MEDIA — Each year, on average a resident of the Philadelphia area consumes around 12 pounds of pretzels, but at The Walden School, a preschool through grade 5 independent school, students and families were happy to increase their pretzel intake because it was for a good cause.
In response to the devastating fires that tore through Pasadena, California, destroying schools and displacing families, the school’s elementary students sold pretzels every Wednesday in February as part of a fundraiser to support fire relief efforts.
“At Walden, we’ve always valued community service,” said Head of School Bob Thomas. “Service learning is baked into every aspect of our curriculum. When we saw the devastation caused by the fires in Pasadena, we recognized it as a powerful opportunity to teach our students the importance of stepping up and helping others during times of crisis.”
The hands-on service effort raised $900, which was donated to the Pasadena Educational Foundation to aid in rebuilding schools and supporting families affected by the fires.
“We believe in teaching children that not everyone has access to basic resources like food and shelter,” added Thomas. “Through projects like this, especially in times of natural disasters, our students learn that their actions can impact the lives of others.”
Walden has partnered with CityTeam Chester for over a decade, an organization dedicated to supporting homeless and vulnerable populations. Students also participate in initiatives such as the Stuff the Bus Food Drive, the Holiday Toy Drive, and the MLK Day meal preparation project, all emphasizing the importance of giving to those in need.
The Walden School is a Montessori-based early childhood and elementary school in Media, focusing on academic excellence, character development and community engagement.
Service learning is a fundamental part of the Montessori-based curriculum, helping to nurture responsible and engaged citizens. Walden offers students valuable opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the world around them.
For more information on The Walden School: www.thewaldenschool.org.
Upper Darby-Lansdowne Rotary Club to hold cash bingo
The Upper Darby-Lansdowne Rotary Club invites the public to a cash bingo night at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at St. Philomena’s Marion Hall, 41 E. Baltimore Ave., Lansdowne. Doors will open at 6 p.m.
Advanced tickets are $35 and $40 at the door for 10 games. The event will also feature a basket raffle and 50/50 drawing.
Proceeds will support the Rotary’s Club scholarship program for senior students at Upper Darby, Prendergast & Bonner and Penn Wood high schools.
Tickets can be purchased at http://buytickets.at/upperdarbylansdownerotaryclub1/1657827.
This is a BYOB event and players can bring their own snacks and food. For further information, call Fr. Paul Castellani 215-801-5434 or Ryan Stone 484-688-3073.
PAC Center celebrates the magic of community at Spring Fling
It’s time to bask in the warmth of sunshine and community at the Park Avenue Community Center’s fourth annual Spring Fling, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 26.
This family-friendly event will feature an entire day of free activities based on the theme of “Myths and Make Believe.”
Everyone is welcome to enjoy live music, crafts, food and tons of fun on the front lawn of the PAC Center, 129 Park Ave., Swarthmore.
The event will celebrate everything that makes the community joyful: residents, organizations and the many small businesses throughout Swarthmore and wider Delaware County.
“We created the Spring Fling to bring our community together in welcoming a new season,” said Rosemary Fox, executive director of the PAC Center. “We are grateful for the support of our sponsors and participating organizations to make this wonderful day possible.”
The music will start first thing in the morning with performances by local Song Circle musicians, followed by members of Swukestra, Swarthmore’s Ukulele Orchestra.
There will be plenty for adults and kids of all ages to enjoy, including a community dance class, tie-dye T-shirt making, face painting, crafts featuring dragons and fairies, giant chess and much more.
Local organizations such as Wild Birds Unlimited, Keeping Music Alive!, Gallery on Park, Leafy Characters, the Swarthmore Public Library, Swarthmore Senior Citizens Association and many others will be on hand to join in on the fun.
There will be grilled hot dogs and sweet treats to enjoy and, in the afternoon, Let There Be Rock School will be taking the stage. Also, the event will pay tribute to The Creative Living Room’s 16th anniversary.
This event is made possible, in part, by The William Holder Reality Team. For more information, go to https://thepac.center.
Photographers invited to John Heinz Wildlife Refuge photo walks
The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge At Tinicum will present Spring Wildlife Photowalk with Ned Levi on Saturdays, April 19 and May 10 from 8 a.m. to noon each day.
Wildlife photo walks are designed to teach participants how to photograph all kinds of wildlife, including birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, insects, wildflowers and more, while learning to do it well and to avoid wildlife photography pitfalls. The group will discuss technique, gear and essential knowledge about photography and wildlife.
A desire to make exceptional wildlife images and a good camera and lens are all that’s needed to participate. A lens with an effective focal length of at least 200 mm to 300 mm is very helpful.
Photowalks will be at a relaxed pace on flat surfaces. Attendees are advised to dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes. No registration is necessary.
Participants will meet near the visitor center. For more information: www.fws.gov/refuge/john-heinz-tinicum or call 215-365-3118.
Registration is underway for Hope For Hallie run, walk
The Hope For Hallie Color Run/Walk is planned for Sunday, May 4 at Rutgers Avenue Field Track (CADES), 401 Rutgers Ave., Swarthmore. Check-in begins at 11 a.m. and the race starts at 12:30 p.m.
The event will include a 1-mile walk and run, 100 meter dash and a relay race. Registration will cover entry to all three events. Participants are welcome to participate in any or all races and to stay for the food trucks.
Registration is $30 and children under 5-years-old are free, with a participating adult.
All proceeds support mental health awareness and provide scholarships for therapy services.
Hope for Hallie is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes mental health awareness. For more information or to register: http://hopeforhallie.org.
The Wardrobe hosts LGBTQ+ resource fair, panel, and Open Wardrobe
As part of its monthly Open Wardrobe series, The Wardrobe will host a resource fair, panel, and free clothing event for the LGBTQ+ community from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 24.
Open Wardrobe is a monthly event that provides free clothing to a specific population with no appointment needed. This allows people to “shop” with their peers and receive additional support, including complimentary services such as educational workshops, resource tables, and additional apparel not ordinarily available.
The LGBTQ+ Open Wardrobe and Resource Fair will be held at four Wardrobe locations: 62 W. Marshall Road, Upper Darby; 413 N. Fourth St., Philadelphia; 345 Scarlett Road, Kennett Square; and at the Exton Square Mall on the second floor near Boscov’s.
This month’s panel, The Cost of Authenticity, held at the Philadelphia location, includes community leaders and local independent artists exploring the intersection of identity, confidence and perception in modern LGBTQ+ communities.
Moderated by education and coaching coordinator Persephone Ulysses, the panel will include Icon Ebony Fierce, youth and young adults program ,anager at Galaei; Daniel De Jesus, music education and community outreach director at AMLA at Espseranza; Hazel Edwards, director of TINGS Program at Galaei; and Rosko Scott, PhRESH coordinator at The Attic Youth Center.
All participants must RSVP at http://wardrobepa.org/open-wardrobe.
Celebrating its 30th year, The Wardrobe is a mission-driven nonprofit organization focused on eliminating clothing insecurity, empowering people for success, and curbing fashion waste.
Established in 1995 as The Working Wardrobe, its initial mission was to help low-income women transition into the workplace with interview suits and support. Since then, the mission has expanded to respond to the needs of a diverse community along with changing ideas of “work” and “career.”
Whether someone needs an outfit for work or everyday life or coaching to help them build their career, they receive free support. With six locations throughout the Philadelphia region, The Wardrobe supports 10,000 people annually with the clothing, advice, and tools needed to move forward toward independence and stability.
For more information about The Wardrobe: www.wardrobepa.org/services.
Neumann University appoints new field hockey coach
Neumann University has named Dana Ott as its new head field hockey coach. Ott comes to Neumann from Kingsway Regional High School where she was the head field hockey coach from 2018 to 2024.
During her seven years at Kingsway, her teams compiled a record of 124-16-3 and won seven consecutive conference championships.
Those teams also secured six South Jersey Sectional championship appearances and won three NJSIAA South Jersey and State Group VI championships. Ott was named Max Field Hockey NJ Coach of the Year in 2023.
Since 2022, she has also been the club field hockey coach for UPRISE FHC where she has developed young athletes to compete at a national level. Her U-12 teams won National Indoor Field Hockey Tournament titles in 2022, 2023 and 2025.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Dana Ott as our new head field hockey coach,” said John Krimmel, Neumann’s director of athletics and recreation. “Dana brings the passion, experience, and championship-mindset needed to take our program to new levels. I look forward to watching our program flourish under Dana’s leadership. As a former Division I student-athlete, teacher, and elite coach, Dana knows what it takes to be successful in the classroom and on pitch while also making a difference in the community. This is a new era of Neumann field hockey, and we are blessed to have Dana leading us forward.”
In addition to coaching success, Ott has classroom experience as a professional educator. She taught at Kingsway Regional Middle School from 2012 to 2021 and was named 2019 Teacher of the Year.
Ott is a graduate of Villanova University where she majored in English and secondary education. She earned a full athletic scholarship to compete for the Division I Wildcats and was recognized as an All-Big East player in 2008 and 2009.
She began at Neumann on April 9. Learn more about Neumann University at www.neumann.edu.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.
