PITTSBURGH (June 7, 2024) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC is pleased to announce this year’s honorees as part of their Change Makers program, presented by Allegheny Health Network, recognizing people who have made a difference in their community.
This is the second year for Change Makers, and five honorees were chosen fitting this year’s theme, “Kids in the Community.” Nominees had to be under the age of 18, and the honorees were picked from a lengthy list of deserving candidates gathered with the help of Change Makers partner YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh.
This year’s Change Makers are Dana Kromah, Gabriella Rabon, Bristol Joseph, Brody Toy and Abigail & Madelyn Hall. Each of the honorees has shown initiative and found a unique or novel way to benefit their community in Western Pennsylvania.
“This year’s honorees include an incredibly impressive group of youth who are positively impacting their communities in such unique, meaningful ways through their effective leadership,” said Kenya T. Boswell, senior vice president of community affairs at Highmark Health. “The future shines even brighter thanks to these honorees, and Allegheny Health Network is honored to be a part of recognizing them.”
The Change Makers will be recognized on the field at the Hounds’ home match Wednesday, June 19 against Louisville City FC. They will be presented with a custom Riverhounds jersey, and they and their guests will get to enjoy the game from the AHN suite.
Here is more about each of this year’s outstanding Change Makers:
• Dana Kromah, 17, Sewickley — Dana has logged countless hours volunteering his time at the Sewickley Community Center and as a member of the Quaker Valley Black Student Union. A varsity basketball player at Quaker Valley High School, Dana also serves as a coach for younger players with Quaker Valley Youth Basketball’s winter and summer programs, and in that role has gone above and beyond as a mentor to the next generation, both on and off the court.
• Gabriella Rabon, 10, Pittsburgh — A Girl Scout since she was in kindergarten, Gabriella has emerged as a young leader with her troop, helping to gather donations for causes ranging from Ukrainian relief to local animal shelters. After an experience buying and delivering items for a homeless person in Monroeville, Gabriella became motivated to create bags of supplies for the homeless that include both necessities, such as socks and hygiene products, but also “fun” things, such as pens and puzzle books.
• Bristol Joseph, 11, Washington, Pa. — Bristol took action on an environmental project after learning about declining populations of the monarch butterfly, an important pollinator of plants. At age 8, she launched the Magical Milkweed Market to grow milkweed plants, they type of plant upon which the butterflies lay eggs and their caterpillars feed. The market distributes the plants and seeds across the Pittsburgh area, and Bristol has given presentations about the plant’s importance in our regional ecosystem.
• Brody Toy, 12, Leechburg — Brody has become a fundraising dynamo for Alzheimer’s research since starting his own lemonade stand in 2016 in memory of his great grandfather, Joseph Kish. From a humble start, Brody’s lemonade stand is a full-fledged event with food trucks, a family fun raffle and six flavors of lemonade, with all proceeds going to the family’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s team, Joe’s Alzstarz. Ahead of the 2024 event this month, Brody has raised more than $24,000.
• Abigail & Madelyn Hall, 10 & 7, Pittsburgh — Sisters Abigail and Madelyn both have dedicated their effort to community service work. Abigail & Madelyn have an ongoing project called The Ribbon Girls, which began as a fundraiser selling ribbons to benefit the family of Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire, who was killed on duty. The Ribbon Girls has now raised more than $6,000 for the families of fallen officers. Last Christmas, the pair also participated in adopt-a-resident for IW Able Place, ensuring all of the senior high-rise’s 52 residents received presents at the holidays.
