Barbero auction in eighth year
Even before John Barbero became the public address announcer for Pittsburgh Penguins games at the former Civic Arena, he was well-known in the mid-Mon Valley.
A 1963 graduate of California High School, Barbero attended Grove City College, where he majored in business administration. Later, he was employed by WESA radio in Charleroi. After transferring to California University of Pennsylvania to continue his radio career, he served as play-by-play announcer for California Vulcans football and was sports director for WESA radio.
He also taught English for the Monongahela School District and served as assistant principal at Carroll Junior High and principal at Waynesburg Central High School.
Following his death on July 26, 2010, his good friend, Jerry Zahand, owner of Highway Appliance, thought about holding a memorial event. Zahand proposed staging a live auction as a fundraiser for the Mon Valley YMCA, where he was a former board member.
“John (Barbero) was from the valley and an educator who loved children, and we thought it would be a good way to memorialize him with the fundraiser named in his honor,” said Jeffrey Vitale, Mon Valley YMCA chief executive officer.
Now in its eighth year, the John Barbero Memorial Scholarship Auction and Vendor Show is scheduled for 12:30 to 3 p.m. Nov. 5 in the YMCA gymnasium, 101 Taylor Run Road, Monongahela. Tickets are $5 and include complimentary pizza provided by Salatino’s River House, beverages and cookies donated by Keystone Bakery.
All proceeds will benefit the youth and teen programs at the YMCA and the John Barbero Scholarship Fund.
According to Vitale, sports memorabilia is still coming in for the show. Already on-hand are signed and authenticated jerseys of sports figures Jack Hamm, Evgeni Malkin and James Conner. Related items include tickets to Pirates, Penguins, Steelers and Pitt basketball games.
“With the tickets, we try to pair them with hotel stays and restaurant gift card packages so people can have a full evening of entertainment,” Vitale said.
Typically, Barbero’s family, including his widow and children, are among the 400 to 500 people who attend the show each year. In the past, the Barbero family has donated sports memorabilia, gift baskets and restaurant vouchers to the show.
“We usually have seven or eight big-ticket live auctions each year, where people can get great bargains,” Vitale said. “Valley Tire, for instance, donates $800 to $1,000 worth of tires, which bidders can get at bargain prices.”
This year, 16 vendors offering a wide variety of merchandise have signed on to attend. Vitale said in the early years, the emphasis was on bringing in vendors with a sports focus, but the emphasis changed over the years to feature items geared more toward women.
Last year, the show also featured 72 silent auction items, 65 packages for auctions, lottery trees and 50-50 raffles. Cash prize and other giveaways are also drawn on the half-hour.
To entertain the younger set, mascots from the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Washington Wild Things and the Pittsburgh Penguins will attend. Activities will include face painting and balloons.
“After expenses, we usually net $15,000 to $20,000 to support our teen and youth programs,” Vitale said.
The YMCA serves children of all ages from all over the Mon Valley region through programs such as child care, teen leaders, youth swimming lessons, summer camp and an academic support group.
“We hope to see everyone on Sunday, Nov. 5, to enjoy this day of food, fun and fellowship,” said Vic Vitale, committee chair.
For information, call 724-483-8077 or go to www.monvalleyymca.org.