Operation Warm Hearts!

The article noted below was found online and I thought that you might be interested in it.

".........WHY? Its going to be a long, cold winter...where will you be? Think of how many folks living on the streets of Philadelphia who may not be as fortunate...

Operation Warm Hearts has teamed up with Opportunities PA to do a Blanket Drive.

With the economy as it is, joblessness at an all time high, and many not for profit and community based organizations are downsizing. There is a CRISES. Shelters, which cater more to families, are running at capacity with 20 percent more beds than five years ago, city statistics show.

Philadelphia's homeless system cannot keep up with the magnitude of today's problem. There are going to be some crowded city streets, back alleys and some back yards. "Efforts to find new emergency shelters and longer-term assisted-living units have been blocked for more than two years by a lack of resources and crippling neighborhood opposition. Even if all the homeless in Philadelphia wanted to come in off the streets, the city would have no place to put them, said Dainette M. Mintz, who has run the city's homeless housing program since 2006"."

The Blanket Drive Began: October 1, 2010

Last Day for Blanket Donations: March 31, 2011

What is needed:

Covers, Comforters, Duvets, & Quilts will be appreciated and accepted. All items must be CLEAN and new or gently used.

FOR INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEERING, DROP OFF LOCATIONS and PICK UPS CALL: 267-243-1468.

Sponsored by

Operation Warm Hearts

OPPORTUNITIES-PA

OPPORTUNITIES is a nonprofit organization that Educates, Equips, Empowers, and Encourages homeless and other at risk youth and young adults to achieve their academic potential and professional goals by offering them supportive services and stable housing.




"In any given year, there are approximately 500,000 children in foster care throughout the United States. Of these, about 20,000 age out* each year and are at risk for a variety of problems, including homelessness, un or under employment, criminal activity, and a lack of education."



CREATING OPPORTUNITIES:

OPPORTUNITIES was established in April 2008, to bridge the gap homeless youth experience transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. Ms Justina Shaw and Nijah Famous states that a lack of local organizations providing supportive services to homeless adolescents ages 16 to 25 motivated them to create a solution. In November 2009, Ms. Justina Shaw became the Chief Executive Officer and a board of 12 members was formed. This team is the driving force for OPPORTUNITIES success.



OPPORTUNITIES provides mentoring, life coaching, educational assistance, career counseling and housing to homeless and at-risk youth ages 18 to 25. Through mentorship, goal setting, and financial literacy training, OPPORTUNITIES residents will be equipped with the skills necessary to become self sufficient adults.

It Was The Hottest Day Of The Year Today Here In Philly!

It was definitely a hot day today! I was constantly listening to the news on KYW AM and I also kept watching our local news on ABC channel 6 - which is my favorite local news channel to watch on TV. As I understand it we reached 97 degrees today but it felt as though it was over 100 degrees! Even with my air conditioning on (it was set to low - conserving those PECO bills you know - LOL!) it still felt kind of warm and I was still sweating!

I am soooo glad (and grateful) that I work from home so that I didn't have to be out in that kind of weather unless I wanted to! I did sweep off my back porch though some time during the early afternoon and it didn't feel so bad but I'm guessing that that is because I have a tree that shades my home.


With this kind of hot and humid weather there have been all kinds of weather alerts on TV. Since the weather is so hot and humid people are reminded to take care of themselves. During hot and humid weather like this your supposed to drink lots of water - even if you don't feel thirsty. Keep checking your pets and the elderly and make sure that they are alright.

There are also heat-related emergency phone numbers that you can call to help you with problems that you are having related to the heat. There are supposed to be a lot of good links at 6ABC.com to help people deal with the heat.

For me, I'm just taking it easy and staying inside with the air conditioner on!

The Mummers Parade Continues for 2009!

Well it looks like the Mummers' tradition continues!

The Mummers were able to have their traditional 2009 parade and strut down Broad Street!

A few weeks ago it was announced by Philadelphia's Mayor Michael Nutter that the city of Philadelphia wouldn't be paying for the Mummer's Day Parade and that got a lot of people upset! However, the Mummers were able to secure financial donations so that they could have their parade this year.

Here are some related links where you can find out more:

• MyPHL17 News About The Mummers
  
  
• News From The Associated Press
  
  
• The Philadelphia Mummers Website