Tartaglione Hosts First Ever Wissinoming Park Picnic

PHILADELPHIA,  August 21, 2013 – Hundreds of residents from the neighborhood surrounding Wissinoming Park turned out yesterday for a community picnic organized by state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione.
The event was the first in the Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood after years of popular events in Norris Square Park.

“State funding cuts are presenting difficult challenges for local schools and families,” Tartaglione said. “The neighborhood picnics bring together local residents and volunteers from community organizations to help get children ready for school.”

Sen. Tartaglione distributed more than 700 backpacks to young students at her Community Picnic in Wissinoming Park this week.

Sen. Tartaglione distributed more than 700 backpacks to young students at her Community Picnic in Wissinoming Park this week.

More than 700 donated back packs were distributed to young students who were also treated to hot dogs, water ice and face painting.

The event comes on the heels of the Norris Square community event which has been held for eight consecutive years.

“The Norris Square picnic has a tremendous turnout each year, but not every family has the ability to get there,” Tartaglione said. “So we decided to expand the outreach to help other families who are getting ready for school.

Like the prior events, the Wissinoming Park picnic involved coordinating numerous sponsors and community partners who donated service and supplies.

“One good thing that came out of the recession was a network of local people and organizations who take pride in helping others,” Tartaglione said. “I think we can continue to build on it to make better communities.

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Thousands Attend Tartaglione Community Festival

HARRISBURG, August 9, 2013 – Thousands of constituents from the neighborhoods surrounding Norris Square Park attended state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione’s annual community festival yesterday.

By coordinating numerous sponsors and community partners, Tartaglione was able to personally distribute more than 1,500 backpacks stuffed with back-to-school supplies such as pencils, notebooks and erasers.

Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione  (right) talks about the upcoming school year with constituents at her annual community festivalon Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013.

Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (right) talks about the upcoming school year with constituents at her annual community festival on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013.

“This event has grown every year and it’s become a tradition in this neighborhood,” Tartaglione said. “With budget cuts to schools across the state and especially in Philadelphia, our community partners were willing to do everything they could to help local children get a head start in school.”

The event also featured free hot dogs, popcorn and water ice, along with family services such as fingerprinting and safety programs.

Eight years ago, when the first community picnic was held in Norris Square Park, 500 children received backpacks that were donated by local organizations.

“The growth has been tremendous,” Tartaglione said. “It’s one of the biggest events of the summer in the region and outstanding community organizations help make it possible and help make it free to the local families.”

Among the volunteers for the event were more than a dozen Philadelphia Police Explorer Cadets who stuffed hundreds of backpacks before the event and helped organize the crowds gathered to receive backpacks.

 

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