Results tagged “cares”

Mid-January means Martin Luther King Day, which means it’s time to live that dream of yours (or perhaps just a resolution) and volunteer in our fine city. The 13th Annual MLK National Day of Service will be celebrated this weekend around the region. The day grew out of national legislation aiming to create a day of citizen action in honor of Dr. King’s work. It’s still growing, as more and more folks decide to put their skills and energy to good use while honoring the legacy of one of the greatest civil rights activists.

Even though our weather is wacky, and even though it is supposed to be in the 60s next week, yesterday and this morning were harsh reminders that yes, in fact, it is winter and goddamn can it get cold. So it seems a good time to mention Greater Philadelphia Cares’ 12th Annual Coat drive, going on now through January 21. Simply take your new or gently used winter coat to one of the listed drop-off locations, or directly to the warehouse at St. Vincent DePaul. The folks at GPC will get the coats to the folks that need them the most in this (sometimes) harsh weather. The deadline is Martin Luther King Day, giving us just over two weeks to get those closets cleaned out.

We've told you some ways to make the season brighter for local kids. Now here's an opportunity to help out an entire family in one go: Greater Philadelphia Cares is sponsoring Adopt-A-Family. They will match you with a local family in need and provide a wish list. You'll go out and gather some goodies, and drop it all off at a local agency, which will then get it all to the family in question. Easy-- and it addresses that need some of us have to shop (ahem).

Greater Philadelphia Cares has been working on a Free Store for Teachers, which will open soon. The store will stock supplies like papers and pens, books, and other materials that could assist in the classroom; as the name implies, teachers will be able to "shop" for these items at no charge. They just had a windfall courtesy of the Philadelphia Book Bank, which unfortunately is closing its doors. The donation they received comes in...

The Philadelphia Marathon is fast approaching (ha!), and those fleet-footed folks are looking for volunteers to help support the thousands of athletes who will converge upon the Art Museum on November 18. Tasks range from stuffing runner bags two weeks out to distributing blankets and Gatorade on race day. You can sign up for a specific job or offer your services as a general volunteer to be dispatched where you're needed most. You can also form a team and sign up together for one of the larger jobs. For more info, contact Terry at GP Cares (215-564-4544).

Discovery Channel is making an example out of us. Philadelphia has been chosen as the best location for a demonstration and documentary on "urban heat islands" as part of DC's new series of eco-programming, "10 Ways to Save the Planet." An urban heat island is a metro area where the temperatures are significantly higher than those of surrounding areas. We always felt baked onto the sidewalks in the summer, and there's a good reason for that: as greenery is replaced by buildings and asphalt, which absorb rather than reflect heat, up the mercury goes, sometimes by as much as 10 degrees.

Title: Up, Down, Who Cares?

We think this might qualify as some sort of meta-volunteer experience: Philly is hosting this year's National Conference on Volunteering and Service, and Greater Philadelphia Cares is looking for a few good volunteers to help everything move along smoothly. Volunteers will (fittingly) be involved in every aspect of the conference, which runs July 16-18 at the Convention Center. Best of all, this is one of those deals where you get concrete rewards on top of the do-good feeling: sign up for 1 three-hour shift, and you can attend the conference for just $150 (regular rates range from $325 to $770). Sign up for 3 three-hour shifts, and you get to go for free.

Summer can be hard in the city, what with the smog and humidity and the cement oven beneath our feet. Phillyist plans to balance sticky subway air with some getting back to nature, and you can too. Greater Phildelphia Cares has a bunch of volunteer opportunities that will connect you with the soil. Which we hear is nice and cool once you dig down a few inches.

Every Tuesday and Thursday, we'll be posting events that are going on sale during the current week. This Tuesday post only collects the early announcements, so definitely check back on Thursday for the latest ticket news.

Despite coming in like quite a lion, the month of March won't be all bad. Every Wednesday from March 7 to 28, The Bleu Martini in Old City will donate 15% of its happy hour proceeds to Greater Philadelphia Cares, that great volunteering organization we keep chatting about. There will be complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drink specials from 5:30-7:30. Phillyist asks: what easier way to give to charity than grabbing a martini and people-watching OC style?

, only with more sexy, shirtless, dancing gays (okay, and a few straights too—maybe).

Where Phillyist works (probably like many of you, dear readers), computers are essential. When being online all day is part of your job it's easy to forget that many people do not have access to the Internet or the skills to use it, much less the hardware on which to browse it. The Non-Profit Technology Resources is addressing this, and you can help. The NTR provides low-income Philadelphia residents with recycled computers, providing hands-on training for individuals, and assisting community-based organizations to incorporate computers into their work.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is almost upon us, and with it unique opportunities to volunteer in the community. As promised, we give you the 12th Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service. The day grew out of national legislation aiming to create a day of citizen action in honor of Dr. King’s work. And it grew, and grew, and grew. Philly’s celebration is the largest in the nation and we're gearing up for record numbers of volunteers this year, which isn’t surprising given how much brotherly love we have lying around. So if you’re lucky enough to have off next Monday, consider giving over a few hours of your vacay to the greater good.

Amidst the nonstop Christmas carols, it's easy to forget that some Philadelphians won't be decorating the tree or waiting for an unknown fat stranger to pop in through a chimney. There's still lots to do around Philly for those who celebrate Chanukah, or if the chimney thing just totally creeps you out. Phillyist presents our short list of Chanukah events around Philadelphia: