The Delaware County Weekly

Bringing Delco news and information directly to our residents!

—— December 22, 2023 (100th edition) ——

As the festive lights twinkle across Delaware County, County Council extends a heartfelt Merry Christmas to residents in our cherished community. In this season of joy and giving, let us embrace the warmth of togetherness and the spirit of kindness that binds us. May this Christmas bring each of you happiness, peace, and a sense of belonging.

Wishing everyone in Delaware County a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Delaware County employees and visitors to the Delaware County Government Center were treated to the amazing talents of students from across the county during the County’s week-long annual holiday songfest. 

Students from Springton Lake Middle School, Ridley Middle School, Upper Darby High School, and Rose Tree Media Elementary School regaled audiences with classic holiday tunes and added a few special surprises.

Rose Tree Media Elementary School

Upper Darby High School

Ridley Middle School

Springton Lake Middle School

A heartfelt thanks to the talented young singers and dedicated educators for spreading holiday cheer this season!

Delaware County Council extends our warmest wishes to residents celebrating Kwanzaa, a vibrant week-long pan-African holiday that honors African heritage in African-American culture. Beginning on December 26 and lasting until January 1, Kwanzaa is a time for families and communities to come together in a spirit of reflection, joy, and planning for the future.

Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of African Studies, as a way to unite the African-American community after the Watts riots in Los Angeles. Rooted in African traditions, Kwanzaa revolves around seven core principles known as the Nguzo Saba.

The principles of Nguzo Saba include:

• Umoja (Unity)
• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
• Nia (Purpose)
• Kuumba (Creativity), and
• Imani (Faith)

Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of these principles. Families and communities come together to light a candle on the Kinara (candle holder), exchange gifts, and engage in discussions and activities that reinforce these values. The celebration also features rich traditions, including African music, dance, and a big feast known as Karamu on December 31.

In the United States, Kwanzaa has seen a steady increase in observance over the past 50+ years, with estimates suggesting that around five to six million people engage in Kwanzaa traditions each year. The holiday has also found a place in other countries, resonating particularly in regions with large African diaspora communities.

Happy Kwanzaa! May this season bring you joy, unity, and inspiration, and may the principles of Kwanzaa guide you throughout the coming year and beyond.

The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) joined Delaware County Council, the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, and the Department of Emergency Services for a press conference on Monday, December 18, to announce the launch of its new Deterra Drug Deactivation System Awareness Campaign that will provide Delaware County residents with a safe, quick, and convenient process for disposing of unused, unwanted, and expired medications.

Understanding the danger that pharmaceuticals may pose to residents, especially to children and the elderly, DCHD has contracted with Deterra to roll out this impactful public health harm reduction strategy directly to residents this December.

Deterra pouches and awareness postcards will be shipped to 165,289 county residential addresses in randomly chosen zip codes—approximately 70% of all residential addresses in the county— just in time for the holidays. Most residents can expect to see them as early as next week.

The campaign is being funded as part of Delaware County’s use of opioid settlement funds. DCHD plans to mail Deterra pouches to remaining addresses next year, contingent on additional opioid settlement funding being designated for this purpose.

The Deterra Drug Deactivation System consists primarily of a simple pouch that is filled with pills and tap water, providing a non-toxic, organic, and safe alternative for proper disposal of unused, unwanted and expired medications. In a simple 3-step process, residents deactivate drugs by putting them in the Deterra pouch, adding warm water, shaking, and then throwing them away in the household garbage.

DCHD will be issuing medium-sized Deterra pouches that can deactivate up to 45 pills.

“Public Health 3.0 is about meeting residents where they are," said Delaware County Health Department Director Melissa Lyon. “Not only do these pouches reduce the potential for abuse of opioids, safely destroy unwanted drugs, and help protect the environment they reduce barriers by helping residents skip the trip to drug drop off box locations.”

The Deterra pouches help protect the environment by preventing pharmaceutical drugs from contaminating water supply and landfills. Critically, the Deterra pouches and awareness postcards help destigmatize substance use disorders, reminding residents of resources for help in the county, and reducing avenues for drug abuse and addiction.

"The Deterra Drug Deactivation System is a powerful tool in our fight against the drug overdose epidemic," said Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. "It provides a discreet, effective way to dispose of unused medications, helping to destigmatize substance use disorders while supporting individuals and families impacted by this crisis."

Don’t Ditch! Deactivate.

Recipients are urged not to dispose of these pouches before they can be used. If there is no immediate need for their use in the home, please store and save them for later use. The pouches do not have an expiration date. Residents who receive but do not want to keep these pouches are asked to share them with family members or neighbors who can use them.

MVP Recovery Founder Brian Corson

Delaware County Health Department Director Melissa Lyon

Pictured, left to right: Delaware County Department of Emergency Services Director Timothy Boyce, Emergency Management Specialist Sara Senkow, Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor, MVP Recovery Founder Brian Corson, Delaware County Health Department Director Melissa Lyon, and Health Department Deputy Director Lora Werner

In anticipation of $4.1 million in new Opioid Settlement grant funding to be made available to Delaware County in January, Delaware County Council is encouraging health care providers, vendors, educational institutions, non-profits, and other organizations working to address the opioid epidemic to submit second round grant applications by January 12, 2024.

The new funding is the result of a $26 billion multi-state opioid settlement with Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson. As part of the 2022 settlement, Delaware County will receive $63 million in 18 annual payments to tackle the devastating opioid epidemic affecting Delaware County residents, their loved ones, and the community. In 2022, Delaware County received $6.4M in the first round of opioid settlement funds.

For more information regarding the opioid settlement, and for copies of the downloadable grant applications for Round Two, visit the Delaware County Opioid Settlement website at DelcoPA.Gov/Settlement.

Applications can be submitted via email to Kelly Bonner, Contract Administrator, at bonnerkm@delcohsa.org until 9:30 a.m. on January 12, 2024.

Round Two Funding Details

The opioid settlement money must be spent within the confines of the settlement. Based on the responses by the Delaware County Opioid Task Force as well as community input, the following five initiatives were approved by County Council for Round Two:

Initiative 1: Coordinator

The coordinator would have the responsibility of assisting the County in gaining public insight into potential uses of the funds, plan for the current and future funds, as well as ensuring appropriate reporting.  

Initiative 2: Community Recovery Center

The center will serve as a resource hub for the community and provide support for persons with substance use disorder and their families.

Initiative 3: Recovery Stabilization

Persons in early recovery often require additional support, such as transportation, food/clothing assistance, workforce training, GED Preparation, rental/utility assistance, etc.   

Initiative 4: Prevention Education

There are multiple audiences of the educational programs, including children and parents, community members, law enforcement, medical professionals, and family members.  

Initiative 5: Certified Recovery Specialists

Certified Recovery Specialists are essential in connecting persons to treatment and having them available twenty-four hours a day in the local emergency rooms would be invaluable.

Round Two RFP Timeline

Note: For this second round of grants, grantees must expend all funds by May 31, 2025, or such funds may be recaptured by the County and reallocated.

Delaware County Council was honored to participate in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Media Area Branch’s 2023 Freedom Fund and Foot Soldier Luncheon. Held at the Springhaven Country Club in Wallingford on December 16, the event was a vibrant celebration of the NAACP’s enduring legacy and its relentless pursuit of equality.

Under the theme “99 Years of Service: Counting Down to Our 100th Jubilee,” the luncheon offered a reflective yet forward-looking perspective on the NAACP’s contributions, while also honoring influential figures and organizations that have contributed to the continuing work towards equality and equity within the community. 

The event recognized the outstanding community contributions from Media Area Branch NAACP Youth Council Advisor Fonda Jacobs-Blake, Penncrest High School Senior and NAACP Youth Council Member Justin Duvak, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Media PA Post 3460. 

Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor, Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer, and Council Members Christine Reuther and Richard Womack accepted the NAACP Media Area Unit's 2023 Foot Soldier for Justice Award on behalf of the Delaware County Council. Council was presented the award in recognition of its achievements and positive impact on the quality of life for all County residents.

The luncheon also featured the unveiling of the NAACP Media Area unit's original charter to kick off the 100th Jubilee Anniversary that will be celebrated in 2024. 

NAACP Media Area Unit's President Cynthia Jetter and NAACP Media Area Unit's Treasurer and Membership Committee Chair Ruth Jacobs

Luncheon attendees joined together singing folk singer Pete Seeger's We Shall Overcome, a Civil Rights anthem of the 1950s and 60s

Pictured, left to right: Delaware County Council Member Richard Womack, County Council Member Christine Reuther, Senator Tim Kearney, County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor, and NAACP Media Area Unit President Cynthia Jetter

Pictured, left to right: Media VFW Post 3460's Honor Guard and Post Member Allen Dick, Media VFW Auxiliary Post 3460's President William Newberg, Mayor Robert A. McMahon, Media VFW Post 3460's Commander Michael Baker, NAACP Media Unit's 1st Vice President and Media VFW Auxiliary Post 3460's Junior Vice President Akilah Evans-Pigford, Media VFW Post 3460's Honor Guard and Post Member Omar Pigford, Media VFW Post 3460's Past Commander Francis Newberg and Media VFW Auxiliary Post 3460's Trustee and Past President Peggy Ann Newberg accepting the NAACP Media Area Unit's Foot Soldier Award on behalf of the Media VFW Post 3460. 

About the NAACP Media Area Branch

The NAACP Media Area Branch is a dedicated unit of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), focused on promoting civil rights, equality, and justice for all individuals. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, we work towards creating a society where every person is treated with dignity and respect.

Representatives from Visit Delco, Flight on Ice, Edgmont Township, and Energy Transfer joined the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association (DCVMA) for their annual Christmas Tree lighting on December 14 at the Energy Transfer Veterans Memorial Rink in Newtown Square. The family-friendly ice skating event featured an appearance by Santa Claus, a DJ, free hot chocolate and other giveaways, as well as a check presentation from Energy Transfer.

During the ceremony, Energy Transfer generously donated $50,000 to the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association in support of local Veterans. 

The Delaware County Veterans Memorial, operated by the DCVMA in Newtown Square since 2013, is an open-air testament to our nation’s military history and active service members. Open year-round and free to the public, it offers visitors a chance to learn, honor, and reflect on American Wars and Conflicts from the War of 1812 to the Wars of the Middle East. The memorial was built in 2013 thanks to land donor and major benefactor Claude de Botton and family. It is managed today by Nicole de Botton Robinson and Paul de Botton, both of Delaware County-based National Realty Corporation.

With the $50,000 donation, Energy Transfer has now invested $150,000, with more than $100,000 to the DCVMA in support of local Veterans. 

This edition marks a special milestone for the Delaware County Weekly—the publication of our 100th edition!

Over the course of the past 99 editions (now 100!), we've shared over 1,000 articles aimed at keeping residents informed, engaged, and connected to the pulse of Delaware County. We've worked hard to ensure the Weekly is a platform for residents to connect—not only with County Council, but the many County departments, offices, agencies, and partner organizations that work tirelessly to provide essential services and support to our community.

We’ve highlighted important initiatives, shared community success stories, and provided crucial updates that impact the daily lives of our residents. From health and safety information to cultural events and local government updates, our goal remains to deliver a comprehensive view of what makes Delaware County a great place to live, work, and play.

As we celebrate this 100th edition, we extend our gratitude to everyone who responded to our recent calls for feedback. From suggestions on topics you'd like to see more (or less) of, to ideas on how we can enhance your reading experience – every piece of feedback is a step towards making the Delaware County Weekly even more relevant and engaging.

We are currently reviewing all the input we've received and are excited about the opportunity to incorporate new ideas and suggestions into our future editions. This process of continuous improvement is crucial for us to ensure that the newsletter remains a dynamic and vital source of information for the Delaware County community.

As we embark on the next hundred editions, we are more motivated than ever to bring you a newsletter that not only informs but also inspires. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Here's to many more editions filled with news that matters to you!

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