HughE Dillon is a Philadelphia-based photographer and creator of the PhillyChitChat blog. Follow him on Twitter @HughE_Dillon and on Instagram @PhillyChitChat.
Two Philadelphia-based companies brought some holiday magic to the students of Delapine McDaniel and Universal Vare Schools on Tuesday morning. Saxbys and Five Below embarked on Operation Holiday Magic, giving 1,000 presents to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The event took place at Saxbys Roastery located at 2415 Morris Street in Point Breeze.
Keeping health and safety top of mind, Saxbys transformed it’s roastery into a socially-distant winter wonderland. With the help of the two partner schools, gift distribution was staggered throughout the day to ensure a safe experience for parents and students, complete with wellness and temperature checks, hand sanitizing station, ample social distancing and additional PPE for families and students if needed.
“I want to thank Saxbys and Five Below for being wonderful corporate citizens of Philadelphia and partnering with McDaniel Delapine Elementary and Middle Schools and Vare Universal Charter School so that the children in those schools can have a happy holiday in the midst of this COVID 19 pandemic,” said Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson. “The Saxbys Roastery is located within my Council District and Five Below’s worldwide corporate headquarters is in Center City Philadelphia, both companies understand the importance of giving back to the Greater Philadelphia region. I hope that Saxbys makes ‘Operation Holiday Magic’ an annual tradition here in Philadelphia and the Second District.”
