"It's Your Lucky Night" Annual Auction, Philadanco Dance Performance, & 'Burger Brawl' use established network in the school community to bring in extra funding

The Philadelphia elementary school that made headlines by raising $15,000 in less than 24 hours, weeks before Christmas, is now set to present three major fundraisers that offer social and cultural outlets for the community. On Friday April 13th, the Meredith School Auction: “It’s Your Lucky Night” will take place from 7pm-11pm at the IATSE Ballroom located at 2401 Swanson Street. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. The ticket price includes a free dinner, drinks, and opportunity to bid on fantastic prizes that were all donated or handmade by the students, teachers, and parents. “This is the one time of year when everyone gets a chance to participate,” says Tani Bertolino, one of the event chairperson’s and Corresponding Secretary of the Meredith Home and School Association. “You can have an adult night out, have fun, meet new people – and the items up for auction are truly amazing.”  This is the 7th year for the Meredith Auction and has become one of the hottest events in South Philadelphia. Last year the auction raised more than $25,000 for the students.  Meredith School is also accepting donations for the Auction, which is a great way for local businesses to get advertising and new customers.  “Everyone loves to support the businesses that support our kids and our local public schools,” says Christina Pascucci, Meredith mom and co-chair of the auction. Some of the items that have been donated are gift certificates to local spas and sporting events, summer camp tuition coupons, and Spanish lessons. Each classroom also donates a basket with a theme such as family movie night, wine, and coffee. The students also work with parent volunteers to create a custom work of art that is also up for auction. “This event is run 100% on volunteer power – the parents, guardians and staff of the Meredith School put it together, and all of that caring shines through at the event.” 

Also in April, the Meredith Miracles continue as Philadelphia’s premiere dance company, “Philadanco,”will present a benefit performance at Meredith on Saturday April 21 at 7pm. Tickets are only $10 and all proceeds will go towards the Meredith School Arts Program. Philadanco director Joan Myers Brown’s grandson attends Meredith and she’s lending her dance company’s expertise to save Meredith’s dance program which had to be eliminated due to recent budget cuts.

Then on Sunday May 6 from 3pm-6pm, the Philadelphia Burger Brawl, also benefitting Meredith Elementary, will take place at Fleisher Art Memorial located at 719 Catherine Street. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at www.phillyburgerbrawl.com. The ticket price includes burger samples, drinks, and your chance to vote as twenty burger chefs from Philadelphia restaurants will battle it out, before celebrity judges, to see who has the best hamburger in the city. The Philadelphia Burger Brawl is sponsored by Rogue restaurant owner Rob Wasserman whose son attends Meredith Elementary School. The proceeds will go toward building the school’s computer lab. “We are fortunate to have resourceful families at Meredith who are capable of coming up with innovative and fun fundraising ideas,” says Cindy Farlino, Meredith’s Principal. “These creative fundraisers ease some of the pressure we have trying to do more with less in these tight economic times.”

For more information on any of these fundraisers, contact the school at (215) 351-7360. You can also log onto the Meredith Home & School Website at http://meredithmatters.org. All media inquiries should be directed to Leslie Patterson Tyler at Leslie@TylerMadePR.com or (609) 247-2632.

On Saturday March 10, Organizing for America Pennsylvania (OFA PA) held a rally and voter registration drive at their Northwest Philadelphia OFA PA field office at 7171 Ogontz Avenue. Supporters gathered at 11am, then hit the streets with voter registration cards and information to register friends and neighbors to vote. Local State Representatives and City Council members were on hand to welcome the crowd of volunteers.

On Saturday March 10, Organizing for America Pennsylvania (OFA PA) volunteers and community leaders will join together at 11:00am at 7171 Ogontz Avenue to launch the 2012 Voter Registration campaign in Northwest Philadelphia.  With just 36 weeks until Election Day, volunteers will reach out to voters to discuss President Obama's vision of a job-creating economy where hard work pays, responsibility is rewarded, and everyone does their fair share and plays by the same rules. The Obama campaign is committed to engaging people in the political process, talking one-on-one about the issues they care about, and encouraging them to support the President Obama in November – and that starts with registering to vote.

On Saturday, February 4, Organizing for America Pennsylvania (OFA PA) volunteers and community leaders will gather at locations across the state to collect signatures to get President Obama’s name on the ballot and to register voters.