HomeNewsA helping hand for Houseman

A helping hand for Houseman

Darius Holman, Ed Drayton
John Lasky (left) with representatives of Be a Part of the Conversation

The Houseman Recreation Center Advisory Council last week was recognized as one of the 10 winners of Temple Health’s $10,000 Charity Donation Contest.

In all, there were about 250 nominations, with Temple employees nominating organizations in which they are involved.

Ed Drayton, supervisor for Temple community health workers, nominated the advisory council at Houseman, located at 5091 Summerdale Ave.

“The neighborhood means a lot to me,” he said. “I keep fighting.”

Drayton was overjoyed when he learned the advisory council was a winner.

“I was so happy. I’m grateful to Temple for all they do,” he said. “They are a hundred percent in, all the time. This is icing on the cake.”

Drayton said the advisory council does so many things, including securing reversible jerseys for basketball players and keeping the peace.

“Houseman is still a place that’s safe to come,” he said. “We’ve resolved so many issues that could have escalated or snowballed to violence.”

Drayton is happy that Houseman’s gym is getting a much-needed new floor. He said the advisory council plans to use the money on things such as a gym scoreboard, a bingo machine and movie nights and game nights.

At the Feb. 21 ceremony, Drayton was joined by his wife, Denise, a Temple nursing assistant, and Darius Holman, vice president of the advisory council and head of the Purpose Basketball training program.

Drayton, known to many as “Coach Ed,” was also recently featured on Fox 29 news as a winner of its “You’re Awesome” initiative, winning $1,000 for serving as a father figure in the neighborhood and organizing a community day, among other things.

John Lasky, Temple Health’s Chief Human Resources Officer for Temple Health, emceed the Charity Donation Contest program.

Other winners were Healthcare Wellness; Bethesda Project; Be a Part of the Conversation, a nonprofit that helps substance abusers; Collective Success Network, which helps people go from college to careers; Family Promise of Philadelphia, an eviction-prevention organization; Lifecycles Health Center; Prevention Point; Sunday Love Project; and Tioga United. ••

Philadelphia
scattered clouds
26.8 ° F
28.3 °
24.6 °
48 %
1.6mph
40 %
Fri
36 °
Sat
37 °
Sun
41 °
Mon
46 °
Tue
55 °

Related articles

13

Fundraiser for Magee, ALS

November 27, 2024

15

Getting in the holiday spirit

November 25, 2024

18

Help the needy this holiday season

November 19, 2024

19

Keystone Academy tackles bullying

November 14, 2024

24

Be All You Can Be

October 24, 2024

29

Around Town

October 14, 2024

30

Famous Birthdays

October 14, 2024

32

Reunions

October 10, 2024

34

Community Pride Award for GBCL

September 30, 2024

39

Around Town

September 28, 2024

current issues