By Erika Fleegle

It’s clear that Pittsburgh is a sports town, and on any given game day, the entire city appears to be blanketed in black and gold. But professional sports aren’t the only organizations that have a strong presence. Since 1995, the Northside’s own Urban Impact has been contributing to community development and spirituality through its various programs, most notably the athletics department.

Urban Impact will host the first ever Coaching for Change fundraiser Sept. 13 at Allegheny Center Alliance Church on East Ohio Street in Allegheny Center to fund its athletics department. Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle will be the evening’s special guest speaker.

The event begins at 6 p.m. with networking and fellowship. At 7, coaches and students from Urban Impact’s athletics department will provide testimonies as to how being involved with the Urban Impact athletics program has transformed their lives for the better.

Donations for the athletics department will also be accepted during the evening. Thanks to generous corporate sponsors, every donation will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000.

-Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Pirates official website.