Donate to food drive
American Heritage Credit Union invites the community to donate food as part of its 10th annual Spirit of Giving Food Drive. All nonperishable food donations will be distributed to various food pantries and food banks throughout the region. The donations will be collected through Nov. 25 at all American Heritage branch locations. ••
Bustleton Civic to meet
The Greater Bustleton Civic League will hold its monthly membership meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 7 p.m. at American Heritage Credit Union, 2060 Red Lion Road. Meetings are open to the public and attendees are encouraged to join. Email gbustletoncl@gmail.com or call 215-676-6890. ••
See Santa at St. Hubert
St. Hubert, 7320 Torresdale Ave., will host Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be gifts, an indoor snowball fight, a craft corner, a coloring station, letters to Santa, a selfie station, make your own reindeer food, a Christmas bean bag toss, dancing and face painting. The cost is $30, or $25 for kids 12 and under, or free for kids 2 and under. Pictures cost $5. There will also be raffles. Register at Huberts.org/BreakfastWithSanta. For more information, email SHSanta@Huberts.org. ••
St. Hubert seeks vendors
St. Hubert, 7320 Torresdale Ave., will host a holiday vendor fair on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tables cost $20 and a donation to the tombola table. Enter on Ditman Street or Bleigh Avenue. Visit Huberts.org/Vendor or email SHSanta@Huberts.org. ••
Holiday fundraiser at FOP
Mingle and Jingle at the FOP will take place on Sunday, Nov. 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 11630 Caroline Road. The event is a fundraiser for the Philadelphia police and fire football club. Admission is free. There will be vendors/crafters, raffle baskets, specialty raffles, DJ Wireless Mike, Santa Claus and free rides on The Polar Express. ••
Thrift shop closed Thanksgiving
The Classroom Thrift Shop, 4301 Tyson Ave., will be closed on Thanksgiving, Nov. 23, and will reopen Friday, Nov. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a half-price clothing sale. Call 215-624-9130. ••
Attend bench dedication
The public is invited to the dedication of a disability bench on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 3 p.m. at Burholme Park, 401 Cottman Ave. City Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson will be in attendance. The bench is located near the Ryerss Museum and Library and is available for any park goer to use. It was purchased by Nancy Ostroff, one of the leaders of the Save Burholme Park fight in the 2000s.
Tree lighting in Fox Chase
The Rockledge Fox Chase Business Association will sponsor a tree-lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 2-5 p.m. at Northeast Lions Park, 7964 Oxford Ave. There will be face painting, crafters/vendors, hot chocolate, cookies, ornament making, holiday music, singing with Leslie, Joe and Jeff and an appearance by Santa Claus. ••
Sponsor a remembrance wreath for veteran
The Father Judge High School baseball team will participate in Wreaths Across America Day, when members of the state championship squad will place remembrance wreaths on graves at Washington Crossing National Cemetery. The team is seeing sponsors to help honor local heroes. You can help the team honor local heroes by sponsoring remembrance wreaths at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/PA0458P. Individuals or companies are also invited to pay by check. For details, email Nancy Weaver Henderson at nhenderson523@gmail.com. Deadline to donate is Nov. 28. ••
Subway on the Boulevard
There will be a Boulevard Subway town hall on Tuesday, Nov. 28, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at City Reach Church, 6814 Torresdale Ave. Public input is invited. State representatives and City Council members will be present. ••
Changes on Castor
There will be a Castor Avenue safety improvements meeting at The Hub, 6434 Castor Ave. (at Hellerman Street) on Monday, Nov. 27, from 4-7 p.m. It is proposed to make Castor Avenue one lane each way from Oxford Circle to Cottman Avenue with bike and turning lanes. Public input is invited.
Blood drive on Friday
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Friday, Nov. 24, 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 entering ALPOST366. ••
Attend Grand Illumination
American Heritage Credit Union invites the community to visit its main campus at 2060 Red Lion Road to enjoy more than 400,000 lights and holiday displays. Each year, the American Heritage campus buildings and trees are illuminated, and multiple light displays are featured throughout the campus grounds. Community members are welcome to stroll the campus, take photos and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season. The Grand Illumination celebration kicks off with a special event on Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. There will be a concert featuring the Philadelphia Boys Choir, the Ukrainian Children’s Choir Soloveiky and the New Jersey Fifes and Drums. Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross will be on hand, and a firework symphony will fill the night sky. Attendees are encouraged to bring a canned food item to help American Heritage reach its goal of 20,000 pounds for its annual holiday food drive. ••
Donate blood
The American Red Cross is encouraging people to donate blood. Anyone who donates by Nov. 30 will receive Elf and Red Cross socks.
The Northeast Philadelphia Blood Donation Center, 1401 Rhawn St., is open Monday-Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, 10:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday-Sunday, 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Other dates are Nov. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at American Legion Post No. 366, 7976 Oxford Ave.; Nov. 25, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Martha Roman Catholic Church, 11321 Academy Road; Nov. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road; and Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6500 Tabor Ave.
Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED CROSS. ••
Make Christmas table centerpiece
Professional craft maker Pam Thomas will help you make a Christmas table centerpiece during an event on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 5:30 p.m. at Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave. Supplies are provided. Reservation is required. Call 215-685-8756. ••
Craft fair at Delaire
The public is invited to the annual Delaire Landing Craft and Vendor Fair on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fair will take place in the recreation center, 9355 State Road. There will be food, a DJ, raffles and holiday items. ••
Bingo at St. Martha
St. Martha School is holding a “Dashing Through the Cash Bingo” fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 2, in the parish hall, 11321 Academy Road. Doors open at 6 p.m. Bingo starts at 7. Prizes for each game will be $100 to $200. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. The price includes 10 rounds of bingo, water, soft pretzels, cookies and coffee. Tickets can be bought at school, after Masses and through Venmo @sms19154. Contact Maria Gilbert at 215-632-0320 or mgilbert@stmarthapa.org. ••
Buy a lottery calendar
St. Martha Parish is selling its 2024 lottery calendar for a $25 donation. Choose a three-digit number and you have 365 chances to win, based on the Pennsylvania daily number (straight) that is pulled at 7 p.m. The daily prize is $25. There is one bonus day each month worth $100. Calendars can be bought after Mass or by mailing a check made payable to St. Martha Parish, with “2024 Calendar” in the memo, 11301 Academy Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154. ••
St. Jerome Seniors to meet
The group will meet on Thursday, Nov. 30, in the school hall, 3031 Stamford St. Arrive by 10 a.m. The meeting will begin promptly at 11. ••
Learn about assistance programs
A Northeast Region LIHEAP and Utility Services Clinic will take place on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Hub, 6434 Castor Ave. (at Hellerman Street). The Energy Coordinating Agency will evaluate your eligibility for many assistance programs, including gas, electric and water. Bring ID, income and Social Security numbers for the household. ••
Holiday shows at Katharine Drexel Library
Katharine Drexel Library, 11099 Knights Road, will offer holiday shows for children to learn about the customs and origin of each holiday through storytelling, puppets, music and magic presented by Mlanjeni Magical Theater and the Amazing Mr. Q. The shows will take place on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. on upcoming Tuesdays. The show schedule is Dec. 5 (Hanukkah), Dec. 12 (Christmas) and Dec. 19 (Kwanzaa). All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 215-685-9383. ••
Improving addiction recovery
State Sens. Christine Tartaglione, Jimmy Dillon and John Kane announced a package of legislation aimed at overhauling Pennsylvania’s addiction recovery system.
“Our commonwealth is facing an unprecedented addiction and overdose crisis that is ravaging communities and families,” Tartaglione said. “The legislation we highlighted is in part born out of my 20-year-long experience with recovery and sobriety from an alcohol addiction along with countless conversations with people from all sides of the addiction treatment system and will help our neighbors get access to the lifesaving care they so desperately need.”
The legislative package includes six bills aimed at bolstering addiction recovery efforts across Pennsylvania. The bills would, among other things, offer student loan forgiveness for counselors and mental health and intellectual disability professionals; improve certification practices for the recovery workforce; and mandate continuing education on addiction for healthcare professionals.
“These bills provide desperately needed support for those on the path to recovery by tackling workforce challenges, boosting professional development, enhancing transparency in insurance coverage and implementing reporting measures to guide strategic improvements in addiction services,” Dillon said. ••
Bingo for a good cause
The Leigh Leckerman Foundation will hold an all-ages bingo on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bristol Moose Lodge, 2229 Radcliffe St. in Bristol. There will be prizes, raffle baskets and 50-50s. The cost is $30. Tables of 10 are available. Proceeds will benefit the foundation, which assists those in need of financial support for substance use disorder treatment, aftercare and sober housing. For tickets, visit leighshelp.org. ••
Events at Ryerss
Ryerss Museum & Library, 7370 Central Ave. in Burholme Park, will hold a number of upcoming events.
Here is the schedule: Friday, Dec. 1, 1-3 p.m. (Genealogy Group: How to dig up your ancestors); Friday, Dec. 8, 1-3 p.m. (Fibercraft Friends); Saturday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Ryerss annual Christmas open house); Sunday, Dec. 10, 1-3 p.m. (Manga Club); Friday, Dec. 15, 1-3 p.m. (Book Club); and Friday, Dec. 22, 1-3 p.m. (Fibercraft Friends).
Call 215-685-0599. ••
Come celebrate Christmas
Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase, 7902 Oxford Ave., will present A Night in Bethlehem on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 3-5 p.m. There will be crafts, activities, a marketplace, the story of Christmas, food, hot chocolate, a fire pit and Christmas carols. ••
Parkinson’s support group
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus is offering a Parkinson’s disease support group for those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and their families. The group will meet on the second Wednesday of every other month from 6-7 p.m. at the Cheltenham Friends Meetinghouse, 7604 Central Ave. The schedule is Dec. 13 (holiday party) and Feb. 14. The group is led by nurse practitioner June Ro, and will include guest speakers. To register, contact Ro at 215-707-2619 or Jungyoon.Ro@tuhs.temple.edu. ••
Victorian Christmas Tea Dec. 3
Redemption Lutheran Church, 8001 Bustleton Ave., will host its annual Victorian Christmas Tea on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m. The guest speaker and singer will be opera singer Todd Thomas. Admission is $30 and includes tea, finger sandwiches, scones, sweets and a sparkling toast. Purchase a table of eight for the discounted admission of $200. All proceeds benefit Redemption’s Special Music Fund that supports local artists. Call 215-342-2085 or email info@redemptionphiladelphia.org to reserve your seats. ••
Workshops at Holy Family
Holy Family University’s Family Center invites the community to its free fall workshops, which promote the “Value of Family,” during the months of October and November on the campus at Frankford and Grant avenues.
The four sessions of the “Living Fully” series will explore contemporary issues such as finding meaning and striving from life’s difficulties; exploring your creativity as a call from God; saving money with coupons – the latest updates; and reviewing common steps to protect yourself and loved ones. Sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Education Technology Center, Room 411.
The “Pathways to Prayer” series will examine how to understand and work through the peaks and valleys of one’s journey with the Lord. Using the book, Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies, by the Rev. Timothy Gallagher, the series strives to give participants’ spiritual life a boost, help them avoid discouragement and sharpen their awareness of God’s presence, action and communication in their lives and experiences. Sessions will be held on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon in the Campus Center Chapel, Room 104.
Participants will have the opportunity to interact with University faculty, staff and credentialed guest speakers. Register at holyfamily.edu. ••
Book club on Zoom
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will be holding a Zoom session on Monday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. The book this month is The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker. For further information, or to register for the book club program, call Lynn Ratmansky at the synagogue office at 215-677-1600. ••
Israel is meeting topic
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will be hosting a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 1 p.m. The guest speaker is Sigal Kanotopsky, Northeast Regional Director of The Jewish Agency for Israel. Sigal was born in Ethiopia and is a strong advocate for Israel. She will tell her story and speak on the present situation in Israel. Chanukkah refreshments will be served. Admission is free. Call 215-677-1600. ••
Trip to Brooklyn
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a “Brooklyn Christmas Lights” bus trip on Thursday, Dec. 7. The itinerary includes a full-course dinner at Tommaso’s Restaurant, followed by a tour of the decorated homes in the Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge sections of Brooklyn. Cost is $172. Call 215-788-7537. ••
Trip to Bethlehem
The Polish American Cultural Center Museum is sponsoring a trip to Bethlehem, “The Christmas City,” from Dec. 14-16. The tour includes two night accommodations at The Windcreek Hotel and Casino; two $20 vouchers; $70 slot play; a visit to Pines Dinner Theater to see Holly Jolly Christmas, with lunch (BYOB); a tour of “The Lights on the Parkway;” a free day to gamble and shop at the outlets; a visit to the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas shopping and artisans craft markets); and round-trip motorcoach. The cost is $525 per person double occupancy or $700 single. For information and reservations, call Theresa Romanowski at 215-922-1700. ••
Trip to Northern Europe
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is presenting a Northern Europe: Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium and London cruise, July 25 to Aug. 4, 2024, aboard the new “Norwegian Prima.” Rates per person are $6,261 and $6,495, which include roundtrip airfare from Philadelphia. Deposit of $350 per person double occupancy is required when booking. Final payment by Feb. 27. Call 215-788-9408. ••
Holmesburg holiday party
Holmesburg Civic Association invites the community to its annual holiday party on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 7:15 p.m. at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. Light refreshments will be provided. Raffle rickets will be available for purchase for a chance to win prizes and gift certificates for neighborhood businesses. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW. Contact Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
