"Why wouldn't I? I'm not one to just pay lip service to an organization that does the hard work, and ACHIEVEability is such a pivotal organization to get involved with. There are so many avenues to give back and opportunities to see the impact of giving back. So, it brings me back every year...it's important to get my family and friends involved because it keeps us humbled and grateful!"

A Salute to Christine

Christine is more than a donor and volunteer; she is a driving force behind the positive change ACHIEVEability brings to West Philadelphia. Her ability to mobilize many friends and family members speaks volumes about the transformative power of collective action. Christine's 20-year journey exemplifies the extraordinary outcomes that can be achieved when a community comes together to combat generational poverty. Through her efforts, she has not only made a difference in the lives of those directly touched by ACHIEVEability but has also set a shining example for others to follow.

A Heartwarming Celebration of Community, Joy, and Giving Back

In the heart of West Philadelphia's ACHIEVEability Village, the holiday spirit took center stage during the annual Holiday Gift Giveaway. We kicked off last week with a holiday party for families on Sunday afternoon. This new tradition was sponsored by St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Whitemarsh in Fort Washington, PA. Families braved the wet elements and were greeted by Santa as we arrived on two buses. The party was filled with crafts, face painting, dancing, food and fellowship. The highlight of the party was the spectacular magician who even made a kid levitate! Our parents may have enjoyed the show even more than the kids. St. Thomas' Episcopal Church also hosts our annual summer camp, and we are grateful for this partnership.

On Monday and Tuesday, we hosted volunteers to help us wrap, organize and prepare for our gift distribution days. Volunteers could be seen decorating, putting finishing touches on our holiday photo stage and moving tables and chairs for the big day. A special thank you to a few individual volunteers and volunteer groups from Dakota Gives, En Route, LLR Partners, PIDC, and URBN for making this event beautiful and special for our families.

Spanning over two days, Wednesday and Thursday, staff and volunteers distributed gifts to over 800 children!!! What's unique about our holiday drive is that each child makes a wish list and receives personalized gifts for the holidays. Families were met with gleeful cheer as they entered the festive space to receive their carefully chosen presents. Folks even got to take selfies with the Gingerbread Man!

Beyond the gifts, ACHIEVEability had additional resources on-site to support families. Thank you to the Comcast team for connecting families with free internet, the Public Health Department providing COVID tests and supplies, and vaccines. Despite its decreased prevalence, COVID-19 is still with us, and we were proud to have over 30 residents receive COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

Our ability to support families with gifts this season would not be possible without the generosity of individual sponsors, Christine Hoff and her family and friends, the Comfy Corner, Dakota Gives, Dechert LLP, En Route Marketing, First Presbyterian Church, Hamilton Lane, Khehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP, LLR Partners, Penn Arts and Sciences, PIDC, Spark Therapeutics, and URBN. A heartfelt thank you goes out to each of you for your invaluable contribution. You truly helped us spread lots of love and joy this season.