Our Very Happy Centennial

H A P P Y  C E N T E N N I A L   T O   U S !

(one of the many well designed welcome signs for our guests)

Thursday, October 19th, the Brashear Association celebrated its 100th year of service to the families of the South Pittsburgh community. The Centennial Gala was hosted at the Senator John Heinz History Center and we are so proud to be a member of this flourishing and amazing community!

1 0 0  Y E A R S  O F  S E R V I C E ?

For those of you who are new to our site, the Brashear Association is a namesake of John Brashear, founded in 1917. John Brashear was an innovative astronomer, whose passion evolved into his personal scientific practice, eventually becoming a staple member of Pittsburgh and a known humanitarian. The Brashear Association was birthed on the South Side and has served hundreds of families in financial struggle and have nurtured them into personal growth and progress. The Brashear Association currently serves give locations: the main office in the South Side, ALEC (Allentown Learning Engagement Center) and the Neighborhood Employment Center based Allentown, The Kaufmann Center in Arlington and the Pet Shop in Mt. Oliver. 

H O W  D I D  W E  C E L E B R A T E  ?

(Our Brashear staff checking in our guests and welcoming them to the event)

Over two hundred guests gathered at the Heinz History Center for a night of celebration. We started with a cocktail hour on the first floor accompanied with hors d'heurves, musical guests, and a video compilation of photos from the Breashear Association's 100 years of service.

As the evening progressed, we offered a silent auction filled with gift baskets and prizes donated by generous local business and companies. Some prizes included a day with Mayor Bill Peduto, various gift cards, custom art pieces  and more.

I L L U S T R A T I N G   J O H N  B R A S H E A R 

Throughout the night, guests had the option to peruse the entire Heinz History Center, which featured the exhibit "Pittsburgh Innovators", spotlighting the life of John Brashear as well a few of his artifacts.

M O V I N G   T O W A R D  A N O T H E R  A M A Z I N G  1 0 0  Y E A R S 

After dinner began, we reviewed the Brashear Association's achievements over the last one hundred years through addresses from our Executive Director, Hugh Brannan, and a video from Mayor Peduto. We applauded the Association's service as well as welcoming our steps toward the future. 

The most notable presentation of the night came from Margittai Architects. The group shared with us their plans for the Brashear Center in Mount Oliver. Combining the food pantry and after school space, this new building will allow us to consolidate our five locations. This presentation kicked off our capital campaign for the project; Over the next few years we will gather as many resources as possible to make this dream a reality! We can't wait to utilize this site to better serve the South PGH communities.