Students need donations for trip
A group of 20 St. Hubert High School seniors is organizing a service trip to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
The girls are busy fundraising to make the trip a reality. Their goal is $25,000.
They entered St. Hubert in September 2012, soon after the school was saved from possible closure, and they want to pay it forward.
For information, go to www.gofundme.com/shhservice ••
Holiday food drive for pets
Camp Bow Wow, at 2850 Comly Road, is conducting the Give a Dog a Bone Holiday Food Drive.
People are invited to bring in fresh, unopened dog and cat food through Jan. 2.
All donations will benefit the Women’s Humane Society.
For information, call 215–613–8223. ••
Fundraiser set for teacher’s union
A slate of Philadelphia public school teachers who will vie for leadership of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers in an upcoming union election will host a Meet the Slate Fundraiser for friends and supporters on Tuesday, Dec. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave.
Drinks and light fare are included with a donation of $50 (supporter of the caucus) or $25 (friend of the caucus). Individuals who would like to facilitate change in the PFT and schools may also consider joining the Caucus of Working Educators via www.workingeducators.org.
For information about the Dec. 22 event, contact George Bezanis at 267–625–0616. ••
Food drive at Boyle’s office
State Rep. Kevin Boyle’s district offices are accepting food donations to benefit local food banks.
Non-perishable food donations may be dropped off weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 7420 Frankford Ave. or 7801-A Hasbrook Ave. For information, call 215–331–2600. ••
Donate toys to needy
State Rep. John Taylor (R-177th dist.) will again sponsor his annual toy drive for needy children in his district.
Toys and gifts are needed for children from birth to 12 years old. Baby food and diapers are also accepted.
Items need to be new and unwrapped. Gifts can be dropped off at any of Taylor’s three offices: 2901 E. Thompson St. (215–425–0901), 4725 Richmond St. (215–744–2600) and 4117 Longshore Ave. (215–708–3130). ••
O’Neill office collecting toys
The offices of City Councilman Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.) are collecting toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.
New and unwrapped toys can be dropped off at 432 Rhawn St.; Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road; Bustleton Avenue and Bowler Street; and 562 City Hall.
Call 215-MU6–3422. ••
Gun buyback on Dec. 19
The 15th Police District Advisory Council will conduct a gun buyback on Saturday, Dec. 19, at the firehouse at Magee Avenue and Keystone Street.
Unloaded firearms can be surrendered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in exchange for $50 gift cards.
The New Barbera’s on the Boulevard is sponsoring the buyback
For more information, contact PDAC treasurer Pete Specos at 267–738–3103. ••
Leaf collection underway
The Department of Streets is conducting a leaf collection and recycling program through Dec. 19.
Bagged leaves can be dropped off at 23 locations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19. They must be in biodegradable paper bags.
Bagged leaves set out at the curb will be collected as trash.
Mechanical leaf collection will also be offered on a designated weekly schedule in areas with a heavy concentration of leaves.
To find out bagged leaf drop-off locations or for more information on mechanical leaf collection, call the office of City Councilman Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.) at 215-MU6–3422. ••
Live nativity at local church
There will be a live nativity scene at United Methodist Church of the Good Shepherd, Chalfont Drive and Calera Road, on Sunday, Dec. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Live animals and actors will portray the Christmas message.
The evening will include hot chocolate and storytelling. ••
PAWS holding fundraiser
The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society has saved or provided affordable basic veterinary care to more than 100,000 pets since becoming an independent rescue organization in 2009.
PAWS is Philadelphia’s largest no-kill shelter and operates two low-cost spay/neuter and wellness clinics for pet owners who cannot otherwise afford those services.
“Added together, these 100,000 individual stories of survival, security and hope have brought Philadelphia closer to becoming a no-kill city,” said Melissa Levy, executive director of PAWS.
“That goal has never been more within reach: animals once homeless are now safe, and pets once at risk of being abandoned or having unwanted litters are still cherished family members.”
A celebration on Friday, Dec. 18, at 8:30 p.m. will honor PAWS’ staff and volunteers, and will raise funds to enable PAWS to continue rescuing and serving Philadelphia animals. A $20 cover charge includes drinks and light fare at Barra Rossa, 929 Walnut St.
The 100,000th animal served by PAWS was Paco, a 1- to 2-year-old chihuahua mix who was found as a stray in Frankford, dropped off at the city’s animal control shelter by a good Samaritan and rescued by PAWS. He is now waiting at PAWS’ Northeast Adoption Center for a home.
PAWS is entirely donor-funded. ••
Toy collection at Tony Luke’s
Avenue Chiropractic, Tony Luke’s Mayfair and McCafferty Funeral Home are organizing a Toys for Tots drive to help out the less fortunate.
Tony Luke’s, 6716 Frankford Ave., welcomes donations of new, unwrapped toys on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m.
The afternoon will also include children’s events and Marine vehicles. ••
State Sen. Sabatina votes for bipartisan budget compromise
State Sen. John Sabatina Jr. voted in favor of a bipartisan budget compromise, calling it a “practical ending to an ideological standoff.”
“For six months, legislators battled through strong differences in ideology about Pennsylvania’s finances and future,” Sabatina said. “Today, the conversation moved to where it inevitably had to be. Compromise is the hallmark of a functioning democracy.”
The Senate approved a $30.5 billion budget that contains a historic increase in school funding, new money for economic development and critical funding for social safety-net programs, while avoiding a broad-based tax increase.
“It’s frustrating that multi-national oil and gas corporations will again avoid paying their fair share, and I’ll continue to fight for a reasonable Marcellus Shale extraction tax,” Sabatina said. “But nobody gets everything on their list, and that’s the nature of negotiation.”
Senate Bill 1073 passed, 43–7 vote. The negotiated budget was nearly six months past due and still must clear the state House of Representatives and be signed by the governor.
The budget contains a $450 million increase in funding for schools and $300 million in additional funding for social services.
“Unfortunately, those we were fighting for were hurt the most by the delay in approving a budget,” Sabatina said. “But we were able to deliver some good news today, and I hope the House can follow through and put this behind us.” ••
Program available for high school dropouts
JEVS Project World of Work is recruiting for its class starting Jan. 6.
Project WOW classes are held at Orleans Technical College, 2770 Red Lion Road.
The 24-week program is free to high school dropouts ages 18–24 residing in Philadelphia.
Students gain hands-on career training in weatherization and property maintenance/repair — such as basic skills in carpentry, plumbing and electrical.
Project WOW also includes GED preparation (test fees paid for by the program); professional development at the end of the program for students to work on developing a résumé and interviewing skills; and in-house job search assistance with a JEVS employment specialist.
For more information about the program and eligibility requirements, call 215–728–4212 or apply online at www.jevshumanservices.org/project-wow ••
St. Martin of Tours to celebrate 90th anniversary
St. Martin of Tours, an Independence Mission School at 5701 Loretto Ave. in Oxford Circle, will hold a gala on Saturday, April 16, 2016, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Williamson Banquet & Event Center in Horsham.
Tickets cost $75 per person.
For information, call 215–535–2962, Ext. 420. Text STMARTIN to 22828 to get on the school email list. ••
Program available for Russian Jewish children and parents
A new Sunday weekly Jewish program for youngsters ages 5 to 13 and their parents is being offered as part of the Russian Family Outreach Program by KleinLife: Northeast Philadelphia, located at 10100 Jamison Ave.
According to Victoria Faykin, vice president of business development, membership and Russian services, “The theme for the new program is, ‘Proud to Be Jewish,’ and the program will embrace Hebrew studies, Jewish history, culture and ethics. Our goal is to expose students and their parents to the vast scope of Jewish life over 5,000 years spanning six continents and to engender them to enjoy and cherish a true appreciation of Jewish history, culture and ethics and learn Hebrew as well. We hope to stimulate and encourage a lifelong fascination with a love of our Jewish heritage.”
According to Andre Krug, KleinLife’s president and CEO, “The new program will help to bring Jews from the new American Jewish community into the fold of the Philadelphia Jewish community by virtue of providing educational and social service opportunity to youngsters and their parents.”
The program will be run on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $50 per student per month.
For information or to enroll a student, contact Victoria Faykin at 215–698–3194 or vfaykin@kleinlife.org ••
