Neighbors have set up a fund to help with the medical expenses of Philippe Holland, the 20-year-old pizza delivery driver who was shot by police in a tragic misunderstanding near 51st and Willows on April 22.

Philippe Holland

Holland, a Community College of Philadelphia student, is recovering in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) with three gunshot wounds, including one in the face.

Holland had just finished making a delivery when two plain-clothes officers attempted to stop and question him as he was walking along a sidewalk with his hands in his pockets and his hood up. The officers were investigating a shooting that had happened in the area minutes earlier. Holland, who police believe may have thought he was being robbed, ran to his car and drove toward the officers. The officers fired at least 14 shots into the car, according to reports. Holland was struck in the face, leg and neck.

Neighbors Patty Bulack and Kate Krauss, who live near where the shooting took place, have organized the “Fund for Phil.” Krauss said she recently spoke with Holland’s family at HUP.

“We want to offer the family some tangible solidarity,” Krauss said.

Holland will survive but needs facial reconstructive surgery and “probably a lot more,” she said.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has visited Holland in the hospital. The shooting is still under investigation and the officers involved have been placed on desk duty.

Krauss said Holland’s mother asked her to convey to residents her hope that they keep Phillipe in their thoughts and prayers. She also hoped there could be a different way to get food to people at night other than drivers, who are often the target of violence.

There are two ways to help. You can drop a donation off at the Mariposa Food Coop at 4824 Baltimore Ave or you can go to Pay Pal, where the family has set up an account.  You will need to enter “FundforPhil – at – Gmail.com.”

The Minor Threats are posing with the 1st place trophy they received at the Masterminds Summer League. (Photo by Jason Bui)

West Philly’s Minor Threats school chess club, which West Philly Local featured last winter, participated in state and national championships last spring thanks, in part, to community support. The young chess players brought home several trophies, but more importantly lots of positive experiences. The club also participates year-round in local tournaments –  since the beginning of last school year the kids have practiced and competed in more than 30 tournaments.

This spring, Jason Bui, a teacher and the club director, would like to take his kids to three more prestigious tournaments, one state and two national championships, but it only would be possible with financial support from the community. Bui has set up an online fundraising page where everyone who wants to help the club can donate money. The page lists the tournaments The Minor Threats would love to go to and even breaks down the expenses. The club hopes to raise $20,000 so the kids are able to compete in these tournaments. Nearly $3,000 has already been raised.

To read more about the club, the tournaments and to donate, go to: http://www.gofundme.com/506jqo

This is a reminder that there is still time left to support various local causes and take advantage of 2013 tax savings. There are many charitable causes in the area you can support, whether it’s education, art, helping homeless neighbors or those in need, animal rescues and shelters, and others. So, if you want to make a difference in somebody’s life or show your love for your favorite project or organization, this is a good time to do it.

It would be tough for us to mention all the worth organizations in West Philly. Below are a few. Others are on our Civic Life page. Please add others in the comments.

ACHIEVEability families still need help. The organization continues to provide stability to 310 children and their parents. Your support will help ACHIEVEability deliver on their promise to help these families build better lives. If you have not already offered your support, please consider taking a few minutes to make a contribution here.

There’s a chance to double the impact of your year-end gift to the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation if you make a donation by the end of the year. A group of donors to the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation are matching all donations dollar for dollar up to $50,000. Every dollar you donate will be matched, to a total of $50,000 as long as you make a donation by December 31st at midnight. Your donation will help provide more books for children, tech classes for seniors, tutoring for students, and other programs. To make a donation, click here. And you can select your neighborhood library to direct your gift to.

The Woodlands Trust for Historic Preservation needs your help “putting The Woodlands back on the map.” They’re still a few thousands dollars away from meeting their appeal goal, and every dollar counts. Here are some examples of how your donation can be used: $10 will help The Woodlands to provide free educational materials to 100 visitors. $25 will help clear fallen branches from the path used by runners, walkers and dog-walkers. $100 provides the materials and labor to repair one headstone. Help is also needed with supporting grounds maintenance and ensuring the long-term health and grandeur of State Champion trees. To make a donation, click here.

Consider donating to Curio Theatre‘s General Operating Fund, to help the theatre keep “the lights on and the door open.” You can also help Curio’s Scholarship Fund, so that they can continue to offer theatre classes to all members of our community. For more information and to make a donation, click here.

Recently, West Philly Local wrote about efforts, initiated by some local businesses and politicians, to help neighbors in need during the holidays. Some of those campaigns are still underway, so if you missed our post, click here. And here are two more opportunities to help make the holidays brighter for many local families and children.

Photo via cedarparkneighbors.org.

• Cedar Park Neighbors (CPN) is holding a Holiday Basket Drive this month and your financial help and support are needed to make it a success. A suggested donation is $36, which will help feed two families. This is a great chance to show your commitment  to “neighbors helping neighbors.” In 2012, CPN was able to reach over 660 Cedar Park residents in need, according to the information posted on its website. To donate to the CPN Holiday Basket Drive, please click here. Also, volunteers are needed at the basket packing and distributing event, which will take place on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at Renewal Presbyterian Church (47th and Cedar Ave). Please email Michelle and Beverly at: mlewis1071@gmail.com for more information.

• Local 44 is collecting donations of new and unwrapped toys or personal care items for the People’s Emergency Center, a West Philly shelter that offers support services to women and children. Please bring your donations to the Bottle Shop at 44th and Spruce anytime through Thursday, Dec. 19. For a list of personal care items needed most, visit this page.

Here’s another opportunity to help people in need this holiday season. Kingsessing Library (51st & Chester) is holding a holiday food drive this month and all donations will go to neighborhood food pantries. See the flyer below for more information.

True to the holiday spirit of helping and giving, some local businesses and politicians are leading efforts to support various charitable causes this month. Here are more details on who’s doing what and how you can help.

Holiday Food Drive at Mariposa Food Co-op (49th & Baltimore)

Mariposa Food Co-op is accepting donations of canned and packaged non-perishable food items through Dec. 31. You can drop your donation into the donations box at the store. All donations will be taken to Pathways PA, an organization providing services for women, children and families in the Greater Philadelphia region, or to State Representative James Roebuck’s office for redistribution to neighbors in need. For more information please email outreach@mariposa.coop or stop by at the store.

“ACCT Out For The Holidays!” Holiday Supplies Drive at Baltimore Pet Shoppe (4532 Baltimore Ave)

The Chester Avenue Dog Association and Baltimore Pet Shoppe are organizing the “ACCT out for the holidays!” holiday supplies drive in the neighborhood. Baltimore Pet Shoppe will be accepting donations until Dec. 20 for the Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia (ACCT) to help the homeless cats and dogs that will be staying in the shelter over the holidays. ACCT is in need of many items on their wish list. Baltimore Pet Shoppe is offering a 10 percent discount on all mylar balls, canned pate cat food, stainless steel bowls, and Kong L & XL dog toys that are getting donated to the shelter. The shop has a donation bin where you can drop off any items from ACCT’s wish list. You can also purchase these items online. For more information, visit Baltimore Pet Shoppe’s Facebook page.

Cafe Renata (43rd & Locust) donating a portion of all gift card sales to local charities

Katie Steenstra, the co-owner of Cafe Renata, which opened at the beginning of the year at 43rd and Locust Streets, has let us know of her business’s effort this month to give back and “help keep West Philadelphia as vibrant as ever.” Through Christmas, 15 percent of all Cafe Renata gift card sales will be donated to local West Philadelphia charities. The cafe owners also want to hear from you and let them know, on Facebook, Twitter, or right in the shop, where you think the donated funds would be most needed. On Christmas, they will announce where the raised funds will be donated.

December 13 – Support Kingsessing Library with The Gold Standard Cafe (48th & Baltimore)

Friday the 13th has a bad reputation, but Roger, Vince and Joey of The Gold Standard Cafe decided to “buck tradition by putting our bucks where our words are,” and make it a lucky day by donating a full 1/3 of their total proceeds on December 13 to their neighborhood (Kingsessing) library. Your donation will go to serve the reading and educational needs of the library.

Roebuck’s office a ‘Socks for Seniors’ drop-off point

The office of state Rep. James Roebuck, who currently serves as Democratic chairman of the House Education Committee and represents the 188th Legislative District in West and Southwest Philadelphia, is serving as a drop-off point for the “Socks for Seniors” drive. Residents are invited to bring pairs of new adult socks for nursing home residents by Friday, Dec. 13 to Roebuck’s office located at 4712 Baltimore Ave.