The Children’s Home Celebrates 125 Years

On Saturday, March 3, 2018, The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center celebrated 125 years of serving children and families through their three programs: Adoption, Child’s Way® daycare for medically fragile children, and the Pediatric Specialty Hospital, a 30 bed transitional pediatric hospital.

Shake Your Booties 125th Birthday Party marked the 17th year of the annual gala with over 500 guests, including special VIP guests Jerome and Trameka Bettis and Rick Sebak, event emcee and former Steeler, Craig Wolfley, The Children’s Home’s CEO Pam Schanwald, Bob and Lisa Pomepeani, event co-chairs Steve Smith and Claire McGee, and honorary guests Tina and Jonathan Forehand. Jonathan is a 4-year-old former patient of the Pediatric Specialty Hospital who recovered from multiple brain surgeries at The Children’s Home. VIP guests enjoyed a private VIP section with photo opportunities with Jerome Bettis and specialty cocktails in light up cups. Every guest enjoyed an open bar, gourmet hors d’oeuvres and food stations, birthday cake, a silent auction, live auction, raffle, 50/50, wine toss, mystery bags, readings from Psychic Mike, magic from Lee Terbosic, live music from Jason Kendall Productions and a program highlighting the recovery of former patient Jonathan Forehand. With the largest attendance in the history of Shake Your Booties, the birthday party-themed gala raised over $300,000 to directly support the three programs of The Children’s Home.