ANCs from 7B, PAECC, and Neighborhoods along Pennsylvania Avenue SE Corridor Unite to Launch Change.org Petition to Urge CVS Health to Keep Store #1335 Open at The Shops at Penn Branch.
The management of this newly built store has quietly announced their last day of operation will be July 9th.
Sign our petition now!
#CVS #SHOPSATPENNBRANCHDC #PENNBRANCH #SEDC #DC #WARD7
Last month, Penn Branch Community Association acknowledged the outstanding community service of three neighbors during our Annual Holiday Gathering at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church.
Distinguished Service Awards
President Paul Grant awarded neighbor Thomas Dawes and Chef Moe Garay, Owner of Highland’s Cafe with our 2023 Distinguished Service Awards.
Mr. Dawes has worked tirelessly to remove the litter and maintain the grass at the edge of the Hiker-Biker Trail that borders our neighborhood along 38th Street SE and Carpenter Street SE. Every Friday, he cleans trash from our streets after city trash collection and moves all empty trash cans back into neighbor’s driveways on Texas Ave, Carpenter Street SE.
At our annual holiday gathering, Dawes shared with neighbors that he was honored to received the award and would love to do more to main the park area if the National Park Service is unable to maintain the areas that border our community.
Chef Moe Garay, generously supported our Penn Branch Community Day in August. He and his amazing team from Highland’s Cafe & Grill, came out to kick our lunchtime Block Party, serving over 150 hamburgers, over 40lbs of delicious grilled wings, and a large pot of gumbo.
“I don’t think I have ever received an award before” said Chef Moe Garay.“I am stunned. The people in the neighborhood–Penn Branch, Hillcrest, and Fort Dupont have welcomed us with open arms”.
2023 PENN BRANCHER OF THE YEAR
Finally, the highest award for ‘Penn Brancher of the Year ‘ was given to neighbors, April & DJibril Camara for their outstanding efforts in coordinating and hosting a Juneteenth block party along 1500 block on 38th Street SE. The event featured food and fun for all ages and nearly 40 neighbors came out the support the free event. The Camara’s also arranged for and donated the permits for our Penn Branch Community Day.
“We are blessed to live in a community that pours into our children and into us,” wrote April Frazier Camara, who was unable to attend the holiday gathering. “It is an honor to give back to it!”
-Alberta Paul,
Chair, Penn Branch Public Works Committee
During our December Holiday Gathering, PBCA recognized outstanding examples of community service in our neighborhood. Alberta Paul, received the ‘Penn Brancher of the Year’ Award for her efforts in securing an $25,000 grant from PEPCO and Sustainable Maryland to continue renovations in 9/11 Memorial Park and the ‘Distinguished Community Service’ award was given to outgoing President Stan Benton. Stan will complete his successful two year term as president at the end of January 2023.
Outstanding community service should never be regarded as a thankless task, ‘ said incoming PBCA President Paul Grant as he presented the first award during PBCA’s Annual Holiday Gathering. ‘We must show those who give back that we also know how to say, ‘thank you’.”
‘I am very grateful to my community for recognizing the hard lifting that has been done on their behalf throughout the years,’ said Alberta Paul after receiving her Penn Brancher of the Year award. I’ll continue to do that. Everybody can serve, regardless of what your skillset is. And I encourage you. Step up or step out. Okay. Don’t complain. Please don’t complain. Help us to make this the greatest community in the nation. Not just the district -In the nation.”
In the future, PBCA members will be able to nominate their neighbors who have shown extraordinary community service throughout the year and vote for awardees.
Our next community meeting will be focused on increased
community support for PBCA. Join us @ 7PM, Tuesday, Oct 12th
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Penn Branch residents came out last week to celebrate the 95th birthday of Mrs. Jacqueline Tatum who lives on Texas Avenue. PBCA Block captain Lance Holt, who also works for the DC Department of Aging and Community Living, presented her with a special certificate from Mayor Muriel Bowser that acknowledge her long-time service to our community.
