Volunteers give makeover to McKeesport couple’s home

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

Mary Ann Russen, a retiree, tried to hold back tears as volunteers from Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh and HRT Solutions put finishing touches on an improvement project at her Christy Park home.

But she shed joyful tears after seeing her husband, Frank, who struggles with some health problems, “get some of his freedom back” by sitting on a new, safer front porch with his dog, Roddy.

She welled up again as she watched Frank step down off of the back porch while holding onto a newly installed safety rail as he went on a journey around the house to view the improvements made to his home.

Last week, RTP staff, the City of McKeesport and HRT Solutions staff members acting as volunteers joined forces to make life at home a little easier and safer for Mary Ann and Frank. He is a U.S. Army veteran and is working hard to retain his independence as he battles early dementia and a severe case of arthritis.

The groups coming together marked Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh’s first volunteer event of 2021 in Allegheny County.

“(The Russens) needed some significant electrical upgrades and other work at the house, which was done by a professional contractor,” said Andy Hromko, special projects manager with RTP. “Thanks to HRT coming out … I can get more work done for this couple as I don’t have to pay for labor of course.”

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