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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Jewell Williams State
Rep. Harold James |
  
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Williams, James to donate $5K to Guardian Angels
PHILADELPHIA, May 27 – State Reps. Jewell Williams and Harold James, both D.-Phila., announced today they will each present a $2,500 donation to the Guardian Angels to supply its Transit Town Watch volunteers with monthly SEPTA passes.
"The Guardian Angels are an important part of our public safety," James said. "SEPTA requires that the Angels pay the usual transit fees, but because they provide a valuable public service, I don't believe they should have to pay."
Williams added, "I am a former police officer who knows what it’s like to patrol the city streets, so I can appreciate this grassroots effort to restore a sense of security to Philadelphia’s SEPTA riders. These men and women already volunteer their time and safety; they shouldn’t have to come up with a $1.45 token."
The donations, totaling $5,000, come from the House of Representatives' Community Revitalization Program and will be distributed via The Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition to the Guardian Civic League, who will purchase the transit passes.
A check presentation is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 30 in Williams' office at 2220 N. Broad St., Philadelphia. Scott Gallagher, head of the Philadelphia Guardian Angels, will speak at the event.
James said he and Williams met with local individuals interested in forming a coalition to continue to raise money for the Transit Town Watch program for additional monthly transit passes.
Members of the coalition include Jeff Brooks, Transport Workers Union; Sam Staten Jr., Local 332; Rochelle Bilal, president of the Guardian Civic League; Jerry Mondesire, local and state president of the NAACP; and William "Bill" Miller, Ross Associates. James said SEPTA board members, Jettie Newkirk, Esq. and Herman Wooden, were consulted about the coalition.
The Guardian Angels are volunteers who provide public safety and education in neighborhood streets, schools and cyberspace.
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