Community Corner

Kiwanis Fundraiser a 'Phantastic' Success

Nearly 200 people came out to support the Kiwanis of Old York Road fundraiser, held at Sonic.

On April 10, the Kiwanis Club of Old York Road held a fundraiser that was simply “Phantastic.”

The event, which took place at the Sonic restaurant in Willow Grove, drew nearly 200 people, and featured family-friendly games, face painting and lots of Sonic giveaways.

But, it was apparent that the most popular feature of the Kiwanis event was the opportunity to meet the Phillie Phanatic.

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“A lot more people came out than we originally thought,” Kiwanis member Jim Mathers said. “We told everyone to come out in their Phillies gear.”

The Phanatic’s wild antics brought smiles to everyone’s faces, including the very surprised folks sitting in the Sonic drive-through as he playfully peeked his head into their car windows.

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According to Kiwanis of Old York Road president Bob Mathers (Jim Mathers is his son.), this is the first time the Willow Grove chapter of the charitable organization has held a fundraiser at Sonic or featured the Phanatic.

He said that past events, such as October’s beef and beer, which took place at the Willow Grove VFW, were able to raise hundreds of dollars for the various charitable causes the organization supports.

However, he expects Sunday’s event to raise thousands of dollars.

“This one has been very popular,” Bob Mathers said.

He said that the event planning fell neatly into place.

Kiwanis of Old York Road invited the Phanatic because one of its members, Tom Dougherty, knew him.

The organization’s vice president, Bob Young, who owns the landscaping business Youngscape, contacted the restaurant’s owner, Don Welsh, as Youngscape did the landscaping for the restaurant.

“We try to designate certain groups that we can partner with,” Rico Clark, general manager of the Sonic in Willow Grove, said. “You can see how involved with the community Kiwanis is.”

The event took place from noon to 4 p.m., during which time Clark said that 10 percent of the restaurant’s proceeds would go to the Kiwanis.

Participants who gave a $5 donation received a $20 gift card to Sonic and could get their photo taken with the Phanatic.

According to Howard Cohen, Kiwanis of Old York Road member and Upper Moreland High School Key (Kiwanis Educating Youth) Club co-advisor, the international organization focuses its efforts on supporting youth.

Students in the Key Club often embark on community-service projects throughout the year.

Cohen said that proceeds from the event will go toward annual Kiwanis scholarships to both Upper Moreland High School and Eastern Center for Arts and Technology students.

Kiwanis also sponsors a Citizenship Award scholarship for the district’s middle and elementary schools.

According to Sue Mathers (Bob’s wife), who is a Kiwanis of Old York Road member and Key Club co-advisor, as well as the UMHS nurse, proceeds from the event will also go toward the international organization’s common cause this year of eliminating tetanus.

UMHS Key Club students also volunteered at the event.

During the event, members of the Kiwanis Club of Old York Road helped facilitate family games, handed out information about the Kiwanis, and promoted the upcoming Willow Grove Tricentennial celebration.

“It’s a fun time. I’m glad I found something like this,” Terry Callahan, Kiwanis of Old York Road Member, said. “I was never much into the community until I found Kiwanis.”

According to an informational pamphlet, Kiwanis was founded in 1915 and has over 13,000 clubs in more than 90 countries. The charitable organization’s motto is “Serving the Children of the World.”

The next scheduled Kiwanis event will be a Surf or Turf slated for June 12.

For more information, contact Young at 215-659-2689, or email bob@youngscape.com.


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