Just In Time For Christmas! Ron Panepinto St. Aquinas Students Get Free Bikes
JUST IN TIME FOR Christmas, kids from St. Thomas Aquinas School received a new bike. Principal Fynes from St. Thomas Aquinas School thanks Chris Thomas, VP Government Affairs of CH2M HILL who donated the bikes, Sen. Larry Farnese, and Ted Qualli, Director of Government Relations for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern PA.
Vol. III No. 52 (Issue 116)
Christmas came a little early for some lucky children from St. Thomas Aquinas School. State Sen. Larry Farnese partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA, Philadelphia Neighborhood Bike Works and CH2M HILL to distribute bikes and helmets to 35 underprivileged children in the area as part of the Bikes for Kids program. “Just look at the smiles on the
“Reporting South Philadelphia the way it deserves”
faces of the children who received the bikes; that tells you how much of a success this program is,” Farnese said. “We need to continue to show children and their families that there are good people out there who want to help them.” The students are now waiting for the snow to clear from South Philadelphia streets so they can try out their brand-new bikes.
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December 24, 2009
Showing Some Yuletide Pride
Christmas Gift From Your Local YMCA
Community Unites To Love Thy Neighbor At Christmas Time
Starting Jan. 1, the Christian Street YMCA will offer a free oneyear membership to every 7th-grade student in the region. As youth begin to face the varied challenges of adolescence, they are more likely to begin disassociating from formal organizations, to distance themselves from family and its support structures and to experiment with unhealthy and illegal behaviors. The 7th Grade Membership Initiative aims to promote the wellbeing of youth at a time that is most crucial to their development of choices about healthy lifestyles. It will also provide 7th graders with a safe place to go where they can participate in worthwhile activities that will enable them to grow in spirit, mind and body. (Cont. Page 6)
by R. George Linton South Philadelphia families who were set to go hungry and have a bleak Christmas in 2009 were given some Yuletide cheer from several helping neighbors. I.B.E.W. Local Union #98 orchestrated its annual Christmas toy drive at 3rd and Jackson Streets, a tradition in which they have been partaking since 1995. “It’s getting bigger and bigger every year,” says Local 98 Public Relations & Marketing Coordinator Ed McBride. In fact, between Thanksgiving and Christmas of this year, the Union has distributed over 1,000 meals along with hundreds of toys (Cont. Page 2)
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Jewelers
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www.PanepintoJewelers.com We Buy Gold & Diamonds
How to Stitch Your Stocking For Christmas by Maria Merlino Ever since I spread the word about my Christmas stocking charity a few years ago, I have received many beautiful handmade stockings from across the country and around the world, from Alaska to Hawaii, and from the Pacific to the Atlantic. One contributor is from upstate Pennsylvania, Her name is Carole and like-clockwork, in December, and I receive a large carton of her handiwork. “I just like doing it.” she explains. “Stockings are so much fun to crochet.” Working with young children during the day, Carole treats them all too little crocheted stockings and ornaments. I must admit, Carole’s work is outstanding. Her stockings will last a lifetime. A prayer blanket ministry at St. (Cont.Page 27)
…STOCKINGS LIKE these can be easily made. (See Page 27)
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Jim Stevenson 9371 ROOSEVELT BLVD. ENJOYING A WINTER WONDERLAND at 10th and Mifflin Streets is South Philadelphia youngsters Rocky Ferlaino and Colin McAleer who enjoyed a White Christmas a few days early.
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19114 215-698-7000 JStevenson@ChapmanAutoGroup.com