover expenses such as overnight kits, brown bag lunches, household bills, car repairs, travel needs, out-of-pocket expenses, child care for siblings, or other expenses that will allow a family member to spend more time at the hospital with their child.

Branch 181 invites other FCSU branches, districts or individuals to donate any amount to the Pennies from Heaven Fund. Contact Ashley Laber at 330-806-5386 or ashley.laber@chp.edu for more information, visit the website – www.penniesfromheavenpittsburgh.org or mail donations directly to Pennies from Heaven Fund, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA , 15224.

Submitted by Vicki Hricik, Branch 181 Secretary