Donnie Iris Makes USC Visit To Donate Guitar For Charity

UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA — Iconic Pittsburgh rocker Donnie Iris was on hand Sunday at a charitable event in the township to help raise money and collect goods for Braddock's Free Store 15104. Iris donated an autographed guitar for the cause.

The Free Store, located on Braddock Avenue in the heart of the struggling community, redistributes surplus and donated goods to the needy. As the name suggests, there is no charge for the store's merchandise.

The free store is the brainchild of Gisele Fetterman, wife of Pennsylvania lieutenant governor and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate John Fetterman. He took the guitar from Iris, of Beaver County, who has played most every venue in western Pennsylvania for decades to perform hits such as "Ah! Leah!" and "Love is Like a Rock."

According to event organizer and township resident Gina Pelusi, South Hills residents donated enough boxes of diapers, socks and other items for the Free Store to fill a 10-foot U-Haul truck.

"A group of like-minded neighbors came together to make a difference for a neighboring community," Pelusi said. "Gisele and the Free Store she created are real-life examples of what Mr. Rogers used to say: 'Look for the helpers.'"

Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.