Letter to the Editor: It's Not So Grim

Listening to the political discourse on our television screens one could conclude that our society is being pulled asunder, that divisions are unbridgeable. As a longtime resident of the Abington and Cheltenham townships area, I believe that such a conclusion would be erroneous. Some recent events support this premise.

On the evening of . Over 50 families were left homeless and most of their belongings destroyed. On the afternoon of Oct.6, community leaders and the American Red Cross invited neighbors to a gathering at Cheltenham High School to discuss plans to aid and support the displaced residents. The ARC representative, addressing the dozens in attendance, commented that she had never seen such a strong community response in such a short period of time. On Oct. 13, Downtown Glenside Merchants Community Partnership, during Glenside Day, donated a portion of their sales to a fund set up to support the fire victims.

The Breathing Room Foundation, established 15 years ago, supports families in need (within a 20 mile radius of Jenkintown) who are dealing with the consequences of a cancer diagnosis.  The program is supported by volunteers and benefactors such as Ray Glanzmann, owner of Glanzmann Subaru in Jenkintown. As he has done in the past, this week Mr. Glanzmann provided 120 boys and girls winter coats for distribution to families participating in the BRF program.  This initiative was part of an area-wide program, "Driving Away the Cold: Auto Dealers Caring for Kids Foundation."

In none of these community programs was race, religion, political party affiliation, gender or sexual orientation a consideration. The only criterion was a neighbor in need. Many years ago I made the decision to reside in this community. I could not be prouder of that decision.

Stephen Weinstein

Elkins Park