MHY Family Services opens up to the community
ADAMS TWP — MHY Family Services is throwing open its doors for its seventh Harvest Open House and Car Cruise.
The event is planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30 at the campus in Adams at 521 Route 228.
The open house features a variety of family-friendly activities, including children's crafts, face painting, inflatables, hayrides and a DJ. There's also craft and food vendors and booths for community resources.
“Every year we look forward to opening our doors and inviting the public to come in and see what we've accomplished throughout the year,” said Lisa Schiller, executive director of MHY Family Services. “It's a really great opportunity to showcase the campus and educate the community about our organization and just gather together for a fun day.”
MHY was founded in 1878, on Pittsburgh's North Side as an orphanage. It moved in 1929 to the campus in Adams, where it sits today near Mars High School.
Amy Smith, director of development for MHY Family Services, said that historically the organization hosted a donation day in September where the community would raise funds and rally around the home to support it before the harsh winter weather came.
Based on that tradition, MHY again wanted to welcome the community into the campus to learn about what MHY Family Services is today and become familiar with who they are through the Harvest Open House, Smith said.
“We want people to know who we are because the community is such an amazing support to our organization,” Smith said. “We literally throw open our doors.”
MHY Family Services transitioned from a home for orphans into the behavioral health organization serving at-risk youth and their families, which is what the group does today.
Smith said former residents sometimes come back during the open house to revisit that part of their life and show family and friends the campus.
“We have former residents come back all the time, kids who lived here in the 1940s and 1950s,” she said. “Their stories are just amazing.”
Hayrides around the campus and tours of the facility will be given. There will also be a raffle, 50/50 auction and an expansive silent auction, including two tickets to an upcoming Pittsburgh Steelers game.
Admission and parking at the open house are free, and food and drinks will be provided. Smith said you can leave your wallet in the car unless you want to shop the craft and food vendors.
The event has grown each year, with last year being the biggest year yet. Smith estimated they had about 1,500 to 2,000 people come through last year thanks to the beautiful weather.
The car cruise, which was first introduced last year will return. Smith said they had about 50 cars last year and many car cruisers said they'd be back again this year.
New this year is a soup sale by well-known local chef Doug Brannock, also known as Mr. Soup Man, Smith said. Brannock is donating his time, skills and supplies to make wedding and potato soup, and all soup sales will benefit MHY.
For a $10 donation to MHY, people will receive a quart of soup and a roll. Preorders are being taken now for pickup on Sept. 30. Smith said there will be limited quantities available for purchase on the day-of the event. For more information on the event, visit mhyfamilyservices.org.
