Community news of Delaware County

NETHER PROVIDENCE — Step into the shoes of a local hero this Halloween.

Garden City Fire Company is opening its bay doors and inviting the community to see what it's like to be a firefighter for its Fire Safety and Truck or Treat Night, taking place 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 at the firehouse, 412 Moore Road, Wallingford.

The evening will combine Halloween treats and costumes with essential, life-saving fire prevention.

Attendees of all ages are welcome to attend and tour the inside of the station and firefighter trucks, try on state-of-the-art gear and equipment used by Garden City firefighters on a daily basis, and meet Sparky the fire safety dog.

The event also gives prospective volunteers a glimpse into what being a Garden City firefighter looks like and the opportunity to get any questions answered about available roles, benefits of joining, time commitment and more.

"The open house is a wonderful opportunity for us to educate locals who may be unfamiliar with Garden City Fire Company and the fact that it is entirely volunteer. We are able to answer any questions from prospective volunteers and provide some insight into the volunteer firefighter experience and the countless benefits that come with joining," said Garden City Fire Chief Pat O'Rourke.

All of the fire prevention tips will coincide with this year's National Fire Prevention Association theme, "Smoke alarms: Make them work for you," which aims to educate the public about the importance of having functional smoke alarms in the home.

"It's imperative that we equip members of our community with vital fire prevention knowledge to ensure that they can keep themselves and their families safe," added O'Rourke.

According to NFPA, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 54 percent. Meanwhile, roughly three in five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

Garden City serves Nether Providence Township, Rose Valley and surrounding communities, averaging more than 500 emergency calls a year. The fire company is always looking for new members passionate about supporting the community and helping those in need to join. No prior experience is needed, and training and gear are provided to all volunteers.

Submit a volunteer inquiry form or learn more by visiting

Delaware County to host Delco Hope: Recovering Together today

The Delaware County Department of Human Services' Office of Drug and Alcohol invites residents to celebrate recovery at Delco Hope: Recovering Together, the first of what will become an annual event celebrating National Recovery Month in Delaware County.

The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Delaware County Community College's Main Campus, 901 Media Line Road, Media.

This family-friendly event is dedicated to celebrating and supporting Delaware County's recovery community, including individuals in recovery, their families and allies.

Attendees can explore health and wellness vendor tables, listen to inspiring recovery speakers, and discover recovery-owned businesses. The event will also feature an Art of Recovery Exhibition, showcasing creative works that highlight the transformative power of recovery, along with local food trucks offering a selection of food and beverages.

MVP Recovery will also be on hand to give an overview of their Warm Hand Off and STARR programs. The mission of MVP's programs is to ensure that individuals in Delaware County receive timely and effective support when facing substance abuse or mental health challenges.

Through early intervention, coordination, access to care and follow up individuals receive prompt access to appropriate treatment, counseling and support services tailored to their needs.

Additionally, Rags 2 Riches Animal Rescue will be on-site hosting dog adoptions and a dog food drive, providing an opportunity for attendees to support animal rescue efforts.

Parking is free. For more information, contact the Office of Drug and Alcohol's Joelle Williams at or 267-386-6908.

This free event is funded by the Delaware County Department of Human Services, Office of Drug and Alcohol, and is part of the county's broader initiative to promote health, wellness and recovery within the community.

Residents are encouraged to come together to celebrate recovery, support one another, and strengthen the bonds of the community.

October Golf Classic to benefit Kids' Foundation Hope For Children Fund

The Kids Foundation will host its sixth annual Golf Classic on Monday Oct. 14 at the Radnor Valley Country Club, 555 Sproul Road, Villanova. The charity event is not just a day on the greens but an opportunity to bring impactful change to the lives of at-risk youth in Delaware and Chester counties.

The event will feature contests, including a $10,000 hole-in-one challenge and a $5,000 putting competition. Golfers will also compete for team prizes, with the day culminating in a reception and awards dinner. Check-in is at 10 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 11 a.m. and a reception at 5 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit the Kids Foundation Hope for Children Fund, which supports local organizations such as CASA Youth Advocates, the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, Teachers Teammates, and many more. Propell Credit Union is the parent of the Kids Foundation Hope for Children Fund.

With over $125,000 raised in past events, the foundation is making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children through services that include trauma counseling, educational support, school supplies and safe housing initiatives.

With the community's help, the golf event is expected to exceed this year's goal of $150,000 in community donations. To get involved by golfing, being a sponsor, or making a financial donation, go to

Eagles-themed Family Fun Day to raise money for Eagles Autism Foundation

Maryellen Derr, owner of Maryellen's Cake Pops in West Chester, will host Kickoff For a Cause to benefit the Eagles Autism Foundation.

It will be Saturday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chickie & Pete's, 1526 Packer Ave. in South Philadelphia.

The Eagles-themed Family Fun Day will feature guest appearances from Swoop, the Eagles cheerleaders, past and present Eagles players, a silent auction, raffles, food and fun.

Everyone is invited to join Team Maryellen's Evil Sweetness, a supporting sponsor of the Eagles Autism Foundation, as they begin to gear up and fundraise for the Eagles Autism Challenge, set for May 17.

Derr strives to have the biggest team in EAC history. For information on joining the team, go to have several family members, ranging from nonverbal stage to high functioning autism," Derr, a Clifton Heights native, said. "No person should ever be singled out in life when they should truly be uplifted and supported with patience and a different style of learning."

Derr's bakery business, established in 2011, features an exclusive line of cakepops specifically to raise money for the Eagles Autism Foundation. Fifty percent of the cakepops sales' proceeds goes directly to the foundation.

The Eagles Autism Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for innovative autism research and care programs. By providing the necessary resources to doctors and scientists at leading institutions, it's able to assist those currently affected by autism, as well as future generations.

PennDOT seeks feedback on construction, maintenance services

PennDOT is accepting construction and maintenance services feedback through an online survey. The public can take the survey through Tuesday, Oct. 22 at www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024PDConstruction.

Construction and maintenance work has been underway across the state this year. Through August, 303 bridges were put out for bid to be repaired, replaced, or preserved by PennDOT or industry forces.

Additionally, Through August more than 3,100 miles of road were improved by department or partner crews. This includes 1,114 miles of paving.

"PennDOT is working hard for Pennsylvanians every day, and work on our roads and bridges is one of our largest services in our communities," PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. "This survey is one way the public can help us find successes, potential improvements, or educational opportunities."

The 24-question survey asks respondents how they receive PennDOT roadway information and how often PennDOT meets or exceeds expectations in construction and maintenance activities. Respondents are also asked about experiences with reporting concerns to the department, and whether or how they use the state's 511PA traveler information services.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways at www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1.

Also, anyone can subscribe to statewide PennDOT news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/news or choose a region under "Regional Offices."

Information about the state's infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.pa.gov/results . Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Crozer-Chester named among top in Pa. for serving the community

Crozer-Chester Medical Center has been recognized by the Lown Institute for its contributions to community health and well-being, receiving an "A" grade in community benefit on the 2024-25 Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility.

The hospital achieved this honor due to strong performance on financial assistance spending, service of Medicaid patients, and investing in community health needs, out of more than 3,500 hospitals nationwide.

Crozer-Chester ranked 5 out of 118 in Pennsylvania and 232 nationally on Lown's community benefit metric.

According to the Index, the hospital also performed well on Lown's Equity and Social Responsibility metrics. These are independent rankings and hospitals do not apply or pay to be listed.

"Great care is only great if everyone can access it," said Dr. Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute. "We need hospitals to be strong community partners, and these hospitals at the top of our list are showing the way."

Community benefit performance on the Lown Index is based on hospitals' spending on financial assistance, Medicaid share of net patient revenue, and spending on other investments that have direct benefit to the community — such as health clinics, preventive health services, and social factors that drive health like food security and housing.

Data sources include hospital cost reports filed with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and IRS 990 forms, both from fiscal year ending 2021.

The Lown Hospitals index is the only ranking to combine metrics of health equity and value of care alongside patient outcomes, for more than 2,700 acute care and 800 critical access hospitals nationwide, offering a holistic view of hospitals as total community partners.

In the fifth annual rankings, the 2024-25 Lown Index evaluates hospitals on over 50 measures including novel metrics such as community benefit, racial inclusivity, and avoidance of overuse.

Data sources include Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage claims, CMS patient safety data and hospital cost reports, and IRS 990 forms, among others. Full methodology can be found on the Lown Index website.

The Lown Institute is an independent think tank advocating bold ideas for a just and caring system for health. Learn more at

Dill Dinkers expands into Delaware County

Dill Dinkers, one of the fastest-growing concept of dedicated indoor pickleball club franchises, has quickly risen to prominence for its fun, friendly, and welcoming environment where players of all ages and skill levels can play, socialize, and improve their skills.

Dill Dinkers recently announced its 15th regional development deal with business partners who have committed to the growth of at least 10 locations throughout Delaware County and northern Delaware.

Owners Jim and Mia Cassady, supported by their unwavering dedication to community enrichment and their extensive professional backgrounds, have recently introduced Dill Dinkers' innovative indoor pickleball concept to Delaware County and Northern Delaware.

"Five years ago, my wife Mia and I discovered pickleball and quickly became hooked on the sport. We soon encountered the frustrating reality of limited court availability, especially during peak times and bad weather", said Jim Cassady. "Recognizing the high demand for quality court space and the potential to make a meaningful impact on surrounding communities, we wanted to bring the best pickleball experience to Delaware County and Northern Delaware. Dill Dinkers has undoubtedly solidified its reputation as a trailblazer in offering high-quality indoor pickleball clubs. We're excited to bring this invaluable concept to our community."

As regional developers spearheading the brand's growth, the group is seeking local franchise owner candidates for each pickleball club. Ideal franchisees will be passionate about their community, Dill Dinkers' vision and the opportunity to offer a premier indoor pickleball experience.

By year-end, Dill Dinkers expects to have at least 30 opened locations and more than 500 in the development pipeline. As it continues to partner with qualified franchisees, the brand, founded in 2022, is targeting markets coast to coast, and internationally in Australia, Canada and India. For more information about Dill Dinkers, visit www.dilldinkers.com .

Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at