Plum residents rally around explosion victims
It's been nearly two months since a house explosion rocked Plum's Holiday Park neighborhood and forever changed many lives.
Tina and Nino Pettinato's house on Mardi Gras Drive exploded after natural gas leaked into the home March 5. The houses on either side of the Pettinato home were severely damaged. One has been demolished, and the other is slated for the wrecking ball.
The explosion killed Tina Pettinato's father, Richard Leith, 64, of Trafford. The couple's youngest daughter, Gianna, 4, suffered a broken leg, which has almost healed.
"We're doing well," Nino Pettinato said recently. "We're taking it day by day."
The family is staying with Tina's Pettinato's mother, Mary, and they are helping one another with their grief. Nino Pettinato said the family is unsure about where they will live permanently.
The family is getting by with help from family, friends and supportive Plum residents.
"This whole community is amazing," Tina Pettinato said. "Every day, donations are coming in."
The Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department, for example, gave the family $3,175 collected during bingo games and fish fries held during March.
"There are no words to describe this generosity. It is overwhelming. It leaves you speechless, it really does," Tina Pettinato said.
Lori Shaulis, of Holiday Park VFD, said during each week's bingo game in March, a special game was held to benefit the family. Half of the proceeds would go to the family and half to the game winner.
"Not one week went by that the winners kept the money for themselves," Shaulis said. "They donated it back to the family. People just kept giving. Workers gave their tips. People would be walking out the door and say, 'Here's $70, give it to the family.' "
The Pettinatos' oldest daughter, Isabella, attends Holiday Park Elementary School. Earlier this month, students were given the option of wearing a hat all day in exchange for a $1 donation. The money collected went to all the Mardi Gras Drive victims.
Teachers in the district organized a Night at the Races event for the victims. The YMCA collected donations, as did many local businesses.
A portion of the proceeds from the annual basketball game between the Steelers and the school district's coaches and teachers benefited the Pettinatos.
The family isn't sure if they will rebuild on their Mardi Gras Drive property, but they do plan to move back to Holiday Park.
"It's such a warm community," Tina Pettinato said. "The support is what helps you get through it. It's hard to find the words for it. It just gives us this peace."
Additional Information:
How to help
Donations can be made to the Gianna Pettinato Fund or the Richard J. Leith Memorial Fund, c/o PNC Bank, 32 Miracle Mile Banking Center, Monroeville, PA 15146, to the attention of Cathy Cartieri.
