Ringling Bros. Clowns Provide Smiles, Laughs For Habitat For Humanity Volunteers

McKEESPORT (KDKA) -- A dilapidated house in East McKeesport is a perfect candidate for the handiwork of Habitat for Humanity.

Ripping up the walls and flooring, volunteers must de-construct the house before rehab can begin.

Sponsor Chick-fil-A provides the lunches, and kids from our Lady of the Sacred Heart School provide the elbow grease.

The building on Park Avenue is the 78th house that Habitat has tackled in Allegheny County. But this is the first time they've chosen to send in the clowns from Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Clad in costumes and grease paint, Andrew Scharff and Rob Ringling - yes, that's the name he gave us - prove clowns don't need a three ring circus to perform for a team of volunteer carpenters.

Rob says clowning for Ringling Brothers is a dream come true.

"I always like to make people laugh. I always want to have fun. And the thing is, I'm not a doctor, I'm not a lawyer. What can I do?" he said. "I can make people laugh. So, what other better place to do it than the Greatest Show on Earth?"

Watch Andrew & Rob on Pittsburgh Today Live:

Colleen Cadman is events coordinator for the Allegheny County Habitat.

"We have a home ownership program where we search for local families that wouldn't qualify for a conventional mortgage," she says. "And we try to find affordable housing options for them."

The low income family that moves in will receive an interest-free, 30-year mortgage.

The circus comes to CONSOL Energy Center Nov. 5.

For more information, visit CONSOL Energy Center's website here!

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