UNSUNG HERO
If you know someone who gives above and beyond without asking to be recognized, please let us know. We will add that person's name to our monthly Unsung Hero drawing. The person chosen will get a free a massage--just a small token of gratitude for being nice from everyone at PressurePerfect Massage.
April 2024 Award
This month we want to highlight Tricia Gable.
If you ever talked to Tricia at the Gateway Pharmacy, you may have learned that she does volunteer work at the Kimberton Fire Company. What you might not have learned is that she has been volunteering for 29 years (and counting).
Why so long? Because she was taught to “give back” as a child and firefighting is in her family.
To that end, no volunteer job is too small (or too big) for Tricia. She cleans up after fire hall events, runs the infamous doughnut stand at the Kimberton fair and brings firefighters food and water during long calls. She is a board member of the station and was the hall rental manager for six years. From sweeping floors to crunching numbers, Tricia helps ensure that we have a fire company ready to go when we need it—and that’s not all.
Tricia always has the fire station at the top of her priority list no matter how she has to juggle it with her personal life. Recently, her family was throwing a party for her niece. Five minutes into the party, there was a call. Off went her husband (firefighter) and daughter (EMT). As usual, Tricia was ready and willing to fill the void. She made sure her niece had a great party and stood by ready to support the fire fighting crew if they needed it.
So, we are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massage) to Tricia Gable. (Don’t forget to get your doughnuts at the fair this year!)
Why so long? Because she was taught to “give back” as a child and firefighting is in her family.
To that end, no volunteer job is too small (or too big) for Tricia. She cleans up after fire hall events, runs the infamous doughnut stand at the Kimberton fair and brings firefighters food and water during long calls. She is a board member of the station and was the hall rental manager for six years. From sweeping floors to crunching numbers, Tricia helps ensure that we have a fire company ready to go when we need it—and that’s not all.
Tricia always has the fire station at the top of her priority list no matter how she has to juggle it with her personal life. Recently, her family was throwing a party for her niece. Five minutes into the party, there was a call. Off went her husband (firefighter) and daughter (EMT). As usual, Tricia was ready and willing to fill the void. She made sure her niece had a great party and stood by ready to support the fire fighting crew if they needed it.
So, we are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massage) to Tricia Gable. (Don’t forget to get your doughnuts at the fair this year!)
March 2024 Award
This month we want to highlight Jared Smith and Gab Peg.
They are a dynamic duo for Phoenixville. You may not recognize them because they don’t live in the borough (yet). However, they spend a ton of time in their adopted town, volunteering behind the scenes.
You’ll find them in the kitchen at Ann’s Heart, helping to prepare 100s of free community meals, or making whole-food, plant-based dishes for Delaware Valley VEG’s programs.
They support and promote important community events, like the Green Earth Festival and Courageous Conversations. They volunteer for the Dogwood Festival and serve on the board for Delaware Valley VEG. They organize book clubs, game nights, and potlucks. Need an injured duck transported to a rescue? Call Jared. Need an interpreter for the deaf? Call Gab.
We anticipate that soon everyone in town will recognize Jared and Gab because the word is getting out that when the community needs help or a dose of kindness, the dynamic duo is the team to call.
So, we are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massages) to Jared and Gab.
You’ll find them in the kitchen at Ann’s Heart, helping to prepare 100s of free community meals, or making whole-food, plant-based dishes for Delaware Valley VEG’s programs.
They support and promote important community events, like the Green Earth Festival and Courageous Conversations. They volunteer for the Dogwood Festival and serve on the board for Delaware Valley VEG. They organize book clubs, game nights, and potlucks. Need an injured duck transported to a rescue? Call Jared. Need an interpreter for the deaf? Call Gab.
We anticipate that soon everyone in town will recognize Jared and Gab because the word is getting out that when the community needs help or a dose of kindness, the dynamic duo is the team to call.
So, we are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massages) to Jared and Gab.
February 2024 Award
This month we want to highlight Jack Hall.
Anyone who lives in Phoenixville has probably seen Jack in town. Jack is the steward of Phoenixville, showing his love for the community by sweeping the sidewalks and picking up trash in town.
If you are a local shop owner or business person, more than likely Jack has checked in to see how you’re doing, which sometimes turns into an in-depth conversation about Philadelphia sports teams, weather, politics and world events—topics that Jack is passionate about.
It is impossible to walk away from a conversation with Jack without feeling a strong sense of connection to Jack—and Phoenixville. And it is not an overstatement to say that Jack embodies the kindness and goodness we strive for as a community. So, we are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massage) to Jack Hall.
If you are a local shop owner or business person, more than likely Jack has checked in to see how you’re doing, which sometimes turns into an in-depth conversation about Philadelphia sports teams, weather, politics and world events—topics that Jack is passionate about.
It is impossible to walk away from a conversation with Jack without feeling a strong sense of connection to Jack—and Phoenixville. And it is not an overstatement to say that Jack embodies the kindness and goodness we strive for as a community. So, we are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massage) to Jack Hall.
January 2024 Award
This month we want to highlight Joe Faraci.
When we’re around Joe, we all are elevated and inspired to do more to help our fellow humans. Joe is a 100% do-er. He rolls up his sleeves to help people in Phoenixville and the surrounding area.
Though recently retired, Joe acts like like he just started a new job. He raises his hand at every opportunity to give back to the community, including serving as the Vice President of the Board at Ann's Heart.
You may have seen Joe (and his wife, MaryAnn), volunteering at one of the many nonprofit organizations in Phoenixville or for the Rotary of the Upper Main Line. It’s also possible that you’ve seen Joe at the HEART Kitchen preparing and distributing free community meals OR making deliveries and coordinating food rescue with Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) OR putting together furniture at the new office of Open Hearth.
Joe volunteers everywhere!
So, we are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massage) to Joe Faraci.
Though recently retired, Joe acts like like he just started a new job. He raises his hand at every opportunity to give back to the community, including serving as the Vice President of the Board at Ann's Heart.
You may have seen Joe (and his wife, MaryAnn), volunteering at one of the many nonprofit organizations in Phoenixville or for the Rotary of the Upper Main Line. It’s also possible that you’ve seen Joe at the HEART Kitchen preparing and distributing free community meals OR making deliveries and coordinating food rescue with Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) OR putting together furniture at the new office of Open Hearth.
Joe volunteers everywhere!
So, we are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massage) to Joe Faraci.
December 2023 Award
This month we want to highlight Ann-Marie Hulstine.
From live kidney donor to Project Santa co-founder and nonprofit volunteer, Ann-Marie makes the world a better place, especially for children.
She started volunteering at Ronald McDonald Camp in 2006, which she describes as “a truly magical place where kids with cancer can spend a week at a summer camp.” Having worked as a dialysis tech in college and learning that the wait for cadaver kidneys can be terribly long, and also that living donation is safe, she chose to become a living donor and gave one of her kidneys to a fellow Ronald McDonald Camp counsellor in 2018. She remains active in living donor organizations.
Ann-Marie loves her role as a volunteer wish granter with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and also volunteers regularly with Ann’s Heart of Phoenixville.
In 2016 Ann-Marie co-founded Project Santa, a Phoenixville-based nonprofit dedicated to fulfilling wish lists for kids living in shelters, as well as some who are referred by other local organizations. Project Santa has grown over the years and was able to make Christmas magic for close to 250 kids in 2022. The nonprofit is in full swing right now and in these difficult economic times, could use any help you might be able to give. You can donate a single gift from a child’s wish list, fulfill the entire wish list, or make a financial contribution and let Project Santa do the shopping. Go to www.TheProjectSanta.org for more information.
She started volunteering at Ronald McDonald Camp in 2006, which she describes as “a truly magical place where kids with cancer can spend a week at a summer camp.” Having worked as a dialysis tech in college and learning that the wait for cadaver kidneys can be terribly long, and also that living donation is safe, she chose to become a living donor and gave one of her kidneys to a fellow Ronald McDonald Camp counsellor in 2018. She remains active in living donor organizations.
Ann-Marie loves her role as a volunteer wish granter with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and also volunteers regularly with Ann’s Heart of Phoenixville.
In 2016 Ann-Marie co-founded Project Santa, a Phoenixville-based nonprofit dedicated to fulfilling wish lists for kids living in shelters, as well as some who are referred by other local organizations. Project Santa has grown over the years and was able to make Christmas magic for close to 250 kids in 2022. The nonprofit is in full swing right now and in these difficult economic times, could use any help you might be able to give. You can donate a single gift from a child’s wish list, fulfill the entire wish list, or make a financial contribution and let Project Santa do the shopping. Go to www.TheProjectSanta.org for more information.
November 2023 Award
This month we want to highlight Chris Brickhouse.
Chris has been doing homeless outreach with different groups since 2018. He founded Better Days Ahead together with his wife Tara to specifically focus on delivering survival gear and food directly to homeless individuals, as well as focusing on permanent housing solutions. He also develops the website and heads up BDA’s technology distribution program.
He deeply believes in treating clients with dignity and respect as well as developing personal relationships with them to better help and assist their needs.
We are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massage) to Chris.
Chris is currently working to prepare his clients for winter and to keep a 76 year old vet in housing over the winter. To support him in these efforts, for the month of November, anyone who brings us a donation from BDA's wish list, or shows us a receipt proving they sent an Amazon wish list item or made a financial donation, will receive a $10 discount. Go to BDA’s Donate page to see needed items, access their Amazon wish list (link in upper right corner) or to make a financial donation.
He deeply believes in treating clients with dignity and respect as well as developing personal relationships with them to better help and assist their needs.
We are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massage) to Chris.
Chris is currently working to prepare his clients for winter and to keep a 76 year old vet in housing over the winter. To support him in these efforts, for the month of November, anyone who brings us a donation from BDA's wish list, or shows us a receipt proving they sent an Amazon wish list item or made a financial donation, will receive a $10 discount. Go to BDA’s Donate page to see needed items, access their Amazon wish list (link in upper right corner) or to make a financial donation.
October 2023 Award
This month we want to highlight Doug Wessels.
Everyone in Phoenixville knows Doug. Why? Because Doug is everywhere in our town, connecting people to do greater things, kick-starting non-profits to succeed and giving a helping hand without ever being asked. Doug’s Phoenixville initiatives include Courageous Conversations with the LGBTQ alliance, Project Healing Hive’s Mental Health & Wellness Professionals Assembly, and multiple dine around programs, to name just a few.
If Doug isn’t busy helping non-profits, he is onto organizing Phoenixville’s next cool event, like a flash dance mob for Mayor Peter’s 40th birthday party. In his downtime, (haha – he works full-time, too) you are likely to find him volunteering at Ann’s Heart, helping out the Jaycees, or just randomly showing up to support an event.
Doug’s smile and optimism are contagious. You can’t be around him without wanting to do and be better. He is truly our “ambassador” to Phoenixville because he will stop at nothing to make sure everyone feels welcome in our town.
We are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massage) to Doug.
If Doug isn’t busy helping non-profits, he is onto organizing Phoenixville’s next cool event, like a flash dance mob for Mayor Peter’s 40th birthday party. In his downtime, (haha – he works full-time, too) you are likely to find him volunteering at Ann’s Heart, helping out the Jaycees, or just randomly showing up to support an event.
Doug’s smile and optimism are contagious. You can’t be around him without wanting to do and be better. He is truly our “ambassador” to Phoenixville because he will stop at nothing to make sure everyone feels welcome in our town.
We are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massage) to Doug.
September 2023 Award
Today we want to let you know about Denny.
Denny is the founder and (volunteer) executive director of Race 4 the House, a local non-profit that raises money for the Ronald McDonald House through toy drives, drag races and fundraising dinners. Since 2003, his non-profit has raised nearly a half a million dollars for the Ronald McDonald House and has provided toys for thousands of children!
Why is Denny so driven to support the Ronald McDonald House? When his son was born premature and wasn’t expected to survive, representatives from the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House repeatedly went out of their way to approach Denny at the hospital, offering support, encouragement and a place to stay. During such a troubling time, that meant the world to Denny, inspiring him to forever be part of helping families with sick children.
We are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massage) to Denny.
Why is Denny so driven to support the Ronald McDonald House? When his son was born premature and wasn’t expected to survive, representatives from the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House repeatedly went out of their way to approach Denny at the hospital, offering support, encouragement and a place to stay. During such a troubling time, that meant the world to Denny, inspiring him to forever be part of helping families with sick children.
We are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massage) to Denny.
August 2023 Award
Today we want to let you know about Abdul.
Abdul is a health aide who assists high-needs clients. One of his clients, Josh (not his real name), who is non-ambulatory, gets monthly massages at our office. Here's what happens during a session:
Abdul lifts Josh up and carefully places him on the massage table. Then during the massage Abdul makes sure Josh is comfortable and repositions him if he is not. After the massage Abdul carefully lifts Josh off the table and transfers him back into a specialized wheelchair. Abdul does all of this with care and compassion and a smile on his face.
So, we are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massage) to Abdul.
Abdul lifts Josh up and carefully places him on the massage table. Then during the massage Abdul makes sure Josh is comfortable and repositions him if he is not. After the massage Abdul carefully lifts Josh off the table and transfers him back into a specialized wheelchair. Abdul does all of this with care and compassion and a smile on his face.
So, we are awarding this month's Unsung Hero Award (complimentary massage) to Abdul.