Two Organizations Collaborate to Make Pierogies

by David Croyle

Two local organizations got together to enhance the goals for each of their events.

The Ford City Renaissance Committee in partnership with the Ford City Fire Department are preparing for their Polish Dinner, making as many as 1,200 pierogies.

2015 Miss Armstrong County Anna Oberneder was looking for a community service project that would help raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network.

On Sunday afternoon, the two groups came together for an afternoon of creating homemade pierogies.

Paul Klukan explained.

“The Renaissance Committee is partnering with the firemen to raise money for our Street Fair to pay for the entertainment that we bring in. Anna Oberneder was doing a project and she needed a volunteer project. She called me and said ‘Can we come volunteer?’ and I said yes. It’s a great way of bringing together Miss Armstrong County, Miss Outstanding Teen, the firemen, and the Renaissance Committee together on a Sunday afternoon to make pierogies.”

Klukan said the 1,200 pierogies will be one of many entrées that will be available at a Polish Dinner on May 16 that also includes cabbage rolls, Kielbasa, sauerkraut, cabbage and noodles, mashed potatoes, and dessert. The dinner will be held at the Ford City Fire Hall from 4-7:30 PM.

Meanwhile, Miss Armstrong County Anna Oberneider rounded up volunteers to work with her and give the Renaissance Committee some help.

“Miss America (organization) came up with the idea of ‘Miss America Serves.’ We decided that we would contact Paul and Barb Klukan who are very good friends of ours. We offered to have us come and help them out but also have the community service hours for ‘Miss America Serves.’ We had to get teams of 10 and have people pledge a dollar for each hour we work,” she said.

Anna and her ten helpers worked for five hours each for a total of $50 in donations. The money raised during their community service will go to the Children’s Miracle Network campaign. Meanwhile the Renaissance Committee finished making their 1,200 pierogies. Both groups were pleased with the participation.