Family fun at ‘charity day’ on Avenue this Sunday

Posted 6/8/11

by Paula M. Riley

This Sunday, Germantown Avenue will be a one-stop shop to learn about many local charities and nonprofit organizations and to do so in a fun environment.

“Chestnut Hill …

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Family fun at ‘charity day’ on Avenue this Sunday

Posted

by Paula M. Riley

This Sunday, Germantown Avenue will be a one-stop shop to learn about many local charities and nonprofit organizations and to do so in a fun environment.

“Chestnut Hill Cares Day” is Sunday, June 12, from 12 to 3 p.m.  Organized by the Chestnut Hill Business Association, the free event is designed to help local charities share their missions with Chestnut Hill residents and visitors in a fun and inviting way.

From the 8100 to the 8600 block of Germantown Avenue, representatives from local charities will host tables along the sidewalks with information about their good works.

Each location will also have activities especially designed for the kids – face painting, bean bag toss, pick-the-duck pond, football throw, Frisbee pass, cookies, arts and crafts, and lemonade.   These activities and treats will be free though some will be activities will request  a small donation.

“We are excited to host local charities and family-friendly activities along the Avenue,” said Fran O’Donnell, owner of O’Doodles Toy Store.  “We hope families come and stay for lunch or dinner, visit our great community playgrounds and the many unique shops along our retail corridor.”

The idea for the Chestnut Hill Cares Day came from a Chestnut Hill Business Association’s Retailers’ Meeting.   A group of area mothers had worked with O’Donnell to host an Alex’s Lemonade Stand on the Avenue in celebration of the 8th Annual Lemonade Days.  The retailers embraced this idea but wanted to extend the effort to include other charities that reach out to help children in need.

“Thus the seed was planted and the flower bloomed,” O’Donnell said.

Approximately a dozen charities, including Autism Speaks, Teenagers Inc., God’s Child Project (Guatemala), Rotary Club and MCAP (Montgomery Children’s Advocacy Project) Special Olympics and the George Fund at Keystone Hospice, will be exhibiting in partnership with TD Bank at 8600 Germantown Avenue.

Kids can enjoy free freshly popped popcorn and TD’s popular green and purple lollipops.  Named in honor of George Hedges Pappert, who died a week before his fifth birthday, this fund provides care and support to terminally ill children and their families.

Representatives from ConKerr Cancer will be outside of Fabrics on the Hill at 8434 Germantown Ave.  Young visitors will find sewing machines set up along the sidewalk, and for a donation of $10 they can sew and decorate their own pillowcase!   The goal of ConKerr Cancer is to provide hand-made, personal pillowcases to children in hospitals throughout Delaware Valley.

Other free and child-friendly events include musical performances, Cookie Monster handing out cookies at Bredenbeck’s Bakery, Engine 37 and local firefighters giving free tours of their fire truck at 8400 Germantown Avenue and Matt Paul Basketball hosting a hoops shooting contest in the 8300 block.

“Turn off your cell phones and come out to enjoy some great activities with your kids,” said Ann McNally, owner of McNally’s Tavern. “I think Chestnut Hill Care Day is a different way to give back to the community charities that are near and dear to you heart, as well as learn about new charities.”

For more information, contact the Chestnut Hill Visitors Center at 215-247-6696 or visit www.chestnuthillpa.org

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