“You HAVE to do something, you HAVE to take a chance, you DO have to get involved. There are people that are having trouble making their miracle happen! There are people that don’t have enough to eat! There are people that are cold! You can go out and say ‘hello’ to these people! You can take an old blanket out of the closet and say ‘here’ or you can make ’em sandwich and say ‘Oh by the way, HERE!’ Then it can happen, then the miracle can happen to you! It’s not just the poor and hungry, it’s everybody’s who’s gotta have this miracle! ” – Bill Murray in Scrooged.
263 Tons of food collected! OVER $64,119 raised! (More final totals and prize winner details on the Official Camp Out page here!)
WMMR’s Preston and Steve Show and Philabundance, know how to make Philadelphia’s Miracle happen for Philadelphians in need.
In tough times, help is needed more than ever! So, the PhillyIn cast set their alarms and headed out bright and early. (Ok, Justin was brighter and earlier than Amber-Joi and myself. But we got there!) We made our pilgrimage to the Metroplex Shopping Center in Plymouth Meeting on Friday to drop off our donations. (“Lug” our donations would be more accurate. Those cans are heavy! I’m thinking about quitting the gym and transporting food for Philabundance as an alternative to working out.)
Each year, Preston and Steve take their show out of the studio and hunker down in an RV to “Camp Out For Hunger”. Their week-long drive includes special guest appearances from athletes (Phillies Pitcher Ryan Madson talking to Preston and Steve in photo below) and celebrities, along with live music, free coffee and goodies, and a chance for listeners to watch their favorite morning show and witness the magic as it happens! People are encouraged to drop off food and monetary donations to benefit Philabundance, an organization dedicated to feeding the hungry of the Delaware Valley.
It’s only been a few years since my last visit to the “Camp Out”, but WOW! has it been upgraded! I remember huddling for heat in my little 76ers velour warm-up. So, this time, I came prepared with many layers. But, the tent was “ginormous”! It had lots of seating, and even HEAT! The “set” included a small stage for performers, stage lighting, and flat-screen TVs. The “Camp Out” keeps growing and it’s awesome to see how it’s turned into a major opportunity for people and businesses to come together in support of their community; while providing all a goodly measure of Holiday fun.
It was inspiring to see how much the MMR team truly cares about giving back to our city. Preston and Steve were both losing their voices (and probably their minds) while we guzzled down free coffee from McDonald’s and enjoyed the sounds of rock band, Finger 11.
We bumped into Jenn Frederick and John Bolaris of Fox 29.
Their ability to generate such enthusiasm over such a good cause, is just one reason that the cast of PhillyIn is proud to call the cast and crew of the Preston and Steve Morning Show friends.
Personally, “P and S” and I go way back. I actually paid my very first visit to the studio when I was just a Rookie on the Sixers Dance Team back in 2005. Here’s a throwback.
What sticks indelibly in my mind these many years later, was how welcoming the “P and S” family was to a newly minted Rookie. Since then, they’ve had Amber-Joi and myself on-air and on-cam numerous times. And, talk about welcoming; even Justin recently had a chance to visit the studio. (He wrote about his experience here.) I wonder if they’ve scheduled his “Hottie Cam” appearance yet?
Just a note: simply because the “Camp-Out” is over, doesn’t mean you can’t still help. Click on Philabundance to make a donation and discover more ways to help. To find out more info about the “Camp Out” go to the Official Preston and Steve Camp Out For Hunger Page.
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Giving back is a great way for the whole city to #GetIn.
“And it can happen tonight for all of you! If you believe in this spirit thing, the miracle will happen and then you’ll want it to happen again tommorow! You won’t be one of these bastards that says ‘Christmas is once a year and its a fraud’. It’s not! It can happen everyday, you just gotta WANT that feeling! And if you like and you want it, YOU’LL GET GREEDY FOR IT! You’ll want it everyday of your life!! And it can happen to you!!!” – Bill Murray in Scrooged