Inspiring Stories from our Business Community – July 10

Each Friday, we’ll bring you a round-up of positive news about how Chamber members are making a difference in our community.

American Cancer Society Northeast Region

While the world’s focus has been on finding a treatment or cure for COVID-19, many are still dealing with other health issues. The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) may know more than anyone that just because there’s a pandemic, cancer doesn’t stop and it doesn’t discriminate. ACS CAN works to advocate at all levels of government for policy and legislative solutions that are designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. In June, ACS CAN presented a statement to Congress’ Subcommittee on Health on confronting racial and ethnic health disparities during the pandemic and the overall health care system. The organization’s advocacy work reminds people that cancer isn’t just a medical issue; it’s a public policy issue.

Colliers

It’s been four months since the COVID-19 pandemic began rippling through our region and health care workers have yet to take their foot off the gas. As a way to thank these workers for their heroic efforts, Colliers came together as a firm in person for the first time in more than three months to open-air assemble 300 healthy lunch boxes for frontline health care workers at Jefferson Hospital, Temple University Hospital, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Each box included a note of gratitude from Colliers families to the “health care heroes.” The company hopes the lunches inspire the workers to keep the momentum going as our region braces for elevated case counts in the coming months.

Cozen O’Connor

In an effort to support minority and traditionally underrepresented entrepreneurs in Philadelphia, Cozen O’Connor is committing an initial sum of $150,000 in legal services to provide young startups and new entrepreneurs with access to discounted legal services and deferrals. Through its startup program COpilot, the initiative will give underrepresented entrepreneurs access to the firm’s attorneys and receive an initial grant of services. The firm plans to collaborate with entrepreneurial organizations in the region to identify eligible businesses as well as conduct outreach to local universities.

Citizens Bank

For over 10 years, Citizens Bank, the Philadelphia Phillies, and Philabundance have teamed up to help fight hunger across Greater Philadelphia through the annual Phans Feeding Families event. To celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the partnership, Citizens Bank donated $40,000 to Philabundance, which will provide up to 80,000 meals for individuals and families. This year, as COVID-19 has impacted our region, food insecurity in our community has increased dramatically, increasing the need even more for Phans Feeding Families. To abide by social distancing guidelines, the event has gone virtual but communities are encouraged to get involved by raising funds and increasing awareness about hunger in our region.

National Constitution Center

As a nonpartisan constitutional education leader, it is crucial for the National Constitution Center to educate the American public and students about the text, meaning, and history of the U.S. Constitution by addressing relevant constitutional issues and connecting learners in civil dialogue. At the start of the coronavirus crisis, the Center launched new remote learning opportunities, which over 32,000 middle school, high school, and college students across America have joined. Free Town Hall discussions have been made available for lifelong learners on various topics, including difficult constitutional issues facing our nation like policing and the Constitution; constitutional dimensions of policing, protests, and equal protection; and Congress in times of crisis.

Philadelphia Flyers

This past week was an extraordinarily inspiring one for the Philadelphia Flyers and Comcast Spectacor. In December, professional hockey player and member of the Philadelphia Flyers, Oskar Lindblom, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma and has been undergoing treatments and receiving care from Penn Medicine. Despite not seeing Lindblom on ice since December, his positive outlook and strength have proven to be a source of perspective and inspiration for the team and the entire Flyers community. This past week, Lindblom “rang the bell” at Penn surrounded by his nurses and medical team to celebrate the end of his cancer treatments and reminded the community that we are all “Oskar Strong.”