Category: Charity

Posted on by

Kim Washington Frankford CDC to Speak at the Frankford Historical Society

The Historical Society of Frankford is pleased to have Kimberly Washington, Esq., Executive Director of the Frankford Community Development Corporation (FCDC), as the speaker at the Society’s March 2026 meeting. The lecture will occur on Tuesday, March 10th, at the Society’s library/museum located at 1507 Orthodox St, with doors opening at 7:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public. Off-street parking will be available across Orthodox Street at the Frankford Friends School. Light refreshments will be served.

In her talk Ms. Washington will visit the past, present and future of the FCDC, a charitable non-profit organization founded in 1993 with the purpose of improving living and business conditions in this historic neighborhood.

In the 26 years since, FCDC has worked to: support businesses along Frankford Avenue and elsewhere in the community; served as the official Neighborhood Advisory Committee linking the city Community Development Department to resident housing programs and commenting on zoning issues; assisting with workforce development and employment support; and promoting neighborhood planning and redevelopment.

With multiple programs well underway, FCDC has been the critical agency working to revive a community hard hit in recent decades by de-industrialization. Ms. Washington is well versed in the issues facing the Frankford neighborhood, having worked on them in several roles for the past 13 years. She will share her vision of a Frankford finally participating in the neighborhood revivals occurring throughout Philadelphia.

About the Historical Society of Frankford Founded in 1905, the Historical Society of Frankford preserves and interprets the history of Northeast Philadelphia through its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs.

Posted on by

Becks’ Philadelphia Brigade Band

Tanks to the Grand Army of the Republic Museum:

Becks’ Philadelphia Brigade Band is a Civil War era brass band portraying the brass band of the 2nd Division, 2ndCorps, 2nd Brigade of the Union Army of the Potomac in 1863. The Band plays the music of the Victorian era for concerts, ceremonies, balls, parades and commemorations. The band is authentically uniformed, playing music of the period on instruments that were correct for the time.  The program featured tunes played during the Civil War era, including Christmas songs that date back to the 1850’s, plus some vocal renditions from that period. Songs will include “Cheer Boys Cheer”, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, “Shenandoah”, “Battle Cry of Freedom”, and “Dixie” (a personal favorite of President Lincoln.)

The music comes from manuscripts dating back to 1830, publications courtesy of the Library of Congress, and arrangements created for the band by our own members.

 

Posted on by

Come As You Are, Community, to the Church That is Named for You!

There are a lot of organizations that do good and we have written about many. I’m going to focus on this particular Church located in Frankford at the foot of Oxford Avenue under the shadow of the El train.

Pastor Elaine Rivera often contacts us with information about events, gatherings and offerings that the Church is doing for the community. There are many people in need in Frankford and they count on many of the life-giving Churches and community groups just to survive. Each service group tries to meet the needs of the people as best as they can.

What I have noticed over the years is that Pastor Elaine and her volunteers do what they do in a quiet, humble fashion. They go about the business of serving God’s people, as much as they are able counting, on other good people to help them with their needs. We know and believe that the Lord will provide but sometimes it takes more faith than we might have at the moment. But I don’t think Pastor Elaine’s faith falters – her life experiences have prepared her well for her ministry to society’s forgotten people.

Elaine Rivera grew up in Philadelphia but her call to ministry would not come until later in life. After she graduated from college, she served her country as a member of the United States Air Force for 8 years. Following an honorable discharge, she chose to study Law Enforcement and her career took her to New Mexico for 5 years. Feeling a call to further service for the Lord, Elaine became a licensed and ordained Minister of the Gospel in March 2011 at True Life Bible Church in Sicklerville, NJ. Serving in various servant leader roles, Elaine became an Assistant Pastor. Launching Crossroads Empowerment Ministry in Blackwood, NJ, Elaine would become a Senior Pastor. Pastor Elaine now serves as the Founder and Senior Pastor of Come As You Are Community Church. Her congregation are those marginalized by society – the homeless, the drug addicted, those who are challenged either socially or economically. Pastor Elaine is praying for guidance regarding the establishment of traditional housing for the homeless.

Come As You Are Community Church can be found on Facebook here – https://www.facebook.com/CAYAFCC/ and the Internet right here – cayachurch.org.

The Frankford Gazette recently posted that the Church needs volunteers. Please consider getting involved and helping them. Also, plans for Christmas Eve follows. Please help Pastor Elaine continue the work that she and the Church does so well.

No photo description available.

 

Posted on by

Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum’s New Location

After 63 years in our current building, we are excited to announce that the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum, the only museum in the Philadelphia area solely dedicated to the remembrance of the history of the Civil War, has a new historic home at 8110 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA.
 
We are very pleased to have been able to relocate to another certified historic building in a far more accessible area of the city. 
 
To accomplish the immense task of moving the museum to our new location we will need your assistance and financial support
 
Packing and moving will be a monumental task over the next few months which will require the help of many.  If you can give some time as a volunteer to assist with the move, please contact the Museum by replying to this message:  garmuslib1866@gmail.com
 
The cost of archival packing and storage materials plus the additional cost of the actual move are quite extensive.  We require certified archival materials to assure that our historic collection is properly protected.  Please consider donating to the museum to support our efforts as we begin the move to our new location.
 
As a 503(C)3 non-profit organization, all donations payable to the “GAR Museum” are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.  Donations should continue to be sent to our current address, GAR Civil War Museum, 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124.
 
As of July 2, the Museum will be closed.  The Archive and Library will be open for research by appointment only.  We look forward to opening in the fall.
 
We invite you to become a part of the next chapter of the Museum’s history. 
Posted on by

Help These Kids Get to the AAU junior Olympics

My good friend, Lenny Jaynes, regularly graces our page with poems but Lenny is more than a poet.  He has spent years working with young people at the Philadelphia Express Track Club.

The club is raising funds to send their team to humble, Texas for the 2021 AAU Junior Olympics.  It would mean the world to these kids to be able to participate.

Every donation is welcome but $100 or more will get you a framed copy of one of Lenny’s most popular poems.

Thanks in advance for your donation to this worthy cause.  Click on this link to download the donation form.