It's when the unconventional happens that you often times have the most fun, and that certainly was the case on Tuesday when Steelers President Art Rooney II, along with five players, took part in a United Way of Allegheny County Day of Caring.
Art Rooney II, along with several players participated in a yoga class with senior citizens at the Northern Area Multi-Service Center.
The group, which included Will Allen, Jordan Berry, Chris Boswell, Ross Cockrell, and Will Johnson, visited the Northern Area Multi-Service Center in Sharpsburg, Pa., where they did yoga, yes yoga, with senior citizens.
"It's always great to get out and be with our senior citizens," said Rooney. "It's great to get people up and moving and get some exercise. Exercise is a great part of staying healthy no matter what your age is. Being active is an important part of staying healthy."
The players and seniors took part in almost an hour of yoga, working up a healthy sweat while having a great time.
"You give back to help out, to instill hope and show that you care," said Allen "Hopefully when I am their age a young, professional football player or someone in the community will come back and do things to keep me going, keep me active. It's good for them to be out here, getting their heart flowing, be at peace and build strength. It's good to see older people be active."
The Day of Caring is a United Way initiative designed to get volunteers out in the community to support the agency's main focus areas, one of them being senior citizens. The group encouraged the seniors to stay active to help prevent health issues and to keep them vibrant.
"At the heart of United Way's work is helping seniors being healthy and safe, and that includes being physically active," said Bob Nelkin, President and CEO of United Way of Allegheny County. "We're grateful to the Steelers players for highlighting the importance of senior physical activity and demonstrating their flexibility. Who better to bring the message than the Pittsburgh Steelers? Everyone admires them."
Since the inception of Days of Caring the Steelers have been an active participant, and working with the seniors has been one of the main focuses. * *
"Days of caring are a win-win for everyone," said Megan Marucco, Senior Corporate Relations Manager for United Way of Allegheny County. "Companies get to go out and make an impact. Employees go out there and know their company cares about the community. And then the people who are benefiting from the volunteer programs receive the greatest reward.
"I think it's great beyond just a visual knowing they are out there interacting with people, with the seniors is so important. Our senior work is crucial to our work at the United Way. We want to make sure we take care of them the way they took care of us."
