Harry's Helping Hands celebrates Christmas in July

Amid the Santa on the Beach banner and vendor tents that stretched across the parking lot of First Presbyterian Church, Harry's Hands to Help and Heal celebrated its mission and community with Christmas in July on Saturday.

“Today we're celebrating Christmas in July,” said Jen Babe, founder and president of Harry's Hands to Help and Heal. “We thought this is a way to get the kids out of the community. There are families. We do raffles. We bring the vendors out into the community. With the heat wave, it's been crazy. We just want to bring everyone together.”

Sunshine Sips Fresh Lemonade was one of the sellers, hand-making its 32-ounce lemonades to order. Flavors included the regular for $7 and mango, hibiscus, blueberry, strawberry and lavender for $8 each.

“We make fresh-squeezed, fairground-style lemonades,” said co-founder Shania Lawrence. “And we're here because we love the vision of Harry's Hands to Help and Heal, the food bank that helps the community, and that's the real reason we wanted to be here.”

Lawrence, who opened the business just over a month ago, explained what makes the lemonade so unique.

“We use syrups that are vegan, gluten-free and also kosher, so we try to appeal to everyone so everyone can take a sip,” Lawrence said.

“It's a sip of sunshine,” added co-founder Marah Fowler. “The sugar we use is also organic cane sugar.”

Rebecca Eichinger visited the stand for the second time after her husband Joe had one and then wanted three more: one with mango, one with strawberry and one with lavender.

“This is so good,” she said. “I tried the lavender. It's so good. You don't notice it, like you're putting a flower in your lemonade. You're used to hearing about fruit, but it was so refreshing. It was really refreshing. My husband liked it so much he sent me back here with an order.”

More than food

In addition to the vendors, Harry's Hands had an area where food was distributed and another area with clothing and other items where anyone could come and pick out what they needed, no questions asked.

“We have a lot of donations for people to pick up,” Babe said. “We allow people to come and take what they want.”

It coincided with their weekly food distribution on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church at 2 South Chester Pike in Glenolden.

“We don't just sell food,” Babe added. “Besides food, we also offer household items. We do toiletries. We do community service. We take care of the youth. We take care of the teens. We take care of the tweens… We do hygiene packages for them and care packages for the seniors and the veterans.”

She said the organization does a lot away from the spotlight.

“We feed at least 200 families a week,” said Babe. “And a lot of children. And a lot of teenagers.”

1,500 people attended their Easter event this year.

She said the teens need socks and deodorant because they work with Academy Park High School, schools in the Interboro School District and social workers in Upper Darby.

“Every teenager who comes to us gets everything they need,” Babe said. “Even if it's food, we don't charge for anything.”

She said she has met people who are embarrassed to seek help.

“I've had people come to me and say, 'I need food, but I don't know how to get it,'” Babe said. “So I say, 'Just come by and ask for me. I'll meet you in the back and get what you need before anyone else comes in.'”

“I want people to understand that those who are struggling don’t have to be,” she said.

“So many connections”

Babe said they also provide coats for children and adults when the weather gets cooler.

“It's all part of mental health,” she said. “If you're in school as a kid and you have a dirty coat or no coat at all, your anxiety is gone, your depression is gone, the kids are making fun of you. So it's all part of the mental health system.”

Her husband, Harry Babe, was 61 years old when he died by suicide on October 5, 2020. They named the organization “Harry's Hands” because he was a talented auto mechanic who fixed everything with his hands.

Babe said they enjoy giving people what they need.

“We've made so many connections in Delaware County,” she said. “Someone calls me and says, 'I need a sofa.' Give me a week and I can get you a sofa. The outpouring of support from the community is incredible.”

Harry's Hands to Help and Heal accepts donations seven days a week behind the First Presbyterian Church in Glenolden.

“We have a container where they can donate for 24 hours,” said Sam Babe-Toy, Jen and Harry's daughter. “The thing is usually always full.”

Harry's Hands to Help and Heal also has a website at harryshands.com.

Originally published: July 27, 2024 at 16:56