Downingtown/Exton JANUARY 2, 2019
IN THIS ISSUE: BSEL HOSTS PARTY WITH SANTA page 2
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXX • NO 47
SOCIAL MEDIA CLASSES
Phoenixville Public Library, 183 Second Ave., Phoenixville, will offer a series of classes on the basics of social media applications. Classes will run from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, Jan. 19 (Facebook), Jan. 26 (Twitter), Feb. 2 (Instagram), and Feb. 23 (blogging). Classes are open to the public. There is a per-person cost per class. To regster, visit the Adult Events Calendar at www.phoenixvillelibrary.org or call 610-933-3013, ext. 132.
SJW Foundation Presents Scholarships, Makes Contribution pg 2
Beaver Creek Fourth-Graders Hold Pajama Drive
ROBOTICS LAB
By Francine Fulton
Chester Springs Library will present a robotics lab for schoolage children on Saturdays, Jan. 12 and 26, from noon to 3 p.m. The open lab is for participants to explore the library’s robotics equipment and share their knowledge. It is not a class with formal instruction. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration is required. Chester Springs Library is located at 1709 Art School Road, Chester Springs. Call 610-827-9212 or visit www.chesterspringslibrary.org. DISCUSSION GROUP
The Phoenix Book Club will meet on Monday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. at Phoenixville Public Library, 183 Second Ave., Phoenixville. The group will discuss “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. The club is free and open to the public. For more information, contact 610-933-3013, ext. 132, or mpinto@ccls.org. UPCOMING MEETING
will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. at the West Caln Municipal Building, 721 W. Kings Highway, Wagontown. Barry Rabin, attorney and singer/ songwriter, will present “Random Historic Thoughts.” Meetings are free and open to the public. BLOOD DRIVE
Parkesburg Episcopal Church of the Ascension will hold an American Red Cross blood drive at St. Joseph’s Hall, 406 W. Second Ave., Parkesburg, on Wednesday, Jan. 2. Donors will be received from 2 to 7 p.m. To schedule an appointment, readers may visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code Parkesburg Episcopal or call the church office at 610-857-9176. Those who donate blood will be given a free, long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt while supplies last.
Students in Megan Bauer’s fourth-grade class at Beaver Creek Elementary School, Downingtown, display some of the pajamas they donated to those in need this holiday season. Shown with the students, who were permitted to wear pajamas on Dec. 20, are Bauer (back, left) and Downingtown Mayor John Maxwell (back, right.)
Resolve To Make A Difference Local Organizations Seek Volunteers, Donations By Francine Fulton
With the arrival of the new year, many people make resolutions to make positive changes in their lives. Representatives of local nonprofit organizations hope that people will resolve to volunteer in 2019, donating their time and talents. People are invited to donate tangible items as well. The Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) is currently seeking volunteers willing to help individuals from other countries with their English language skills through its adult tutoring program. No experience is necessary, but volunteers must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Tutors are asked to meet with a student for a minimum of three hours a week for at least one year. For more information about becoming
a volunteer tutor, readers may contact Debbie Rikess, adult tutoring program coordinator, at drikess@cc-oic.org or 610-280-2618. More information about the OIC is available at www.ccoic.org or www.facebook.com/ChescoOIC. The Community Warehouse Project (CWP) of Chester County, a nonprofit organization that collects and redistributes donated furniture and household goods to people in need, is seeking volunteers to help sort through donations at its Downingtown warehouse. The organization is also in need of donations of quality used furniture. Those who have furniture to donate to CWP are asked to contact the agency in advance by visiting www.communitywarehouseproject.com. Especially needed are single beds with bed frames. For more information, readers may call 484-473-4360, visit the website or search for “Community Warehouse Project of Chester County” on Facebook. See Volunteer Opportunities pg 5
Children and adults in need were able to enjoy warm and cozy pajamas this holiday season thanks to a pajama drive held by students in Megan Bauer’s fourth-grade class at Beaver Creek Elementary School, Downingtown. As part of the first-time event, students donated 240 sets of new pajamas in sizes for newborns through adults. Some of the pajamas were purchased with the $500 that was raised through a schoolwide coin drive. Bauer reported that the pajamas, which were collected and purchased over a two-week period of time, were delivered to two nonprofit organizations: Home of the Sparrow in Exton and Feast of Justice, a nonprofit organization that distributes food and clothing to those need and provides educational programs, Bible studies and
counseling. “Feast of Justice is located in northeast Philadelphia and serves over 200 families,” Bauer stated. “The mission of Home of the Sparrow is to partner with women and children facing homelessness.” Bauer explained that the students were looking for a community service project when they learned about the Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive offered by Scholastic Book Clubs. For every pair of pajamas that is donated, the organization will donate a brandnew book to accompany the pajamas. The Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive at Beaver Creek was organized in partnership with Pajama Program, a nonprofit organization that provides atrisk children with gifts of pajamas and books to help create a bedtime ritual for children affected by instability. More information about the organization is available at www.pajamaprogram.org. See Pajama Drive pg 6
Brandywine Choir To Reunite For Encore Performance
The Brandywine Area Community Choir and director Steve McFalls will come back together again for encore performances of “America: A Pilgrim’s Prayer, A Patriot’s Dream.” Rehearsals will begin on Jan. 9 at Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church, Glenmoore. By Francine Fulton
Although members of the Brandywine Area Community Choir have not performed together since 2013 since
the retirement of director Steve McFalls, the group has decided to sing together once again. McFalls has agreed to come out of retirement to lead the group, which will See Brandywine Choir pg 8
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