Keesha Jefferson, a Willow Grove native, 2005 graduate of Abington Senior High School, and owner/founder of OHSOOCARES in Abington Township, experienced an unexpected setback last week when her organization’s van broke down beyond repair.
The van was being used for OHSOOCARES’ annual youth summer camp to transport children to the pool, educational field trips, and other activities.
Oh Soo Cares was founded by Jefferson in 2018. Now in its fifth year, their mobile summer camp runs nine weeks over the summer months, with The Legacy Center (1125 Easton Road) operating as a home base. Jefferson said the camp visits parks, swimming pools, and various local sites to keep the kids active.
“I truly care about the children we serve, and I have always been about my community, from coaching drill team and cheerleading and offering community events like book bag and toy drives,” Jefferson said, noting that her friends call her Oh Soo. “I started OHSOOCARES so that children who didn’t have an opportunity to experience full-time camp would be able to at a lower cost. A lot of people can’t afford summer camp. I used to drive pass and see kids sitting on the porch instead of taking trips, building skills and going to the pool.”
A substitute teacher for Abington School District during the academic year, Jefferson said OHSOOCARES started off with eight girls coming to her house for activities. The organization has expanded over the years, and now includes endeavors such as cooking classes, cheer clinics, and partnerships with local businesses.
“This year, I’m going to be partnering with Grow and Go Philly. Owner LaToya Johnson is going to teach the kids how to make skin care products. We also have culinary classes, financial classes, an after-school program, and a leadership corps,” she said.
Community members have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help purchase a reliable replacement van so the camp can continue serving local children this summer and for years to come.
From the description:
This fundraiser will help purchase a dependable van so she can continue doing what she has always done: serving our children and strengthening our community. No donation is too small. If you’re unable to give, please consider sharing this fundraiser with your family, friends, churches, businesses, and social media. Every share brings us one step closer to getting these kids safely back on the road. They say it takes a village to raise a child. For years, she has been part of that village for so many families. Now it’s our turn to be there for her. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your generosity, your prayers, and your support. Together, we can keep her mission moving—one mile, one child, and one act of kindness at a time.
For more on OHSOOCARES, you can visit their website and Instagram page.
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Photos: Bobbi Myers via GoFundMe