Bartko Foundation Luncheon held at the Fairmont Pittsburgh

PATRICIA SHERIDAN

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

psheridan@post-gazette.com

MAY 1, 2017

The Place: Fairmont Pittsburgh hotel, Downtown on Saturday.

The Purpose: To support the Bartko Foundation through Irene’s Dream Luncheon and Boutique Shopping. The Bartko Foundation was founded by the Bartko sisters, Melanie Gefert-Azur, Michele Bartko Bossers and Nedra Bartko Perkins, in honor of their late parents, Irene and Ted Barkto. “We wanted to do something that would honor their giving spirit,” said Mrs. Perkins. The foundation raises money to help single minority mothers achieve their goals. It can be as simple as a computer so they can work from home or a washer and dryer or a car to get to work and school.

The Program: Mrs. Gefert-Azur, president of the foundation, welcomed nearly 250 guests and introduced WPXI-TV’s Brittny McGraw, the emcee. Honorary chairs Latasha Wilson Batch and Candi Castleberry Singleton spoke about the importance of getting involved in the community and helping where you can. LaTrenda Sherrill was honored as Volunteer of the Year by executive director Carl Perkins. LaShaun Martin was the Irene O. Bartko Award recipient, but was unable to attend.

The People: Among those shopping for the cause were Wiz Khalifa’s mother, Katie “Peachie” Wimbush-Polk, who flew in from California for the event, Debra Bruckman, Betty Gioia, Rita Deluzio, Sophia Puricelli, Samantha Walsh, Dale Seth, Cindy Hughes, Megan Gefert, Michelle Figlar, Dale Seth, Liz Brandimarti and youth volunteers India Sims, Rayshell Brown, Laiken Brown and Destiny Craig.

Pictures from 2016 Luncheon

Jasmine Bowyer accepting the IOB Grant Award

Left to right: Carl Perkins, Rev. Diana Harbison, IOB Support Award Recipient, Melanie Gefert

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