Observatory Hill business holds annual volunteer day, provides community face-lift
Photo by Justin Criado
The Pipitone Group (PG) of Observatory Hill used a day of community service to help beautify the Northside neighborhood they’ve called home since 1998. The volunteer hub of the city of Pittsburgh, servePGH, and the Observatory Hill, Inc. (OHI) were also part of the efforts, which included putting up new signage at three different locations Tuesday, Sept. 12.
PG president and CEO Scott Pipitone (center in white shirt) contemplates where to place a new sign with his employees at the island on the base of East Street in Observatory Hill Tuesday, Sept. 16. The PG has held an annual volunteer project in the Northside for the past five years, but this is the first time the group has worked in Observatory Hill where their offices have been located since 1998.
PG principal and chief creative officer Jeff Piatt swings a pickaxe after he and 42 volunteers cleared the island at the base of East Street in Observatory Hill. All 42 PG employees participated in the day of community service Tuesday, Sept. 12. Volunteers from servePGH also helped in the efforts. The PG partnered with the OHI, which received a $1,000 Love Your Block (LYB) grant from the city of Pittsburgh for the project.
Photo by Justin Criado
PG volunteers also landscaped a section of the island on Baytree Street and Evergreen Road in Observatory Hill Tuesday, Sept. 12. OHI president Glenn Miller is a licensed landscape architect and donated his services pro bono. Other than the LYB grant and OHI support, Pipitone donated $4,000.
Pipitone purchased property at 3933 Perrysville Ave. in 1998 and since then his company has called Observatory Hill home. Recently, PG purchased an old beauty salon next to its current offices that has sat vacant for years. During the volunteer day, the storefront received a face-lift. A dozen local businesses in the Observatory Hill business district along the 3900 block of Perrysville Avenue supported the PG’s service efforts by offering sponsorship as well as donating food and drinks.
The PG designed historical and educational banners to cover the vacant store fronts along the 3900 block of Perrysville Avenue. The banners tell the story of how Perrysville Avenue received it’s name, highlight history of Observatory Hill and recognize prominent Northside jazz musicians.
The PG mission statement is the first thing you see when you enter the offices, and highlights where such inspiration for community outreach and volunteerism comes from.
For more extensive coverage check out this week’s e-blast, and look for a full feature in the October issue.
