PHILADELPHIA, PA – Greater Philadelphia Cares just announced in excess of 7,000 volunteers are expected to join forces for more than 100 projects on the 18th Annual Philly Cares Day. Saturday, October 22 signifies renewal to schools, community spaces, and recreation centers across the region.
“I am so proud to be a part of this effort and commend Greater Philadelphia Cares,” declares Mayor Michael Nutter, “for coordinating this great day. It is especially important to engage volunteers at a time when the school district and community-based organizations face tough budget challenges.”
The day kicks off at 8:30 a.m. with a rally at South Philadelphia High School, 2101 South Broad Street. This school was the subject of racial violence and tension over recent years. Mayor Nutter and Principal Otis Hackney gladly welcome students from the high school and volunteers from the La Salle African-American Student League and Temple University Asian Students Association to this project site.
Other schools slated for improvements are New Beginnings Academy in Chester, Paul V. Fly Elementary School in Norristown, and, in Philadelphia, A.S. Jenks Academics Plus School, Blaine Academics Plus School, Blakenburg School, Edwin M. Stanton School, Henry C. Lea School, Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School, Universal Vare Charter School, and William D. Kelley School.
“Philly Cares Day,” explains Martin Molloy, executive director of Greater Philadelphia Cares, “has become a catalyst for long-term change. We are seeing our volunteers stay involved in their communities beyond this one day, making a real commitment to take ownership for positive social change.”
Keeping up with normal wear and urban blight appears impossible for city services alone. Volunteer help is essential, and beautifying Philadelphia becomes a win-win situation in which volunteering builds stronger team and family relationships.
No training is necessary beyond a volunteer orientation of up to 1 hour. To learn about the highlighted projects and more community activities, visit http://philacares.com/ or call 215.564.4544. Nonprofit organizations can register projects from which individual and group volunteers can find matches to their interests. Of course dollar and in-kind donations are also appreciated.
Greater Philadelphia Cares has generated about 1.5 million volunteer hours through a wide range of monthly projects. Some entail tutoring children, bridging the digital divide, feeding the hungry, revitalizing green spaces, assisting the disabled, and visiting the elderly. Annual events supported, in addition to Philadelphia Cares Day, are Love Park Day and Earth Week in April; the Philadelphia Marathon in November; the Winter Coat Drive, starting in November; and the Martin Luther King Day of Service in January. It is not to soon to contribute to or sign up to volunteer for any of those events.
All right to this article are reserved by Gloria Blakely. Copyright 2011.
