Surgicorps International Holiday Party

The seasonal spirit filled the LeMont Restaurant Sunday night for the annual Surgicorps International Holiday Party. This intimate gathering is a thank-you to volunteers and staff who have helped founder Dr. Jack Demos (with Cathy).

“We started doing this event in 2008 just when the financial crisis hit,” recalled Dr. Demos.

At the time, LeMont owner Ed Dunlap was offering nonprofits free dinners if they paid for the alcohol and took care of the staff. The aim was keep his staff employed in tough times.

“That is basically how we started doing this thank- you

party,” Dr. Demos explained. “All the people here support us or go on the trips to offer medical surgeries to several countries.

They used to visit five or six countries a year, but COVID-19 restrictions have limited it to four.

“We get as much out of these trips as we give because we realize you not only change a child or a patient’s life, we change their families’ lives. We change the village’s life and we change their impression of the United States,” he noted. “We are ambassadors.”

Among those gathered were former executive director Linda Esposto, director of operations DeNese Olson, Drs. Peg and John Lagnese, Sharee Waskowiak, Nicole Tomko, Gretchen Homison, Connie and Bruce Mazzoni, Judy Traister, Denise Esposto, Mary Randolph and Tram and Sam Duran.

John Colombo/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Sharon Tomko, left, Nicole Tomko, Dr. Jack Demos and Sharee Waskowiak at the Surgicorps International Holiday Party on Sunday at LeMont Restaurant in Mount Washington.

John Colombo/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette photos Drs. Peg and John Lagnese at the Surgicorps International Holiday Party, created to thank those who provide medical services in other countries.

Kelli Rejniak chats with other guests at the Surgicorps International Holiday Party on Sunday at LeMont Restaurant in Mount Washington.

Sam and Tram Duran at the Surgicorps International Holiday Party, an annual event that started in 2008.