A little bit of color can go a long way, especially when it creates appealing and creative spaces for students to learn and grow.
PPG Industries, in coordination with PNC Bank, participated in a community outreach event at Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Sunrise School last month. More than 50 employee volunteers dedicated their time to painting and creating colorful spaces at the school at 550 Aura Drive in Monroeville.
“PNC is pleased to team up with PPG Colorful Communities to make classrooms at AIU Sunrise School more beautiful and welcoming for students,” said Sally McCrady, chairperson and president of the PNC Foundation.
“Our employee volunteers are passionate about rolling up their sleeves and lending their time and efforts to make our communities stronger.”
The morning began with welcoming remarks from PPG, PNC and Sunrise School.
PPG’s Community Engagement Associate Annie Clough spoke to the group. Then volunteers broke up into teams to complete their projects.
Volunteers used PPG paint to brighten the classrooms and hallways. The building serves approximately 130 students, ages 5 to 21, with various special needs, autism and physical disabilities.
According to Clough, this isn’t PPG’s first project at the school. In 2022, volunteers painted a STEM library, classrooms and hallways. Since its launch in 2015, PPG employees have completed more than 500 projects globally, impacting more than 9.2 million people in 50 countries.
“I can’t overstate how much we appreciate the work that PPG and PNC have done here. We all know how a fresh coat of paint and a bright color can change a mood and brighten a day,” said Sunrise School Principal David Campos. “That is true for both the staff and the students who call Sunrise their second home. We are truly grateful for their generosity.”
Leslie Savisky is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.