Wednesday 11:00 AM NOVEMBER 23, 2016
Hava Java Coffee House
526 N. 19th Street Allentown PA 18104
For one Allentown businesswoman HOMELESSNESS is PERSONAL:
Now in Dannielle Makdesi's sixth year feeding hundreds of homeless families
At her business Hava Java Coffee House
Press invited for the first time - time press and photographers/videographers can attend on Thanksgiving announced at press conference
For one Allentown Mayoral Candidate HOMELESSNESS is PERSONAL:
Sam Bennett lived homeless on the streets of New York City in her late teens after escaping the white slavery she had been ensnared
ALSO provides first campaign update on funds raised to date
for her candidacy for Mayor
Wednesday, November 23, 2016 11:00 am Allentown, Pa. – Sam Bennett Candidate for Mayor of Allentown 2017 holds press conference with Dannielle Makdesi, Owner of Hava Java Coffee House in Allentown and Dr. Diane Scott, former ten year Superintendent of the Allentown School District.
"Concerns about homelessness in our city rank fifth among Allentown residents in our ongoing All American City Survey we have been conducting throughout the city since Sam's campaign launched in June of this year" notes Dr. Diane Scott, who has been compiling this research as a campaign volunteer based on surveys collected at the door, at neighborhood and crime watch meetings and other gatherings. "When I was Superintendent of ASD (from 1992 to 2002) homelessness was a very real issue for a significant percentage of our students. I believe strongly, having observed Sam's ability to make positive change like the William Allen Construction Company that she founded when I was superintendent - that she is the right candidate for Mayor to help us improve our outcomes when it comes to homelessness for adults, families and ASD students."
Dannielle Makdesi stresses "it has been six years since I first started to feed the homeless on Thanksgiving here at my coffee house. I pay for all my costs out of my own pocket and from generous donations from others in the community. It is the least we can do for people who have, often through no fault of their own, find themselves homeless at this time of year, especially children." Continues Makdesi, "the press has always asked to take photos and I've always refused. But this year, I'm inviting the press to come so others can see how important it is to give to others at this time of year - and because I'm supporting Sam for Mayor of Allentown. She's been homeless herself and is an amazing leader. I can't imagine a better combination for our next Mayor to deal with this issue."
Though PA has fewer people experiencing homelessness relative to population: 12 per 10,000 versus 18.3 nationally, the Point-in-Time Count[1] administered by The National Coalition to End Homelessness in January 2015 [2] reported the Lehigh Valley had the highest percentage, 15% of unsheltered homeless people in PA, versus 11 percent statewide. Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley reports that while 1 in 10 residents of the Lehigh Valley are now living in poverty, in Allentown, it is 3 in 10 with 38% of homeless children. Of note, the largest subpopulation of homeless individuals and families, approximately 22% of the homeless population, were fleeing domestic violence.[3]
"My family and I are very much looking forward to assisting Danielle all day tomorrow. Our son David and I are baking 200 homemade dinner rolls and sweet potatoes to serve the hundreds of families Danielle expects tomorrow" notes Sam Bennett. "Having been homeless myself, I feel deep gratitude for the many blessings life has given. We want our son David, now a freshman at William Allen High School, to experience the true meaning of Thanksgiving."
Continues Bennett "I have been a Governor Appointee to the Board of the Lehigh County Assistance Office for over fifteen years serving with pride with Linda Epstein and the late Attorney Jay Sherline. But there are many that the assistance office might not serve, including many children - and this is of high concern" notes Bennett. "For me, homelessness is personal. Seeking to escape sexual abuse doled out by a 'family friend' at sixteen I ran away to New York City and was immediately snatched at Port Authority into white sexual trafficking. Fortunate to escape when the slaver was severely wounded in a knife fight - I lived homeless on the streets of New York City during the winter of 1975 until I managed to get a job and save the money needed to get back home."
"There are powerful 'best practices' from around the world addressing homelessness we need to consider here in Allentown. There are many superb stakeholders who are doing much to address this problem in our community. What we cannot do is pretend this chronic problem doesn't exist. What we need is a Mayor with exceptional collaboration skills and a personal stake in this issue so we can maximize outcomes for our city, its residents and its homeless population. If elected CEO of our city by my fellow residents, I would be such a Mayor."
"On Thanksgiving Eve - we'd also like to thank the many volunteers and donors, like Dr. Diane Scott and Danielle Makdesi who have given our campaign for Mayor of Allentown 2017 an ever increasing momentum as we approach the December 31, 2016 campaign filing and January's 2017 petition outcomes that will determine who is on the ballot for the May 16, 2017 primary."
"I'M WITH SAM" CAMPAIGN SNAPSHOT as of 11/22/2016
· Funds raised to date for campaign $40,096.15 ($8,019.23 per month average raised since campaign announcement June 2016)
· Number of donors to date 87 donors ($460.87 average per donor to date - almost 20% of donors giving small amounts of money monthly)
· Facebook Friends for Candidate 3552
· Likes for Facebook Campaign Page 700
· LinkedIn Followers for Candidate 1796
PRESS CONFERENCE AGENDA
11:00 am Dr. Diane Scott, former ASD Superintendent of Schools
11:10 am Dannielle Makdesi, Owner Hava Java Coffee House
11:15 am Sam Bennett, Candidate for Mayor of Allentown 2017
11:25 am Dannielle Makdesi, Owner Hava Java Coffee House - announcing when press invited on Thanksgiving Day so all can understand the importance of this issue to Allentown and the Lehigh Valley community at large.
[1] endhomelessness.org; The 2015 Point In Time Count Is Finally Here; Lisa Doran and Emanuel Cavallaro; retrieved November 19, 2016.
[2] crossroads.newsworks.org; Homeless Population Up In Pennsylvania Down Nationally; Emily Peviti; retrieved November 20, 2016; "considered...the most reliable source of statistics on homelessness in the U.S."
65 comments:
Save us all! Will this woman never go away?
Good lord! Can someone investigate her unbelievable story? Seems contrived. We don't need a drama queen as Mayor of Allentown.
Sam Bennett? This is the best retread we can get? I agree with 4:19, go away already.
Who can forget her classic drunken meltdown after she lost the Democrat primary to Uncle Roy? Or her melodramatic ramblings while working as a women's rights lobbyist? This unhinged narcissist is unfit to be the Mayor of Cementon, let alone Allentown. Mayor McCheese is more likeable.
On the occassions I have seen Bennett in action, she had her sleeves rolled up...not simply posing for a 5 min photo op and then leaving others to finish the work. At the time, I was a youger nobody and always felt welcome when around her and other volunteers. She motivated me to be involved albiet I never contributed to her campaign, I never worked on her campaign, and I could not vote for her. I remember her saying "never turn away someone who wants to help", My interactions helped fulfill my desire to help others and along tbe way helped me build self confidence. In these terms, she gave me more than I gave her. I think she likes bringing out the potential in others. I am not sure that is a bad thing. I have not spoke to Sam in a couoke of years. I am glad Allentown now has a choice.
Did they legalize marijuana in Allentown? If not, what the hell is she on?
Bernie,
I see she is still involved with the national white slavery group she claims to have escaped some time ago. How come in here blight for mayor there never seems to be a mention of her Properties of Merit tenure that is similar but not just quite like the infamous indictee that is the current mayor?
She couldn't fill his shoes but than there would be the boxer, bloomer corrolation that could be a hole other article in itself! Both have infected the entire area with irritable bowell syndrom not to mention the other more henious infections?
REpublican redd
humanist by human design
Did her being snatched up by a white sexual slave trafficer ever come up in her two prior (losing) runs for mayor or her losing run for Congress? I don't recall. Quite the drama queen isn't she?
The great pretender is back again looking for another government handout. There are enough incompetent people on council who have the stain of the "rotund one", emperor for life, Fed Ed who must be put away first; than we can deal with the slime-balls who are running for his seat. Come back in mid 2017 and we'll see who surfaces from the mud.
After all the Big Ed news up til now...she looks like a saint in comparison to him. She will cake walk over him next year. Any port...in a storm.
She is a first class PHONY.
I am very surprised Diane Scott is involved.
Diane Scott is an honest, caring individual.
Properties of Merit, only had merit for one person----SAM.
She made a bundle on that one, with Ed Rendell SUPPORTING HER EFFORT.
Rendell should be looked at ..............
So, after calling local bloggers like you "regressive" (in her loss to Dent), she is now urgently requesting you promote her 200 homemade dinner rolls and sweet potatoes. (By the way, if you're feeding "hundreds of families," and you only have 200 rolls........well, let's just say my grandmother would NOT be happy with this math by the hostess.)
Listen, just because Pawlowski is a criminal (which I believe he is), that does NOT Sam anyone a "saint" in comparison. Sam Bennett is a shady opportunist who was utterly and completely disgraced in the Allentown Properties of Merit scandal about a decade ago. That's why she left town. Now she's back, and she's hoping we forgot that she and her friendly Board of Directors voted to pay her a hugely inflated salary, paid by taxpayers and granted by Rendell. Combine that was some very seriously kooky public appearances, and many people long ago concluded that she is unstable and personally corrupt.
Now, she's making a VERY wild claim - one I've never heard her make before - about being a white sex slave??? After escaping a rapist family friend???? This story has never been a part of her narrative before this press release, as far as I know, and it is reasonable (based on her very shady history) to suspect this story as completely false. I'm sorry, Sam, but you're going to need proof for me to possibly believe this outrageous story. Why anyone would trust her at face value is beyond me.
* that does NOT make Sam or anyone else look like a "saint" in comparison.
* combine that with
Sorry for the typos. :)
I've known Sam for 30 years. She's always been honest and upfront about the some of the circumstances that dictated her life. It takes great courage to expose yourself to criticism like this. This is why women rarely come forward when they've been brutally abused. Sam is breaking the taboo of silence and shame.
Breaking the taboo of silence and shame is one thing. Using it for personal benefit is quite another. Having never made this revelation before now (at least, that I've ever heard), she is now working it for campaign donations. Courage? Or opportunism?
Word on the street is a certain marketing big wig who is employed by a Souderton firm will be helping her on the campaign, OOPSIE!
The one who brought the most drama into town is our current disgraced mayor and his yes sir council cronies. And your personal attacks show a level of insecurity in your intellect.
Sam the Sham is a fraud who would make anything up to advance her career in government handouts. "Properties of Merit" was a joke. She paid herself well to hand out rakes and brooms to inner city homeowners. She would be worse than Captain Queeg if she became mayor.
Wow! Buddies Dent and Fed Ed must really be running scared to have this level of concern.
I'll donate 50 cents if I can get one of those magic rakes she used to distruibute.
You don't have it
Bernie,
I did a drive by and was looking for penelopy pitstop and presious petty from the wackey racers but only seen witchy poo from puff the magic dragon!
In response to Monkey Momma"s comment on the math, Have you ever cooked for over 200 people? If you have you would know that it takes a village to make it happen. She is not the only one making rolls or any other sides, she is doing her share, and she didn't have to. I am astonished how someone can take an event that helps people and turn it into a personal dirt slamming.
Danielle, I refrained from editorial comment of any kind here. I took a news release that most certainly does combine homelessness awareness with an election pitch, and put it out there, word for word. I am impressed by the research and by your own commitment, something I've seen you demonstrate in the past at Allentown City Council. For what it is worth, the combination of this good work with a political campaign somewhat detracts from what you are doing. Sam does have a tendency to make everything about herself, when it really should be about food insecurity. And frankly, her white slavery claims are both astonishing and completely irrelevant.
Bernie - Thanks for posting homelessness on the eve of Thanksgiving. Allentown citizens agree - homelessness is of high concern to them. As a 15 year Board Member of the Lehigh County Board of Assistance and been a homeless teen myself - I am very honored by the support of former ASD Superintendent Dr. Scott and business woman Danielle Makdesi in my run for Mayor of Allentown 2017. They trust my civic, business and non-profit leadership success but also the first hand life challenges I am so honest about - the same honesty I would bring to City Hall. From PBS to FOX News, I have shared my personal story - to help as many others as I can.
Disappointed to incorrectly called "drunken" and the impactful Properties of Merit program disparaged that I worked as volunteer for over three decades.
I'll give due consideration to anyone on the not-facing-indictment ticket.
If he who must not be named is in any way involved in her campaign, that will be the most telling example of her extremely poor judgement.
From Pawlowski, to Bennett? To quote the joker,"what this town needs is an enema".
Bernie, why was my comment deleted?
Now she is a victim of "white sexual trafficking"? That's a new one. Looks like she is reinventing herself for another high drama election. Either that or she has been reading too many bodice ripping romance books lately.
I had to correct my post!
I never leave a comment anywhere, but I really need to correct a few things. This is our 7th annual thanksgiving dinner, and it is designed to help out and inspire those in need to want to do more for their families. It is by far NOT a political campaign or designed to solicit votes. I care deeply for our homelessness issue here in Pennsylvania, I find it almost cruel that as a great nation, we lack in the area of helping those in need and those who are homeless. This year's thanksgiving did only happen because of the west end alliance huge donation, ringer rooster donation of food and many other people who as a community are making sure many will have a 5 course dinner on this day of thanks. I thank you Bernie for posting this, even though I was not aware of it. Please if any of you know a struggling family, individual, if you are alone during the holiday, send them to hava java cafe.
Lupine - Just myself and a group of dedicated volunteers running our campaign including City Councilwoman Jeanette Eichenwald and Dr Diane Scott, former ASD Superintendent of Schools. Check out our website SamBennett.info. Everything you wanted to ask about Sam but were afraid to ask. Best - Sam
Canary, I deleted you accidentally. There was nothing wrong with your comment.
Anonymous - On the night in question in 2000, when I lost by 46 voted to Mayor Roy Afflerbach, WFMZ couldn't call the election - it was that close. So my remarks were to my many supporters that Roy though an able legislator and deservedly well liked, simply did not have the executive experience to be Mayor. Remarkable that we were proven to be correct.
Anonymous - Famously Abe Lincoln ran and lost six times. Loss is as much part of politics as is winning. Each time I have run, including US Congress in 2008 where we were one of the most endorsed challengers in the nation, it has reflected my deep passion for public service - learned from a grandfather who was the longest serving national head of scouting and went on to be Mayor of his hometown Piscataway, NJ - OW "Bud" Bennett.
Anonymous - I'm often called upon in national media including PBS and Fox News to comment on my experiences being trafficked. You can find these links on Sam Bennett.info.
This is Hava Java's (Dannielle's)Homelessness Presentation that she has been doing for years with little or no recognition. Sam is taking advantage of her and it's not right.
should be Sam Bennett's roll presentation
"Lupine - Just myself and a group of dedicated volunteers running our campaign including City Councilwoman Jeanette Eichenwald and Dr Diane Scott, former ASD Superintendent of Schools."
Sam, Thanks for posting this. "Lupine" is just one of numerous sock puppets used by a very sick man who did not count on you responding to him. Once again, he has been caught in a lie. No wonder he's been sued for defamation. He is also a fed Ed toady.
Several commenters doubt the abuse occurred because it wasn't revealed earlier. Victims often wait a long time to speak up, and many never do. I have no opinion of Sam Bennett, but I do feel strongly that all women with a sad tale of abuse should not be ridiculed or doubted, unless there is evidence the abuse was invented. Let's not make it harder for all abuse victims than it already is. Ridicule her for other reasons of you must, but please leave the abuse out of it.
Anonymous - Danielle, Dr Diane Scott and I feel it is urgently important to draw attention to the issue of homelessness - especially at this time of year. Very important. Happy Thanksging to you and yours, Sam
Wow, this is about a problem we all face, our taxes takes care of the homeless, as people this is our burden. This was presented by Sam to draw attention to the basic needs many ignore. Last year 193 people ate at hava Java, not all were homeless, they were people like you and me struggling. I think this was posted in hopes that if you knew someone is having difficulties you could tell them to come to the dinner. It is not about politics, campaign. Sam was trying to bring attention. I personally will not allow the media to take photos of anyone that will come to eat here. This is not about a business or the gains or losses, not about votes or someone struggles with sexual slavery. This is about a village coming together to love without seperation, to give without expectations, to be a blessing for those in needs. This attack on one individual, in this case Sam, is really wrong and is redirecting the issues about homelessness! So stop this hate and slander, at least she is actually making something for this event. Forgive the ramble and have a blessed holiday.
Danielle, I have immense respect for what you are doing and hope you have the best Thanksgivings ever. I have a friend who stopped at the soup kitchen on 8th and Walnut this week. She has a person staying with her who would otherwise be homeless. My friend said the place was packed with hundreds of people, but remarked how nice the people at St. Paul's are. You are doing a great service to your fellow man and I want to say thank you.
Canary, excuse me. So any abuse story by a woman should be believed? Like the false rape story that destroyed the lives of Duke lacrosse players? Men make claims of abuse from women and they are ridiculed. Bennett is just reporting this alleged abuse now for political convenience. She is trying to soften her reputation as arrogant, narcisstic booze hound. Won't work.
Is Dr. Scott angling for a job in the Bennett administration? Is her fat school pension insufficient to satisfy her high society lifestyle?
Bernie - Thanks for weighing in. Appreciated. Please know I share my personal story to make it clear that homelessness can happen to anyone - just like the estimated 1 out 6 women that experience sexual abuse of some type in theIr lifetime - and often one accompanies the other. Honesty and forthrightness is my only intent - in the hope that it can help others. It is striking the number of Allentownians that cite homelessness as a major area of concern. Danielle, Dr Scott and I feel strongly this is an issue our next Mayor needs to address.
Sam, I really was impressed by all the research that went into that essay on homelessness. I was astonished by your own story, but I do believe it. I also admire Danielle very much. I saw her at a few city council meetings. Homelessness and food security are real problems in Allentown, and my friend who stopped at a soup kitchen yesterday shocked me when she said there were hundreds. I would rather see an issue like this divorced from politics, but you are lucky to have two committed friends who are behind you. Enjoy your Thanksgiving.
Shame of this Danielle who is apparently very sincere about her concerns and her actions. Bennett is just doing what she does best, hijacking a beneficial event and making it all about herself. No time for campaigning. Next thing you know she will be soliciting the folks that come to eat, for their help in giving out her political handouts.
She can write all the nice little stories she wants but she is known by most as a charlatan and a self-serving pol.
1- Why isn't Pawlowski in jail?
2-Not impressed by the caliber of people supporting him and Dent.
3-This is the type of crap that keeps most people away from the political arena.
4-I love that Bennett refuted this vitriol in a professional and reasoned manner.
Bernie,
I had tryed to comment last night and my gagets would not let me?
This redderick sound like the same sack o shit sold to the public since the 70's, the verbZ are the very same and the action is very little but the same.
In the 90's a dearly departed women and I cooked and served hundreds dayly. Back than the honor was bestowed upon me to babbysit women with children at the dubbs church.
During that time these people in on the now arena agenda design were nowhere on the seen back than. Daybreak was run by rev brown and marleen mertz, the same need back than was more of not the retread type but were locals not relocated to fill some sort of numbers game upon the heads of those that seem to be at every food frenzy as well as the needy hand out, than in the innercity these very same people with grocery bags in hands are trolling local vendors and sites of the many allowable ills facing the city and entire nation that should be number one on sams list!
Nobody seems to even give these ills a headline address except the final destinaion of this multifaceted many ills, they even seem to use them as a avertisementalistZ twist to sell this same sack o shit! As some reSTATED from the joker a enama but they are not made big enough for the need?
Deniells, genuine special intrest is now infected to by this political arena agenda and itZ ploppin itZ ass in the center of a cause?
Happy turkey day turkey's
REpublican redd
humanist by design
The public demands transparency and you will always get it from Sam. She will do a better job as mayor then Ed or Roy did in regards to homelessness. If you should choose to have a great cup of coffee at Hava Java out of respect for the owner then so be it. After all where do you think some of her profit goes. Come on people and lighten up the hate. The dinner is a good thing and the press conference is a good way to shine light on what people are doing for the needy.
The press conference is a good way to shine the light on Bennett and her constant need fro attention. She should try and get a real job not funded by the public teat. A self-promoter through and though, she would make Fed
Ed look like a Saint in comparison.
She has many Democrats begging the republicans to run a candidate for Mayor.
Wow - you certainly stirred the pot with this one Bernie. Amazing that Bennett posted so many times.
Have a good Thanksgiving
"Canary, excuse me."
Thanks for your reply. I see we have a difference of opinion and some misunderstandings.
"So any abuse story by a woman should be believed? Like the false rape story that destroyed the lives of Duke lacrosse players?"
What I said was women who report abuse should not be ridiculed or doubted, absent evidence the abuse was invented. I did not say they should be believed and their accuser imprisoned. I'm not sure how the Duke lacrosse episode relates here, since Ms. Bennett has not identified any perpetrator. Are you speaking up here to defend the rights of a perpetrator who has not been named?
"Men make claims of abuse from women and they are ridiculed."
If this was your personal experience, then I am sorry. Please let me know how I may support you. Are you saying that since a man somewhere was ridiculed for making an abuse claim, it's ok to ridicule Ms. Bennett too?
"Bennett is just reporting this alleged abuse now for political convenience."
Maybe, maybe not. If you have evidence of same, please bring it forward. Otherwise, how about we agree to be sensitive to how hard it already is for abuse victims to come forward, and err on the side of showing them too much compassion. Let the judges and the courts decide, which will have the added benefit of leaving you more free time for a meaningful hobby.
"She is trying to soften her reputation as arrogant, narcisstic booze hound."
If your mother or wife or daughter were perceived by some as an "arrogant, narcissistic booze hound", would you think it right that she be ridiculed and doubted for sharing a story of sexual abuse?
Canary, absence of doubt is belief. Your semantics do not disguise your support for Bennett's claim, for which there is no prior reporting or evidence of. Bennett is a political animal who will resort to wherever tactic suits her ambition.
"Canary, absence of doubt is belief."
Wow, talk about semantics!
"Your semantics do not disguise your support for Bennett's claim, for which there is no prior reporting or evidence of."
I made no statement regarding the veracity of Bennett's claims. I simply requested that you find ways to ridicule her other than publicly doubting her abuse claim, absent evidence that it's false. Your position seems to be that because you never heard her make the claim before, it's ok for you to say it's false.
"Bennett is a political animal who will resort to wherever tactic suits her ambition."
She may be. Does that give you license to engage in behavior that makes life harder for all assault victims? By doubting the claim, you energize voters who care deeply about victims rights. Your public doubting helps her campaign, in addition to contributing to a general climate in which assault victims are more afraid to come forward.
Canary, I have never claimed that the alleged abuse did not take place. But in the absence of proof, there can only be doubt. You, in the other hand, are a Bennett sycophant who supports her unsubstantiated claim. You are the ignorant one. And the only way career politician and public parasite Bennett could energize voters would be in the middle of a thunderstorm.
Bennett's ambition is only exceeded by her massive ego. She should have been humiliated by her drunken ridicule of Roy Afflerbach after she lost to him in the primary. Instead of a gracious concession speech, she went into a drunken rant making fun of him. How classy. And who can forget her joke of a non-profit"Properties of Mirth" that benefitted only her with a fat salary as it's director and only employee. She is a fraud who will resort to any political trick or act of sympathy to get ahead. God help us all if the voters of Allentown are so naive to elect her as Mayor.
Yawn, broken record. What have you done lately? Probably a loser sitting in Mom's basement.
Oh, and you are sitting in Sam's basement? Guarding her liquor cabinet?
You people are appalling. If this is what is encouraged to support Pawlowski, I hope he gets voted out. It's a shame you chase away qualified individuals who do not want to be subjected to this type of vomit.
Bernie,
Will you be at allentown's counsil meeting that seems to be REscheduled from tonight to tommorrow, seems as if we are living the water war circus carnival arena agenda all over again? The pension CURE is close with the budget impass of yet another eleven point five million of debt to be aquired by allentown residence! Just maybe FedEd will be passing the blue humus cheZZE and ToeFu to this nue nue REnued same old shoe epicentral Allentown siZed and the redheaded sasquach will be by bennets side as they have escaped a white slavery group together?
REpublican redd
humanist by design and not a party favor of both sides
I will be covering NorCo Council tomorrow night.
The circus carnival trix, it was posted on the weekend as the 29th? Maybe all the path participants have forgotten the water war shitstorm scam that the public that didn't buy into the sack o shit sold by FedEds snakeoil salespeople in there fancy linings and Whatnots as, PowerPoint pointshalismZ! Almost and very similar to botchaliZm!
So you are saying there will be no reel reporters present!
REpublican redd
humanist by design
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