wilight in Tuscany” is the theme of this year’s gala benefit for
Outreach Teen and Family Services. The fund-raiser will be held
at Pittsburgh Golf Club on Saturday, January, 20, from 7 to midnight.

As always there will be plenty of opportunities to bid on auction
items, food stations and music and dancing, this year to the band
Lisowski serves as chapter president with Mike
“Airborne.” This year, one lucky person will win a raffle of a 62-inch
Bertenthal as her second-in-command
HD TV and HD DVD player including stand
as vice president. Other officers include
and delivery—a prize worth $4,200.

secretary Katherine Chivers and treasurer
Tickets are $100 with sponsorships available at
Emily MacLeod.

higher prices. For an invitation, call Outreach at 412-
Since its founding in 1989, Best Buddies
561-5405. has grown to more than 1,300 local chap-
Outreach Teen and Family Services, based in Mt.

ters in middle schools, high schools and
Lebanon, is a nonprofit agency that provides con-
colleges internationally.

fidential, accessible, affordable services to teen-
Those interested in supporting the Best
agers and their families throughout the Pittsburgh
Buddies Program don’t have to be stu-
region. Mary D. Birks, Joanne Dempe and Jennifer
dents. To find out how you can contribute,
Ohrman are the gala chairs. Serving on the Outreach
simply go to the club’s Web site www.

board of directors are: Peter Argentine, Michael
bestbuddies.org and click the Volunteer
Dempe, Steve Darcangelo, John Daley, Alex
link, or contact Breier at 412-344-2000,
Galatic, David Hartman, Michael Giammatteo, Tom
One of the most popular events host-
ext 13341.

Joseph, Andrew Maguire, Tom Ogden, Jennifer
ed by Mt. Lebanon's Best Buddies
Ohrman, David Palmieri, Templeton Smith and
If you know someone who’s having trouble
Chapter is its annual bonfire in Bird
Eloise Stoehr.

paying the heating bills this year, Mt.

Dave Grib
Park. Matt Evangelista, left, and
Lebanon Marching Band and Steeler
The Best Buddies Program, in its second year at
Mt. Lebanon High School, has been giving students a Michael Stang, members of the Mt. Hall of Famer/home heating assistance
chance to integrate teenagers with special needs into Lebanon High School Best Buddies champion Franco Harris have joined the
the rest of the student body.

Club, have fun around the campfire at region’s three largest natural gas utili-
Led by David Breier, life skills support teacher at the the club's bonfire before the Upper ties today to launch “Franco’s LIHEAP
Army” representatives from Columbia,
high school, the program is a local chapter of a national
St. Clair football game. Best Buddies
Dominion Peoples and Equitable joined
organization called Best Buddies International. Breier,
is an international organization that Harris at a pep rally for Franco’s LIHEAP
with the help of high school senior Elizabeth Lisowski,
has been attempting to unify the students at the high pairs high school students with special Army. More than $115 million in LIHEAP
funds have been allocated to assist
school through activities and trips of all kinds. The pro- needs for one-on-one friendships.

Pennsylvania low-income households this
gram is in its second year at the high school.

heating season. The grassroots effort is
This past fall, the Best Buddies hosted its annual
designed to mobilize, energize and chal-
bonfire in Bird Park. A silent auction included prizes
such as footballs autographed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The entire com- lenge nearly 2,000 social service agencies across the
munity was invited to the event. For the holiday season, the group took a trip state to increase LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program) applications.

to see “A Christmas Carol” and hosted a holiday party.

“My last army warmed the hearts of football fans
across the country, but with your help, Franco’s
Renee Rosensteel
“