November 13, 2008 Issue
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Classified Chestnut Hill Local Don't Miss an Issue, Tell us what you see or Winner of Two |
Thanksgiving jars on Avenue counters
There are certain signs that Thanksgiving is near. Falling leaves, colder weather and gravy boats in store windows are subtle prompts. In Chestnut Hill, the glass jars on counters of Hill stores also remind locals that the holiday is close. The jars bear the sign “St. Vincent Food Kitchen Thanksgiving Collection,” welcoming our spare change and reminding us that not everyone will be seated at a large banquet this holiday. These jars have become a fixture when November arrives in Chestnut Hill. For the last 15 years, lifelong Chestnut Hill resident Jean Dwyer has been collecting money and pies for Thanksgiving dinner at St. Vincent’s Dining Room in Germantown. The effort started quite innocently when the dining room’s director told Dwyer she had no desserts for Thanksgiving. Dwyer began baking and asking her friends and neighbors to do the same. The pies are still collected and now the extra change that area shoppers leave in the jars pays for the Thanksgiving meal at the dining room. St. Vincent’s feeds between 300 and 350 hungry men, women and children on Thanksgiving and each weekend of the year. The jar collection is an illustration of the community coming together to help those in need. Our Mother of Consolation’s Society of St Vincent de Paul helps by collecting and transporting the pies, residents make homemade pies and many Chestnut Hill merchants allow the collection jars to sit on their counters. Dwyer is amazed by merchants’ generosity. “Many of them put their personal tips in the jars and some strongly suggest to their customers to donate,” she said. “That’s just so wonderful.” Dwyer is always optimistic about the collection, mostly because she has such faith in the Chestnut Hill community. “This really is a wonderful place with good, good people,” she said. “They are so kind and generous and I know they will take care of the hungry.” Jars are on display at merchants throughout Chestnut Hill. If you would prefer to donate a pie, please bring a fresh or baked pie to the Chestnut Hill Cheese Shop, 8509 Germantown Ave.; Janine Salon de Coiffure, 8432 Germantown Ave., or Our Mother of Consolation Parish Center, 9 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., by Wednesday, Nov. 26. For more information, contact Jean Dywer at 215-242-9284.
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