Philadelphia Plans a Promotional 'I Love Philly' Afternoon, on Valentine's Day, in Love Park
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Love is in the air this week, as we count down to Valentine's Day. But, if we sometimes take things for granted, that's why organizers are about to hold a first in this town: an "I Love Philly" Day, on Saturday, February 14th.
Councilman Curtis Jones says it's about time we remind each other what is good about Philadelphia, and why it's a great place to live, work, raise a family, and educate our children.
"We've gotten into a 'Negadelphia' frame of mind," he says. "We're going to turn that around and turn the shrugs into hugs on Valentine's Day, at Love Park."
David Fattah, a cofounder of the House of Umoja, the 47-year old agency whose mission is to help troubled young people, is one of the event's organizers.
Ivana Lash, 16, a junior at Parkway Center City High School, says too many people in Philadelphia only see negativity.
"I live in a city where people come together and we fight for what is right and we get what we deserve," she said.
Lash says everyone should show up on Saturday at Love Park, 15th and JFK Boulevard, between 1 and 4pm, to display that love of Philly.
Organizers are asking the faith-based groups, educators, students, legislators, business leaders, and others to show up to, in the words of one, "give Philadelphia a hug and not a shrug."
