Happy holidays from SHUC!

The holiday season is in full swing in Squirrel Hill! Check out some of the events SHUC has taken part in over the past month. We are grateful for all of our neighbors, friends and partner organizations for inviting us to be a part of the celebration!

Community shopping event at Ten Thousand Villages

Ten Thousand Villages invited SHUC to take part in their Community Shopping Event in November, where SHUC received a portion of the store’s sales during the event. Thank you to all of our neighbors, including Councilperson Erika Strassburger and SHUC Board President Mardi Isler, who stopped by to shop and say hello!

Berkshire Hathaway holiday open house

Berkshire Hathaway hosted a holiday open house at their Murray Avenue location (1935 Murray Ave) and invited SHUC and Murray the Squirrel to attend! Murray surprised partygoers and enjoyed taking pictures with so many friends. Thank you to the Berkshire Hathaway team for having us!

Tree lighting and photos with Murray the Squirrel

Murray the Squirrel attended the tree lighting on Forbes Avenue, and took photos with neighbors and furry friends. Thank you to Patrick Beck from Sestili Nursery and Jamison Combs from Uncover Squirrel Hill/Brandywine Communities for helping make downtown Squirrel Hill look so festive!

Uncover Squirrel Hill’s annual Holiday Wine Walk

We supported our friends at Uncover Squirrel Hill at their Holiday Wine Walk, a self-paced wine tasting walk throughout the Squirrel Hill business district. The SHUC table was set up at The Refillery (1931 Murray Ave) with snacks and sparkling waters to keep the wine walkers fed and hydrated. This is always such a fun event and we’re already looking forward to the upcoming Wine Walks!

Santa’s Open House at the Christian Church of Wilkinsburg

SHUC’s Executive Director, Maria Cohen, joined the JCC UPstanders at the Christian Church of Wilkinsburg’s annual open house with Santa. Every December the church welcomes kids of all ages to enjoy food, games, photos with Santa Claus and pick out gifts from the toy drive. Thank you to the JCC for inviting us along to take part in this UPstander event!

Hanukkah Menorah lighting in Squirrel Hill

The Squirrel Hill community celebrated the first day of Hanukkah at a menorah lighting near the Chabad of Squirrel Hill. The celebration was organized by the Chabad, and features one traditional menorah and nine towers of canned foods, representing the nine candles in a menorah. The food was donated by Giant Eagle and community members, and will be given to the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry. Thank you to the Chabad of Squirrel Hill for bringing this meaningful and special Hanukkah celebration to the neighborhood!

Happy holidays and happy New Year from SHUC!

Other recent community events

SHUC partnered with a class in the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy school at CMU on a budget study of the Squirrel Hill Magazine. SHUC Executive Director Maria Cohen coordinated the class project with Professor Lim (T.K.) at CMU in an effort to reevaluate the magazine’s budget. Thank you to Professor T.K., Evan, Gabby, Morgan, Maraika and Laura for all of your hard work!

Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS) and UpStreet Pittsburgh hosted a groundbreaking event for the new JCFS UpStreet youth drop-in space that’s set to open in summer 2022. UpStreet provides free mental health support for young adults and their families, and will soon expand to a physical space in Forward Lanes Office Lofts.

Congratulations to Councilperson Barb Warwick, Pittsburgh’s new District 5 City Council member! SHUC attended her inauguration ceremony held on December 12th and witnessed her swearing-in to City Council. SHUC looks forward to working with Councilperson Warwick in the future!