Media presents animal shelter with $2,500 from Eagles parade
MEDIA » When the Eagles brought home the Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LII, the lift of spirits throughout the Delaware Valley was audible, visceral and psychological. What might not have been planned were the hundreds or more unintended yet happy consequences.
Borough council demonstrated one such outcome during the monthly meeting by presenting a $2,500 check to the Providence Animal Shelter. What better metaphor could there have been than supporting shelter animals which largely include “underdogs?”
Council had quite a bit of fun with the presentation, making reference to all things dogs and Eagles. Anticipation of the game brought a huge crowd to State Street for a giant parade the day before the game. Trying to align the Eagles first-time win with the borough’s first-time pep rally might have been a humorous stretch.
“Media had the second-largest Eagles parade, topped only by the victory parade in Philadelphia,” said Mayor Bob McMahon.
“Rose Ross of Town Talk said there had been a lot on social media about having a parade, and contacted me. I said, I didn’t think so,” McMahon said with a smile, his parade organization skills being legendary in these parts.
Ross is the events coordinator for Town Talk, part of the Digital First Media family of papers, including the Daily Times. The combined expertise of mayor and organization set to work after the Eagles clinched the NFC championship.
“We did this in 12 days. Most of the credit goes to Rose,” said Rich Crowe, advertising sales manager of the Daily Times and Delco News Network. “They quickly huddled, and we were able to promote it through all our papers. And many thanks to the mayor for Media hosting it.”
One, and perhaps the only, challenge would be funding.
“We needed to have police coverage which called for overtime. Support in the amount of $5,000 came from four sponsors — former county councilman Dave White, TD Bank, Wawa and AQUA PA. In the end, we needed half of that to cover the costs. The rest we are donating to the Providence Animal Shelter. We found in those underdogs the perfect grand marshals.”
The center, formerly the SPCA, was happy to provide the warmth and fuzziness of 10 dogs for the float. Justina Calgiano, director of public relations and special events, said the group was evenly split with puppies and adult dogs. The organization, which often receives dogs from other shelters, has a life-saving policy and mission for cats and dogs. She noted the center operates solely on donations.
“All five puppies were adopted that day, and the adult dogs have been adopted since,” said Calgiano. “Super Bowl weekend is traditionally very slow for us, but being in the parade was a huge motivator. We had 45 adoptions that day. We are so grateful to receive these funds.”
The Eagles ripple effect was felt in Media, along the center’s Sandy Bank Road location and in every place there is a happy member of the Eagles nation. Everyone can say “woof” to that.
Following the presentation, council handled a full agenda including a number of mass gathering permits; a resolution approving sale of 350 used street lights for $950; and adding two cameras to the six already planned for a Baltimore Avenue public safety project costing $50,000.