Category: Charity

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P.G.I. Frankford – Great People Doing Great Things.

P.G.I. has been around for many years, known as Party Girls Inc. in the Frankford area and was most active in the 1990’s. They have always projected a positive vibe at all their functions and events.

There are about a dozen members now and the group is accepting new applications for membership. The mission of the club is to give back to the community by helping to support charities and children’s functions that positively affect the area., as well as holding social functions and gatherings. There are  monthly meetings, membership dues, lottery club, and birthday club.

They love working with children and ran their own drill team for many years, the P.G.I. Blazing Hot Steppers. The kids trained at weekly drill team practice at Gambrel Recreation center. The team was made up of over 40 students and it received a state grant for assistance. They did well, with help from family, coaches and group members and, before long, they were performing at block parties, parades and competitions and were selected to perform at gate six during a Phillies game.

P.G.I. Blazin Hot Steppers

Some of these kids have grown up to become members of the P.G.I. Social Club. These initials P.G I. now stand for Proud Gorgeous and Independent Ladies, which is a nonprofit organization in the Frankford community. It is entirely self-funded with monthly membership dues. This club is organized and run by President, Sonya Patterson and Vice President, Darlene Coles.

In 2017, a cancer drive was held in honor of P.G.I. President’s Sonya Patterson’s mother Sandy Scott and other families who have experienced this struggle with cancer.

On October 28th American Legion Post 244 on Orthodox Street, provided great support by offering their side yard next to the Post to hold the 1st Cancer drive fundraiser. There were two baskets of cleaning supplies to raffle off (tickets were $2 each. Baskets were donated and made by Judy Dones, a P.G.I. member. There was music, food, and drinks free for all supporters and a little over $200 was raised at that event.

Two months later, P.G.I. held their main event, the Cancer Drive Drawing to raise money for Fox Chase Cancer center. It was held at the club house on Foulkrod Street on January 7th.   4 prizes, all funded by P.G.I.  were awarded.  They raised an additional $300 at this event.

 

1st Prize – 40-inch TV went to Ed Gerber of PA Auto Outlet on Frankford Ave

 

2nd Prize –  Basket of Joy – Lynwood Budd

 

3rd Prize – Dinner for 2 at the Longhorn Steak House – Prince Dixon

 

4th Prize – Movie tickets for two – Janice Wise Diggs of Washington, DC

From President Sonya Patterson:  We would like to thank all PGI members in their efforts to participate and work hard for our Drawing. Special thanks to P.G.I. members. Mr. Kelly Patterson our club house Manager, Richard Lovett our club house DJ, Aquilla Patterson our Dance coordinator, Tytiona Booker our Secretary, Dana Maples our Event Coordinator, Angie Burton our Club House Coordinator, Connie Mathews our Lottery Club organizer, Gloria Pearson Clubhouse Coordinator’s Assistant, Bi Bi Arroyo our Safe keeper of Joy, and Betty Boo Birthday club organizer.

We would also like to thank everyone who participated In Washington DC, (Keon Diggs), and North Philly (Albert Diggs) and our own Frankford community.   We would like to give a warm congrats to all our winners.

Donations are still being accepted until March 31st. Proceeds will go to Fox Chase Cancer Center, through the American Cancer Society.

For donations or information about membership: contact the club by Email:  PGILADIES@GMAIL.COM or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pgi.pgi.904 for an invite.

Please be a part of our Legacy.

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Tour the Northeast Frankford Boys and Girls Club

We took a tour of the Northeast Frankford Boys and Girls Club last week to see what the renovations look like that have going on for the last year.  I get in there at least once a month but never have the time to stop and look around at everything.

Besides all the interior improvements, all the windows have been replaced and that was a huge job.  There was a lot of concrete work done outside.  The gym had no heat and that was resolved.

Inside, the building has been upgraded from top to bottom, including the basement.  The kitchen is not finished yet but the work is in progress.  The new John and Katie Ericksen Family Literacy Center, the Kids Café, STEM Learning Lab and Technology Center at the Club are all shown in the video below.

Its not easy to call anything in an old building like this beautiful but the old metal ceilings up on the second floor have been restored and, yes, they are beautiful.

Northeast Frankford Boys and Girls Club restored ceiling

Change came to the Northeast Frankford Boys and Girls club with the arrival of the new CEOs of the Boys and Girls Cubs of Philadelphia in 2012.  Joseph & Lisabeth Marziello have had a profound impact of the lives of the children in Frankford.

See the short video below to hear Denise Matza and Donald Travers on a tour of the club.

 

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Seniors Sought to Volunteer

SENIORS SOUGHT TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA’S FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM

The Office of Civic Engagement & Volunteer Service (OCEVS) is recruiting low-income seniors, ages 55+ to volunteer as a role model, mentor and tutor to Philadelphia youth in PreK through 2nd grade classrooms through the Foster Grandparent Program.

Participating seniors receive a tax-free stipend of $159 to $424 monthly, paid training, transportation reimbursement plus sick, vacation and personal leave days. Foster Grandparents enrich the lives of children with their knowledge and compassion.

If you are interested in giving back to the community and working with children, please contact the Foster Grandparent Program at 215-686-8413 or 215-685-3798. Visit us a www.serve.phila.gov/foster-grandparents.