Faces of the Valley: For Melissa Aller of Leechburg, volunteering is a way of life

Melissa Aller of Leechburg knows her way around a fundraiser.

Aller, 39, grew up in Natrona and began volunteering at a young age, tagging along with her late mother, Bonnie, a frequent volunteer in the community.

“My mother always told me it was better to give than to receive,” said Aller, who volunteers at least 10 hours weekly.

Aller’s consistent volunteer gigs include helping at David Leech Elementary School, the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company and Pink Day. You’ll find Aller manning Bingo Night every Monday and she’s a staple at fish frys, food festivals, school events and local charity fundraisers.

Aller said she considers volunteering a calling.

“I just do whatever I gotta do,” Aller said.

David Leech Elementary principal David Keibler said Aller’s dedication goes above and beyond, especially considering Aller’s only child, Haylee, is in high school.

Aller served on the school PTA board when Haylee attended David Leech and was responsible for the annual Book Fair program.

“Melissa’s support for the students is amazing. She steps up at times when others are not able and she makes sure opportunities are not lost for our students,” Keibler said.

PTA president Kasey Boarts said Aller continued to chair the Book Fair when nobody else volunteered.

“It’s nice to have somebody that is dedicated to continue the event and know that it will be successful. I’ve known Melissa for seven years and she’s a great person to work with.”

A Highlands High School alumnus and Alle-Kiski Valley native, Aller recalled helping her mother at Halloween parties, preschool fundraisers and at their family church, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Natrona.

“It seems nobody wants to volunteer anymore, and everyone wants something handed to them,” Aller said.

She said volunteering honed her professional skills, including improving her time management and organizing large events.

Pink Day founder and organizer Sherry Price said Aller recently volunteered at a Pink Day Notes for Hope fundraiser.

Pink Day is a Leechburg-based charity dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research.

“She knows the drill, and it’s so easy for me because I don’t have to explain things to her,” Price said. “She takes a huge weight off my shoulders.”

Leechburg Fire Company president Brian Scott credited Aller as instrumental in bringing back the annual Christmas craft show.

“During the pandemic, the LVFC had to change our methods of fundraising, and Melissa has been a very big part of that. Melissa welcomes new challenges and goes out of her way to work with all members to assist with our ongoing fundraiser,” Scott said.

Aller spearheaded the introduction of several outdoor food truck rallies held on fire company grounds.

The LVFC has 35 members who volunteer about 5,000 hours annually to keep the fire company on solid financial footing.

“The efforts of Melissa are a very valued part of that effort,” Scott said.

Aller’s mother died in 2019. Her father, Michael Aller, lives in Leechburg.

“My mother would say that I must be put in this world to help people out. That’s what my mom raised me to do,” Aller said.