Photo courtesy of Rahmon Hart

The Rivers Casino Community Champions lent a hand (and some green thumbs) to help maintain three community garden lots today in Brighton Heights along California and Termon Avenues: Adam’s Lot, Green-Up Lot and Bear Lot with the Garden and Green Space Committee of the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation.

Team Members worked together to spread perennials to new garden patches, rebuild, add and widen brick and stone pathways, prune rose bushes and trees and remove invasive weeds. The work enhances the beauty of the entry-way to the neighborhood and creates a beautiful environment with an ever-changing array of diverse plants, flowers, shrubs and trees. This clean-up process helps beautify the area and keep the gardens sustainable after the winter months.

Since its inception as a non-profit organization in 1967, the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation has been involved in a multitude of activities that encourage the advancement of neighborhood improvements and a greater sense of community. This is accomplished by uniting the citizens of the community, its organizations, and institutions to work hand-in-hand to enhance the health, safety, welfare, property and well-being of the community.

“The Brighton Heights Citizens Federation does wonders to spruce up our city and create green spaces for our community,” said Rahmon Hart, director of community relations for Rivers Casino. “We’re happy to participate in such a fun project and love working with this important community group year after year.”

This year marks the Rivers Casino Community Champions’ fourth year of volunteer participation with the Brighton Heights team.

“It’s because of volunteers like the Rivers Casino Community Champions that we’re able to clean up and maintain these gardens,” said Susan Benn, volunteer Master Gardener and former board member of the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation. “It’s amazing to work with the folks from Rivers Casino because they actually match our passion and energy and are truly fun people to work with.”
Each month, Rivers Casino’s Team Members assist in a service project that benefits the Pittsburgh community as part of the casinos ongoing community service outreach program. Most recently, the Rivers Casino Community Champions completed a service project with The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped to celebrate National Library Week, earlier this month.