Yesterday a reader by the name of Amanda reached out to me asking what fundraiser/organization/event could be put together to help a cause here in Media. Certainly there are a lot, but the important thing here is the initiative to do something good for the community.
Here's Amanda's message:
Best answer wins a Kindle Fire
To sweeten the offer, ATMpa will give a Kindle Fire to the best comment/answer that Amanda chooses to do her benefit for. So if you have a good cause, let us know. Not only could you win a Kindle Fire, but your cause wins too. Thanks, Amanda! Keep up the good work.
The winner will be notified based on the date and time stamp of the entry/comment made on either this site, or the All Things Media PA Facebook page.
Thanks
Tedman
I think it would be great to raise money for the community center so that they can expand their services to Media's children.
ReplyDeleteI think Media would be a better place if the firehouse got rid of that awful alarm that the whole borough has to hear! Let's raise money to buy the firemen some pagers!!
ReplyDeleteMedia is a vibrant, colorful and active town. For those of us that have been here a while, we have witnessed its incredible resurgence. From culinary establishments to musical events, culture to community -- media now has just about everything you could ask for. But I see a need to establish a better network for our aging residents. I am in my late thirties and media offers me a wealth of opportunities to socialize with friends and enjoy nights out on the town. But I think that some of the older, more sedentary members of our community could benefit from some attention -- an event or a fund raiser that would make them feel more a part of the community; that would make them feel that the town they spent all their lives living in has not passed them by. I know we have some locations that house and cater to our elder population and we have some events targeted to them...but I think we could do a bit more, especially for those that have trouble getting out to the regularly scheduled street fairs and musical events. Rides to and from restaurants, chaperones to street events, etc.. There are a lot of younger folks coming into town to work and visit. Pairing them up with our older folks that need a hand would be a great way to do some cross generation bonding and it would ensure that our history stays connected to our future.
ReplyDeleteLocal food pantries are running low. Children out of school need more family provided nourishment. This will tax already depleted levels at our local food bank, while our streets are filled with those "dining under the stars". How about creating a community program combining an existing program like "dining under the stars" with a local food bank where a certain portion of all proceeds benefit fulfillment of our local food bank.
ReplyDeleteSome fantastic ideas!!! Thank you everyone for participating and sharing your passion for our community! Keep these great ideas coming!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Some fantastic ideas!!! Thank you everyone for participating and sharing your passion for our community! Keep these great ideas coming!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Thank you for your participation! I am really inspired by your passion for our community and I am looking forward to working onand putting one of these great ideas into action. Please keep 'em coming! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIsn't the Delaware County SPCA housed in Media ? Aren't they/we having some serious problems with animal welfare in the county ? Maybe raise money for a new shelter.
ReplyDeleteI think there needs to be a little more for 13-17 year old kids to do in the borough. There are plenty of activities for adults and for younger children, but that age group gets lost in the shuffle.
ReplyDeleteThey linger at Media school or in the courtyards in media and have nothing to do. They then get into mischief and can be destructive because they are bored. Hanging at the mall is not a great alternative either. These really are good kids that just have nothing to do, and idle hands are the devils playthings.
It is a tough age, they are often "too cool" to do certain things, so it can be tough to plan activities and events for them. I think finding ways to make them feel they are more vested in the community would cut down on some of the trouble they getting into.
Movie nights at Barrall with films geared towards them, dinner nights with lower prices so they can take their BF/GF out to dinner in town, sport days/nights at Barrall (like gym night we used to have at springton) where they can mingle and play games with others their age instead of just hanging out on a dark play ground.
These are things that aren't of great cost, but will take that age group into consideration. I know a lot of people like myself that grew up in media and moved back here because we love it, these are the people that will be residents and homeowners in media in a few years, give them a vested interest and respect for it now and it will go a long way.
I think it would be great to help out the local SPCA chapter in Media. There are so many homeless pets that need attention. Wouldn't it be great to end their homelessness and aid in adoptions?
ReplyDeleteThe Media-Upper Providence Free Library is planning a major expansion. The library provides activities for children, teens, young adults and older adults (issues mentioned above). The library is possibly the only source for free public Internet access.
ReplyDeleteThese are more great ideas! Keep them coming! Thank you for participating and investing your thoughts and time in our town! I am looking forward to getting started on one of these projects!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
I would love to develop a "Peace Pantry" where people of all ages, but especially the youth that Bill spoke of, the 13-17...our young adults, would be not only be able to find something of community value to do to busy themselves, but also a place for personal growth. A place that would put a focus on learning non-violent conflict resolution within our self and our relationships. A place where they could gather for fun and work. Where there would be healing circles and conversation about how individually we can be active in working toward addressing the many issues of global importance that they will have work with as adults. A place where space can be given them to have a voice for others to hear.
ReplyDeleteAs a business owner in Media, this age group has told me that all there is to do in Media for them is shop. I think it may be time to develop something for them that will not only give them something to do but in doing so prepares them for the taking on the many decisions they will have to face in a way that contributes to their well being and to the well being of all others.
I am currently working on the Summer of Peace 2012~ Media,facebook.com/sopm2012, and I do believe it is time to that our young people learn how to find and make peace within themselves first and be equipped and willing to share their gifts with the world. I am willing to co-create this idea with others.
Thank you for this opportunity and forum. A wonderful project...wishing you wonderful success.
Sincerely...in peace,
Denise
yoccod@gmail.com
I would love to develop a "Peace Pantry" where people of all ages, but especially the youth that Bill spoke of, the 13-17...our young adults, would be not only be able to find something of community value to do to busy themselves, but also a place for personal growth. A place that would put a focus on learning non-violent conflict resolution within our self and our relationships. A place where they could gather for fun and work. Where there would be healing circles and conversation about how individually we can be active in working toward addressing the many issues of global importance that they will have work with as adults. A place where space can be given them to have a voice for others to hear.
ReplyDeleteAs a business owner in Media, this age group has told me that all there is to do in Media for them is shop. I think it may be time to develop something for them that will not only give them something to do but in doing so prepares them for the taking on the many decisions they will have to face in a way that contributes to their well being and to the well being of all others.
I am currently working on the Summer of Peace 2012~ Media,facebook.com/sopm2012, and I do believe it is time to that our young people learn how to find and make peace within themselves first and be equipped and willing to share their gifts with the world. I am willing to co-create this idea with others.
Thank you for this opportunity and forum. A wonderful project...wishing you wonderful success.
Sincerely...in peace,
Denise
yoccod@gmail.com
Delaware County CASA provides volunteer advocates for children in the county's child welfare system.
ReplyDeleteVolunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) help to make sure that those children don't languish in the foster care and child welfare system and that they find safe, permanent homes.
CASA is not funded by the government, but through fundraisers and individual donations. Delaware County CASA needs both financial donations which are used for training new advocates, and volunteers to be CASAs.
http://www.delcocasa.org/ (610-565-2208)
Hi Brooks, I am running an event on Oct 77th at Barrall Park. I have reached out to CASA to invite participation. Do you have a contact there? Please let me know. Mediapamatters@gmail.com
DeleteThank you!
Amanda
Did you know that the Media Little Fields are not equipped with recycling containers...from early spring through summer, night after night, trashcans are overflowing with water, gatorade and soda bottles...not to mention the water ice cups....how does our community not have recycling receptacles at the fields? I wonder what other parks and frequently visited areas also do not accommodate recycling?
ReplyDelete-leslie
woyak@hotmail.com
Leslie,
DeleteI assume you mean the Media Little league Fields in Upper Prov? I was not aware of that, but am personally looking into what can be done to improve the trash and recycling problem at that location.
Tedman
Wow, I didn't know about CASA or the recycling at Media Little Fields! This is all so enlightening. Keep 'em coming. Thank you all for caring about our community. I've decided to name this project/org, "Media Matters." I really appreciate your participation and the sharing of these great ideas!
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Amanda
Contest deadline is Thursday 6/28. At which time we'll make an announcement of who the winner is.
ReplyDeleteMedia is generally well-served by non-profit organizations. My guess is that any new org would have to compete with an established group or serve a more niche audience. An event serving a more limited audience may make fundraising more of a challenge. An event benefiting an existing organization would have to be organized in conjunction with that organization but has the advantage of established support and goodwill.
ReplyDeleteBut challenges are good, so here are some ideas of what to raise money for:
- Media Borough used to sponsor monthly concerts at the Borough Hall until funding was lost. The community could use broad-based support for the arts - which could incorporate concerts and other events specifically aimed at teenagers. The Theater, the Community Center, the Borough Hall and even the Youth Center could all be appropriate venues - but some kind of community concert series at the Theater could work really well.
- The community playroom in the borough hall is a well-loved space, but is no longer open on weekends or in the evenings. Funding to reopen this facility during those much-needed times would benefit parents with small children who would have space to take their children, especially when the weather isn't suitable for playing outdoors.
- By way of established charities, I wanted to echo all of the previous suggestions - there are many worthy causes in the area. I'd also like to add one of my own: Legal Aid of Southeastern PA provides quality legal representation to low-income, elderly and vulnerable people in the area and also empowers them to solve problems without legal representation (http://www.lasp.org/).
Deciding HOW to raise money is harder and probably depends a lot on which particular organization you decide benefits. What would work great for the SPCA might not work so well for the Youth Center (and vice versa).
Concerts and bake sales and 50-50 raffles seem to be the usual fare but I'm going to go all out and suggest some kind of Big Community Carnival. Take over Barrall Field - have lots of different stalls, games and events. You could even invite a number of local non-profits to devise their own fundraising stalls - that way everybody benefits.
As well as incorporating the concert/movie/raffles there could also be a dunk-a-politician booth (I'm sure readers of this blog in particular would pay good money for that) and all manner of other attractions. Sure, it would be a huge, huge undertaking, but with the right support from the council, residents and local charities it could become an annual event to rival everything else Media offers.