Charity efforts run deep at Zelienople’s 9th annual Miracle on Main Street
ZELIENOPLE — Battling frigid temperatures, Alyssa Smith huddled beneath a pop-up tent as she attempted to give away more than 500 children’s books from the Zelienople Area Public Library’s donation stockpile.
It was an appropriate endeavor for the 9th annual Miracle on Main Street. The event, which is deeply rooted in charity, took over the borough on Thursday night.
The library — and more specifically its expansion fund — was named the primary beneficiary of a celebration that continues to give back to the community.
“It’s just heartwarming for us in the best possible way because what we do every day is try and invest in our community,” said Smith, who serves as the library’s children’s services librarian. “This is our community stepping up and investing back into us. It means more than we can put into words.”
A short walk away, inside New Health Solutions, a team of volunteers handed out dozens of donated coats and other winter attire to those in need.
“My goal would be to give one to everybody,” said Sue Hamilton, who directed the coat drive for the second straight year. “Those that we don’t give away tonight, we try to channel through other charities.”
Hamilton estimated she collected more than 200 coats from businesses that set up drop-off boxes in the weeks leading up to Miracle on Main.
That effort, she said, is part of what makes the event such a captivating experience each year.
“It was amazing,” Hamilton said. “I was trying to go once a week and sometimes I would get there and (the boxes) were overflowing. It makes them feel good and we know we’re doing good for others as well.”
In addition, lead organizer Megan Murphy said a new partnership with St. Peter’s Reformed Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church helped provide Christmas dinners and gifts to several local families this year.
But the generosity stretches well beyond those who planned the event. A number of businesses handed out hot chocolate and cookies and participated in the second annual Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt to gave attendees a short reprieve from the bitter cold.
Spring & Main Cafe owners Dennis and Julie Detar have embraced Miracle on Main by opening up their casual cafe for Mrs. Claus to make cookies with children throughout the evening.
“To be a part of the bigger picture of the season of giving is an incredible thing as a business owner,” Dennis Detar said. “We work very hard throughout the entire year to put on an event like this and we’re always very happy to be a very small part of it.”
Detar pointed out part of what makes Zelienople unique is the residents and visitors who consistently show up to support good causes.
“We are very close knit and we’re all woven together,” he said. “We’re here to support one another.”
This year’s Miracle on Main also introduced several new attractions, including a live petting zoo and a visit from the Pittsburgh Pirates Parrot, who greeted families and posed for photos at Mathew Jewelers.
Organizers also brought back a full slate of longtime favorites, including horse-and-carriage rides, a live Nativity scene, a balloon artist and free face painting with Disney princesses Anna and Elsa.
