Phillyanthropy

Get Up, Get Out, Get Involved

by Sam Tremble

Various dates and times

This year, MANNA, a nonprofit that supports men, women and children living with serious illnesses, celebrates the 10th anniversary of Pie in the Sky, its largest annual fundraiser. They need volunteers to help bake, box and deliver 9,000 gourmet pies for Thanksgiving. Proceeds ensure that families afflicted with HIV/AIDS or cancer receive holiday meals. Though he probably means well (and is certainly smarter than the average bear) Yogi is unwelcome. Frickin' pie stealer. Contact Sue Aistrop at 215-496-2662, ext. 120, e-mail saistrop@mannapa.org or visit www.mannapa.org.

Sat., Nov. 4, 9 a.m.

The candidate you hate and the candidate you really hate are both running on Nov. 7, but you can run for democracy on Nov. 4. Don a custom costume that illustrates your issue, and run for literacy, prisoners' rights or marijuana legalization. (Word of advice: Don't run for the latter if you're carryin'.) The event needs volunteers and spectators as much as it needs athletes. Help out by registering runners, handing out water or judging outfits for the costume contest. Contact Greater Philadelphia Cares at 215-564-4544, e-mail volunteers@gpcares.com or frankie@gpcares.com or visit www.dashfordemocracy.org.

Various dates and times

You wouldn't think it, but the eBehemoth that is eBay has a soft side. MissionFish, the company's nonprofit division, has teamed up with the Lutheran Settlement House, KenCrest and Liberty Lutheran Services to auction off your old junk for various charitable activities benefiting families. Volunteers and donors are asked to give items or services valued at $50 or more for auction. No kidneys or IOUs for eternal souls, please. Contact Suzette Belz at 215-426-8610, ext. 108 or visit www.lutheransettlement.org.

Sat., Nov. 4, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

If this whole global warming thing is true, sailors will soon rule the waterworld. Ensure your future domination over the human race by learning to sail: The Ship Preservation Guild needs volunteers to help maintain its tallship, Gazela, and its tugboat, Jupiter. Duties include painting, scrubbing, scraping, scolly-waggling and land-ho-ing from atop the mast. Come to the information session to find out if it's the sailor's life for you. Contact the Guild at 215-238-0280, e-mail pspgoffice@aol.com or visit www.gazela.org.

Sat., Nov. 18, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

It may rank among the most dangerous cities in the country, but gosh darn it,' Camden cares about its families. As part of National Family Week, social service agencies and city groups in Camden are providing that provides a free day of fun, food and info for area folks. Last year began with a parade, and volunteers spent the rest of the day cooking and serving lunch, distributing free books and helping kids with arts and crafts. They need more than 100 volunteers this year to pull it off. Contact Suzanne White at 856-964-1990, ext. 126, e-mail swhite@centerffs.org or visit www.casaofcamdencounty.org.