Dance One of North Light's Fundraising Ideas

Manayunk and Roxborough residents continue their push to keep an iconic community beacon afloat.

With a Valentine-themed youth dance scheduled for February, community backers of North Light Community Center help to stave off a shutdown of the Green Lane facility that launched in 1936.

"North Light Community Center is working hard to raise funds in order to keep its doors open. The center provides a low cost after school program, summer camp and food pantry for low income families," parent Maria DePaola said in email.

"Services have already been cut and more are in danger of being lost. The center's staff, as well as concerned parents from the after school program are working hard to keep North Light's doors open."

A Feb. 9 dance designed for 4-to-12-year-olds will raise funds for the KidZone Afterschool Program, she said.

Late last year, North Light Executive Director Irene Madrak said the nonprofit was continued to feel pressures from the economic recession—in foundation, corporate and individual giving.

"At this point, our biggest goal is to raise more funds... The recession has affected those we serve, but it also impacted those who give us money," she said in November. "We always get some community support, but now we need a little more."

DePaola said the dance is one of many fundraising options currently being worked on by staff and volunteers.

The dance is Feb. 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. and costs $3 a child.

Visit North Light's website for more information.