Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital hosts book drive to benefit community
DARBY BOROUGH » In December, the Heart of Mercy committee at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital will ask their fellow colleagues to donate books for a collection that will benefit local schools, shelters and other community programs throughout Delaware County.
The book drive — the first one ever held at Mercy Fitzgerald — will run from now until Friday, Dec. 31. Once the collection ends, the donated books will be sorted and boxed by Heart of Mercy committee members, before being distributed in January. As a competitive incentive, the Mercy Fitzgerald department that collects the most books will be able to send a few department representatives to participate in the distribution process.
The Heart of Mercy movement began in January 2020, guided by its mission to provide compassionate service to their patients and the community. The Heart of Mercy committee itself launched in early spring of 2020. One of the committee’s core values is a commitment to sharing stories of compassion as much as possible. So, when deciding where to dedicate the committee’s support towards a winter project that would provide a meaningful benefit to the community, a book drive quickly emerged as a natural choice. “We hope that this book drive will not only help provide valuable resources where they are needed in our community, but also remind our colleagues about the importance of sharing stories of compassion to motivate others to pay it forward,” said Joana Plazas, service excellence leader at
Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital and chair of the Heart of Mercy committee. “Books are a great way to quite literally, share stories. They allow people to take a break from whatever challenges they may be up against in life, and simply absorb the stories on the pages for a while.”
New and used books of all genres and reading levels will be accepted. To learn how you can support the book drive, email joana. plazas@mercyhealth.org.
Delco lawmakers announce $300G grant for Upper Darby
Delaware County state Rep. Mike Zabel, D-163 of Upper Darby and Rep.elect Gina Curry, D-164 of Upper Darby, announced a $308,122 grant has been awarded to Upper Darby Township. The grant was one of 40 projects approved throughout the state through the Violence Intervention
and Prevention Grant Program administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Upper Darby requested the funds to establish a community policing center to serve the needs of township residents. The program will be modeled after the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative and, among other things, provide the funds needed for rental space, one full-time staffer, two outreach workers, supplies for activities, computers and school bus rentals.
Trained outreach workers will collect referrals from the school district and police department to identify young people who might benefit from this new program, and the outreach workers will speak to parents about their children’s participation.
The project was one of more than 300 applications submitted for state funding. Announced in September,
the program is intended to support local intervention in using preventative measures to curb gun and group violence.
Christie’s New
York auction house features paintings by Delco artists with Down syndrome
Unique paintings of Delco artists with Down syndrome are getting national attention this week at the venerable Christie’s auction house in New York.
The Christie’s event features artwork created by young adults in the LiveUp Programs, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that creates welcoming opportunities where adults with Down syndrome and their peers can be their best selves. Several of those artists are from Delaware County.
LiveUp weekends are held each year in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C, and
San Diego, Calif. In addition to attending sports games, musicals, dances, yoga sessions and more, one favorite activity at LiveUp is creating art.
Christie’s presents the philanthropic exhibition live and online Dec. 3-7 in partnership with LiveUp Programs to “shine our spotlight on unique works while also raising awareness about neurodiversity,” according to Christie’s website. Dec. 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The 2021 theme is “Fighting for Rights in a Post-COVID Era,” to recognize the challenges and barriers for people with disabilities in the context of a global pandemic.
The goal is to raise funds to provide the LiveUp experience to more adults with Down syndrome, where they can spend a fun, safe and exciting weekend with friends, where they can feel independent, accepted and loved.
Many of the LiveUp artists said painting is a way to relax, to be calm and happy, especially during the challenging months of the COVID pandemic when many of their activities were cancelled and their routines were disrupted.
LiveUp Programs was founded 10 years ago by Jenna Aidikoff of New York, who transformed her love for her sister, Lauren, into a national program that helps adults with Down syndrome achieve skills, build friendships and just “hang out” with their peers.
The end result is a series of LiveUp weekends held each year that result in stronger independence, lasting friendship, acceptance and belonging. For some participants, the LiveUp weekend was their first overnight experience away from their family.
The first program was held in 2011 in Washington, D.C. and was attended by 16 participants. Since then, LiveUp has served 200 individuals with Down syndrome, engaged 450 volunteers and provided 60 scholarships for participants. LiveUp has also hosted dance parties and, during the COVID pandemic, offered online activities for participants from coast-tocoast.
On Feb. 26, 2022, Aidikoff and her cadre of volunteers will celebrate the 10th anniversary of LiveUp Programs with a LoveUp Gala at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia. The formal gala will feature dinner, music, an auction and much more. For more information on LiveUp, visit http://www. liveupprograms.org.
Norwood School presents Winterfest
Norwood Home and School Association will present Winterfest 2021, 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in the large parking lot and back field of the school, 558 Seneca Ave., Norwood. There will be carnival style winterthemed games, craft vendors selling their holiday goodies, hot chocolate, crafts for the kids to make, raffle baskets, food and so much more. This event is open to the community so bring family and friends to enjoy a night out.
Wristbands cost $6 and include unlimited games, one hot chocolate, one craft, and one reindeer food bag. People do not have to pay to walk through the vendors. For information, call the school at 610-237-6425.