Nov. 26 Email: Happy Thanksgiving!

Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara November 26, 2025

PA Representative Jennifer O'Mara's banner image

Dear Neighbor,

With Thanksgiving approaching, I want to extend warm wishes to you and your family and express my hope that you are able to find plenty to be thankful for this year. Besides my own family, which has a wonderful new addition in young William, I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of Pennsylvania’s 165th District. At this time of uncertainty and upheaval in our world, I’m also grateful to all of you who do your part—working hard, raising your family, donating or volunteering for worthwhile causes—to make our county and commonwealth a little brighter.

Yet I also realize it will be a challenge this year for many people to enjoy this holiday. Rising prices, food insecurity, and anxiety about health care are among the problems we face. Please remember that my office is always able to help with state resources for everything from health benefits to employment to heating aid, so never hesitate to reach out. Those who need food can also find resources here or visit pa-navigate.org.

In observance of Thanksgiving and to thank my staff for all their hard work while I took care of my family, my office will be closed Wednesday, November 26 and remain closed until Monday, December 1. All voicemails and emails will be returned when we reopen.

Collecting Toys for Tots this Holiday Season

My office is once again serving as a drop-off location for Toys for Tots! Through December 5, you can bring new, unwrapped toys to 26 E. Fourth St. in Media to be donated to children in need.

Shop local on Small Business Saturday

Delco has countless small businesses that offer fantastic products and service—shops, restaurants, and various service providers. I urge everyone to visit them anytime, and particularly this Saturday, which is Small Business Saturday. Learn more here:
https://www.delcopa.org/shop-delco.

Back-to-session recap

Last week, we headed back to Harrisburg for our first session week post-budget. I was thrilled to welcome one of my youngest, newest constituents to the floor—William Joseph! I was also thrilled to welcome Donna Cooper, executive director of Children First. Donna recently announced her retirement and we honored her career of service to the commonwealth with a resolution. In between guests, committee votes, and meetings, we also voted on major legislation. I voted YES on the following bills:

H.B. 1233: Encourages safer disposal of batteries by requiring makers of small and medium-sized batteries to take part in a DEP-approved stewardship plan that protects the environment and reduces fire risks at waste or recycling facilities.

H.B. 1961: Creates a freestanding act authorizing PA to join the licensure compact for physician assistants, improving patient access to health services by letting qualified physician assistants from other states to practice in PA.

H.B. 1995: Amends the Unemployment Compensation Act to preserve more benefits for jobless people by extending the solvency trigger date to ensure residents don’t see a reduction in benefits in 2026

H.B. 1528: Establishes the Grand-family Assistance Program Act. It will provide emergency, one-time financial assistance to eligible grandparents for expenses directly related to the care of a grandchild when the parent is actively participating in an opioid use disorder treatment program.

S.B. 88: Amends the Insurance Company Law of 1921 to further provide coverage of medically necessary mammographic examinations, supplemental breast screenings, & diagnostic breast examinations.

Firearms deer season kicks off Saturday: Be safe and be seen

Pennsylvania's statewide deer firearms season begins Saturday, November 29 and runs through Saturday, December 13 — including two of the approved Sundays for the 2025-26 season.

I urge all hunters to be safe and be seen. You can review the fluorescent orange requirements here. Hunters are also reminded to tag and report their harvest by phone, by mail, or online, and you can learn more about reporting here.

The holiday season is here!

The holiday season is here and there are plenty of events happening in our community! Media is hosting their annual Santa Parade on Sunday, November 30, among other events listed here:

More holiday events in Delco!

The annual Rose Tree Festival of Lights returns December 4 and is open nightly through January 3 at Rose Tree Park. Swarthmore Town Center is hosting their annual Home for the Holidays celebration on December 6. Springfield is having their annual Tree Lighting from 4 to 7 p.m. December 7 on Saxer Ave. Broomall Fire Company will have Santa visiting at the fire house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 6 before he heads out to drive through town at 4:30 p.m. The day will end with a tree lighting at Veterans Park. Finally, Morton-Rutledge Fire Company is having breakfast with Santa on December 6 before Santa drives around Morton at 12 p.m., and Media's annual Chanukah Village will be December 14, with more details to follow in our next newsletter update.

Thank you to all our community partners who host such wonderful, family-friendly events throughout the holiday season!

Our Diaper Drive with Senator Kearney

Our office is once again participating in Senator Tim Kearney's diaper drive! Through December 12, you can drop off new and unused packages of diapers, baby formula, and wipes at my office. You can also drop them off at the Springfield YMCA or Senator Kearney's office.

Our food drive: Thank you to all who helped

Thanks to the generosity of our amazing community, we were able to make multiple large donations from our food drive to three pantries—Holy Cross in Springfield, Delco Food Bank in Media, and the PHL Pantry at the airport where we supported federal workers working with no paycheck. With the help of Providence Animal Center, we also helped get donated dog and cat food from chewy directly to the PHL Pantry. Though our food drive is over, we will still take donations and deliver them to pantries if you want to drop them off at my office.

Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers expire Nov. 30

Low-income seniors and WIC recipients can get fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables from the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, but the season runs through November 30. That means recipients should redeem their vouchers soon.

Locate markets to redeem your voucher here: https://bit.ly/49sKmrg. For more information about the program, click here.

Beware of this scam targeting veterans’ benefits

State officials are warning veterans of a scam using a direct-mail postcard claiming to offer an extra $160 in benefits checks through something called the “PA Veteran Savings Program 2025.” This fake program does not actually exist. It urges veterans to call within five days to “help manage call volume,” a tactic often used to pressure older folks into responding quickly.

If you or your veteran family member are solicited by scams such as this, contact the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) at 800-547-2838. Accredited Veteran Service Officers are available at no cost to provide guidance, confirm legitimacy, and help protect veterans from scams that threaten their financial well-being.

DCVMA Holiday Drive

The Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association is hosting their annual holiday toys, food, and clothing driving on Saturday, December 6 from 11 am to 1pm. You can drop off new, unwrapped toys, non-perishable food, and other items at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial. To see the full list of accepted donations, you can visit Holiday Toy Drive - The Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association.

Welcoming My Intern to the Capitol

I had the pleasure of welcoming Ethan, our fall intern, to the Capitol last week. A senior at West Chester University, Ethan is studying political science and has already been a wonderful addition to the team.

Upcoming Events:

Media Santa’s Parade
Saturday, November 30, 5 pm
State Street

Rose Tree Festival of Lights
Thursday, December 4 – January 3
Rose Tree Park

Delco Fare and Flair Nights
December 4, 6, 7, 13, & 14, 5 pm – 8:30 pm
Rose Tree Park
Swarthmore’s Home for the Holidays
Saturday, December 6, 9 am to 9 pm
Swarthmore Town Center

Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 6, 8 am to 11 am
Morton-Rutledge Fire Company

DCMVA Holiday Drive
Saturday, December 6, 11 am to 1 pm
Delaware County Veterans Memorial, Newtown Square

Broomall Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 6, 6:30 pm
Veterans Park

Springfield Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 7, 4 pm to 7 pm
Saxer Ave.