November 2025 REACH

No Party Like a PPH Block Party

There was dancing, ring toss, tattoos, and more at our annual Block Party, as residents and team members enjoyed a beautiful October afternoon! Thank you to everyone — including Mother Nature — who helped make this another fun, successful event! Be sure to visit the PPH Facebook and Instagram page for a slideshow of video clips and photos!

Scoops — Sweeter than Ever

PPH's beloved ice cream shop, Scoops, held its grand relaunch on Oct. 22! There were smiles all around as everyone enjoyed a free sample of ice cream! For more info on the enhanced menu and more photos, see page 2!

Newest PPH Guardian Angel ‘Always on the Alert’

Congratulations to PPH’s newest Guardian Angel — Security Supervisor Alonna Bates.

Alonna was recognized by Lawndale resident Audrey Alston, who praised her keen observation skills and her readiness to step in and help whenever needed.

“Alonna is always watching and on alert for any situation in which a resident may need direction or assistance,” Audrey said.

Audrey shared a few examples of Alonna’s readiness, including offering to help carry grocery bags while Audrey was recovering from a leg injury.

“Thank you so much for all that you do, Alonna,” Audrey said. “I feel safe when you’re around.”

This marks Alonna’s second Guardian Angel recognition in 2025, a reflection of her dedication and compassion.

Security Supervisor Alonna Bates (center) is congratulated by PPH Executive Director and EverTrue VP of Managed Communities Kelli Mills, and Lawndale resident Audrey Alston.

Alonna, on behalf of the PPH Board of Directors, leadership, residents and team members, thank you for all that you do to keep PPH safe and secure.

Recognize Someone Special - Show your Appreciation

If you are a resident who is interested in recognizing a team member, or a resident-family member who wants to express your gratitude and appreciation for the compassion a team member has shown your loved one, contact Director of Donor Development Marianna Calabrese at 215-697-8508 or mcalabrese@pphfamily.org.

If you are a PPH resident and would like to receive REACH and the Independent Living Resident calendar directly in your email inbox, please contact Communications Specialist Mike Berman at mberman@pphfamily.org or 215-697-8194. If leaving a voicemail, be sure to properly spell your email address.

You can also find REACH each month on our website under Press and News: pphfamily.org/about/press-news

The PPH Heritage Society

The PPH Heritage Society recognizes our friends who have generously provided a legacy of care by naming PPH as a planned gift beneficiary. Through their Gifts from the Heart, their legacy of compassion lives on. You may always choose to remain anonymous in your philanthropy. However, participation in The Heritage Society can be an inspirational experience and may encourage others to look toward how they too may have an enduring impact on future generations of older adults. Planned giving offers us a way to make a difference, far beyond the measure of one's lifetime.

If you are interested in joining the Heritage Society or have any questions, please contact Director of Donor Development Marianna Calabrese by calling 215-697-8508 or emailing mcalabrese@pphfamily.org.

New Sales Director returns to old neighborhood

PPH recently welcomed Bridget Harris as its new Director of Sales!

Bridget brings a wealth of experience in sales and marketing within life plan communities.

Bridget began her career in senior living admissions at a local nursing home and went on to hold roles across every level of care in nonprofit communities. Most recently, she worked in Sales and Marketing at Masonic Village for 12 years.

Bridget isn’t new to Northeast Philadelphia — she was raised in the Oxford Circle and Castor Gardens neighborhoods. Like many Northeast

Philadelphia teenagers, she once held a job at the Roosevelt Mall, working part-time at Marlo Book Store. She graduated from Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls, and went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Rehabilitation and Human Services from Penn State University.

Now, she begins a new chapter at PPH, focused on welcoming new residents and helping the PPH community continue to grow.

“Everyone has been so warm and welcoming,” she said. “Right away, I found that people take pride in living and working at PPH.”

For Bridget, one of the more

rewarding aspects of her work is hearing from new residents who are thriving and settling in well.

"I love when a new resident comes back to tell me that they wished they'd moved in a lot sooner," she said.

She notes that embracing change isn’t always easy, but that moving to a life plan community like PPH offers so many benefits.

“There’s so much life here at PPH,” she said.

When she's not at PPH, Bridget enjoys spending time with her husband, David, and her two teenage children, Owen and Brynn — the family enjoys attending a few Penn State Nittany Lions football games each year. She's also recently taken up a new hobby — mahjong.

Scoops relaunches with new additions, options

PPH resident Lucille enjoys a sample of Scoops ice cream

Susie "Scoops" Denelsbeck is ready to take your order!

Senior Director of Dining Services Chef Rey Gayo speaks at the Scoops Relaunch.

Meet our New Residents!

Don and Linda Lewis recently moved to PPH's Alpha building from the Andorra neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia.

Don grew up in nearby Andorra, in Germantown.

For work, Don designed and built pipe organs. In his free time, he enjoys music and woodworking.

Scoops' enhanced menu features jumbo hot dogs, ice cream toppings, new coffee flavors, some healthy and gluten-free snacks, packaged salads and sandwiches, and much more! "Scoops has long been a PPH favorite," said PPH Executive Director and EverTrue VP of Managed Communities Kelli Mills. "Chef Rey Gayo and the Culinary Services team's vision has come to life — and Scoops will continue to be a shop-and-go destination for ice cream, coffee, snacks and more."

Linda grew up in Chester County, Pa. She graduated from Temple Preparatory School and Kutztown University.

Linda worked as a librarian. She enjoys painting and drawing. Don and Linda have five children and 14 grandchildren!

Mary Dammer recently moved to PPH's Alpha building from North Philadelphia. Mary graduated high school from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School and went on to work at Keystone Shipping. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, singing, crossword puzzles and sudokus

PPH's Fight Against Alzheimer's heats up

Employee of the Month: Luis Santos

Congratulations go out to Luis Santos of the PPH Security team!

The PPH community came together for an eight-team Cornhole tournament in October, in support of Team PPH's Fight Against Alzheimer's. In an exciting final matchup, the PPH Culinary Services team — Lisa Burke and Chef Rey Gayo — defeated PPH residents Peg McFadden and Lorraine Busch to become the 2025 PPH Cornhole Champions!

As of late October, PPH has raised more than $2,000 in PPH's Fight Against Alzheimer's (Alzheimer's Association). Thank you to everyone who has donated and participated so far. Team PPH's Fight Against Alzheimer's continues:

• Campuswide WalkNov. 6, 1:15 p.m. - Meet at the Main Entrance (Lawndale)

• The 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer's at Citizens Bank Park - Nov. 8, 8:30 a.m.

Volunteer of the Month: Dot Gallagher

Congratulations go out to Dorothy (Dot) Gallagher, of Gateway Manor, who is the “Volunteer of the Month” for November. Dot has been a dedicated PPH volunteer since 2015, and prior to that was a PPH team member. Dot helps set up the Social Hall for IL Bingo, hands out prizes and helps clean after each month's game. Thanks Dot, you are an asset to our Volunteer Program!

MMS celebrates 100 years, PPH Sisters and Associates

PPH hosted a special event celebrating the Medical Mission Sisters' (MMS) 100 years of healing missions around the world.

The event — attended by MMS Sisters, Associates and friends — honored the 19 Sisters and Associates who reside at

PPH. For more photos from this event, please visit our Facebook page.

Oktoberfest

PPH residents Christa and Barb say "Cheers!" at the PPH Oktoberfest celebration. Those in attendance enjoyed Bratwurst, a Philly Pretzel, beer and a performance from by Galena Brass Band.

November Events

○ PPH Auxiliary Meeting: Monday, Nov. 10, 11:30 a.m.

○ Veterans Day Luncheon: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 11:30 a.m.

○ Koffee with Kelli & Team: Thursday, Nov. 1310:30 to 11:30 a.m.

○ IL Residents Association: Monday, Nov. 17, 2 p.m.

All events/meetings above are held in the Social Hall. All except Veterans Day Luncheon will broadcast on channel 7.

For a full calendar of events, activities and happenings in November, please see the November Independent Living Resident Calendar. For up to date info, see PPH TV channels 2 and 4.

Sister Frankie Vaughn, Sister Rosemary Ryan, Associate Marge Sexton, Associate Jane Jones, Sister Eunice Cudzewicz and Sister Margaret Moran

Let's Dance!

Melissa Cheafsky of the PPH Finance team held a special dance class in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Melissa, residents and team members danced to the salsa, bachata and more!

Residents Association

Employee Appreciation Gift

Help us recognize and thank PPH team members for their hard work and dedication! To contribute to Employee Appreciation: Please make check payable to PPH Independent Residents Association, with “employee gift” in the memo line. Kindly return your envelope to your Floor Representative. For any questions, call Assistant Treasurer Lisa Bowman - #8340. You can also drop off donations on November 7, 8 and 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Fountain Room.

Reflections — The Power of Listening

By Pastor Earl Scott

In recognition of Spiritual Care Week from October 19 to 25, the PPH Chaplain team hosted a meet and greet.

The goal was to give those in attendance a chance to see us cohesively as a team, and offer more information on the services that our Pastoral Care team provides.

Approximately 50 residents and team members visited our display table. Some were curious as to what is a typical day as a chaplain at PPH. As Chaplains, as well as many other professions, we are taught to expect the unexpected. No two days are alike while serving this wonderful community.

I mentioned that PPH's residents are our top priority. We are here for residents in the good and difficult stages of life, and we are also here for PPH team members. We provide grief counseling throughout the year.

During the gathering, I was pondering on the importance of being a good listener. I noticed groups of two, sometimes three people communing with one another. They maintained eye contact, nodded throughout the conversation, and didn’t interrupt the person speaking. This is known as active listening. God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason.

In a busy society, we often find it difficult to focus on other’s desires and needs. We desire to be heard, but do we take the time to listen to what others are going through.

What’s the difference between hearing and listening? Listening goes a step beyond the physical act of hearing. When someone listens, they engage not only in their ears but also their heart.

We can be thankful that we have a God who listens.

In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, it’s the first word in this ancient prayer that sets the tone for the remaining verses in the passage, as well as sheds light on what it means to listen to God: Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as

PPH Pastor Earl Scott engages — through active listening — with attendees during a Spirtual Care Week meetand-greet.

reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Moses grabs the attention of the rebellious Israelites by starting with the Hebrew word for listen, “shama.” This word means to listen or hear, but it also carries a deeper sense of to obey and to take action.

To listen to God means to engage the heart and not simply the head. It’s to listen to the point of obedience.

The book of Proverbs, a book known for wisdom, lists several verses regarding listening. Two are found in chapter 18.

Proverbs 18:7; A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul

Proverbs 18:13; If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

How do we better listen to other people?

Start your day with prayer.

Before your day gets underway, ask the God to keep you alert for listening opportunities. If you’re struggling to be a good listener, ask for His help and watch expectantly to see how God answers your prayer.

See interruptions as divine appointments.

Be flexible. Normally, when I arrive at PPH, I make it an obligation to spend a few minutes offering encouraging words to those I encounter. It’s a joy to see someone smile and encourage me as well.

Remember friends, the Holiday Season is approaching upon us. This is a sensitive and lonely time for some people. Ask God what you can do to be a blessing and source of encouragement to others.

○ Thanksgiving Eve Service: Wednesday, Nov. 26, 6:30 p.m., PPH Social Hall

Offering will go to PPH Benevolent Care; those attending are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item that will be donated to Feast of Justice a Community Food Bank located within St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mayfair.

THE PPH MISSION

Guided by Christian values, the mission of The Philadelphia Protestant Home is to provide a caring senior living community that affords its residents the opportunity to achieve their highest possible quality of life.