Meals on Wheels Fundraiser Features Greaseband

The Fabulous Greaseband will perform at Sunnybrook Ballroom Oct. 20 for the annual Meals on Wheels Fundraising Event.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Family Services.

The Fabulous Greaseband, a seven-member nostalgic dance-party band and concert attraction, will bring their rock ‘n’ roll party to Pottstown this fall for the Seventh Annual Meals on Wheels Fundraising Event.

The Fabulous Greaseband features outstanding male and female vocal leads in a front trio, backed by a gifted group of instrumentalists. Their highly entertaining and energetic delivery of some of the greatest songs ever written has kept the group on top for well over 35 years.

The show will be held on Saturday, October 20 at SunnyBrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Road, Pottstown. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show begins at 8 p.m. Show tickets are $25 (general admission). A limited number of reserved tables are available (minimum of eight seats per table). A cash bar will be available during the show.

An optional, all-inclusive buffet dinner will be served at 6 p.m. The buffet features mesclun greens, penne primavera, chicken francaise, sliced shoulder filet with demi-glace, garlic mashed potatoes, green bean almondine, bread, beverage, and assorted mini desserts. Tickets for the buffet dinner and show are $60 per person. Advance dinner tickets are required.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Ruth Hood, program director, Meals on Wheels, at 610-326-1610 ext. 336 or rhood@fsmontco.org or visit www.fsmontco.org/events. Tickets may be purchased weekdays between 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at Family Services’ Pottstown Office, 1976 East High Street, Pottstown. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.

Funds raised during this event benefit Family Services’ Meals on Wheels program. Each weekday, Meals on Wheels provides two meals, a hot lunch and a cold supper to refrigerate, to an average of 150 homebound elderly and disabled individuals in Pottstown, Royersford and the Lower Perkiomen Valley. Community volunteers personally deliver more than 80,000 meals a year, bringing nourishment, friendship and a brief safety check to those most in need.





Generous sponsors of this event include Exelon/Limerick Generating Station, BTC Foods and Pottstown Hospital – Tower Health.

Get Your Taxes Done for Free in Pottstown

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Family Services of Montgomery County

Family Services, the Montgomery County Asset Building Coalition and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are offering free basic income tax preparation for low-to-moderate income individuals and families (who earned less than $54,000 in 2016) through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

The IRS trains and certifies all VITA volunteers to prepare and electronically file income tax forms. The mission of the program is to help working families improve their finances and increase their self-sufficiency.

“We can help put money back in your pocket,” said Shirley Petko, Family Services’ VITA site coordinator. “By filing taxes through a VITA site, clients save money in filing fees. In addition, our VITA volunteers are trained to assist clients in claiming special credits and refunds, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).”

Family Services is offering VITA appointments at two locations in Montgomery County:

• Family Services’ Pottstown Office, 1976 East High Street, Pottstown. Appointment times: Mondays and Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 
• Family Services’ Eagleville Office, 3125 Ridge Pike, Eagleville. Appointment times: Thursdays, 5-8 p.m.

Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment at the sites listed above, please call Family Services at 610-326-1610.

Individuals must bring the following documents to their VITA appointment:

• Photo identification (driver’s license or state-issued identification card) for self and spouse
•  Social security cards for self, spouse and dependents
• Birth dates for self, spouse and dependents
• Wage and earning statement(s) (Form W-2, 1099, unemployment statements) from all employers for self and spouse
• Health insurance statement (Forms 1095-A, 1095-B or 1095-C)
• Interest and dividend statements from banks for self and spouse
• Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit
• Other relevant information about income and expenses 
• Total paid for daycare, daycare provider’s address and tax identification number
• Total paid for college tuition, college’s address and tax identification number
• Form 8332 or a copy of a divorce decree if you are a non-custodial parent claiming a child
• A copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns (if available)
• If filing jointly, both the filer and spouse must be present to sign the tax return.

Since 1900, Family Services has been caring for children, seniors and families in Montgomery County who face everyday emotional difficulties or physical hardships. The agency’s innovative social service programs make a positive difference in the lives of 13,000 county residents each year. For more information, contact Family Services’ Pottstown Office at 610-326-1610 or visit www.fsmontco.org.

Make the Season Truly About Giving

You've heard of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday?

Well now, there's "Giving Tuesday."

The idea is to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are, today, synonymous with holiday shopping.

And its happening right here in the Pottstown.

Pottstown-area nonprofits participating in #GivingTuesday (the '#' marks its Twitter handle ) include Pottstown Area Seniors’ Center, Pottstown YMCA, Pottstown Regional Public Library, Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, KenCrest, Family Services, and Aclamo, among many others.

Brian Parkes, executive director of the Pottstown Area Senior Center, said the movement intends to use the power of social media to encourage making donations to non-profits which make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.

"We want to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season," Parkes said in a press release issued to The Mercury.

“People can donate to the organizations any time, not just on Dec. 2, but #GivingTuesday garners more excitement and we expect this excitement to bring in additional donors,” Parkes said.

"#GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support, and help create a better world," he said.

In fact, there are organizations all over Montgomery County.

A new website www.GivingTuesdayMontco.org has information, including a list of nearly 100 organizations participating, along with links to donate, but does not accept donations of its own. 

According to the site, "#GivingTuesdayMontco is part of a national celebration of generosity. It’s a day to give a gift that makes an impact right here in our own community. It’s a way to let your values be part of your holiday giving."

Web marketing and web hosting company IQnection donated design and hosting services for the GivingTuesdayMontco.org website.

Along with the website, there is also a Giving-Tuesday-Montco Facebook page. 

“Last year, more than 10,000 nonprofit organizations in 46 countries were part of #GivingTuesday,” said Parkes. 

“It’s an opportunity to remind people of the power of charitable giving during this season, as well as the tremendous need that exists in our community.”

It's Family Fest Time

Blogger's Note: The following was submitted by the organizers of, you guessed it, Family Fest.

The Annual Pottstown Family Fest will be held on Wednesday, March 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Pottstown Senior High School.

This free family-focused event will feature information/resources from more than 30 area organizations, activities for the entire family, roving entertainment, mini sandwiches, drinks, Rita’s water ice, and a variety of door prizes.

Informational booths will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. Door prizes will be awarded at 7 p.m. (must be present to win). Children must be accompanied by an adult.

“Family Fest was developed to enhance, celebrate and explore family dynamics, development, growth, and unity,” said Jenn Brown, director, Pottstown Family Center. “This year’s theme, Stay Healthy, Play More, focuses on buying local and encourages families to find volunteer opportunities they care about so they can ultimately give back to their community.”

This annual event is sponsored by Family Services/Pottstown Family Center, Pottstown Parks and; Recreation, and the Pottstown School District with funding support from the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation.

For more information on Family Fest, contact Jenn Brown, director, Pottstown Family Center, at 610-326-1610 ext. 347 or jbrown@fsmontco.org.

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