Frigid cold brings quiet streets, warm gestures in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA – As dangerously low temperatures settled over the city Saturday, one Elkins Park resident mobilized her neighbors to help people struggling to stay warm.

Liz Lowry said she learned that community outreach organizations in Kensington were urgently seeking donations. She put out a call for help on social media- and the response was immediate.

“Within 3 hours we had a mountain of collections which I took over to the Sunshine House in Kensington and they were just thrilled to receive this,” Lowry said. “There were people waiting for the blankets as soon as I pulled up.”

Lowry is partnering with Recovery Done Simple to keep the effort going. Executive director David Carr said the demand on the streets is overwhelming.

“We’re out there 4 times a week and we’re bringing out bags full of blankets and jackets and within minutes they’re gone,” Carr said. “So the need is beyond great.”

Across Philadelphia, few residents ventured outside in the bitter cold. Kelly Drive along the icy Schuylkill River was mostly quiet, aside from the occasional runner braving the elements.

“Well, the simple answer is I just love running,” said Bridgette Tullier of Fairmount. “I run every single day, anywhere from 4 to 7 miles sometimes 10. So I didn’t want to take a break today. And currently, I am wearing five layers.”

For a group of tourists from Ghana, no amount of layers could prepare them for this type of weather.

“This is our first time experiencing this type of cold and it hasn’t been easy,” said Justice Adom.

Still, the weather didn’t deter a group of New York University students, who were determined to make the most of their day trip and run up the Rocky steps.

“Of course. Philadelphia has so many nice things to do,” said Sumeed Saleem. “We went to Paddy’s pub earlier from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. We were just playing the music and we’re gonna run up the stairs now as well.”

The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management reminded residents that warming centers are open throughout the city. A map of locations is availablehere.