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Fish rodeo in O'Hara serves as day out for hospitalized veterans

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - 2/23/2023

Feb. 23—The pond at O'Hara Community Park will provide the perfect setting for hospitalized veterans to reel in good times during the 11th annual fish rodeo in May.

The festival-like event features grilled hamburgers, prizes, goody bags and, of course, some time casting lines into the water.

Sponsored by the Morningside VFW Post 3945, the event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m May 10.

"These guys want so bad to get out of the hospital for a day," Post Commander John Santoriello said.

"We're their family. We just try to make their day better than the one before."

Santoriello and a crew of volunteers have hosted the picnic for 10 consecutive years, working months in advance to collect donations and ensure the day goes off without a hitch.

It takes about 25 volunteers to pull off a successful event, he said. VFW members stock the pond the week before the event.

"It's a great success," Santoriello said. "People love it.

"We work hard to give them a great day."

Since it began, the fish rodeo has grown from a handful of participants to more than 75 veterans who are bused in from the VA hospitals in O'Hara and Oakland, as well as local nursing homes.

Patients are brought to the park from Chapel Harbor at the Water, Harmar Village and Seneca Place.

The day begins with coffee and doughnuts before veterans take a spot by the water to fish. Participants can receive a free haircut, ice cream and their pick of slippers, socks and toiletries.

Anyone interested in donating can send a check, marked fish rodeo, to Post 3945, 1820 Morningside Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206.

Tawnya Panizzi is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tawnya by email at tpanizzi@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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