Bethel Park High School freshman continues to bring smiles to children
This Easter Bunny delivered more than baskets filled with toys, books and stuffed animals.
He brought smiles.
Inside each of the 75 containers, wrapped in plastic and tied with pink bows, were bright yellow plastic balls with a smiley face and Loopy Laura handmade smiley faces.
They represent Smiles From Sean, an organization that focuses on brightening the faces of children with medical issues. The nonprofit was created by Sean Rovers, 15, a freshman at Bethel Park High School and a two-time cancer survivor, along with his mother, Maria.
Sean Rovers dressed as the Easter Bunny and visited sick children with the smiley baskets.
This was the fourth year for the baskets, and everything was donated.
Volunteers gathered on March 25 to fill the baskets. They enjoyed pizza and laughed while they worked inside a room at the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center on South Park Road.
Isabelle Finnegan, a freshman at Carlow University in Oakland, said it is one of her favorite events. She was there with her boyfriend, Nick Leccia, a sophomore at Penn State Greater Allegheny in McKeesport. Both live in Bethel Park.
“I enjoy giving back,” Finnegan said. “I am hoping to work with children in my career. I feel like I have a purpose when I volunteer for things like this.”
Finnegan’s sister Jamison, a senior at Bethel Park High School, said she loves Sean Rovers.
“He touched my heart with how sweet he is,” Jamison Finnegan said. “He is like a brother, and his mom is one of the nicest people I know. I could not think of anywhere else I would want to be other than here helping Sean.”
Maria Rovers, who drove her son to the homes, said he brought the children baskets “all made with love.” They also delivered baskets to an organization that helps foster children.
Sean Rovers said doing things to help other children makes him happy.
“I like spreading joy and making other kids smile,” he said. “It is amazing to see all these baskets.”
Sean Rovers is an inspiration, said Pam Tiano, the Bethel Park Interact Club’s Rotarian adviser. She and her husband, Justin, assisted with filling the baskets.
“We have a wonderful group of volunteers who want to help Sean,” she said.
The Interact Club is one of nearly 15,000 such Rotary-affiliated groups around the world providing leadership skills for students ages 12 to 18.
Bethel Park High School sophomore George Danchik, a member of the club, said he likes helping people.
“I was happy to take time out of my day to do this to help kids who need it,” he said. “It feels good. Sean really cares about others.”
Basket donations came from Smiles From Sean team members and volunteers, Every Child Inc., Walmart, Kings School Kids Daycare, South Park Shops Management, Sydney Litzenburger, Victoria Thomas Ford and Family, Sodini Family, Soltes Family, Lisa Karner, Bethel Park North Neighborly Members, Bethel Park Historical Society, Amica and Connor Sidoruk, Sharon Janosik, and the Scanlon Family.
Sean Rovers said he is thankful to all those who donated.
Diagnosed Oct. 22, 2017, at age 9 with a rare brain tumor, his cancer is a type of CNS Sarcoma called intracranial myxoid mesenchymal. He had his first brain tumor resection on Oct. 24 that year and was in the hospital for two weeks. The tumor recurred, requiring a second surgery and radiation.
Through this medical journey, Sean continues to smile. While in treatment he met Kaylee Kruise of Altoona. The two shared the same December birthday. Kaylee passed away in 2021.
The Sean Rovers and Kaylee Kruise Smiles Fund was established to help raise money for UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. For it to be operational the goal is $10,000.
One way to reach that goal is through the fourth upcoming coin drive. Collections are May 1-31 in some schools in the Bethel Park School District. Coins will also be collected at some schools in the Altoona School District where Kaylee attended.
The coin drive was started based on every penny counts.
“All that change adds up,” Sean Rovers said. “This will be our best year yet, which means we can help more kids.”
For more information, visit www.smilesfromsean.org.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.