Fundraiser being held for Resurrection
Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church and the Visconto family – which operates a funeral home on church property – has organized a fundraiser at signaturespecialties.net/presentations.htm.
Enter the access code 1812262.
On sale are shirts that read, “I kept the faith. 2020 Quarantine. Resurrection Strong.” They can be picked up at a later date at Visconto Funeral Home Inc., 2031 Vista St.
The online store also features clothes, bags, drinkware, writing instruments, fitness and sporting equipment, health and wellness products, promotional goods, food, technology, school items, trophies and more.
All items are made in America, and all proceeds from purchases will go to Resurrection.
The fundraiser goes through Monday, May 25.
Visa, Mastercard and Discover are accepted.
For more information, call 215-637-8184. ••
Nazareth gets COVID-19 treatment
Nazareth Hospital is among the 51 Pennsylvania hospitals receiving remdesivir, an antiviral drug being tested as a possible COVID-19 treatment, from the federal government.
Each hospital has received an initial supply of the drug for treatment courses for patients who qualify for the protocol. The hospitals will have the ability to request additional shipments of remdesivir, depending on the level of supply available.
Remdesivir, developed by the biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, has been found to reduce the recovery time for patients with COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. A clinical trial of remdesivir by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reported patients experienced a 31% faster recovery time with the drug compared to a placebo. ••
Speedier tax/rent rebates coming
Legislation sponsored by Reps. Martina White (R-170th dist.) and Jared Solomon (D-202nd dist.) to speed up property tax and rent rebates to qualified recipients has been passed by the Senate and is going to Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature.
“Getting more money in our seniors’ pockets now, through the Rent/Property Tax Rebate program, allows them to buy more food in fewer trips.” White said. “That limits their potential exposure to the virus and can help them stay safe.”
“I’m thrilled that this bill is heading to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk as it represents a fantastic chance to put money in the pockets of some of our most vulnerable citizens at a time when they really need it,” Solomon said. “The commonwealth needs to use every lever at our disposal to help people, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle understand that the rebate check is a vital tool in that regard, particularly during this pandemic.”
Right now, rebates are distributed starting July 1. This measure, which was amended into House Bill 1076, would direct the Departments of Revenue and Treasury to process 2019 rebate payments for all homeowners and renters who received a 2018 rebate and to issue those payments immediately. For anyone who became eligible in the last year, rebates would be issued immediately upon receipt of their application instead of waiting until July 1. ••
Torresdale Pump Station getting a rehab
State Sen John Sabatina Jr. is applauding an award to the Philadelphia Water Department from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority. The award is a low-interest loan in the amount of $73.35 million for the rehabilitation of the Torresdale Pump Station.
“This infusion of funds will enable the Water Department to replace 12 70-year-old pumps at the facility on State Road,” Sabatina said. “The most important aspect is that these pumps are responsible for the water supply to more than 1.5 million people. But the project also creates much-needed new jobs.”
The rehabilitation of the Torresdale pumping station includes 12 new pumps, flow meters and electrical equipment. The project will eliminate the risk of a water outage and provide reliability to a number of critical facilities, including Jefferson Hospital.
“Due to the age of the 12 pumps, repairs were getting expensive. Parts were difficult and often impossible to locate,” Sabatina said. ••
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. ••
