SSA Middle School eighth grader Sonia Kshirsagar created the Breckenridge Youth-Run Service Committee (BYSC) in Wexford, PA in 2019, for which she serves as chair.

On Aug. 22 she organized a 2020 Multi-Charity Neighborhood Block Party that benefited four local nonprofit organizations: The Free Store in Wilkinsburg (benefits low-income families), Urban Impact (supports at-risk youth), Every Child Inc. (supports children in foster care), and Living In Liberty (helps human trafficking victims).

SSA eighth graders Sai Chaudhry and Audrey Jiang and sixth grader Roshan Kshirsagar are also members of the BYSC and helped with the event. Wilkinsburg Mayor Marita Garrett and her mother, Beverly Garrett, were in attendance, representing the Free Store.

The two-hour event, which included extensive COVID-19 precautions, raised more than $2,000 in donations and collected numerous carloads of material donations specifically requested by each charity. Given the lack of traditional fundraising opportunities for many nonprofit organizations this year due to COVID-19, all four charities were especially grateful for the donations received. Generous sponsors for the event included A Party Place Rentals, JorAl Concepts and Brunins Law.

Way to go, Sonia, Sai, Audrey and Roshan!