Sheldon Park residents hold Christmas event for all of Harrison to try to quell perceptions
The Christmas spirit was alive and well Wednesday evening in Harrison.
Residents of Sheldon Park and folks from surrounding neighborhoods filled the Lloyd D. Hayden Center for a “Small Town Christmas” celebration Wednesday evening.
Dozens of local businesses and churches donated money and food toward the festivities. At least 300 people attended.
“It really was the community coming together,” said Ruth Fox, one of the organizers and CEO of the Allegheny Family Network. “We certainly couldn’t have done it without everybody else.
”It does show that people care.”
The event was in large part to help the community heal after two recent shootings at the public housing plan in the township’s Natrona Heights section.
A woman and her daughter were shot by a neighbor Nov. 26 as they returned home to their unit on Municipal Drive. The shooter, Eddie Layne, 48, committed suicide afterward.
Police say another woman was accidentally shot by her young son a week later.
A 27-year-old man was shot in the complex earlier this year.
Sydney Hayden, president of the Sheldon Park resident council, said her group already planned a Christmas event but partnered with the Family Network to make it even bigger.
“Everybody came together to make this event a success,” Hayden said. “We try to do positive things and let people know this is not a bad community. I think this community is not as bad as everybody thinks it is.
“We try to bring unity into the community. We serve a purpose: to help others. … No matter where you go, you’re going to have problems. It’s how you make the best of it (that counts).”
Fox’s daughter, Sheldon Park native Autumn Monaghan, said some housing plan residents were concerned about how other people perceive them.
“They feared judgment from the community outside of Sheldon Park, and they shouldn’t,” Monaghan said. “They should feel like they’re Harrison, because they are Harrison.”
She said the event took about two and a half weeks to prepare.
“It became so much more than anybody could ever imagine it would be,” Monaghan said.
Saxophonist Rick Hayden, 41, of Allison Park was one of several performers who took the stage Wednesday night.
He said he spent many summers with family members in the Natrona Heights area and was happy to come back and play for the community.
“The Haydens are everywhere,” he said. “I love to be able to contribute to a community event. What’s an event without music?”
Christ Our Hope Anglican Church volunteers provided crafts for the children.
Pastor John Bailey said the recent incidents have not deterred his members from supporting the community.
“These people just want to live safe and happy lives,” Bailey said. “Sometimes things happen and we just want to support them. All the people here that I’ve met are great people, and they’re trying to do their best. We enjoy being with the kids, and we want to encourage them to have the best lives possible.”
A parade with emergency responders and a decorated school bus was highlighted with Santa’s arrival via fire truck. He posed for photos and handed out candy to children.
Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MikeJdiVittorio.
