A local brewery got in the holiday spirit this year when members of their staff delivered over 600 books to families of pre-mature babies in Pittsburgh.
Recon Brewing put on the book drive from October through mid-November. All books were donated to the UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
The idea was hatched by Kiesha Kurtz, who is a Recon employee and NICU parent. Her daughter Kairi was born at 34 week and at three pounds and two ounces. Kurtz said reading books to her daughter during their time at Magee was a major part of how they spent time together.
“Reading is a big part of who we are,” Kurtz said. “My favorite thing to do was hold her and read to her. Every day I would read the same book three or four times while I sat there with her.”
Kurtz said their initial goal was to donate 300 books. They collected double that amount.
“Having the community at Recon all come together to support me in this was amazing,” Kurtz said.
Recon Brewing highlights a “Karma Tap” as part of their rotation of beers. 15 percent of the sales from that particular beer are donated to a charity. In support of Kurtz’s cause, Recon will be donating a portion of the proceeds from a new beer called the “NICBrew” to the Magee-Women’s Research Institute and Foundation. It will makes its debut at Recon Brewing on January 7 at 6:30 p.m.
