Local businessman Ray Glanzmann has a knack for business and has long been an integral part of the Jenkintown business community, however, people that know Glanzmann also realize that he has a 'softer' charitable side as well. Call him a dealer with a heart. The owner of Glanzmann Subaru recently donated over 100 coats to Rubye's Kids, a Jenkintown charity run by local holistic healthcare professional Roz Weiss, which supports children in local shelters.

Glanzmann is a board member of the Automobile Dealers Associations of Greater Philadelphia (ADGAP).  Four years ago ADGAP began a campaign called Driving Away the Cold that encourages dealers to donate new coats to kids in need.  The organization has donated over 80,000 coats in Pennsylvania since its inception.  Glanzmann takes the mission of the charity to heart and each year he supplies over 100 coats to kids in need.  This year he chose to give locally and connected with Weiss to see whether they could work together.  Weiss was thrilled;  Rubye's Kids depends on the support of donors like Glanzmann to support their mission.  Since 1994, when Roz and Don Weiss reached out to Rubye Caesar, a woman who was dedicated to supporting less fortunate children in North Philadelphia, the charity has grown and they never know where help or donations may come from.  The organization's mission has expanded from it's initial holiday party, and it now helps children all year round by hosting birthday parties, creating libraries and learning centers in shelters, providing emergency supplies, backpacks, coats and more.  

Both Glanzmann and Weiss agree - it is the kids that matter.  The federal definition of poverty is a family of four living on an annual income below $22,350.  In the 5-county Philadelphia area, at least 169,000 children can be defined as living in poverty. The coats Glanzmann supplied are on their way to children in local shelters as part of Rubye's Kids' winter efforts, and Weiss is also gearing up for their Rubye's Kids 18th Annual Holiday Party which will take place on Saturday, December 10th at Girard College.  Each winter Rubye's Kids transports and hosts 500 children for a day of fun, music, hot meals, and essential winter outerwear and school supplies, as well as memories and joy.

To donate or volunteer for Rubye's Kids, contact Roz Weiss c/o Weiss Holistic Health Center, 453 Johnson Street, Suite 101, Jenkintown PA 19046.  Phone (215) 887-7100.  Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it