Lori Waselchuk will be giving away #SweetTProject T-shirts and raising money for local human rights organizations this Wednesday in Clark Park.

A project that began four years ago, on the day after the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, will conclude tomorrow with a pop-up exhibition and fundraiser. West Philly photographer and activist Lori Waselchuk will be in Clark Park this Wednesday, Jan. 20 to present 700 T-shirts she has worn as part of this four-year project/performance titled #SweetTProject.

Waselchuk has worn a unique T-shirt – borrowed or handmade – each day of Trump’s presidency to “amplify the importance of resistance, activism, creativity, open society, human rights, and community” and posted images of her wearing these T-shirts on her Instagram page nearly every day. The project will conclude on the day of the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. By January 20, 2021, Waselchuk will have worn more than 1,420 shirts over the four years!  Continue Reading

  Woodlands Cemetery

The federal CARES Act permits taxpayers to deduct $300 in contributions to non-profit organizations in 2020. Several local non-profit and community organizations are holding year-end fundraisers, so there’s a chance to give back to your community by supporting neighborhood organizations with a tax-deductable donation.

Check out these messages from several local non-profits (to find more local non-profits, visit our Civic Life page):

The Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion (40th and Woodland):

“Outdoor spaces have become more critical than ever. Philadelphians seeking an escape this year became daily visitors. Give to The Woodlands and help us reach our $50,000 end of year fundraising goal and preserve this sacred space.”  Continue Reading

This holiday season, West Philly restaurant Renata’s Kitchen is helping the local branch of an organization which supports families of seriously ill children. Instead of purchasing more gift cards, Renata’s Kitchen owners Kate and Yasser Aiq are asking guests to donate towards catering orders for the local Ronald McDonald House. The organization has been struggling this year to recruit volunteers to prepare and serve their guest families during the pandemic.

“As a restaurant, we’ve also been struggling with the restrictions in place to keep everyone safe,” says Kate. But they don’t want to ask for support without giving something in return. “Just doesn’t feel right as a business to do,” she adds.  Continue Reading

The Cedar Park Neighbors community organization has launched their 2020 Holiday Food Drive, the event held annually since 1985. This year, the food drive and volunteer event that brings holiday meals to dozens of neighborhood families every year, has some changes due to health safety reasons for both recipient families and volunteers and the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This season, in lieu of holiday food baskets, CPN will work with their community partners to distribute grocery store gift cards safely to families.  Continue Reading

Today is #GivingTuesday, a chance to let not-for-profit organizations know that we appreciate their work.

Please check our list of West Philly-based non-profits here and support them with a donation or signing up to volunteer. We’ll also be posting messages from local organizations throughout the day (see below).

Support @ACHIEVEability on #GivingTuesday at https://t.co/XQ3TMArWAN. The devastating effects of COVID have shattered fragile safety nets as disparities in healthcare, housing, education, digital access & employment have been exacerbated. When the world stopped, our work did not. pic.twitter.com/IFED75W3BT

— ACHIEVEability (@ACHIEVEability) December 1, 2020

Continue Reading

The holidays are approaching fast and a lot of charitable organizations are stepping up their efforts to help those in need. This year has been especially hard for many families and children already at risk because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of the holiday drives going on in West Philly this year.

Photo courtesy of ACHIEVEability

ACHIEVEability’s Children’s Holiday Gift Drive

“This year has been tough for all of us, especially West Philadelphian children. Virtual learning and quarantine have impacted these kids in so many ways… This holiday season help bring joy to a child in need by donating a special gift.”

Sign up to provide holiday gifts for those in need by December 6 by emailing Matt at mlafronz@achieve-ability.org. Indicate how many children you would like to sponsor. After that you will receive a link to an Amazon wish list for each child you are sponsoring. Purchase a gift(s) totaling up to $50 for each child you sponsor, and wrap and label the gift(s). Make arrangements to deliver all items to ACHIEVEability at 21 S. 61st St., Philadelphia, PA 19139 by December 13. If you ship the items directly to ACHIEVEability from Amazon, please include a gift note with your package, including your name and contact information.  Continue Reading