Extreme generosity

By Diane Villano
Times Staff Writer

The City of Brotherly Love emphasized its big-hearted ways last week, with plenty of volunteers, businesses and corporations pitching in to help the Py family.
"Philadelphia showed up in a big way," said Extreme Makeover designer Daniel Kucan.
In addition to their home, built by the Wayne-based Dewey Homes and the roughly 1,600 volunteers, the Py family’s mortgage on their original Haldeman Avenue rancher was paid off and Drexel University pledged to provide full scholarships for William, Samantha and Joey Rosario, the grandchildren being cared for by Bill and Carole Py.
But the goodwill doesn’t end there.
Comcast is providing high-speed Internet, cable and phone service to the Pys for one year, as well as to the neighbors located on each side of the family’s home.
Northeast Auto owner Art Mitchelli and general manager Ralph Perkins delivered a brand new 2006 Dodge Caravan to the family on the day after their homecoming.
According to John Dewey, the fact that the dealership’s gift wouldn’t make the TV show, because Ford is a major sponsor, did not deter Northeast Auto from making the donation.
"That’s what Philadelphia is all about," Dewey said.
On Monday morning, Carole Py knew where to begin, but not where to end, with everyone that she wanted to thank for their generosity.
"I want to thank all the volunteers and (donors). There are so many people I’d like to thank, especially the Deweys, also Drexel," she said, with a brand new puppy named Franklin in her arms.
Franklin — named for guess who — was offered to the family by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital surgeon Anne Rosenberg.
"The whole community came out and gave support. I’d also like to thank all the neighbors for putting up with all (the commotion)," Py said.
Grandmom Py can’t say much more than "thank you" until her episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition airs on Sunday, April 30. ABC has sworn her to secrecy until then.
In addition to grand contributor GMAC Mortgage, the lengthy list of other supporters includes the Philadelphia Fire Department; Philadelphia Police Department; Brendan Boroski Advertising; Wolf Block; Weichert Realtors; Aramark; Commonwealth Land America; Firstrust; Pacifico Marple Ford; PECO Energy Co.; Stoltzfus RVs and Marine; Bank of America; Citizens Bank; Coca-Cola; Commerce Bank; Fred Hagen; IBEW Local 98; International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 524; the McKee Group; National City; Nextel; Patriarch Management; Tony and Ellen Lordi; Wilmington Trust; and the Wolfson/Verrichia Group.
Firstrust, which is based in Conshohocken and has bank branches in Northeast Philadelphia, was one of many organizations that donated to the Extreme Family Fund, which will help pay off the existing mortgage. The family’s old mortgage has been paid off.
The Pys aren’t the only ones benefiting from the Extreme Makeover philanthropy.
The Philadelphia Eagles teamed up with the Extreme Makeover folks to put together a fund-raising walk, Eagles Tackling Breast Cancer, to benefit the Jefferson Breast Care Center in the name of the Py/Rosario family. Sandra Py Rosario died of breast cancer in 1998. She was only 28.
After an inspiring performance by singer/songwriter Vanessa Carlton, the Py sisters led the 3K walk on March 26 and received a plaque bearing Sandra’s name that will hang in the new Jefferson Breast Care Center.
The Dewey Family Foundation donated $25,000 to the event. The walk raised an additional $30,000, with all proceeds benefiting the new center. ••
Reporter Diane Villano can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dvillano@phillynews.com