Delco opens its heart for Giving Tuesday
Delaware County had a myriad of opportunities to participate in Giving Tuesday this year as non-profits stepped forward with their needs and residents responded — something that can occur throughout the year, not just the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
Giving Tuesday began in 2012 as a day to encourage people to do good, which has largely been seen as a way to give back to nonprofits who serve the community year round.
Among the do-gooders sprung into action Tuesday, Eddystone defense attorney Andrew Edelberg delivered stuffed animals to the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division and the Marple Police Department. The animals will be used to assist children who are victims of abuse and neglect navigate the stress of the criminal justice system.
“I just want to do whatever I could do to bring a smile to somebody,” he said.
Tuesday was only one day. Non-profits need assistance throughout the rest of the holiday season and year.
For example, Community Action Agency of Delaware County (caadc.org) is conducting a holiday toy drive for homeless children through Dec. 20 as the need is greater this year due to the pandemic.
“We really depend on the community to help make the holidays a special time for these children who are already going through so much,” Edward T. Coleman, chief executive officer of CAADC, said.
New, unwrapped toys or gift cards can be dropped off at CAADC’s Boothwyn office at 1414 Meetinghouse Road. Please call 610-8748451 before doing so.
The same number can be called to adopt a child or a family for the holiday. The contact for this program is Danita Miller and she can also be reached by dmiller@caadc.org.
Like many other organizations, monetary donations are also accepted.
The Lansdowne Economic Development Corp. (lansdownesfuture.org) was hoping to raise $5,000 to buy equipment and complete the renovations of the MakerSpace at 18 N. Lansdowne Ave. that will house real-world innovation and hands-on learning for the community as well as topof-the-line equipment and seven offices for local entrepreneurs. An unnamed Lansdowne resident was matching up to $1,000 in donations raised Tuesday.
The Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County Inc. (dapdc.org) also had a $5,000 goal as did the Kelly Center for Music, Arts and Community (kellycenter.org) in Havertown where photographer Joel Perlish was matching donations up to $500.
In Upper Darby, the Watkins Avenue Senior Center was putting out a call for volunteers to deliver meals to homebound seniors. Routes take about an hour to complete and mileage is reimbursed. For more information, call Michael at 610734-7652.
The Headstrong Foundation (headstrong.org) was raising funds to purchase gym equipment including a treadmill, weight rack and bicycles for all ages for Nick’s House, a home for out-of-town cancer patients and their families when they are receiving treatment in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Advocacy organization Delco Resists started a $1,500 holiday fundraiser at https://www.gofundme. com/f/delco-resists-holiday-help-2021 to buy supplies and food for serving Christmas meals and adopting families in need for Christmas.
“The pandemic has shed light on the huge economic disparities which exist in this country, and while so many are having a rough time making ends meet, there are still people who are willing to lend a helping hand to do what they can for somebody else,” their organizers said on the GoFundMe page.
To their supporters, they added, “We understand the fight against racial injustice must move far beyond marching and protestingand we will continue to give back to our communities in tangible ways. We wouldn’t be able to do as much as we do without your help.”
In the past week, Delco Resists distributed hats and gloves on Monday and cooked 50 Thanksgiving meals last week.
As part of the #GivingCatholic campaign that was focusing on Catholic-based service and community organizations, Drexel Neumann Academy in Chester was asking for community support through donations or by shopping through Amazon at smile.amazon. com/ch/20-8083164.