Spirit of giving moves from class to Sewickley restaurant

For one Avonworth Middle School sixth grader, the spirit of giving has extended beyond the walls of her classroom and into the Sewickley restaurant her mother owns.

Two months ago, Kaity DeGolier and her classmates held a charity drive for Beverly's Birthdays, a nonprofit organization that provides birthday cheer for children experiencing homelessness and families in-need.

The class collected more than 800 items, such as decorations and small toys.

Now, Kaity is expanding the drive and is hoping customers of Sewickley Pizza Roma can help.

“I decided to start collecting things on my own time,” the 12-year-old said. “There's a lot of kids in need and it makes me feel good if I can help them feel good on their birthdays.”

Her mother, Tina, owner of the pizza shop on Beaver Street, supports her efforts.

“She wants to help others feel the love that she always felt,” her mother said. “She has always been surrounded by love.”

Kaity's giving nature began before this school year. Though, it came under unfortunate circumstances when her father, David, died in 2012.

“At that time she was a confused little girl,” her mother said. “But, wow, I look at her now and she really cares about other people and their feelings. She is still a normal girl, but I can see past all of her faults into her soul. She went from being a hurting little girl, to a caring and thoughtful young lady.”

Inside the restaurant's dining room, there are two boxes where patrons can drop off traditional birthday party items, like plates, napkins, candles, wrapping paper, even cake mixes, frosting and sprinkles.

“So far, people have been very generous,” Kaity said. “We're just starting it but there's been about 20 people who have already dropped off 50 things.”

The boxes will be set up through mid-December. Then, Kaity will personally deliver all the donated items to Beverly's Birthdays main location in North Huntingdon.

Matthew Peaslee is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.