Many neighbors have been asking about ways to donate various items to help victims of Hurricane Sandy. Thanks to a neighbor, Cindy, we learned about a brand new (only about a week old!) Philly Hub for Occupy Sandy NJ, where Cindy volunteers and where you can drop off your donations. The Hub is located at 2nd and Spring Garden and is currently accepting the following donations:

ITEMS NEEDED
Safety Equipment/Muck out Gear
tarps, pry bars, heavy-duty garbage bags
OSHA N95/N92 facemasks
waterproof boots, work gloves
hazmat suitsor heavy-duty overalls
waterproof plastic bins
headlamps, flashlights, batteries

Construction Equipment
drywall, floorboards, Lumber
joints, insulation, wiring

Appliances
hot water heaters
refrigerators, stoves (gas or electric)
newer model personal computers
electric wheelchairs
generators

NOT NEEDED
Clothes (except socks, underwear, heavy winter coats)
Food (except baby food, pet food & bottled water)
Toys

In addition to accepting donations, the Occupy Sandy NJ Hub also has the capability (through the wonders of the internet) to dispatch skilled workers and volunteers to areas where they are needed. Usually they would come to the Hub, find out where they are needed, and transportation would be provided.

“Saturdays will be designated as Workday Saturdays, and we hope to have a van going to different shore points. Our Food Committee will be making bagged lunches, which will be provided for both the volunteers and the people they serve,” says Cindy.

PHILLY HUB FOR OCCUPY SANDY NJ
Philadelphia – Main Distribution Hub – Occupy Sandy NJ
Transport Workers Union Local 234
500 N. 2nd St. Philadelphia, PA 19123
Now open: M-S, 9-5
609-318-4271
Website: http://www.OccupySandyNJ.org/

Sylvia Platypus.

Many neighbors have been asking how they can help Hurricane Sandy victims and here’s a great opportunity. On Saturday, Nov. 10, “psycho-Celtic glam-blues band” Sylvia Platypus (Facebook page), along with a contingent of clowns, jugglers, dancers, face painters, sword swallowers, and fire spinners, will take over the Rotunda at 4014 Walnut St. for a circus-themed extravaganza with music, food, and spectacle to aid those affected by the superstorm.

“As Sandy hit the Caribbean, the suggestion for a hurricane relief concert was raised,” said Janet Bressler, vocalist and principal songwriter for Sylvia Platypus. “Then, the devastation arrived so close to home, and the choice became obvious.”

Sylvia Platypus has a “something-for-everyone” appeal that reaches across demographics and their visionary scope and fearless presentation are attracting increasing attention from both the public and the music industry. The band recently signed a publishing deal for film and TV placement of some of their compositions.

The show begins at 8 p.m. and suggested donation is $5 to $25+. For more information, visit therotunda.org or the event’s Facebook page.

The Merry Wives of Windsor in Clark Park. July 2012.

A fundraising campaign is currently underway to help bring more free Shakespeare shows to the neighborhood. Some of The Merry Wives of Windsor shows this past summer were rained out and end-of-performance red bucket donations were half of what is needed to make next year’s show possible. To support Shakespeare in Clark Park, please visit The Red Bucket Campaign page and submit your donation.

NOTE: The fundraising campaign ends on Sunday, 11:59 p.m.

Artist’s sketch of centerpiece concept (Redcap’s Corner owners Benn and Adam slaying a unicorn).

Our favorite local neighborhood game shop needs help with a great project involving a local artist. Redcap’s Corner (3617 Lancaster Ave.) has started a Kickstarter campaign to fund a mural in one of their roleplaying game rooms. If they can raise enough money local artist Alyssa Deville will paint the mural. Particularly generous supporters will be rewarded by being included in the mural. You could get your name on the mural for $25 or your likeness for $75.

Please follow this link to learn more about the project and to donate.

Update: The project has made its minimum fundraising goal, but there’s still four days left for people to make themselves part of it. “Any money we raise over and above our minimum goes toward paying Alyssa better for her work,” says Benn Roe, one of the shop owners.

Check out the project video below.

Great news for the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools! The organization has achieved official non-profit status (501(c)3), which will allow it to apply for grants only available to registered non-profits and accept tax-deductible donations.

Here’s part of a statement from the WPCNS board: “Donations help [WPCNS] ensure that our neighborhood schools have the supplies they need, a full range of arts and music instruction, more after-school enrichment programs, and play areas that encourage activity while being environmentally friendly.”

The organization can now also submit grant applications to foundations in support of these initiatives. To read more about WPCNS initiatives and to donate, please visit their homepage. The website was recently redesigned and updated with lots of useful information, including School Catchment Finder.

The International Action Center is holding its annual “Giant Rummage Sale” on Saturday, August 11 at Calvary Church (48th and Baltimore) and is seeking support to make it successful. You can donate books, records, gently-used clothing, toys, games, housewares, small furniture or other items for this sale. Pick-ups or a convenient drop-off time can be arranged. You can also volunteer to poster fliers for the sale and/or to help with set-up on the evening of Friday, August 10.

The IAC has been actively involved in the struggle for jobs, justice and equality in the area, and participated regularly in the Occupy Philadelphia movement. It also helped launch the People’s Power Speak Outs in West Philly and has been organizing Clark Park Summer Film Series for 10 years. The annual rummage sale helps cover the rent and related expenses for the IAC Solidarity Center office.

If you have items to donate or if you want to volunteer at the sale, please call 610-352-3053 (Betsey) or email phillyiac@peoplesmail.net.