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On the morning of March 3, students gathered in the llibrary of St. Gabriel School, 2917 Dickinson St., and listened to Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan of the Philadelphia Police Department read Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham,” a childhood favorite of the guest. Sullivan captured the children’s attention by wearing the iconic “red and white striped hat” usually worn by one of Dr. Seuss’ storybook characters, “The Cat in the Hat.”
This event was a continuation of “Read Across America Day,” a national day devoted to the support of childhood literacy. Through this occasion, children are exposed to the joy of reading through the celebration of Dr. Seuss’ March 2nd birthday. Sullivan was invited to participate in this celebration along with board members of the Irish Pub Children’s Foundation in order to present the school with a check that will be used to support the school’s library. The Irish Pub Children’s Foundation (IPCF) Inc., is a Tri-State-based charity dedicated to helping children in need throughout the region.
The event held at Saint Gabriel’s, in large part, was a celebration of the generous foundations that have helped the school fund its library and keep it running. Renee DeJohn Renzi, a professional dancer who has danced and choreographed for the 76ers dance team and will be taking part in the “Dancing for Our Future Stars” event, also received an invitation to speak to the kids and treat them to a dance lesson.
After Sullivan’s reading, DeJohn Renzi was brought down to an 8th grade classroom where sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders took part in her planned dance lesson.
The “Dancing for Our Future Stars” gala is a first-time event structured like ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” dance competition where professional dancers are teamed up with Philly notables from organizations that are major parts of the fabric of Philadelphia. The proceeds raised by the gala will directly support Independence Mission Schools such as St. Gabriel’s.
With the help of charitable groups like the IPCF, and fundraisers like the “Dancing for Our Future Stars” gala, the previously Archdiocesan-run schools can continue to provide “high-quality, cost-effective education to more than 4,700 children of all faiths from many of the City’s most under-resourced neighborhoods.”
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