Helping Hands, Inc* 415 Hoffmansville Rd* Bechtelsville, PA 19505

Helping Hands, Inc* 415 Hoffmansville Rd* Bechtelsville, PA 19505
Phone-610-754-6491*Fax- 610-754-7157*
Email- HHandsInc @Comcast.net ~ Website: www.HelpingHandsInc.com
And Find us on Facebook at HelpingHandsPA
-Tuesday, March 1, 2016
-As Mother Nature decided not to allow in February, we will be
making the rescheduled trek to Valley Forge Casino for some
gambling fun!!! Cost will be $30.00 per person which will
include lunch in the area. Please bring along money for
gambling and for additional snacks, or feel free to bring a
snack. They have penny, nickel, dime, quarter, etc machines, and plenty of tables for
cards, roulette, etc. We will be taking one van and meeting at the Helping Hands
office at 10:00am and returning at 3:00pm. All participants MUST have a valid ID
card for participation as they will verify upon admission. If you do not have this upon
arrival to the office, you will not be permitted to participate. Space is limited and will
be on a first call first reserved basis.
-Friday, March 4, 2016
-Let’s get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit with a concert to see Gaelic Storm at the
Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, PA. “After nearly two decades and more than 3,000
live shows, Gaelic Storm — the chart-topping, multi-national Celtic band — is looking
sharper than ever with their latest release, Matching Sweaters. The new album mixes
traditional Irish music with modern influences, creating a sound that's as wideranging as the band's own audience. From bluegrass fans and
country cowboys to Deadheads, rock & rollers and Celtic fanatics,
Gaelic Storm has built one of the most diverse fan bases in
modern music. Matching Sweaters helps explain the broad appeal.
Rooted in the songwriting of founding members Patrick Murphy
and Steve Twigger, the album moves from drinking songs to
energetic instrumentals, to rootsy pop/rockers,gluing everything
together with the spark and spirit of a band that's spent close to
20 years on the road. "We're a touring band," says percussionist
Ryan Lacey, who joined the lineup in 2003. "That's how this
band works. Matching Sweaters is one of the most complete albums we've done so far,
because it taps into every facet of our live show."
-Tickets are limited for this activity, and cost $45.00 per person. Most of the seats
will be in the balcony level. One wheelchair accessible seat and one companion are
available. Bring along money, if desired, for snacks/drinks at the concession stand
that evening, or for souvenirs for Gaelic Storm. The transportation schedule for this
activity is below:
-Helping Hands Office- 6:05pm-11:30pm
-Thriftway in Sanatoga- 6:25pm-11:05pm
-Landis Store in Schwenksville- 6:50pm- 10:45pm
-At the Colonial Theater-7:30pm- 10:15pm
Notes: If we will be fifteen minutes later than the above listed times, we will contact
you. Also, you will be purchasing these tickets as NON-refundable, and the money
will be lost if we absolutely cannot go to the concert due to inclement weather or
unforeseen circumstances. In addition, once you are registered for this trip, you will
be expected to pay for the ticket if you need to cancel, unless we can find a
replacement for your ticket!
-Saturday, March 5, 2016
-Join us for a trip to Lititz for a day of lunch and a visit to the
Wilbur Chocolate Museum. We will be going to DJ’s Taste of
the 50’s for lunch, and then trek over to Wilber Chocolate.
“Walk in, take a deep breath, and smell the chocolate aroma
throughout the store. Our candy store offers a friendly
atmosphere that will stir delightful memories of yesteryear and
put a smile on each visitor’s face, young and old alike. You will
enjoy a large selection of Wilbur® items, chocolate specialties, and many other
confections. You can also watch candy makers create our delicious fudge featuring a
variety of flavors!” All attendees will receive a few Wilber Chocolate Buds to sample
-If we get inclement weather, we will postpone this trip.
-Cost is $30.00 per person for this activity. Bring spending money for any souvenirs
at the restaurant or at the chocolate factory.
-Due to the distance of this activity, we will be meeting solely at the Helping Hands
Office in Bechtelsville at 10:00am and return at 4:30pm. If we will be later than fifteen
minutes, we will contact you with at least an hour’s notice.
-Saturday, March 12, 2016
-Join us for our rescheduled day of adventure
and learning and lunch at the Academy of
Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. The Academy
of Natural Sciences, the oldest natural history
museum in the Americas, features fun,
informative family exhibitions inspired by the
Academy's rich history of exploration and environmental research. Dig for dinosaur
fossils, stroll among live butterflies, touch a live animal, learn the importance of
watersheds, explore diorama animals from around the world, take a behind- thescenes tour.
-Please wear comfortable walking shoes for this activity. Also, please bring along
$15.00 for lunch at the Academy Café or bring a packed lunch for that day.
-If we get inclement weather, we will postpone this trip.
-Cost is $45.00 per person for this activity.
-Due to the distance of this activity, we will be meeting solely at the Helping Hands
Office in Bechtelsville at 9:30am and return at 4:30pm. If we will be later than fifteen
minutes, we will contact you with at least an hour’s notice.
-Tuesday, March 29, 2016
-Join us for our monthly “Evening at the cinema” at Carmike Cinema
in Pottsgrove, PA. The transportation schedules will again need to
be determined the week/day of the movie, b/c the times change at
the theaters sometimes daily, but we will attempt to attend the movie
that begins closest to 7:00pm.
-Special prices on Tuesday nights: popcorn is $2.50 and a drink are
only $2.50 each and any candy for $2.50 each!! Cost for
transportation/staffing will be billed following the activity. Cost will
be $27.00 with transportation and $22.00 without transportation.
-My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2- After spending most of their time focusing on their
troubling teenage daughter, Toula and Ian are facing marital problems while also
having to deal with yet another Greek wedding - this time, even bigger and fatter.
-Friday, April 1, 2016
-It’s time again for our Helping Hands Annual Spring Jam Dance at Shepherd of the
Hills Church! We have again reserved Phantom DJ for the evening. So, feel free to
bring some requests, both new and old!!!
-Cost for the dance will be $30.00 including transportation/staffing or $22.00 per
person with no transportation. This covers the Entertainment for our DJ Froggy
Entertainment, staffing, program fees, snacks and refreshments at the dance.
-The attire for the dance will be dressy casual. Feel free to
bring your family or friends to the dance. The following will
be the transportation schedule for the evening:
-Shepherd of the Hills- 6:30pm-9:30pm
-Thriftway and Landis Store- 6:10pm – 10:00pm
-Saturday, April 2, 2016
-Join us for some fun with the Reading Royals! They will be
battling the Norfolk Admirals at the Santander Center in
Reading, PA. Tickets are $35.00 per person. Tickets are limited. Bring along
spending money for snacks/souvenirs that evening! The following will be the
transportation schedule for the evening. NOTE: We will call upon departure as games
run late occasionally!
--Helping Hands Office- 4:40pm-11:15pm
-Thriftway in Sanatoga- 5:15pm- 10:45pm
-Landis Store in Schwenksville- 5:00pm- 11:00pm
NOTE: You will be purchasing these tickets as NON-refundable, and the money will be
lost if we absolutely cannot go to the game due to inclement weather or unforeseen
circumstances. In addition, once you are registered for this trip, you will be expected
to pay for the ticket if you need to cancel, unless we can find a replacement for your
ticket!
-Wednesday, April 13, 2106
-Mack Truck Museum in Allentown, PA and a tasty Subway lunch.
What year did the Mack Senior model debut? When was the first Mack diesel engine
produced? When did Mack adopt a bulldog as its mascot? Or a little closer to home:
What transmission was outfitted on your grandfather’s 1940 Mack? If you’ve got
questions — and perhaps a vehicle identification number - there’s a pretty good
chance the Mack Trucks Historical Museum has the answer in their archives. In
addition to being the authority on all things Mack, the Mack Trucks Historical
Museum also restores and preserves vintage Mack trucks and memorabilia for all to
enjoy.
-Cost for the activity will be $30.00 per person, with the following transportation
schedule:
-Helping Hands Office-10:00am-3:45pm
-Landis Store in Schwenksville-10:25am-3:20pm
-North End in Pottstown-10:40am-3:00pm
-Tuesday, April 26, 2016- “Nights at the Cinema” at the new Carmike Cinema in Pottstown. The transportation
schedules will again need to be determined the week/day of the
movie, b/c the times change at the theaters sometimes daily, but
we will attempt to attend the movie that begins closest to 7:00pm.
-Special prices on Tuesday nights: popcorn is $2.50 and a drink
are only $2.50 each and any candy for $2.50 each!! Cost for
transportation/staffing will be billed following the activity. Cost
will be $27.00 with transportation and $22.00 without
transportation.
The Jungle Book An orphan boy is raised in the jungle with the
help of a pack of wolves, a bear, and a black panther.
Up and coming…….
-Sunday, May 8, 2016
-Reading Phillies ALL YOU CAN EAT DECK PARTY AND RESERVED TABLE SEATING
IN THE SHADE WITH THE READING PHILLIES vs THE PORTLAND SEA DOGS! WE
HAVE A FEW TICKETS LEFT! TICKETS WILL BE $45.00 PER PERSON! This includes
an AYCE Buffet including BBQ Ribs, Chicken, Hot Dogs, Burgers, Veggie Lasagna,
Mac and Cheese, Corn, Pasta Salad, Potato Salad, Tossed Salad, Fruit, Cookies and
Soda. Also, this gives us reserved tables along the third base line for the game!
~Please dress accordingly. Wear/bring sunscreen for this activity. Also bring
along money for additional snacks and souvenirs, if desired!
~We will be running two vans for this activity with the following transportation
schedule:
-Helping Hands Office- 11:50am-5:30pm
-Landis Store in Schwenksville-12:15pm-5:15pm
-Thriftway in Sanatoga- 12:00pm- 5:00pm
NOTES PAGE FOR MARCH AND APRIL 2016
~As you can see, we have a variety of activities planned for the Soc/Rec program in the upcoming weeks.
Hopefully Mother Nature will cooperate as we come into the springtime! As always, feel free to pass on
the information about new activities we have not tried that the group may enjoy.
~Our Bowling League will finish the league on Sunday, April 17th, 2016 at Limerick Bowling Lanes. We
will have a pizza party this day and awards. Feel free to bring a snack for the group. There will be NO
TRANSPORTATION for bowling on Sundays, March 20th or April 10, 2016, due to the conflict with the
shore weekends. Some staff will meet at the lanes that day.
~The Special Olympics Swim Team will finish the season on Wednesday, April 6h, with a party at the
Boyertown Area Multi Service Center. Feel free to bring along a snack for the group.
~Our Wallyball recreation league will continue into the month of May.
~We continue utilizing our designated Helping Hands Soc/Rec cell phone to bring to each and every
activity in case of emergencies. It is with a staff person at all times. That telephone number is 610-5066723. Also, if you need to cancel for a particular activity, the vans leave for activities as follows:
Wallyball-5:30pm on Monday nights, Bowling-12:30pm on Sundays, Swimming-4:30pm on Wednesdays.
We check the general voicemail at the Helping Hands office and also mine (Laura’s office voicemail)
before leaving for every activity. If you will not be attending or need to cancel, please contact the office
prior to these times.
~To alleviate confusion, you must contact the office to register for activities. It should not be done via
postal mail, as the time elapsed usually means that you are on the waiting list. Email is the best route,
but you could call or fax as well. Thank you!
~We were recently notified of the passing of two of our dear friends, Nancy
Hudson, and Christine Collins. Both of you will be missed.
~Please take note that the route for the parking lot at Helping Hands is now
entry only from Congo Niantic and exit is onto Hoffmansville Road. This
assists with the traffic flow at the office.
~The 2016 Summer Camp and Shore Flyers are scheduled to be mailed out the week of March 21, 2016.
Keep your eyes out for the yellow flyer!
NOTE: WAIVER FUNDING COST IS NOW $185.00 PER DAY. PLEASE PASS THIS INFORMATION ON TO
YOUR SUPPORTS COORDINATOR.
~Helping Hands is celebrating 40 years this year, and I am interested in creating a compilation of old
photos and memories from years past. If you have any old photos that we could borrow to scan and
return, it would be most appreciated! Thank you!
~We received an electric wheelchair donation that we are unable to utilize in our programs. If you are
interested in this chair, please contact Bruce at the office.
~See the attached flyers for the upcoming fundraisers for Easter
Candy, Easter flowers, our Basket Raffle, and Texas Roadhouse.
Thank you!
2016 SPRING SHORE WEEKENDS!!!!
-Friday, March 18-Sunday March 20, 2016-Come with us for the first spring weekend to the shore house in Cape May! For those who have not been there yet, it’s a
handful of activities offered for the weekend. This weekend offers options such as a Murder Mystery activity, art show, or an egg
hunt. Other things could include ideas such as a trip to the Cape May Lighthouse, Sunset Beach, The Cape May Zoo, shopping,
Ocean City or Stone Harbor Shops, the Aviation Museum, Wildwood boardwalk and more… Planning for activities will be
determined by the group as it gets closer! It will be a first call, first reserved basis. Cost per person will be $370.00. Please bring
additional money for extra snacks/souvenirs, etc. We will meet at 12:00pm at Helping Hands on Friday afternoon and return
on Sunday at approximately 7:00pm. Please pack clothing for being outdoors as we will likely go up to the boardwalk a bit.
-Friday, April 8th-Sunday April 10, 2016-April is a beautiful time of year to come to the shore!!! Join us for a weekend to the shore house in Cape May! Some ideas could
include trips to the Cape May Lighthouse, Sunset Beach, Spring Concerts, The Cape May Zoo, the Cape May Nature Center,
Audubon Museum, shopping in Ocean City or Stone Harbor, the Aviation Museum, Wildwood boardwalk and more… Planning
for activities will be determined by the group as it gets closer! It will be a first call, first reserved basis. Cost per person will be
$370.00. Please bring additional money for extra snacks/souvenirs, etc. We will meet at 12:00pm at Helping Hands on Friday
evening, and return on Sunday at approximately 7:00pm. Please pack clothing for being outdoors as we will likely go up to the
boardwalk a bit.
-Thursday, May 19-Sunday, May 22, 2016-Come with us for a long spring weekend to the shore house in Cape May! A few things offered this weekend are climbing the
lighthouse under the full moon, or a beach treasure hunt. We could also take trips to the Cape May Lighthouse, the Cape May
Nature Center, Audubon Museum, Sunset Beach, The Cape May Zoo, shopping, Ocean City/ Wildwood boardwalks, maybe
catch some rays at the beach and more… planning for activities will be determined by the group as it gets closer! It will be a
first call, first reserved basis. Cost per person will be $555.00 for the THREE days. Please bring additional money for extra
snacks/souvenirs, etc. We will meet at 2:00pm at Helping Hands on THURSDAY evening, and return on Sunday at
approximately 5:00pm. Please pack clothing for being outdoors as we will likely go up to the boardwalk/outside a bit.
*****NOTE: WAIVER FUNDING COST IS NOW $185.00 PER DAY.
PLEASE PASS THIS INFORMATION ON TO YOUR SUPPORTS COORDINATOR.