Many recognize Moon Mullen as the friendly face selling tee shirts outside of Wilson’s Check Cashing on the corner of Girard and Susquehanna Avenues on early weekend mornings. In need of some team colors for an Eagles game I was going to the next day, Mooney, an avid Eagles fan, and I once exchanged a brief conversation when I bought a shirt from him on a brisk Saturday morning a few autumns ago. I had always seen him outside with his table and his wares, so I figured it would be a good idea to see what he had for sale. Moon’s eyes and smile lit up as we discussed his beloved Birds and the beating they were going to give their opponent that weekend while I bought my new shirt. Moon helped me out (and countless others) when I needed to show some extra team support in a pinch. But now it’s Moon who needs some help and support in return.

Moon is sick—the beloved Fishtowner is ill with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and leukemia. Due to his illnesses, the once active Moon has mostly been confined to his upstairs bedroom and off of the streets of Fishtown—the neighborhood that he loves so much. To help him regain some independence and allow him to enjoy being outside once again, community members, friends and family are coming together to organize a fundraising Beef and Beer Benefit for Moon Mullen.

“I’ve known Mooney since I was a little kid,” beef and beer organizer Kim Kadelski said. “I’ve run a few beef and beers and he offered to do the tee shirts at cost for me, not looking to make any money for doing them. If you went down to his house and said, ‘Hey, Moon, can you give me a price on 50 tee shirts for my flag football team?’ He’d say no problem, invite you in for a cup of coffee and find out how to make it cheaper for you. So when I heard he was sick I automatically wanted to help because he’s always helped me and that’s just how I am. Sometimes you just need to give back to somebody.”

Kim has helped organize a beef and beer that will be held on Saturday, October 18 at Holy Name Church Hall (601 E. Gaul Street.) from 7 PM – 11 PM. Tickets are $25 dollars and include beef, draft beer and a DJ. The event will also be BYOB for anyone who would like to bring wine, liquor or bottled beverages. There will also be basket auctions and raffles with all proceeds from the benefit event going toward renovating the downstairs area of Moon’s home. The plan is to transform the area into a living room and bedroom with a dedicated bathroom. This way Moon will have easier access to the outside and be able to interact with people in neighborhood once again.

“Moon is an all around Fishtowner. There’s been an overwhelming response of donations and people calling me asking to do something. No matter what he’d help you, and if he didn’t have the means to help you he’d figure out a way to get someone to help you. That’s him in a nutshell, at least in my eyes.”

Here are what some other community and family members have to say about Moon Mullen:

“Thank you to all the members of the committee that worked on the benefit for Moon Mullen. It is through your hard work that we are able to have all those who care about Mooney show their support! Your dedication is much appreciated.”- Nancy Bartelle

“Moon is an individual who has continually demonstrated his willingness to give of his time to the Fishtown community in many forms. His pleasant personality and numerous social and personal traits should never go unnoticed by our community.” – Maryann Bonner

“Our dad has loved Fishtown since the day he married our mom. For everybody to come together like this for him means so much to our family and, most of all, our dad. Words can’t express how thankful we are for the people that organized this incredible event, especially Kim Kadelski, Greg Fox, Nancy Bartelle, Maggie O’Brien and everyone who has helped out. This is why our dad loves Fishtown and why this neighborhood is the best! When one of us is down, we all stick together and help them back up. Once again we couldn’t thank everybody enough.” – Colleen Mullen-Cain and Patrick Mullen

To see how you can get involved or for more information, contact Kim Kadelski at 856-938-9731.