Make a donation, get a mask
The community is invited to visit Academy Injury & Health Center, 2808 Southampton Road, on Saturday, April 25, from noon to 2 p.m. to donate a supermarket gift card for the needy.
Anyone who donates a gift card will receive a protective mask. Personal care and baby products will also be accepted.
DJ Bobby Sacco will hold a drive-up-and-donate dance party. ••
Holocaust Museum offering online education
With the announcement that Philadelphia-area schools will remain closed through the end of the current academic year, the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center is offering survivor testimony programs as an online educational resource.
The museum and education center is at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave.
HAMEC is marking Yom Hashoah, the annual commemoration of the millions of victims of Nazi Germany’s genocidal policies. It’s been 75 years since the end of the Holocaust.
Bertha Schwartz, a Holocaust survivor, will share her story of being a young girl in hiding from the Nazi and Vichy regimes, on Sunday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. on YouTube.
For more information on accessing Sunday’s program or to arrange other online programs, email info@hamec.org. ••
American Heritage holding blood drive on Tuesday
American Heritage Federal Credit Union is facilitating donations of personal protective equipment and blood to local partners.
American Heritage will be donating 50,000 facemasks to local hospitals during the month of April.
An American Red Cross community blood drive will take place at AHFCU’s main campus community room, 2060 Red Lion Road, on Tuesday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Register at www.redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code AHFCU or call 800-733-2767. ••
Blood drive on Thursday at Loudenslager
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Thursday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cpl. John Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave.
Sign up by calling 800-RED CROSS or going to www.redcrossblood.org and searching Sponsor Code ALPOST366. ••
Virtual programming for kids and families
Jewish Family and Children’s Services is offering virtual programming during the coronavirus pandemic.
Free public benefits and resources information sessions are held Tuesdays on Zoom from 10 to 11 a.m.
Video art therapy sessions are held Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Participants need only simple art materials or a pen and paper. Call Isabelle Hsu at 610-649-1080, Ext. 5.
A financial support group meets Tuesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. The cost is $10. Contact Laura Flowers at lflowers@jfcsphilly.org or 267-256-2274.
A free supportive forum for doctors, nurses and their families meets Mondays and Wednesdays on Zoom. Call 267-256-2018 or visit Jfcsphilly.org/events.
A support group meets Monday and Thursday afternoons. Contact Rivka Goldman at 267-256-2250 or rgoldman@jfcsphilly.org.
A social distancing support group will meet on Monday, April 27, from 10 to 11 a.m., on Zoom. The cost is $10. Contact Rivka Goldman at 267-256-2250 or rgoldman@jfcsphilly.org.
For more information, call 866-JFCS-NOW or visit Jfcsphilly.org. ••
Child marriage bill passes committee
House Bill 360, a companion bill to state Sen. John Sabatina Jr.’s Ending Child Marriage legislation, unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“This bill closes all loopholes people use to marry children,” Sabatina said. “This law shows that we care about our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians.”
Pennsylvania law allows for parental consent and judicial approval for a child under 16 to be married. Only parental consent is required for children 16-18 years of age. However, these same minors are unable to sign binding contracts such as housing agreements, file for divorce, and in some cases are not yet old enough to drive.
“Pennsylvania is one of 18 states that does not specify a minimum age at which a person can be married,” Sabatina said.
Due to a COVID-19-related amendment, the bill will have to go back to the House for a vote. It is expected to be approved. ••
Military grant program advances
Senate Bill 1076 passed unanimously in the Veteran Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee. The bill provides an extension of the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, which provides grants up to $3,500 to needy Pennsylvania service members and their families.
“Since the program began, $1.9 million has reached military families in need,” said state Sen. John Sabatina Jr. “Currently, the program is set to end this year. We can’t allow that to happen.”
The program presently offers grants to service members who experienced a sudden loss of income or assets as a result of military service; emergency child care needs; natural or manmade disasters resulting in the need for food, shelter and other necessities; the death or critical illness of a parent, spouse, sibling or child; or exigent circumstances beyond the eligible member’s control.
“These heroes sign up to put their lives on the line to protect our way of life,” Sabatina said. “The least we can do is make sure that we care for them in their time of need.
The bill will now move to the full Senate. ••
Free coaching available to help people during pandemic
International School of Coaching’s Master Coach, Paula Michele Boyle, and her team of trained specialists are reaching out to encourage, guide and support the community during the coronavirus pandemic.
The free service is to help those get through the day-to-day challenges as the world is rapidly changing.
To register or for more information, visit lifecoachphilly.com. ••
Henon welcomes correspondence from constituents
City Councilman Bobby Henon (D-6th dist.) is available to answer questions and connect people with resources on any issue, including ones related to the spread of COVID-19.
Although city government is largely shut down, Henon’s office is responding to calls, texts, emails and social media messages.
People can reach the office at 215-686-3444 or bobby@bobbyhenon.com. ••
