4-year-old donates money to help demolition in wake of Connellsville arsons
CONNELLSVILLE – Tristan Szabo doesn’t understand why someone would intentionally set fire to someone’s home or business. The curious, but shy youngster also wonders why it takes such a long time to clear the burnt structures that now stand as a reminder of a tragic event.
In an effort to help his hometown, the 4-year-old has turned over his life savings to the city to move along the demolition process.
City clerk David Pinkosky said that he was working at his desk when he was informed that someone needed to see him.
“I wasn’t expecting anyone and didn’t have any idea who it might be,” recalled Pinkosky.
As he entered the office, there was Szabo holding a plastic bag filled with wrapped quarters and pennies, a letter to explain the donation and a picture of a burning building.
His grandmother, Sandra McGill, said that the fires have had a tremendous effect on the young boy.
While staying with her last year, he watched as fire destroyed the apartment complex across the street from her South Pittsburgh Street home.
“He’s had nightmares about it,” said McGill.
In February, he witnessed the devastation of a second blaze at the Comfort Corner Shoe Store located at Fairview Avenue and South Pittsburgh Street.
He was pleased, his grandmother said, when the 612 S. Pittsburgh St. apartment building was demolished as it made the “city look nice” but wonders, however, why it is taking so long for the shuttered shoe store to be removed.
“I’ve tried to explain to him that it takes a lot of money to (demolish a building),” said McGill, “and that the city is trying to raise the money to do that.”
When he learned that the city was considering ways to fund the removal of the shoe store, the youngster asked if he could help.
“He went and got his piggybank and said that the city could have his money,” said McGill.
Mayor Judy Reed recently publicly acknowledged the youngster’s contribution and said that it would be used, along with other funding, to raze the shoe store.
“I’m very proud of Tristan,” said Reed. “We forget that the horrors of these fires also affect the children.”
His efforts have inspired others to also contribute. A neighbor recently sent him a $5 donation and friends have turned over their quarters and dimes to help.
“I just want to make the city look pretty,” said Szabo, who is the son of Brandi Szabo.