Founders' Day celebrates the spirit of PPH
Founders’ Day at PPH is an annual celebration that honors PPH's history, while recognizing residents, team members, donors and volunteers who make a profound impact today. This special day also highlights the community's spirit and upholds the mission and core values that have guided PPH for more than 135 years.
2025 Founders' Day Award Recipients: Service Excellence
(A team member who demonstrates excellent service and quality care)
Arther Joseph Resident Ambassasdor
(A resident who contributes through a positive attitude, determination and perseverance)
Virginia Murphy Volunteer of the Year
(A resident who expresses positivity, dedication, leadership, adaptability and compassion)
Jean Holland
If you'd like to view our Founders' Day program, visit our YouTube page - youtube.com/ philadelphiaprotestanthome. (Click link to access)
Clockwise from left: Arther Joseph accepts the 2025 Service Excellence Award from Senior HR Generalist Wendy Smith; Jean Holland is recognized as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year; Virginia Murphy is recognized as 2025 Resident Ambassador.
Supporting those who serve and sacrifice
PPH celebrated its veterans with a Veterans Day Luncheon. Many veterans across all levels of care joined, including 103-year-old WWII vet Kenneth Strobel (pictured left with PPH leadership).
State Representatives Rep. Anthony Bellmon and Rep. Jared Solomon both spoke on the importance of supporting veterans — during and after service.
Special thanks to Saint Cecilia School students for speaking on the meaning of patriotism and in remembrance of POW/MIA soldiers — and for helping serve lunch to our residents and guests.
PPH also thanks all team members and departments who helped make this another successful Veterans Day event.
Two PPH members recognized as Guardian Angels
PPH recognized two new Guardian Angels in November.
Chris Boone, longtime team member of Environmental Services, was honored by five PPH residents — Margie Brooker, Carol Drummond, Emil Scharer, Lena Oliver and Anna Marie Bresnan — for his hard work and dedication.
"We are deeply appreciative of Chris. We see him cleaning, moving furniture, setting up chairs and tables at events, and many more duties. Thank you, Chris, for putting in the effort, and setting a great example through your integrity and commitment to excellence," said the group in a statement.
Also recognized was Virginia "Theresea" Dixon of Culinary Services. Three residents — Delores Dowdy Moore, Regina Joka and Carol Starling-Love chose to honor Theresa for her caring approach every day.
" Theresea goes out of her way to bring a smile to any residents’ face and heart. She does not wait to be called upon — if she sees something wrong or someone not feeling quite themselves, she will reach out to them to help," said the trio in a statement.
Theresea and Chris, on behalf of the PPH Board of Directors, leadership, residents and team members, we thank you for your hard work and dedication to our residents. Your care and compassion is important to us every day.
Top, Chris Boone and the PPH residents who chose to honor him as a Guardian Angel. Above, Theresea Dixon and the three PPH residents who chose to honor her as a Guardian Angel.
Recognize Someone Special
If you are a resident who is interested in recognizing a team member, or a resident-family member who wants to express your gratitude and appreciation for the compassion a team member has shown your loved one, contact Director of Donor Development Marianna Calabrese at 215-697-8508 or mcalabrese@pphfamily.org.
Kickoff to the holiday season
Residents, team members and outside guests kicked off the holiday season at PPH as they shopped at our annual Holiday Bazaar and Sale! Garlands, wreaths, ornaments, plants, clothes and more were available — thank you to everyone who came out to shop! All proceeds benefit PPH Benevolent Care and gratitude activities.
• To view REACH, click REACH Newsletter under the About menu.
• For News and REACH archives, click Press & News under the About menu.
• You can also view current and past editions of REACH by visiting the PPH Library, Learning Center or Tech Center (across from Tabor Market).
PPH's 2025 Fight Against Alzheimer's
PPH concluded its 2025 Fight Against Alzheimer's campaign in November with a campuswide walk on Nov. 6, and the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer's at Citizens Bank Park on Nov. 8. We thank all PPH residents, team members and friends of PPH who participated and supported these efforts, as well as the PPH Auxiliary for generous contribution. Together, our community raised $4,517 for the Alzheimer's Association, a cause close to hearts of many at PPH.
Employee of the Month: Roberto Martinez
Congratulations go out to Roberto Martinez of Housekeeping/ Environmental Services for being named the December Employee of the Month! Roberto is a team player, he is an extremely hard worker and will do anything asked of him, typically going above and beyond for the staff and residents Roberto, thank you for all that you do!
Volunteer of the YEAR: Jean Holland
The 2025 Volunteer of the Year is Alpha resident Jean Holland. Jean delivers mail and communications from PPH Administration, coordinates the organization and delivery of PPH’s monthly newsletter and inserts and much more.
“Jean is so pleasant and does so much, always with a smile,” said Volunteer Coordinator Carol Cherrington. Congratulations, Jean!
Reflections — The Power of Listening
By Hadley Whittle Pastoral Assistant
Dear friends,
As the days grow cold and the wind rattles our windows, many of us find ourselves in a sort of hibernation as we settle into our nests with the comfort of a warm tea, a good book, or a favorite movie. With the holidays on the horizon, much of our time this season is spent waiting. We wait to see our family members, we wait for the new year to come, or we simply wait for the sun to come back out again. Despite the Christmas cheer being spread these days, friendship, newness, and warmth can often seem out of reach in December. Whether our loved ones have passed, our bodies are ailing, or our spirits are low, the desire for wholeness and togetherness is punctuated somehow by the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
Beyond the sleighbells and stockings, there is something about December that mingles joy and sorrow, hope and apprehension, wanting and waiting. From Nov. 30 to Dec. 24, the church is in the season of Advent. “Advent” comes from the word meaning “arrival” or “coming.” It is the time in which we anticipate the arrival of Christ on earth. Just as Mary was expecting during her pregnancy, we also live in the expectation that Jesus has come as our salvation from sin and
suffering. But how many other expectations do we hold? Children all around the world are making their Christmas lists now, jotting down their wishes and dreams for what they might find beneath the tree when they wake up. Though we might outgrow our pajamas, we don’t outgrow the wistfulness of wanting and the difficulty of waiting. Unlike many children, however, our Christmas list does not always contain things you might buy at the store. Bodily healing, mental peace, strengthened relations, or the desire to be welcomed into the heavenly kingdom are all things that one could wish for during a time of trial and waiting.
G.K. Chesterton compares this feeling to that of being without a home. In his poem “The House of Christmas,” he reminds us of the less-than-kingly conditions in which baby Jesus was born: among barn animals, turned away from the solace of the city. From his birth and throughout the life of Christ, we can understand how his lowliness lifted us high, and his humility gave us a home in his kingdom. As we wait for the renewal of life that God has promised to us, we wait with hope, knowing that Christ is with us. The Pastoral Care Team is always here to come alongside you in your times of waiting, wanting, and hoping. Have a blessed Christmas!
Meet our New Residents!
Kathleen and Dennis Callaghan recently moved to PPH's Alpha building from the Fox Chase neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia.
Kathleen grew up in New Jersey. She attended Pope Paul VI High School, and studied at Trenton State College and Beaver College. She enjoys gardening and spending time with family and friends. Dennis grew up in Olney. He attended Cardinal
The House of Christmas
By G.K. Chesterton
A Child in a foul stable, Where the beasts feed and foam; Only where He was homeless Are you and I at home;
We have hands that fashion and heads that know,
But our hearts we lost - how long ago! In a place no chart nor ship can show
Under the sky's dome. This world is wild as an old wives' tale, And strange the plain things are, The earth is enough and the air is enough
For our wonder and our war; But our rest is as far as the fire-drake swings
And our peace is put in impossible things
Where clashed and thundered unthinkable wings
Round an incredible star.
To an open house in the evening Home shall men come,
To an older place than Eden
And a taller town than Rome.
To the end of the way of the wandering star, To the things that cannot be and that are, To the place where God was homeless And all men are at home.
Advent Services: Wednesdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, 2 p.m. in the Chapel/Channel 5.
Dougherty High School and studied at Temple University. He enjoys watching sports, movies and documentaries.
Kathleen is a retired nurse, and Dennis is a retired firefighter. The Callaghans have three children and three grandchildren.
They shared that everyone has been welcoming since they moved into the community. Kathleen and Dennis, we are delighted you've chosen to call PPH home. Welcome to you both!
THE PPH
MISSION
Guided by Christian values, the mission of The Philadelphia Protestant Home is to provide a caring senior living community that affords its residents the opportunity to achieve their highest possible quality of life.