| 9th annual Children's
Awareness Day Festival
 The
Social Security Administration (SSA) Philadelphia Regional Office
sponsored the 9th annual Children's Awareness Day Festival. The
event was held at the Spring Garden School where 350 children from
grades K through 8 learned the meaning of Memorial Day and “Service
for Others”, our event theme. This SSA event sought to teach
children about self-development and awareness by presenting ways
that they can serve their country, their community, their family
and friends.
The day began with the U.S. Naval Reserve V-52 Color Guard Unit
presenting and retiring the colors. Senior Chief Patrick Robinson,
U.S. Naval Reserve (also Social Security Assistant District Manager
of the Philadelphia-Germantown Field Office) gave a brief explanation
to the students about the meaning of this traditional ceremony.
After the opening ceremony, Lt. Andrea Cunningham, U.S. Public
Health Service and Congressional Liaison at the Regional Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services, spoke to the students about
her service to our country and to others in the community. She
told her personal story to demonstrate how she learned from her
parents the importance of serving others.
 The Mayor of Philadelphia, Michael A. Nutter, was greeted by
thunderous applause and cheers as he arrived to speak to the students
about public and community service. He asked them to ‘be
safe, read and have fun’ during the summer months. Following
the Mayor’s talk, he presented prizes to the winners of the “Service
for Others” poster contest.
During the afternoon, the students attended a fair highlighted
by a fire truck, a police cruiser, Power99 radio station and representatives
from the Free Library of Philadelphia. They enjoyed snacks, face-painting,
toys and a variety of informational pamphlets donated by local
organizations and merchants. Sponsors who helped SSA make this
festival a success included Herr’s, Lehigh Valley Farms,
Snyder Avenue Shoprite, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia
Flyers, the Philadelphia Phantoms, the Philip Morris Corporation
(for their anti-smoking booklets), the Please Touch Museum and
The Royal Bank. It was a fun-filled and educational day for all
involved.
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