Volunteerism is Susan Kaminski’s calling.
She helped raise money for an elevator for St. Matthews A.M.E. Zion Church, the oldest African American church in Sewickley. She works with KidsVoice, an organization that advocates in court and in the community to ensure a safe and permanent home for abused, neglected and at-risk children. Kaminski is board chair of Nurture PA, a program to mentor new moms by connecting them with someone who provides support and guidance. Other leadership roles include Pittsburgh Social Venture Partners, Sewickley Valley YMCA and Youth Connect, which she co-created with Joan Murdoch, to provide educational events and information for students and parents.
Kaminski, 66, is on the executive committee of the “Their Story” project, working to make a documentary of the history of the African American community in Sewickley.
She is vice president of The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center board and a founding board member of the theater.
And, each week for nearly 25 years, she delivers food for seniors in the Sewickley area through the North Boroughs-Sewickley Area Meals on Wheels.
She takes time with each person, asking how they are doing, sharing photos and a few laughs and sometimes tears.
“First and foremost, I love the people I meet,” Kaminski said. “Having started when I was new to Sewickley, I also loved learning more about the town from folks who were born and raised here. And I learned my way around, including hidden streets I might not have found otherwise.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | TribLive
Susan Kaminski of Sewickley loads up a cooler of food for seniors in the Sewickley area prepared by the North Boroughs-Sewickley Area Meals on Wheels at St. James Lutheran Church in Emsworth.
When Kaminski, husband Greg, and their three daughters moved to Sewickley from San Jose, Calif., in 2000, the family joined the Newcomers Club, which introduced them to the community, she said. Soon after, she joined the Sweetwater Center for the Arts board and the Child Health Association of Sewickley, where she met Nancy Sansom of Sewickley Hills. The two friends have been delivering meals together since 2021.
“If I am capable of doing something, I should do it,” Kaminski said of volunteering. “I like that I can use skills I learned through years of work to help the community.”
She is retired from a career in technology and has had jobs ranging from staff scientist at MIT Lincoln Laboratory to managing director of a product division of Applied Materials.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | TribLive
Nancy Sansom (center) of Sewickley Hills and Susan Kaminski (right) of Sewickley take the time to look at some family photos on Geraldine Jenne’s smartphone after they dropped off some food for Jenne from Meals on Wheels.
On a recent Monday, Kaminski and Sansom dropped off a meal to Rita Otto, 91. Her daughter, Julia Poepping, said the meals give her mom some independence because she can heat up the food herself.
“The meals are also healthier than some frozen dinners,” Poepping said.
In addition to a hot meal, recipients receive a bag with a sandwich, a piece of fruit and something sweet. The cost is $5 a day.
Geraldine Jenne, 85, talked with them about her family and her late husband. She said what they are doing is a very important service.
“They check in on me,” Jenne said. “It is a delight to have these healthy meals, and I appreciate that they give their time.”
Scott Hollander, executive director of KidsVoice said via email, “whether championing a deserving nonprofit, a critical community initiative, a political candidate or cause, Susan fully devotes herself to all she does.”
He has known her for 20 years.
”Over that time, I’ve watched Susan succeed in every effort — whether a library, theater, documentary, the YMCA, Sewickley Child Health, and so many others,” Hollander said.
Susan and Greg Kaminski hosted the first Taste of Sewickley dinner event, which has raised nearly $1 million since its inception to benefit KidsVoice.
Carolina Thor, CEO of The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center, said via email that Kaminski’s perseverance in bringing the organization to life and helping it grow has been essential.
“Having worked closely with Susan for 10 years, I have witnessed time and time again the fusion of her practical mind and unwavering generous spirit,” Thor said. “In addition to her leadership at The Lindsay and many other nonprofits, she never shies away from helping individuals in need — not only with her intelligence and resourcefulness but with her own hands. This tangible devotion is what I admire most about Susan.”
In her free time, she is an avid duckpin bowler and was inspired by mother. She has her mom’s duckpin bowling champion trophy, and her cousin on her father’s side was in the Duckpin Professional Bowlers Association.
“So it must be in the blood,” she said.
She also enjoys meals Greg Kaminski prepares.
When they first started dating, she invited him over for dinner and made something out of Craig Claiborne’s “New York Times Cook Book.”
“I’m not a chef. … I’m a strict recipe follower. He loved it. Several weeks later, I was working late and he offered to make dinner. He made the same meal. I said, ‘Oh, you found the cookbook!’ And he said, ‘No, I just liked it and made it.’ He’s cooked for us ever since. He’s just really, really good.”
Courtesy of Susan Kaminski
Greg and Susan Kaminski of Sewickley, as seen in 2019, volunteer their time with Taste of Sewickley, a fundraiser for KidsVoice. KidsVoice helps foster children in Allegheny County with everything from providing legal counsel in the courtroom to assistance with emotional support.
When asked about how his wife coordinates everything she does, Greg Kaminski said, “if you want to get something done, ask a busy person. Susan is a doer.”
Connie Gass of Ross prepares the food for Meals on Wheels at St. James Lutheran Church in Emsworth.
“Our volunteers go above and beyond for our clients,” said Gass, who prepares 60 or more meals in a day and coordinates the logistics. “They check in on people and spend time with them. What these volunteers are doing is about more than food.”
“I learn so much doing meals on wheels,” Kaminski said. “We make sure the seniors are OK. Looking out for each other is what the community of Sewickley embodies. It is a very welcoming community … and a very giving community. And the level of collaboration amongst nonprofits makes it possible to get things done. “
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at [email protected].
发表回复