City Councilman Bobby Henon and the Northeast Philadelphia Development Corporation last week welcomed Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 officials to a news conference, where about $15,000 in medical supplies were donated for use during the coronavirus pandemic.
The news conference took place outside 7309 Frankford Ave., where NPDC executive director Keith Xiao owns a check cashing shop. Xiao, a leader in the area’s growing Chinese-American community, also works for Henon.
“I couldn’t be more proud of partnering with Keith Xiao and the NPDC,” Henon said. “The Asian-American community stepped up in a big way.”
The March 26 event also included representatives from the Great Philadelphia Asian Lion Club, Hip Sing Association, Chinese Benevolent Association, HK99 Realty, Nini Art Education Center and Mayfair Sino-US Dance Group.
Organizers acted, saying personal protective equipment supplies for front line responders are low in Philadelphia and across the nation. In all, more than $20,000 has been raised for COVID-19 relief funding.
Henon, in supporting the initiative, said front line responders are putting their health and safety at risk every day to help test and treat those who are infected with the COVID-19 virus.
Donated supplies included hand sanitizer, latex disposable gloves and surgical masks.
John McNesby, president of FOP Lodge 5, said he would travel to the moon and back to accept safety equipment for his 6,500 active officers. The FOP hauled away some of the donations, as did two officers from the 15th Police District.
“We appreciate the support,” McNesby said.
“This is just the beginning,” Henon said.
Henon said the kindness and generosity of those making the donations will help replace fear with comfort. He urged everyone to stay home, wash their hands and keep a social distance.
Anyone with donations can call Henon’s office at 215-686-3444 or visit phila.gov/COVID19 and click the “How you can help” button. ••
