This spring, we Ran for Jessie! Several relay teams and marathon runners, donning “I Run for Jessie” shirts raised more than $2,000 for the Jessie Games and the Catholic Charities Summer Lunch program. The day started out rainy and a little cool, but cleared up. People cheered along the way, yelling Go Jessie, and bringing smiles to our faces. It was our first time working with the marathon and we plan to build on the success in 2017! If you would like to be a part of the Run For Jessie team, send us an email to thejessiegames@gmail.com. We have plenty of miles and options for everyone, whether you want to be part of a relay team, run the half or full marathon.
At the second annual Jessie Games, held July 11, 2015, more than 250 people gathered at Seton La Salle’s Merrick field to celebrate the spirit of Jessie by having fun and raising money to support the Summer Lunch program at Catholic Charities. After weeks of rain — and worries about it continuing on our day — the sun cleared!! [Click on any photo to enlarge].
The Pirates Pierogies made their first Jessie Games appearance, with Sauerkraut Saul, Cheese Chester and Jalapeno Hannah joining the races. Kids races on foot, in burlap sacks and in costumes.
Later, four local volleyball teams competed for top honors, with the winning team awarded Jessie Games baseball hats. And while they played, others gathered in front of the DJ – also new – for hoola hoop and dance competitions.
Competitive eaters gathered at tables lined with watermelons to see who could down their quarter-watermelon the fastest. No hands allowed!
A favorite from last year – the water balloon toss – featured moms, dads, brothers, sisters, cousins, grandparents stretched, across the field, trying to be the last standing with an intact balloon.
Throughout the day, kids and adults ate sno-cones and popcorn, had their faces painted, made jewelry, raced battery operated orange pigs, played corn hole, and tested their putting abilities. Those who needed a break from running around played bingo under the welcome shade of the big tent.
Crowds cheered at the dunk tank, and the kids lined up for the chance to get dunked. Those wanting to test their strength headed for the High Striker, to see if they could ring the bell.
Many gathered at the Jessie Stones booth, where Jessie Stones and jewelry were sold. This year, there were several new offerings, including snowdrop bulbs, earrings, and water colors of Ireland’s Croagh Patrick, along with new bracelets and pendants made with stones gathered in Ireland.
The day ended with a cookout with hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, fruit and cookies. It was like a big family picnic! We couldn’t have done it without all of your support – attending the games, supporting it with donations, and praying for its success. So, from all of us at The Jessie Games Committee, Thank you!
The Jessie Games 2015 – Sponsors
Event Sponsor: News Corp
Platinum Sponsors: Creehan & Company; The Mannion Family
Gold Sponsors: Hayes Design Group – Architects; The Klemick Family; Don’s Appliances; Team Scotti
Silver Sponsors: John M. Hartzell, Jr., Esq; Houston Harbaugh, PC, Attorneys at Law; Leslie and Paul Reynolds; The Marasco Family; St. Clair Hospital; St. Anne PTG & Athletic Association
Bronze Sponsors: Sean & Jenn Ansberry; The Beringer Family; Brandt Bernat; Mary Kay & Jack Binder; Gerry and Louise Cipriani; The Dan & Kathy Goff Family; Pittsburgh Orthodontic Group; McGervey Electric; Rebecca Pounds, D.D.S.; Steel Sales Corp.
In kind donations: Metz Food Services; Breadworks; Giant Eagle; Jan Klemick; Tim Zugates; St. Louise de Marillac; The Andy Warhol Museum; Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; Pa. Rebellion Softball; Washington Wild Things; Carnegie Museums of Art & Natural History; AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes; Fleet Feet; Eat N Park; City Theater; Seven Springs Mountain Resort; Carnegie Science Center; Skyzone Trampoline Park; Chris Grella
Donors: Keith & Yvonne Creehan; Linda Cunningham; Nancy & Ralph Belsterling; Pat Dwight; Mike & Margaret Hooten; The Wunder Family; The Shapiro family; Patrick Furey and Denise Little Family; Judy Caves; John Miller; Melissa McCart; Alex Iniquez; Kevin Kirkland; Kathleen Amanti; Kathy and Greg Reiff; Barbara Vancheri; Carol Hymowitz; Peggy Bond; Joe & Prudence Posey; Karen Kane; Ginny Chenet; John and Michelle Manning; Molly Fichter; Judy Albenzi; Lois Cole; The Richtar Family; Tyler Batiste; David Shribman; Susan Smith; Barbara Paul; Tim and Erin Betler; Mike Fuoco; Fr. Michael Caridi; Marissa and David Cochran; Andy and Sandy Gans; Kate Giammarise; Patrice Giancola; Dan Gigler; Tim Donahue; Joe and Chris Furey; Dan and Shelly Haser; Frank Hynos; Cathy Jakubowski; The McItrot family; Nancy and Wes Smith; Terry and Jan Smith; Jim Walsh
The Jessie Games 2014 – Photos and Sponsors
In 2014, we held our first Jessie Games. Not knowing what to expect, we set a modest base goal of $5,000 and in a show of support and generosity, raised five times that amount! While that was gratifying, more so were the smiles, joy and celebration of life!
We quickly realized certain activities would be repeat attractions: dunk tanks, a family water balloon toss and watermelon eating contests.Children, wearing their green Jessie Games T-shirts, raced, and cooled off with sno-cones. With much encouragement, the principal of St. Anne School went in the dunk tank and so did many others.
(click on any photo to enlarge)
Thank you to our 2014 Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors: News Corp ; Creehan & Company
Gold Sponsors: Don’s Appliances ; Hayes Design Group – Architects ; Team Scotti ; Steel Sales Corporation
Silver Sponsors: The Beringer Family ; Dan & Kathy Goff and family ; John Hartzell and Houston Harbaugh, Attorneys at Law ; The Marasco Family ; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ; Post-Gazette newsroom managers ; Rebecca Pounds ; Leslie and Paul Reynolds
Bronze Sponsors: The Albenze Family ; Sean & Jennifer Ansberry ; Brandt Bernat ; Mary Kay & Jack Binder ; Gerry & Louise Cipriani ; The DeConciliis Family ; Richard F. Gobbie | Pittsburgh Orthodontic Group, Inc ; St. Anne PTG & Athletic Association ; The Klemick Family ; John Roach
In Kind Donations: Andy Warhol Museum, Breadworks, Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, Children’s Museum, Cinemark, City Theatre, Eat N Park, Giant Eagle, Heinz History Center, Metz Culinary Management Company, Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Sky Zone, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, Washington Wild Things
Donors: Avon Drive Neighbors, Kellie Banky, Amanda Beamon, Nancy & Ralph Belsterling, Margaret Bond, Fred and Paula Bowman, The Boyle Family, Judy Caves, Peggy Cohan, Lois Cole, Chris D’Amato, Barb and Scott Davidson, John Doe, Molly Fichter, Cynthia Finder, Joseph Furey, Patrick Furey & Denise Little Family, Joyce Gannon, The Goldane Family, The Greer Family, Megan Grefenstette, James Hagerty, Mary Lu Hawes, John & Noreen Herward, Mike & Margaret Hooten, The Husak Family, Carol Hymowitz, Cathy Jakubowski, Karen Kane and Joe Agnello, The Kukla Family, Tatyana Lavrinenko, Lois Lippert, Patricia Lowry, Margaret Lynch, Thomas M. Lynch Family, Mary Kay McGuirk, The Merikas Family, Dianne and Albert Metro, Eric Michalski, The Kurt Miller Family, John Miller, James Morhard, The Olesky Family, Diane Pawlak, Jerry and AK Pozycki, Bill Powell, Joe Petrich, Mary Lou & Tony Price, Ginny and Tom Renegar, Jared Roach, Tom and Ginger Rodgers, Stephen Kaufman and Maria Sciullo, The Shapiro Family, Jonathan & Britta Silver, Jan & Terry Smith, Renee & Tim Swisher & Family, Bob Topoleski, Larry Walsh, Mike and Diane Whittaker, Amanda Zinobile
The Jessie Games 