From April 27 to 29, Philadelphia will host The Presidents' Summit for America's Future, kicking off a wide-reaching, long-term effort to galvanize citizen involvement in community service geared to children and youth.
Former Presidents and First Ladies will join President Clinton and up to 2,000 delegates from all 50 states at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and Independence Hall to show nonpartisan commitment to the Summit's five long-term goals.
The Summit will kick off Sunday, April 27, with a community service project a one-day blitz to clean up a six-mile stretch of historic Germantown Ave.
All Jeffersonians are encouraged to participate in the Germantown Ave. event, says Patricia Wallace, Manager, Volunteer Services and Patient Information, who is coordinating Jefferson's involvement.
"With Jefferson's participation and presence, Dr. Brucker and Tom Lewis want to show that both our hospital and university have a continuing commitment to the children and youth of our community and to all goals of the Summit," says Ms. Wallace.
"They invite all members of the Jefferson community to come out and get involved for a noble cause to unite resources and needs, independently of anyone's political feelings."
The Summit's purpose is "to organize millions of citizens and thousands of organizations" to help youth "lead healthy, fulfilling and productive lives."
The commitment is long-term, Ms. Wallace stresses. For example, retired General Colin Powell will be the Summit's General Chairman for three years. Similarly, state and local delegates will serve for three years to assure long-term follow-through.
Specific Summit goals deal with health, safety, education and job training, plus assuring each child an "ongoing relationship with a caring adult" and a chance "to give back through community service."
The Germantown Ave. program will include planting trees, painting murals, refurbishing a recreation center, cleaning up graffiti, sweeping the streets, even sitting down and reading books to children, Ms. Wallace says.
"Employees are encouraged to make it a family event, bringing family members and friends," she adds. Transportation from Jefferson to the event and back will be provided.
To sign up or for more information, contact Pat Wallace at 955-6222.