When times get tough in town, Lansdale stands united.
That is the unshakeable belief of Don Bradley, who owns
Manhattan Bagel on South Broad Street. And it’s the ultimate purpose of a Facebook group he is helping to organize:
Lansdale Neighbors United.
"The quicker people step up and join this group and provide administrative leadership, the quicker the community can come together,” says Bradley, who points interested residents and businesses to
the group’s Facebook page to sign up. "This is the vehicle needed to support all small businesses who are struggling right now, and also connect those who can offer a hand to the community.”
Bradley, 40, of Bedminster Township, wanted to model the Lansdale community resource after a similar group he works with from the Chalfont franchise he also owns. He says
Doylestown Neighbors United has raised $15,000 to date to support Bucks-area food shelters, small business owners and others in need. "Doylestown Neighbors United helped me provide food to the New Britain Baptist Food Larder, and also to the Doylestown Hospital staff,” he says.
The mission of Lansdale Neighbors United is similar and simple: "To connect those in the community who can help with those in the community who need help,” says Bradley. "There's a very positive theme, and it’s not a place to complain or not step up and lead. There's no political talk; it's all about lifting people up. Everything we do is out of love and kindness.”
To date, nearly 1,000 have joined the Facebook group. Lansdale volunteer Crystal Terry stepped up to take the lead in forming the group, says Bradley, while he focuses on food. "The biggest thing we need right now is for people to join the site and organize,” says Bradley.” Once that happens, it will spread like wildfire throughout the community.”
The more who join, the more who share. Hopes are to alert the community during this crisis on issues including restaurants in operation, volunteer opportunities, food donations and more. So far, posts in the Lansdale group have included stimulus questions, folks making and needing masks, offers of free rides and shopping help, employment resources, and of course, the occasional lost dog.
Lansdale Neighbors United has also
set up a GoFundMe account for donations.
The Doylestown group, notes Bradley, "has begun providing accurate information, taking questions from local doctors, facilitating mask deliveries, and all different types of things as we work through this crazy time. Business owners can share what they can provide, and best practices, and how to operate. Moms and dads can share how they're coping with the new normal of living and working at home as a family. Local mental health and doctors can provide clear concise answers and resources on the page.”
On a personal level, Bradley has dedicated himself and his operation to supporting the town as it battles the pandemic, emphasizing it’s not a business decision but a personal one. "Manhattan Bagel has always served hospital workers for catering," he says, "and I have the ability to serve large amounts of people quickly. It takes a very short time to bake hundreds of bagels and spread love.”
He holds a weekly Wednesday food drive for Manna on Main Street, both collecting food donations and donating hundreds of bagels himself. He just shipped 500 gluten-free bagels to the Garden of Health pantry in Souderton. And he regularly ships meals to the staff on the front lines at Abington Lansdale Hospital and other healthcare facilities.
"Donald Bradley is literally feeding every hospital in the area several times a week,”
says local nurse Katie Corrado.
Says Bradley, "As a husband and father of an amazing 5-year-old daughter, I've seen the impact of this ordeal on families first-hand. Kids should be in school. We're not meant to be alone. This group can serve as a way for people to unite and also realize they're not alone in this struggle.”
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