“I’ve spent most of my life right here in Philadelphia,” she stated. “And it by no means ceases to amaze me how a lot change there’s within the metropolis, no pun supposed.”
One of many issues that modified over the past yr was the sudden bills incurred by sufferers battling COVID-19 within the hospital. This made Phillips’ each day passion that rather more essential.
“I rise up each morning very early and I stroll my canine and we do about 4 to 5 miles,” she stated. “Simply from keeping track of the bottom, I simply discover some huge cash.”
Phillips began a group of cash starting from pennies to quarters and the occasional greenback invoice. In 2019, she began logging her discoveries on the Instagram account, @PhilaStreetFinds, and donating each cent to RIP Medical Debt. The non-profit purchases bundles of debt and eradicates it with out fines or taxes imposed on donors or recipients. This distinctive system permits them to alleviate one greenback of debt for each penny donated.
“It makes it far more gratifying to stoop down and decide up a penny, soiled because it is likely to be, as a result of I do know that it is going to go to a trigger that’s really going to be price one greenback each time I donate a penny,” stated Phillips.
Final yr, she was capable of donate $423.82 just by accumulating deserted cash from the town streets.
“It may be in a flower mattress, it may be round a tree, by the parking kiosks,” Phillips defined.
In the present day, Phillips found what she calls a “sprinkling,” or a cluster of cash dumped in a single location. On this case, there have been 10 pennies scattered beneath a park bench. She has additionally collected overseas cash from locations like Japan, Guyana, and Barbados.
She hopes that her mission will deliver consciousness to the worth of small cash and encourage folks to donate to a very good trigger.
“Change, for lots of people, feels as if it is not price something,” she stated. “However they do not perceive that all of it provides up.”
To be taught extra about Phillips’ mission, go to her Instagram web page, @PhilaStreetFinds.
RELATED: Christmas in July brings needed toy donations to children at Delaware hospital
Copyright © 2021 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
