Shining Star Gala to honor 12 in McCandless

A volunteer firefighter for more than four decades, Bob Jeke of McCandless is just doing what he was taught to do.

“I don’t usually thrive on the praise. I just volunteer because I volunteer. I just started at 16, 44 years ago,” Jeke said.

He is one of the 12 honorees for the 2024 Shining Star Gala on Nov. 9, hosted by the Town of McCandless and the McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage and Cultural Center. The event will be held at The Chadwick, 10545 Perry Highway. Tickets cost $75 each for $600 for a table on eight.

“This is an incredible group of people, all well-deserving in their own right, all coming from diverse backgrounds,” said Joe Wall, honorary chair of the gala.

Jason Wolfe, an entrepreneur and philanthropist in the community and one of the gala honorees, said he and his wife, Susan, are “honored and grateful to be recognized at the Shining Star Gala for our efforts in North Park.”

He enjoys supporting the community that means so much to his family.

“Susan was born and raised in West View and has been coming to McCandless and north park since she was a child, enjoying the bike shop, lake, driving range and more. We love where we live and are happy we can help keep its beauty,” Jason said.

This year’s honorees are:

• Alice Beckett Rumberger, member of the North Allegheny Foundation and Northland Public Library Foundation.

• Sarah Dietz, a health care instructor at A.W. Beattie Career Center in McCandless and a mentor, nursing home volunteer and elder advocate.

• Dr. Donald Huber, a member of the McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority Board and the Northland Public Library Foundation.

• Bob Jeke, volunteer firefighter and former chief of the Peebles Volunteer Fire Company.

• Rita Martin, member of the Northland Library Foundation and McCandless personnel board.

• Dawn Miller, member of the McCandless environmental advisory committee and a community day volunteer.

• Sally Power, an educator, philanthropist and owner of the Treasure House in Ross.

• Christine Shipley, McCandless community activity committee member.

• Larry Steckel, a McCandless community day volunteer, former organizer for Frank J. Farina Memorial Car Cruise and supporter of the North Allegheny Marching Band.

• Jason Wolfe, local entrepreneur and philanthropist.

DeDe Rittman, a former North Allegheny teacher, will receive the award posthumously, Wall said.

The evening will begin at 5 with a cash bar and cocktail party. The banquet is at 6 and the program starts at 6:45. All proceeds going towards the McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage and Cultural Center.

Six community members were on the nomination committee for the gala. Wall, who is on town council, said nominations for 2025 honorees will be posted through the town’s website next year.

“There are so many people that had an impact in McCandless that I don’t think we’ll ever run out,” Wall said.

Tickets are available at www.townofmccandless.org.