Dear Penn Community,

The holiday season is almost here. The Penn community has a huge impact during the holiday season on our surrounding community. We look forward to working with you again this year as we strive to make a difference in the lives of our deserving neighbors.

Below is a list of current opportunities. These opportunities are special in that they are designed to bring joy during the holidays. I look forward to working with you as we make a difference in the lives of members of our surrounding community.

Thank you so very much for your continued generosity. Your contributions allow us to respond to various requests from local agencies and families for donations during the holiday season.

Thank you for all you do. Warm regards,

—Isabel Sampson-Mapp, Associate Director, Netter Center for Community Partnerships

Holiday Food Drive Now Through November 15: Let’s Take a Bite out of Hunger!

In the season of Thanks and Giving, please contribute to the Annual Food Drive at the University, coordinated by Penn VIPS. We are collecting non-perishable foods (cans and boxed foods) as well as turkeys.

Donations will re-stock the pantry at Baring House and the People’s Emergency Shelter as well as help many deserving families in the area.

Please take donated items to one of our conveniently located drop sites listed below:

President's Office. 100 College Hall. Brenda Gonzalez. 898-0447

Penn Museum. Kress Gallery Entrance. Bonnie Crosfield. 898-4001

Provost Office. 353B 3401 Walnut St. Susan Curran. 898-6841

Human Resources. 600 Franklin Building. Syreeta Gary. 898-6018

Van Pelt Library. IPC, Room 454. Rachelle Nelson. 898-9048

ISC. 265C 3401 Walnut St. Maureen Goldsmith. 573-8771

Stouffer Commons. 3702 Spruce St. Linda Kromer. 898-8240

Wharton. 1000 SH-DH. Jennifer O’Keefe. 898-1092

ISC. 203A Sansom West. Kathy Ritchie. 573-3561

Research Services. P-221 Franklin Building. Lauren Oshana. 573-6710

Levy Dental Library. 240 S. 40th St. Laurel Graham. 898-8978

FMC. 2929 Walnut/Suite 1st floor. Gretchen Ekeland. 898-3633

Comptroller’s Office. 312 Franklin Building. Celestine Silverman. 898-7593

FRES. 3101 Walnut St. Carole Mercaldo. 573-8795

Physics & Astronomy. DRL 2E5. Michelle Last. 898-5954

Nursing. 3rd/4th Fl. Mailroom,Fagin Hall. Pat Adams. 573-1630

AARC. 3643 Locust Walk. Colleen Winn. 898-0104

Netter Center. 111 S. 38th St.–2nd floor. Isabel Sampson-Mapp. 898-2020

We are in need of locations around the University that can serve a drop-off point during our school, toy, gift drives as well as others.Become a Drop-Site Volunteer

Participate in the four annual drives held by Penn Volunteers In Public Service (Penn VIPS) to benefit members of the surrounding community.

Your role would be to help advertise the event and to collect as well as deliver the donated items to our central location.

We look forward to having you join us. Contact Isabel Sampson-Mapp at (215) 898-2020 or send an e-mail to sammapp@pobox.upenn.edu for additional information and /or to make a donation.

Create Your Own Volunteer Activity for Your Department

Would you and your colleagues or friends like to participate in a volunteer activity?  Penn VIPS is happy to connect you to an activity or help you develop one of your own.

Contact Isabel Sampson-Mapp  at (215) 898-2020 or send an e-mail to sammapp@pobox.upenn.edu for additional information and /or to make a donation.

Remodeling the Office? Donate Unneeded Items

No longer need that file cabinet, chair or desk? Want to do something useful with no longer needed items used by your department, but still in good condition? Penn VIPS maintains an extensive list of local agencies, and non-profits in desperate need of your no longer needed items. We connect no longer needed items with members of the community that are happy to put donated items to good use. We can easily make arrangements for pick up.

Don’t throw it out! Contact Penn VIPS at (215) 898-2020 or send an e-mail to Isabel Sampson-Mapp at sammapp@pobox.upenn.edu for additional information and /or to make a donation.