Make-A-Wish visits PNC
PITTSBURGH— It's the holiday season, not baseball season, and that's good enough for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates on Saturday hosted a Make-A-Wish holiday party at PNCPark, bringing in 26 Make-A-Wish children and their families. Among the children were 7-year-old Audrey Fitzgerald of Valencia, Allison Love, 9, of Cranberry Township and Tara Burke, 8, of Freeport.
Each child had her own personal locker set up in the Pirates clubhouse, complete with her own replica jersey and Pirates customized Santa cap.
They took swings in the indoor batting cages, were entertained by a magician and enjoyed face painting and cookie decorating.
"We've granted about 700 wishes in the past fiscal year," said Leigh Ann Lubarsky, a Make-A-Wish coordinator for the Pennsylvania chapter. "We decided on these kids for this party because they're big baseball fans and Pirates fans.
"The Pirates, Steelers and Penguins have all been great in working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Pittsburgh sports teams have been very active supporters."
The Pirates have put together a Make-A-Wish holiday party almost annually since Kevin McClatchy's ownership group bought the franchise in 1996.
"It's something we're proud to do and it's something we should do," McClatchy said. "These kids are big baseball fans, and we're big fans of them.
"If you ever need a little perspective in life, spend some time with these children. They are extremely courageous young people."
Audrey developed a tumor at a young age, but it has been in remission. She now is involved with jazz music, intramurals in school, basketball and Girl Scouts.Tara suffered a stroke a little more than a year ago because of a clotting disorder. She is an active third grader at South Buffalo Elementary and is involved in dance.Allison was born with only three chambers in her heart and has already had three heart surgeries — at six weeks, 1Z\x and 5 years of age."Look at her now and you'd never know she ever had anything wrong with her," said her father, Bob Love. "She always has a smile on her face."I always thought Make-A-Wish was strictly for kids who are terminally ill, but that's not the case at all. This program does amazing things."The three children and their families all have been to Disney World in Orlando, Fla., through Make-A-Wish. Roberta Love, Allison's mother, began doing volunteer work for Make-A-Wish upon her return.Amber Fitzgerald, Audrey's mother, appreciates the program as well."This organization gives you a chance to do something memorable for your child ... We could never have afforded to go to Disney World otherwise," she said."Seeing her name over a Pirate locker and getting a jersey ... Audrey will never forget that."Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield, the Pirate Parrot and Captain Jolly Roger mascots, and pitchers Zach Duke and Josh Sharpless also were on hand for the party.
Duke's fiancee, Kristin Gross, has a brother who was a Make-A-Wish child. Their family went to Disney World through Make-A-Wish when he was 5 years old.Diagnosed with leukemia then, Craig Gross went on to play football and wrestle in high school at Evansville, Ind. Now he is a 19-year-old student at Purdue University."Make-A-Wish provides hope, smiles and comfort at a very difficult time,"Kristin Gross said. "We've never forgotten that.""I feel blessed and honored to be able to interact with these kids,"Zach Duke said. "This isn't about the athletes, about who shows up and who doesn't. It's all about these kids."Formed in 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted 149,568 wishes through 72 chapters in the United States and 29 international affiliates.The Pennsylvania chapter serves 57 counties in Pennsylvania and southwestern West Virginia. Created in 1983, it granted its 7,000th wish earlier this year.
