If you are still feeling generous during this holiday season, there are a few local community organizations that could use some help. Plus, you might get the added benefit of a last-minute, 2015 tax write-off.

Here are some chances to help out:

• The West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools has made great strides in remaking the Henry Lea School playground into a terrific community asset. But they’re not done. In 2016, the organization wants to repaint the basketball court, install seating and new flags. They need some more funding help to get it done. Go here to learn more and donate.

Some of the work done so far at the Henry Lea School playground at 47th and Spruce. (Photo from the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools website)

• Curio Theatre Company also relies on contributions to survive (along, of course, with income from their performances). In addition to its line-up of fabulous performances, Curio runs a a theatre school for neighborhood kids that has never turned a child away because of financial need. They want to keep that going in 2016. Click here to donate.

• The Soapbox Community Print Shop and Zine Library is in the middle of a fundraising effort to get its new 4,500-square-foot book arts and printmaking studio up and running. They are about halfway there and only have a couple of days left to hit their goal of $15,000. They have all kinds of cool stuff available for donors, including memberships, zine packs and even hand-bound sketchbooks. Check out their campaign here.

Photos courtesy of Calvary Church.

The annual festive evening of Swing, Jazz, Salsa, Gospel and Christmas music returns on Sunday, Dec. 20 to the Calvary United Methodist Church (48th and Baltimore). The concert will feature original compositions and traditional favorites performed by Calvary UMC’s very own Greg Scott and his big band, Big Push, along with Philadelphia-area choirs.

Also featuring in the concert are vocalists Russell Thompkins of The Stylistics, Tony Perez, Mike Upshaw, Zara Simms and more! Tickets/suggested donations are $10 at the door, $5 for children. All proceeds from the concert will benefit the Cedar Park Neighbors Holiday Basket Drive in addition to other local hunger initiatives. Individual or institutional sponsors are also needed to help underwrite the concert, which always draws a huge crowd.

If you would like to help out, please go to the Donate page on the Calvary website (please indicate “Christmas Concert 2015” in the Comments/Questions section) or mail/deliver a check (payable to “Calvary UMC” – please indicate “Christmas Concert 2015” on the memo line) to the Calvary office at 801 S. 48th Street, 19143. There is no minimum amount to sponsor; all gifts are appreciated.

The concert starts at 7 p.m.

Henry C. Lea Elementary School (47th and Locust)

Dock Street Brewery is joining efforts to support public education in Philadelphia, with a focus on West Philly schools.

Every month, they will be tapping a special beer (aged, soured, oaked, irresponsibly hopped, blended…) and giving it away. In return, they ask that you bring in and exchange school supplies that will be donated to West Philadelphia public schools. This month, Dock Street will be working with Lea Elementary at 47th and Locust.

Photo from Dock Street Brewery’s Facebook page.

If you like beer and want to help Lea Elementary, come to Dock Street at 50th and Baltimore this Wednesday (Dec. 16) and bring one ream of 8 x 11 copy paper (paper is an essential tool in most classrooms and is often in short supply). In return, you’ll get a 6 oz pour of Mah Nà Mah Nà, a Belgian Golden Ale, aged for eight months in a freshly drained tequila barrel. If you want you can bring more school supplies; they will be gladly accepted and delivered to the school. The event starts at 3 p.m. and goes on all night.

If you can’t make it to Dock Street this Wednesday, you can follow them on Facebook for information on future school supply drives. You can also donate to Lea Elementary and other schools on the Donors Choose website. Check out this list of school projects that need funding, compiled by the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools:

Lea Elementary School

1. Reaching Higher Resources
This project is about halfway to its goal but only has 15 days left for funding. Ms. Harris is hoping to buy sets of reading and math games to offer her students hands-on practice.
http://www.donorschoose.org/…/reaching-higher-reso…/1660214/  Continue Reading

There are a few efforts in the area to help neighbors in need during the holidays. Recently, we wrote about the annual Cedar Park Holiday Food Drive. Here are two more opportunities to help out:

Holiday Drive at Local 44 (44th and Spruce)

Get into the Holiday Spirit by donating new and unwrapped toys or personal care items for the People’s Emergency Center, a West Philly shelter offering support services to women and children. Click here for a list of most wanted items. Drop off your donations in the Bottle Shop through Dec. 18.

Winter Coat and Book Drive at Renewal Presbyterian Church (47th and Cedar)

Winter coat and book drive benefits Cradles to Crayons, a local charity that serves communities in the Philadelphia area. With cold weather on the way, there is an urgent need for coats, socks, gloves, and PJs for children of all ages. Only new and gently used items are accepted. Donations can be dropped off between 8:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19 at Renewal Presbyterian Church, located on the corner of 47th and Cedar Ave. You can also contact Jeannette Bennicelli (jbennice[at]mail.med.upenn.edu) and bring donations to her house (now until Dec. 20).

Today is #GivingTuesday, a nationwide campaign encouraging people to give thanks and give back to their community. This is a great reminder to support our local not-for-profit organizations and help either by signing up to volunteer or by giving a monetary donation.

There are dozens of great non-profits in West Philadelphia, working on improving communities and schools, and providing help to those who need it most. Please visit our Civic Life page and choose an organization you would like to support. We will also be tweeting and re-tweeting #GivingTuesday messages from local non-profits throughout the day (@westphillylocal). Here are some of them:

Your gift to PEC on #GivingTuesday has double the impact…learn more here! https://t.co/vRGd5Katc4 pic.twitter.com/v6XR8HlY1V

— PEC (@PECCaresPhilly) November 24, 2015

We're ready for #givingtuesday and hope you'll join us at https://t.co/FEYx0yZnPy

— The Woodlands (@woodlandsphila) December 1, 2015

So close to 1/3 of our fundraising goal for #StepUpSoapbox – your donation of $45+ gets us there – can you help? https://t.co/lprhpC14lC

— Philly Soapbox (@PhillySoapbox) November 30, 2015

On this Giving Tuesday, please consider a gift to City Kitties. We are all volunteer, so donations go directly… https://t.co/5hs65z0Bod

— citykitties (@citykitties) December 1, 2015

Some of the naming opportunities in the Greening Lea project. Click to enlarge.

Want to make a positive, indelible mark on the neighborhood? The West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools has a way to become an important part of big undertaking. Its Greening Lea Project is offering naming opportunities for various parts of the evolving playground at the Henry Lea School.

The school’s playground was expanded last summer and a landscaped perimeter was added to part of the playground in 2012. Now coalition has its sights set on some bigger projects, including the addition of a new green stormwater infrastructure, brick pavers, large shade trees and rain gardens. New hoops will be added to the basketball court and seating will be added to the playground. The changes could make the Lea Playground a prime public recreation spot in the neighborhood.

If they can raise the money.  Continue Reading