Spring brings the community together; Paper shredding event is May 3

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten April 17, 2025 | 1:57 PM

PA Representative Danielle Otten banner image

Dear Neighbor,

Spring is in the air, and many families across central Chester County are excited for this week’s spring break holiday. As Passover celebrations and preparations for Easter continue, I hope everyone can enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation as well as some time spent with family, friends, and loved ones. It looks like we will have some nice spring weather over the weekend, so it could be a perfect opportunity to enjoy some time outdoors at one of our state parks, the blooming flowers at nearby Longwood Gardens, or support our beloved Philadelphia Phillies and Union.

Bringing services out to the community

Team Otten is preparing for a busy spring. We’re working hard to get out into the community, with several events taking place across the district over the coming weeks. On Wednesday, we’ll be at the Downingtown Library for our monthly mobile office. And then next up is our always well-attended FREE Paper-Only Shred Event & Food Drive on Saturday, May 3.

Not only is this a great opportunity to safely and securely recycle your unwanted documents; it’s also a chance to support a local organization that has been directly impacted by federal cuts, the Chester County Food Bank. In the face of these recent cuts, the Food Bank remains steadfast in its commitment to serving our neighbors across Chester County. The impact of these changes is profound, and they are calling on our community for support.

It has been incredible to see the community’s response, as just this week, over 21 local small businesses stepped up to serve as drop-off locations for food donations and other essential items. During our last Shred Event & Food Drive, we collected more than 2,500 pounds of food donations for Chester County families, and I know our community will show up again to support the Food Bank so that they can continue to support our neighbors in need. See below for a list of the food bank’s most-needed items. Of course, no donation is required to take advantage of the free shred event!

As budget season ramps up in Harrisburg, my team will soon share details for a Town Hall we are planning here in the district. An active and engaged constituency is essential to a government that works for all people, and your input and involvement help to ensure that the interests of central Chester County are well represented. My upcoming town hall will be an excellent opportunity to get updates on state legislative issues and ask questions about issues that matter to you. Keep an eye out for a formal announcement.

Grant assistance for nonprofits and small businesses

Last Friday, my team and I attended a presentation on Unlocking Business Grants and Accessing Financial Opportunities, hosted by the Government Affairs Council of the Exton Region Chamber of Commerce at the Barn at Upland Farm in Upper Uwchlan Township.

Michael Shorr from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), MaryFrances McGarrity from the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC), and Sherwood Robbins from Seedcopa shared a wealth of information with chamber members about state and federal grants, funding programs, and financial resources available to local businesses and nonprofits.

My team and I are always glad to provide grant assistance to our local municipalities, school districts, small businesses, and nonprofits. We’ve helped to secure grant funding for things like parks and playgrounds, ambulance equipment, critical road repair projects, police body cameras, water, sewer, and stormwater system upgrades, fire station improvements, walking trails, youth prevention services, fresh food initiatives, after-school programs, and more.

If you are in need of grant funding for your business, nonprofit organization, school, or municipality but not sure where to start, please drop us an email or give us a call! We will be happy to answer your questions or put you in touch with the appropriate connections at agencies like DCED or CCEDC.

If you have questions or would like to provide feedback on any legislative or state-related issue, please contact our district office at repotten@pahouse.net.

LIHEAP Application Deadline Extended to April 18

Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) application deadline has been extended from April 4 to April 18.

You may have seen news of cuts to the federal office that oversees LIHEAP; however, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) currently has adequate funding to continue and extend the current season.

In a statement issued on April 3, Secretary Arkoosh urged Pennsylvanians who are behind on or having trouble paying home heating bills to apply for LIHEAP Cash and LIHEAP Crisis benefits before the new April 18 deadline.

The LIHEAP Program is vital for more than 300,000 Pennsylvania families and is especially critical for older adults and low-income families so they can safely heat their homes during the colder months.?

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by DHS that provides assistance for home heating bills. The program offers LIHEAP cash grants to help reduce a household's monthly heating bill and LIHEAP crisis grants to help with heating emergencies; assistance is available for renters and homeowners.

While this season is not expected to be impacted, continued federal funding and support are critical to DHS’ ability to provide uninterrupted assistance for Pennsylvanians during the next winter season.

For eligibility requirements and information on how to apply visit: dhs.pa.gov/LIHEAP.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mobile Office at the Downingtown Library

Join us for a Mobile Office at the Downingtown Library!

Stop by to meet the staff from District Office 155! This is a great opportunity to learn about state services and to ask questions about issues that concern you.

Our staff can help you with SEPTA Key Senior ID Card sign ups (must be age 65+/bring your ID), Unclaimed Property searches, Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms, PA Yellow Dot Program, information on Real ID and other state related services.

Stop in to say hello and find out how we can help you! We look forward to meeting you!

Free Paper-Only Shred Event & Food Drive

Join Team Otten and the Chester County Food Bank for a FREE Paper-Only Shred Event & Food Drive!

Bring your confidential documents to be securely destroyed and safely recycled! Each car will be limited to 4 file-size boxes. Small paper clips and staples are OK, but please no binder clips, binders, cardboard, X-ray films, or photographs. Please plan to take your boxes and bins home with you.

The shredding event & food drive will take place in the parking lot of Lionville Middle School, 550 W Uwchlan Ave, Exton on Saturday, May 3 beginning at 1 PM. This event is first come, first served. When the truck is full, the shredding event will end. However, food donations will be accepted until 3 PM (check the food bank’s website for additional hours).

The food drive will benefit the Chester County Food Bank in their mission of fighting food insecurity and building support for our neighbors in need.

Most-needed food items include cereal, canned tuna/salmon/chicken, brown rice, pasta sauce/canned tomatoes, and fruits (in juice), canned or in cups.

If you have any questions, please contact my district office at 484-200-8259 or email repotten@pahouse.net.

Free Septa Senior Key Card Event

Did you know that seniors ride free on SEPTA with a Senior Fare Card?

To help seniors 65 and older get their initial fare card or renew an expired card, the offices of State Representative Danielle Friel Otten and Senator Carolyn Comitta have partnered for a Free SEPTA Senior Key Card Event at Downingtown Borough Hall on May 15.

The process to sign-up or renew your fare card is simple, fast, & free! All you need to apply is a form of ID that verifies age, such as a driver's license, state ID, social security statement, passport, etc.

Can’t make it to this event? No problem! Both Rep. Otten’s District Office in Exton and Sen. Comitta’s District Office in West Chester can process applications during normal business hours.

If you have any questions, please contact Rep. Otten’s office at 484-200-8259 or Sen. Comitta’s office at 610-692-2112.

2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period NOW OPEN

The 2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period is now open and accepting application for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2024.

Thanks to changes we made in 2023, more people are eligible, with income limits adjusted to keep pace with Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program has made it easier for seniors in Chester County to stay in their homes and afford groceries, medicine, and so much more.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians ages 65 and older, widows and widowers ages 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older.

Please call or stop by my office to find out if you’re eligible and get assistance applying for your rebate. We’d be glad to answer any questions and set up an appointment to help you complete your application online!

For those who prefer to file by mail, paper applications will be available in my office soon, and we will update here when they come in.

SEPTA Senior Key Cards and Card Renewals

If you have a SEPTA Senior Key Card that has expired or will expire within the next month, we can renew it in our district office. To renew your card before it expires, please stop by my district office, or call us to make an appointment.

My office can also process applications and take photos for new SEPTA Senior Key ID Cards, which allow seniors 65 and older to travel for free on all SEPTA Regional Rail and transit routes within Pennsylvania. Just stop by my district office and bring a form of ID with your date of birth on it, such as a PA driver’s license or non-driver ID, U.S. passport, or birth certificate. We’ll enter your information into SEPTA’s online system, take a quick photo, and then SEPTA will mail your new card to you directly.

2-1-1 Southeastern Pennsylvania: Health and Human Services

211 SEPA is part of the national 211 Call Centers initiative that seeks to provide health and human services for everyday needs and those in crisis situations.

2-1-1 works with county governments and provider agencies to ensure important local program information is easily accessible.

Visit 211sepa.org for more information.

Mental Health Resources: Call 9-8-8

Chester County residents experiencing mental-health-related crisis or distress can dial 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.?This system is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people in crisis to a trained mental health professional.

Chester County offers additional resources for those in crisis, including Chester County’s warm line, 1-866-846-2722, operated by Certified Peer Specialists, who are individuals in recovery with a lived experience of mental health challenges.

Chester County’s Teen Talk Line ensures seamless referral to Mobile Crisis for youth in need of immediate or higher-level support. The call line is 855-852-TEEN (8336), and the text line is 484-362-9515.

Visit the?Department of Human Services website for more information about the 988 system and other state and local mental health resources.

If you or someone you love is in crisis, please don’t give up hope, and please know that you do not need to walk this path alone. We are here and we will do whatever we can to help.

My office will be closed on Friday, April 18, in observance of Good Friday. We will reopen at 9:00 AM on Monday, April 21.

My staff and I are here to help make state government work better for you! For assistance with the above programs or any other state-related services, please email repotten@pahouse.net, call 484-200-8259, or visit my district office in Exton.

Please don’t hesitate to call, email, or contact us through my website and let us know how we can help!

Sincerely,