South Philly Review

Staff photo by Greg Bezanis

Many look to increase the spirit of giving throughout the area during the holidays, but the truth of the matter is, people need a helping hand year-round. Shawn Lawler, of Third and Gladstone streets, is determined to spread good vibes up and down local streets as fast as possible.

"What we do is we go on the block and we set up water slides and a moon bounce. We have a street fair, raffle for the kids. We give out prizes from the Sixers, Flyers, wherever I get donations from," Lawler said.

The long-time resident had been a delinquent since his teen years. Happily, the story took a sharp U-turn in 2003 when -- though it was not his first trip to jail -- a man spreading the Word of the Lord reached into Lawler's heart and made a permanent change.

"I started doing this because the Lord Jesus put it in my spirit. It's unbelievable how Jesus Christ is," Lawler said. "I want to give back to South Philly."

Give back he has, including four block fairs: May 16 on the 300 block of Gladstone; June 27 on the 2500 block of American Street; Aug. 22 on the 300 block of Winton Street; and Oct. 31 on the 2600 block of Sheridan Street.

"We're building a relationship with the people on the street. We are there for seven hours and, if they need help or counseling, we can talk to them," Lawler, who is aided by volunteers and local vendors, said. "Drug addicts, we can take them off the street, we got places for that. GED, job firms, we place them in contact with the access center."

Lawler keeps tabs on the many people he makes contact with, including one homeless-man-turned-cinematographer he met.

"When I did one of the outreaches they wanted me to come back to the block," Lawler said. "I have to move. We have to reach more people."

Though three of the prior fairs were threatened by inclement weather, someone was looking out for Lawler and the events went off without a hitch. The coming cold months will keep block events on hold until the warmer weather rolls around, but Lawler will not be idle.

"I'm gonna have an event, but it's not gonna be a street block thing 'cause it's cold out there," Lawler said. "I'm having a Jesus birthday party on Dec. 22 at a barbershop. We will talk about Christmas and pray for people and just see people.

"It will be on the corner of Third and Tree. It's going to be about 7 p.m. until whenever."

The coming new year brings the promise of more time for Lawler to reach out and touch more lives.

"I can have one every two weeks, hit as many people as I can," Lawler said of plans to take over area blocks with increasing frequency in '10. "Next year, it's gonna be a real good mission."

Lawler lives across the street from his childhood home with his two daughters, ages 14 and 16.

But it was not always this way.

"I almost lost the kids twice to DHS [Department of Human Services]. Now I have full custody," the proud father said.

His battle began at 14 when the South Philadelphia High School, 2101 S. Broad St., student began experimenting with cocaine. However, Lawler recalls stealing from local stores before he ever dabbled in drugs.