For One Phila. Volunteer Group, Snowfall Means a Chance To Serve Those In Need
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Three volunteers from Southwest Philadelphia were traveling around the city today to shovel the sidewalks, driveways, and porches of people in need.
Jackie Wleh (wearing white t-shirt in photo) is founder of the nonprofit group, Able Body Christian Men ("ABC Men"), Inc. Today, he and two youth volunteers packed into a small car packed with shovels and salt, heading for jobs in Southwest Philadelphia, Drexel Hill, Upper Darby, and elsewhere, to remove snow from the sidewalks and steps of senior citizens, the disabled, and others who need help.
"This is our best way to show love," Wleh says. "This is the best way we know to show how much we care for our seniors."
Beverly, who lives near 60th and Christian in West Philadelphia, called ABC to help her 82-year-old mother, Dorothy. Beverly says she fell the last time she tried to clear her mother's property of snow.
"It's nice," she said afterward. "And look -- we didn't ask for the car, and they did the car!"
Fifteen-year-old Varney (wearing tan jacket at right) is an ABC Men volunteer and says the experience is teaching him "respect for my neighbors."
Wleh says they want to be able to help more people and are in need of volunteers and a 15-passenger van. More at abcmen.org.
