SERVICE PROJECTS

Our Service Projects

Members of the Rotary Club of Philadelphia are actively involved with hands-on community service projects which include feeding the hungry, promoting literacy in schools, cleaning up and beautifying the environment, honoring veterans, and more. We also welcome volunteers to help our members with our projects. If you are not a member, and would like to help, please complete a registration form.


Upcoming member service projects: 

Distributing for House of Hope

Distribute warm clothing to our neighbors on December 14th. Contact Carrie Sharpshair at csharpshair@blueskiesllc.com if you have any questions.

Saturday, December 14, 2024
10:00 AM to noon

House of Hope
1300 W Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia

REGISTER HERE

Salvation Army's Toy Distribution

Volunteers will help distribute toys to families from our community. This will include being a "personal shopper" and working with folks to pick out their donation and restocking the different stations.

Thursday, December 19, 2024
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Volunteers can participate as you're able - just an hour or all day.

Temple Corps Community Center
1340 Brown Street, Philadelphia

REGISTER HERE

Past projects:

Philly Rotary Shows Up for St. Chris Turkey Day

We were proud to be part of a contingent of Philadelphia Rotary members packing several hundred full-course Thanksgiving dinners for needy patient/client families of Philadelphia’s St. Christopher Hospital for Children this week.

A leader in pediatric care since 1875, St. Christopher's offers nationally recognized programs and pediatric specialists who provide exceptional care to children from throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. What truly sets St. Chris apart is the way it provides that care – with genuine passion and heart in a nurturing, patient- and family-centered environment.

Philadelphia Rotary ReStore Day

On October 19th, Philadelphia Rotary and Habitat for Humanity were framing a continuous friendship as Philadelphia Rotarians met at the Habitat retail store. Seven volunteers (Colin, Nick, Gary, Christa, Jim, David, and a guest, Pauline) were given an exclusive tour and then got to work completing the construction of three bed frames.

It is certainly a pleasure to keep the annual volunteer tradition going, and we look forward to next year!

A Sense of Hope at Lutheran Settlement House

On Thursday, August 15th, Rotary had a fun and inspirational time helping out at the carnival at Lutheran Settlement House. It was such a bright day with a bouncy castle, beautiful face painting, popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones, and community resources!

Ken Myers, Ed Isaack, Rosana Anchondo-Isaack, Christa Cobb, and Nick Squeri were there to help make this day a success. Afterward, David Chiles, Lutheran Settlement House Executive Director, kindly gave Rotary a very informative tour of the facilities as we discussed being hopeful of future volunteer opportunities.

An Amazing Day with St. Christopher’s

St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children had another very successful turnout for the Back to School Carnival! Dr. Renée Turchi (in photo with Nick Squeri) headed an all-day event in which the hospital provided backpacks for children.

This was an extraordinary day that offered support that was beyond basic with dental and heart exams. Because organizations like Rotary were there to support the event, there were many resources available to build better communities. Families enjoyed free face painting, crafts, pizza, pretzels, water ice, fresh fruit, and water. There were even animals and clowns!

Thanks, Nick, for representing the Philadelphia Rotary, even with a major storm pending!

Blood Drive

On Tuesday, July 31st, we held the first Pyramid Club/Rotary Club of Philadelphia blood drive with the American Red Cross was a real success. Thanks to the efforts of Rotary's Kwame Tyndale and Carrie Sharpshair and our partners at the Red Cross, we met our goal of 30 donors from a mix of Pyramid and Rotary members.

Blood donors save lives and there is always a need for regular donors and Red Cross volunteers. If you want to be a volunteer, go to the Red Cross website and apply. You'll be assigned a mentor and take courses on how to serve the needs of this incredible organization. Kwame mentioned that a partnership with groups like us boosts community commitment and awareness about both organizations.

Congratulations to all those involved in a wonderful way that will directly impact the lives of others!

Wyck House Cleanup

Day of Service Recap

On April 28th at the District Conference Day of Service, Philadelphia Rotary members came together to support nonprofits like the Vincent de Paul Society. One event took place at Colonial Middle School in Plymouth Meeting, PA.

Members, including Nick Squeri and Kwame Tyndale, prepared PB&J sandwiches, made sock rolls, helped in the warehouse, and put together breakfast bags. These services directly support the unhoused in our communities! Thank you to everyone who came out and joined us during this year's District Conference Day of Service.

April 13, 4:30 PM: Spring Block Build

• Organization Name: Rebuild Together Philadelphia

• Volunteers assisted with healthy home repairs.

  
  

Truly FABulous Experience

Served with Love
Thursday, March 28, 4 PM - 8 PM
Ronald McDonald House
3925 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Volunteers served at the Ronald McDonald House where they helped the Food Service Team to prep meals and snacks, serve dinner, package leftovers, and clean up the commercial kitchen for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.

Cradles to Crayons Successful Service

Thank you all so much for volunteering your time, love, and energy on Saturday, Feb 24, during another rewarding day of service for Cradles to Crayons!

We did an amazing job in the sorting area as we inspected and folded clothes going to young children in the community and promoted their motto of Quality = Dignity. We all worked hard to make this a meaningful event for the community. Additionally, Rotary presented Cradles to Crayons with $500 to help with future needs!

The entire staff at Cradles to Crayons says a huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped! We will continue to partner with them and similar organizations to help those in need and make a positive difference in the world.

MLK Day of Service

This Martin Luther King Day, Philadelphia Rotary members dedicated their time to a service project at the University of Pennsylvania as part of a Global Citizen volunteer effort.

Assembling "Making Life Kinder" bags for local shelters were Philadelphia Rotarians, Christa Cobb, Geni Klein, President Ken Myers, Nick Squeri, Lisa Kennedy, and Maria Alejandra Somarriba. The community's response was incredible, with a diverse group coming together for this meaningful cause. Rotary volunteers assembled toiletries, create t-shirt bags, and contributed to the cleanup efforts.

The spirit of service and unity was truly inspiring. A big thank you to all who participated, showcasing the impactful difference we can make when we come together as a community.

Large Turnout of Toys for Tots Volunteers on December 16th and 19th

The Salvation Army got lots of help from Philadelphia Rotary this year. During the first volunteer shift, Rotary members sorted items donated to the Toys for Tots program. They also helped set up a “stocking stuffer” area, so families would be able to pick out their own toys. Since so many Rotary volunteers showed up and they finished their holiday gift tasks early, they also helped put away a food delivery. Then, on the second day of service, the Rotary team helped distribute the gifts to families in need. Both days were filled with the Christmas spirit of giving so thanks to ALL the volunteers who helped out this year!

Turkey Drive Helps 300 Families, St. Christopher's Hospital, Tuesday, November 21st

Philadelphia Rotary played an integral role in helping 300 families enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. Our volunteers unboxed turkeys and loaded them individually into meal boxes filled with vegetables and other holiday meal ingredients. The food was purchased, thanks, in part, to a $2000 donation from our club's Foundation. You can watch a short recap video HERE. (And while you're on our club's YouTube channel, please click "Subscribe.")

Habitat for Humanity

Philly Rotarians gathered Friday to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia. Members helped install fiberglass insulation panels in one of six new affordable housing units being built in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. Much sweat, learning, and particulate matter was had — all for a great cause. Thanks to Rachel Aylward, Colin McMorrow, Sean Friedland, Shawn McGill, President Ken Myers, Michael Snell, and Maria Alejandra Somarriba who helped out! If you want to see more of the action, check out this fabulous video that Michael put on our club's Instagram Reels! (And please make sure you are following all our social media channels. The links are at the bottom of this newsletter.)

Socks for Streets

Thanks to everyone who went out in the stormy weather on Saturday, September 23rd to volunteer at the Socks for the Streets service project! Christa Cobb, Carrie Sharpshair, Nick Squeri, Pete Henson, Michael Snell, Ken Myers, Matthew Bean, Colin McMorrow, and Walt Pinkas worked at the Community Resource Fair in Northeast Philadelphia. They helped run the complimentary concession station and raffle tickets table.

Lutheran Settlement House

Rotary volunteers are needed for Friday, August 18th as we partner again with Lutheran Settlement House. Can you help out between 11:30am-3pm? If so, please register HERE.

Volunteers will have an opportunity to get together after the event. Our Social Committee is working out the details so watch this space!

Back To School Fair, August 18th

Service Committee co-chair Walt Pinkas says Friday's Back to School fair was a big success. Rotarians served families at Jane Addams Place, run by Lutheran Settlement House. The fair included:

• face painting, a bounce house, and balloon animals

• children's games

• BBQ, cotton candy, slushiest, and popcorn

• resource tables

• sidewalk chalk

• basketball

Walt says a great time was had by all. Thanks to all of the volunteers from Philadelphia Rotary!

Thanks to Carnival Volunteers, August 4th

Rain didn't dampen the spirits of all the families who attended the 13th annual Back to School Carnival run by St. Christopher's Hospital.

Yesterday from 9am-3pm, neighborhood kids enjoyed face-painting, costumed characters, book giveaways and plenty of food. Volunteers from our club covered all the available shifts, helping with set-up, water and food distribution, and clean-up.

Thanks to Philadelphia Rotary volunteers Christa, James (who brought baby Coleman),Sean, Shawn K, Shawn M, President Ken, Lisa, Nick, Anthony, Andrew, and Jameel.

MANNA

On Thursday, July 20th. Rotary volunteers at MANNA where they loaded trucks with bags of food that will be delivered to people who are home-bound with medical issues.

Savage Sisters

Volunteers are needed to work with Savage Sisters, whose goal is to provide Housing and Harm Reduction for those living with or affected by substance abuse disorder.

Organization: Savage Sisters

Date: Saturday, July 15th

Time: 9:30am - 12pm

Location: 3115 Kensington Ave. Philadelphia, PA

Details: Training between 9:30 am and 10:00 am. From there we head to the Outreach site a few blocks away as a group, set up by 10:30, and serve until around 12:00 pm. During these events, staff and volunteers distribute materials, lead a beautification effort, provide on site wound care and take people back to the drop in center for additional wound care and shower. This event hosts 30 - 60 volunteers, and serves at least 350 participants.

CLICK HERE to register for this service project on July 15th.

Flags for Veterans

Have you ever visited the Laurel Hill Cemetery? It's a beautiful place that's full of history with gravestones marked with well-known names such as Rittenhouse, Strawbridge and Widener. You can explore for yourself on Sunday, May 21st. We'll be placing flags on the graves of veterans, starting at 10:00am. Join your Rotary friends and members of the American Legion Post 405 for this pre-Memorial Day service project.

We will meet at the gatehouse of Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia. Refreshments will be provided afterwards.

If you'll be ATTENDING, CLICK HERE
If you can NOT ATTEND, please click here

Return to the Wyck House for Spring Clean-Up Project

Saturday, April 29, 2023, 10am to 12 Noon 6026 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia

Mark your calendar for what's always a lovely day at Wyck House in Germantown. Philadelphia Rotary volunteers are needed to help weed, mulch and plant on Saturday, April 29th from 10am-12 Noon. Gardening experience is not required.

If you plan to attend, please register HERE.

If you are not able to attend please let us know by clicking HERE.

Caring for Friends on January 14, 2023, 9am - Noon

We had a productive and fun service project at Caring for Friends in Northeast Philly. The organization's founder Vince Schiavone told us how grateful he is to have had our help. The peanut butter and jelly sandwiches we assembled and packaged were going to be given to homeless people. And the squash that we chopped and seasoned was going to be used for an MLK Day of Service dinner. Many thanks to all who volunteered for this important and rewarding service event.

Toy Sorting and Distribution at the Salvation Army

You can help us brighten the lives of local kids this holiday season. Philadelphia Rotary scheduled two service projects with The Salvation Army. Please consider volunteering for one or both of the following:

Toy Sorting: December 14th at 10am
West Philadelphia Corps Community Center at 5501 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19139
Organize, pack, and prepare toys for families to pick up. Be sure to wear comfortable attire. To volunteer for Toy Sorting, please select Attending or Not Attending.

Toy Distribution: December 18th at 1:30 PM
West Philadelphia Corps Community Center at 5501 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19139
This is the day families come to pick-up their toy donations. Volunteers will assist with set-up/break-down, check-in, and distribution. Be sure to wear comfortable attire.
To volunteer for Toy Distribution, please select Attending or Not Attending.

MANNA Saturday, November 19, 2022 1:00-4:00pm

Join us in the kitchen at MANNA which provides medically tailored meals to the seriously ill.The organization relies heavily on volunteers so we have scheduled a Rotary shift on Sat. Nov. 19th from 1-4pm. No experience is required. It's always an enjoyable experience in MANNA's kitchen, whether we're chopping vegetables, scooping food into containers, or wrapping prepared meals. Please wear closed-toe shoes.

A few notes:

MANNA has its own registration process so please CLICK THIS LINK to sign up.

As per current guidance from the City of Philadelphia, masks are optional. Proof of vaccination is required to volunteer at MANNA.

Prospective volunteers are encouraged to e-mail proof of COVID-19 vaccination ahead of time to vaccine@mannapa.org so we can update your records. Volunteers can also show front desk staff their vaccine cards day-of.

We at Philadelphia Rotary would also appreciate knowing of your interest in volunteering. If you plan on joining us at MANNA, please CLICK HERE.

Saturday October 15, 2022, 10am - Noon

WYCK HOUSE GARDENING PROJECT: FALL LANDSCAPE AND YARD MAINTENANCE
Wyck has continuously preserved the oldest rose garden in the U.S. since 1824.

Volunteers are needed to renew fall turf, reseed, tidy wood lots, lay mushroom compost, and general yard work. Wyck will provide needed tools and gloves.

6026 Germantown Ave,
Philadelphia, PA 19144

Volunteers must register in advance HERE

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Join us after the service project for an informal gathering for food and drinks at Attic Brewing Company. Register HERE.