Pints for a purpose in Manayunk

Dozens turned out on a rainy Thursday night to raise their glasses to one of the oldest community centers in Philadelphia.

It was the second annual Pints for North Light fundraiser at Manayunk Brewery, hosted by the North Light Community Center in Manayunk.

The center’s service to community spans more than seven decades. It does everything from running after-school programs and homework help for youth to hosting food drives for local families.

So, it was no surprise that the community came out in force to support the cause.

The event included beer tastings from local breweries, a dinner buffet, a silent auction and live music.

Among the crowd was Katrina Clark, who has been a part of North Light Community Center since she was 9 years old.

Her parents enrolled her in North Light’s day camp to ease her transition after a move. Clark said It wasn’t long before she started calling the place her second home.

“I had my first job there, I was a camp counselor, I volunteered there, whenever people were looking for me, they would just call North Light and I’d be there.” Clark said.

Now, she serves on the center’s board, hoping to help provide today’s youth with those same opportunities.

Thursday’s event brought in at least $7,000 in advance ticket sales.  Jane Lipton, co-chair of the event, said she hoped to double that by evening’s end.

“People say this is North Light Community Center,” Lipton said, “Well, in fact, North Light is this community’s center.  It’s the center of life for a lot of people and I can’t imagine this community without it,” Lipton said.

For more information, visit North Light Community Center.