So, it's now November and unarguably the most wonderful time of year, with weeks of holiday planning and shopping for most.  For some though, November may just mean colder days and unbearable nights.  For the past three years, Philadelphians have come together with a unifying effort to benefit a local charity through a clothing redistribution drive. 

On a bitterly freezing mid-October morning in 2014, Roxborough events company, ADVENT, set out to lead an ambitious charge of local residents and a thriving northwest Philadelphia business community to pull off a clothing drive of massive proportions.  This would be an effort to gather and recycle clean, perfectly good, yet unwanted clothing that may no longer fit or be sitting in a closet or forgotten dresser drawer.  Impact Thrift Stores, with a strong sense of community, was looking to pilot a program to partner with a local, 'impactful' non-profit and offer a financial contribution based on poundage of clothes donated through that organization.  North Light Community Center was the perfect partner, with incredible value, proven guidance and leadership throughout our neighborhood.  

ADVENT, who pledges $10,000 a year to North Light, mostly through their Manayunk-Roxborough Business Network events, felt compelled to conceptualize, brand and spearhead the effort after North Light's Annual 'Pints For North Light' event in late October.  This would continue a well-deserved spotlight on the community center through a giving time of year.  With 5,000 lbs of clothes collected and $1,000 raised for North Light in 2014, to over 15,000 lbs and $3,800 in 2015, the Thanks4Giving Clothing Drive has proven exceptional growth and a trusted provider of dollars for the center at the end of the year.  

With the help of financial sponsors, Peter Hotz of On Demand Urgent Care and Reggie Rytter, local franchise owner of The UPS Store, both located on Ridge Avenue in Roxborough, plus 30 other local businesses and community leaders, the drive is as strong as ever.  Now, through the end of 2016, all donation locations will be accepting CLEAN clothing and footwear of all seasons, including coats, hats, gloves & scarves.

For a full list of donation locations, please visit: www.Facebook.com/Thanks4GivingPhilly

SPOTLIGHT DROPOFF LOCATIONS:

ADVENT | 6074 Ridge Ave | M-F 9AM - 5PM

North Light Community Center | 175 Green Lane | M-F 9AM - 6PM

On Demand Urgent Care | 6060 Ridge Ave                                                          M-F 8AM - 8PM | Sat-Sun 8AM - 5PM

The UPS Store - Roxborough | 6024 Ridge Ave                                                  
M-F 8AM - 7PM | Sat 10AM - 3PM 

The UPS Store - Doylestown |73 Old Dublin Pike Ste 10                                    
M-F 8AM - 7PM | Sat 9AM - 4PM

The UPS Store - Warminster | 868 W Street Rd                                                  
M-F 8:30AM - 7PM | Sat 9AM - 3PM

DROPOFF LOCATIONS MNYK/ROX/BALA:

Glen at Shawmont | 300 Autumn River Run                                                      
M-F 9AM - 5PM | Sat 10AM - 4PM | Sun 11AM - 4PM

Hair Co | 6177 Ridge Ave                                                                                         
W & TH 9:30AM - 7PM | F 9AM - 6PM | Sat 8:30AM - 3PM

Holy Child Day Care | 251 Fountain Street | M-F 6AM - 6PM

Intoxx Fitness |123 Leverington Street | 5AM-11PM Daily

The Lofts at Chimney Hill | 161 Leverington Street | M-F 9AM - 5PM

Lyceum Physical Medicine | 6062 Ridge Ave | M-F 9AM - 7PM 

Manayunk Development Corp. | 4312 Main Street | M-F 9AM - 5PM

Manayunk Self Storage | 116 Fountain Street                                                    
M-F 9:30AM - 6PM | Sat 8:30AM - 4PM 

Penn Beer | Internal Drive with Employees Only

Planet Fitness | 6219 Ridge Ave | Open 24 Hours

Primo Hoagies | 6024 Ridge Ave | 10:30AM - 8PM Daily

Roxborough High School | 6498 Ridge Ave | Internal Drive with Students & Faculty Only

Roxborough Development Corporation | 6111 Ridge Ave | M-F 10AM - 6PM

Roxborough Memorial Hospital - Main Entrance Lobby | 5800 Ridge Ave Open 24 Hours 

The Station at Manayunk - Leasing Office | 1 Parker Ave                                 
M-F 9AM - 6PM | Sat 10AM - 5PM | Sun 12PM - 5PM

Venice Lofts | 4601 E Flat Rock Rd | M-F 9AM - 6PM | Sat 10AM - 5PM

LA Fitness | 25 E City Ave, Bala Cynwyd | 5AM - 12AM Daily

Hamilton Lane - Internal Drive with Employees Only

JD McGillicuddy's Roxborough | 473 Leverington Ave | 4PM - 2AM Daily

Bourbon Blue | 2 Rector Street                                                                              M-F 4PM - 1AM | Sat 10AM - 2AM | Sun 10AM - 2AM