It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Edgar Allan Pоe National Historic Site in Philadelphia, PA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Philadelphia, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My”
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“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes”
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“Always Best Care provides excellent personal service for my Mom. They are always in contact”
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“Alway Best Care is always best!”
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“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My Job So Far & My Clients. I Love How Flexible My Schedule Is Too. I'd Highly Recommend Getting A Job Here”
“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My Job So Far & My Clients. I Love How Flexible My Schedule Is Too. I'd Highly Recommend Getting A Job Here”
“I couldn’t thank this Company enough for the services my Father had, it’s difficult to trust others yet Always Best Care of Philadelphia did it with ease. We happily recommend them to our family and friends. Bryant and Co. truly care as if it was their own family. God Bless and May all your Staff be safe, they are in my prayers.”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome staff. Mr. Greene, his brother Al Billz and staff always looked out for me even when I was ill. I love them and Always Best Care to the moon and back!”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”
“Walked in to ask a few questions, and was kindly greeted as well as my inquiries were satisfyingly met. ????”
“Always Best Care provides excellent personal service for my Mom. They are always in contact about changes or concerns. They truly do care and it shows. They live the Always Best Care name every day. I would recommend them for sure.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision of in-home care.”
“Always Best Care has been tremendous. The caregivers are well trained and very considerate. Thanks to my infirmity, I have unique care needs but ABC has been able to provide that care and even go above and beyond in their efforts to care for me. I don’t know what I would do without them. If you’re in need of care, this is the agency to call.”
“Always Best is truly a company that distinguishes itself from the other companies in its personal attention to make the client totally satisfied. Excellent communication is another reason you feel so secure. I never had a moment of frustration or worry. I can't recommend David and his staff enough!!! Karen in Plymouth Meeting”
“Love what I heard about the company. Champion Care is important for seniors.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services are a group of compassionate care givers and professionals. Use them for all your personal needs Senior or younger. They get the job done!!!”
“I appreciate ABC of Bristol. They served me and my friend, Helen, at very difficult time. The office staff, social workers, and the aides were professional, caring, and reliable. Donna you are awesome....keep up the great work!!!! I would recommend this service to anyone.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, PA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Volvér or visit Powel House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Philadelphia, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Philadelphia, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Philadelphia, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and solutions for our changing region.From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in touch.Philadelphia residents will see a 7.5% increase in their water bills this month.The Philadelphia Water Department has raised bills by about $7 on average, meaning the typical residential ratepayer could see a monthly bill of about $96.16 ...
This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and solutions for our changing region.
From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in touch.
Philadelphia residents will see a 7.5% increase in their water bills this month.
The Philadelphia Water Department has raised bills by about $7 on average, meaning the typical residential ratepayer could see a monthly bill of about $96.16 per month.
The rates were changed to offset increased participation in the city’s Tiered Assistance Program, which allows lower-income residents to pay their water bills based on their incomes.
The increase also will help the water department fund water, wastewater and sewer upgrades.
“Customers are our primary, and essentially, sole source of income for all of the work that we do,” said Paul Fugazzotto, an assistant deputy commissioner for communications and customer information at the water department.
“Not only are we taking water out of the river, cleaning it up and making it into drinking water, we’re also sending [that] water to our treatment plants through thousands of miles of pipes, and cleaning it up so that it can be clean enough to go back into the [river],” he said. “All of those tasks, and all of the infrastructure, requires money to maintain and update.”
Every year, the water department adjusts surcharges on ratepayers’ bills based on how much it costs to subsidize the water usage of lower-income residents who rely on the Tiered Assistance Program. That means when there’s increased enrollment in the program, bills rise for people who don’t participate in the program. There are currently 70,000 people enrolled in the program, according to the water department.
The water department said about 27% of the monthly increase of about $6.74 is attributable to greater enrollment in TAP.
The increase related to TAP was approved in July 2026. The remaining percent increase on people’s bills is the second phase of a rate hike approved in July 2025.
The department has increased participation by automatically enrolling residents who qualify, and partnering with the city’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity to personally reach out to eligible residents.
In 2019, 25,000 people were at risk of losing access to their water supply because of unpaid bills. The water department said there’s been about an 80% reduction in overdue bill notices, and attributes it to a number of new assistance programs, as well as improved access to the Tiered Assistance Program.
Expanding enrollment in the program ultimately saves the water department money by reducing unpaid bills and the need to engage in costly collection practices.
Water infrastructure across the U.S. is aging, and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the nation needs at least $630 billion over the next 20 years for stormwater and wastewater projects alone. When combined with drinking water upgrades, water providers across the country collectively need more than $1 trillion.
Rates have also been rising in order to meet requirements to remove PFAS from drinking water, reduce wastewater discharges and replace lead pipes. The so-called “forever chemicals,” found in hundreds of everyday products like nonstick pans, have been linked to serious health problems, including some cancers.
“The unfortunate part of it is that there is not enough of an investment at a a federal governmental level to help the communities who are being tasked with achieving those important policy goals, and the consequence is that we’re being asked to pay for more and more through our water bills that fund things that maybe have other benefits to us,” said Robert Ballenger, an attorney with Community Legal Services, which advocates for affordable utility bills during proceedings for rate cases.
“I believe that there should be more and more diverse funding available to help water and wastewater utilities and the communities they serve to avoid seeing those costs reflected in our water bills.”
The water department said supply costs are also rising significantly, driving rate hikes.
Rising utility rates are impacting some ratepayers’ ability to pay their bills and keep the taps running. The EPA in 2024 said that between 12.1 million and 19.2 million households across the nation struggled to pay their water bills.
The water department testified during a June City Council hearing that about 2,000 households are disconnected from their water each year.
The water department encourages people who are struggling to pay their water bills to seek assistance. The city uses a single application for all the available bill assistance programs to determine the most affordable rate option for the applicant.
Ballenger advises people to also keep track of their water usage. An average residential household should use no more than 4 to 5 centum cubic feet, or CCFs, of water a month, he said. Households can find their usage on their bill to determine whether they can save water.
Ballenger advocates water providers to provide conservation assistance to households struggling to pay their bills.
“If we reduce the amount of water that a low income household is using, we can reduce the need for them to get a discount on their bill,” he said.
Philadelphia, PA — September 11, 2026 — When a family in Philadelphia received estimates to repair a ceiling covered in cracks they jokingly called "spider webs," two separate contractors quoted thousands of dollars for a full skim coat, multiple rounds of sanding, and repeated coats of primer and paint. Beauty Walls and Floor, founded in 2016, proposed a simpler and far less costly solution.Sviat Oleksyuk, owner of a well-known painting company in Philadelphia, PA, suggested applying a thick oil based primer cap...
Philadelphia, PA — September 11, 2026 — When a family in Philadelphia received estimates to repair a ceiling covered in cracks they jokingly called "spider webs," two separate contractors quoted thousands of dollars for a full skim coat, multiple rounds of sanding, and repeated coats of primer and paint. Beauty Walls and Floor, founded in 2016, proposed a simpler and far less costly solution.
Sviat Oleksyuk, owner of a well-known painting company in Philadelphia, PA, suggested applying a thick oil based primer capable of bridging fine cracks without the labor intensive skim coating other estimators recommended. "I wasn't fully confident every crack would disappear, but I trusted the process," Oleksyuk said. "The next morning, we walked through together and saw that nearly all of the cracks were gone."
That willingness to offer smarter, more affordable solutions, combined with a policy of never requiring payment upfront, has become a defining trait of the business. As one of the few no deposit painters in Philadelphia PA, Beauty Walls and Floor allows homeowners to see results firsthand before any money changes hands, a practice Oleksyuk says builds trust from day one.
Clients often expect a painter to simply apply color to a wall, according to Oleksyuk, but they frequently overlook the small cracks where walls meet ceilings, trim, and baseboards. As a team of dedicated house painters in Philadelphia, PA, Beauty Walls and Floor addresses these overlooked imperfections as a standard part of every project, not an upcharge.
Started as a husband and wife venture, the company has grown to include additional helpers while Oleksyuk remains personally involved with every client. Whether offering wall painting services in Philadelphia, PA or full home restorations, the team's mold remediation expertise also ensures homes stay clean and healthy long after the final coat dries.
Homeowners looking for painters who fix what others miss, without a deposit, are invited to visit https://beautywallsandfloor.com/ to schedule a free estimate and experience the difference for themselves.
About Beauty Walls and Floor
Founded in 2016, Beauty Walls and Floor is a Philadelphia-based painting and restoration company that began as a husband-and-wife venture and has since grown to include a dedicated team of helpers. The company specializes in interior and exterior painting, floor installation, and professional mold remediation, all aimed at making homes more beautiful, comfortable, and healthy. Owner Sviat Oleksyuk remains hands-on with every project, working directly with clients from start to finish.
Media Contact
Company Name: Beauty Walls and Floor | Painting company in Philadelphia PA
Contact Person: Sviat Oleksyuk
Email: Send Email
Phone: +1 267 262 1602
Address:900 N Broad St Num 144
City: Philadelphia
State: PA 19130
Country: United States
Website: https://beautywallsandfloor.com/
Press Release Distributed by ABNewswire.com
To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: No Deposit Painters in Philadelphia, PA Earn Homeowner Trust by Fixing Cracks Other Contractors Overlook
Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, the firefighters who responded to Ground Zero still carry the memories of what they saw and experienced there.Among them was Philadelphia Fire Capt. John O'Neill, one of 80 members of Pennsylvania Task Force One who traveled to New York City after the attacks. His team spent nine days at Ground Zero searching through the rubble for survivors."Some of the memories are still very vivid," O'Neill said. "Everything had collapsed and compacted down pretty well."The...
Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, the firefighters who responded to Ground Zero still carry the memories of what they saw and experienced there.
Among them was Philadelphia Fire Capt. John O'Neill, one of 80 members of Pennsylvania Task Force One who traveled to New York City after the attacks. His team spent nine days at Ground Zero searching through the rubble for survivors.
"Some of the memories are still very vivid," O'Neill said. "Everything had collapsed and compacted down pretty well."
The search was grueling for both firefighters and the search dogs at the World Trade Center site.
"We found the dogs were depressed," O'Neill said. "Because they were live-find dogs and they weren't finding anybody."
To keep the dogs motivated, firefighters pretended to be survivors trapped in the rubble so the dogs could locate them.
O'Neill said he lost two coworkers to 9/11-related illnesses, including rare cancers.
"The focus needs to be on the people who are getting treatment," O'Neill said. "I have minor issues compared to them."
O'Neill said his experiences at Ground Zero shaped how he approaches his work today. He now mentors younger firefighters, including some who were not yet born when the attacks happened.
"I have a much better picture of how to handle situations," he said. "It gave me a good sense of how to work with people, especially if you're not from the same department."
The experience also influenced his son Sean, who followed in his footsteps.
"My youngest son is now a Philadelphia firefighter, who was in school on 9/11 and asking questions like, 'Why do I have to go?'" O'Neill said. "Now he has stepped up."
O'Neill said the Philadelphia Fire Department changed significantly after 9/11. The department now has 16 technical rescue personnel on duty at all times, twice as many as before the attacks.
The events of 9/11 also had a profound impact on Gerard Moroney, a functional group leader and logistics specialist for New Jersey Task Force One.
"It was a change in myself as a person and as a firefighter," Moroney said. "It got me to see a bigger picture on incidents that we've gone to on a day-to-day basis aren't as bad as they could be. We've now been to the worst."
Moroney said the experience shaped his communication and leadership skills.
"It gave me a little more understanding and empathy," Moroney said. "A lot of people were affected mentally from it, so you have to look at things in a different lens now and look out for your people's well-being more."
After nearly three decades in the fire service, O'Neill is planning to retire on Sept. 10, 2029. He intentionally chose the date because of what 9/11 means to him.
"That day changed me and my progression through the fire department," O'Neill said. "And I want 9/11 to start my next chapter in life."
For O'Neill, one of the most lasting lessons from 9/11 is the power of people coming together.
"We have not been as united as we were then," he said. "It's a shame because we have strength when we're all united."
O'Neill hopes that sense of unity can return as he passes the torch to the next generation of firefighters.
In:
Sean Mannion spoke to the media at his midweek press conference, and these quotes about his decision to call the offense from the box had me laughing: Q. The decision to coach the game on Sunday from the box, what went into that decision and what was the process like with Head Coach Nick Sirianni as you went about deciding that? (Eliot Shorr-Parks) Sean Mannion: We used the preseason and the in-stadium scrimmage to our advantage. I was really happy to get to experience both. Obviously, I&rs...
Sean Mannion spoke to the media at his midweek press conference, and these quotes about his decision to call the offense from the box had me laughing:
Q. The decision to coach the game on Sunday from the box, what went into that decision and what was the process like with Head Coach Nick Sirianni as you went about deciding that? (Eliot Shorr-Parks)
Sean Mannion: We used the preseason and the in-stadium scrimmage to our advantage. I was really happy to get to experience both. Obviously, I’ve been in the box in Green Bay, been on the field in Green Bay, calling it from both was a really valuable experience. Ultimately, I just felt like, after doing both, it was the best decision for our staff for communication with the quarterbacks and the best decision for the team. It was a very valuable experience, and I think we’re in a good place moving into the season.
Q. What do you like about it up there? What’s the advantage for you? (Dave Zangaro)
Sean Mannion: There’s a lot of different things, pros and cons to both. When you’re in the box, obviously you have a little bit more space. You’re not pacing around. You have the tablet. It’s a little bit like sitting at a desk, but I think just the vision is a little bit unique there, the higher vantage point. Honestly, I felt comfortable with both, and really, I just felt like the vision type of thing really led me to the decision. Ultimately, the other part of it is we have a great staff. They communicate really well on the sideline. There’s been constant lines of communication, and I think all of that led to the decision.
I know he’s just answering questions he’s being asked, but it’s very funny to me how much Sean Mannion explained why he prefers sitting in the booth. The explanation goes on for so long. Seems almost like he feels self-conscious about his decision to be in the box instead of on the field, and he feels the need to justify his decision to everyone:
MANNION: Yeah, well, you know, the field is great. Let me just say that up top: I love the field. I love the players. I love how sometimes players bump into me. I like that they’re all much taller and wider than I am, which makes it hard for me to see the game. I really enjoy that. The comaraderie. I like how loud it is. I like when players scream near me. Like right near my ear. That’s good. I like at any time a player could be tackled right into my knees and tear both my MCLs. That’s what it’s all about. I feel like a member of the team down there, which is good… Definitely…
But after much deliberation, after thinking and praying on it and talking with my wife, I’ve decided to call games from the box. For a few reasons. It was close, but I see a couple major advantages to the box. For example, in the booth, I get a chair. That’s huge. If I get to sit down and not think about my feet hurting, then I am sharper. I am crisp. I can focus on the game, on the offense, instead of my sore legs. I don’t have to worry about wearing certain special shoes. Nothing like that. I can just sit.
MEDIA MEMBER: Got it Sean, thanks.
MANNION: Also I get to use my computer up there. I love having my computer. I can Google pretty much whatever when I’m on my computer, and having access to information like that is critical.
MEDIA MEMBER: Got it.
MANNION: Not even just about football. About whatever. Whatever kind of thing I think of, I can Google it and learn something about that thing.
MEDIA MEMEBER: Right.
MANNION: I learned about Meta Oculus that way. I Googled it and learned about how they made it. That’s around the time I bought my Oculus.
MEDIA MEMBER: Okay.
MANNION: There are also many outlets around for my phone and computer chargers in the booth. The field doesn’t have that. There are very few wires of any kind at field-level. Also — and this is critical — there are little to no bugs in the booth, which is good. If I don’t have to worry about bugs, our offense reaps the benefits. If I don’t have to fear getting a bug in my eye or mouth, that helps me at my job. For instance, sometimes when I’m on the field, I’ll feel a tickle on my ear. When I’m outdoors and feel that kind of thing, a slight brush on my ear or neck, I always assume that’s a bug. A gnat or a mosquito. A cricket. Something like that. But when I’m indoors, like in the booth, for example, I’m more likely to assume it’s just a hair or something. Or even allergies. Allergies can make your skin kind of itchy. So it’s nice to not think about bugs almost at all in the booth.
MEDIA MEMBER: Right.
MANNION: The table, too, is nice.
MEDIA MEMBER: Thanks, Sean.
MANNION: Not having bugs in the booth is critical.
MEDIA MEMBER: You mentioned, yeah.
MANNION: Bugs make it hard for anyone to do their job.
Good stuff here, Sean. A simple “I can see the field better from the booth” would’ve sufficed, but I enjoyed this version more.
The Temple Owls might be the resident team at Lincoln Financial Field, but Saturday afternoon’s scrap against the 16th-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions will largely feel like a road contest. While both teams enter with matching 1-0 records, Penn State is a heavy favorite in the first meeting between the PA-based institutions in over a decade.Temple scored a home upset in 2015The last time the two schools matched up represents arguably the biggest win in Temple football history. The Owls scored a 27-10 upset over the Nitt...
The Temple Owls might be the resident team at Lincoln Financial Field, but Saturday afternoon’s scrap against the 16th-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions will largely feel like a road contest. While both teams enter with matching 1-0 records, Penn State is a heavy favorite in the first meeting between the PA-based institutions in over a decade.
The last time the two schools matched up represents arguably the biggest win in Temple football history. The Owls scored a 27-10 upset over the Nittany Lions on Sept. 5, 2015, in front of nearly 70,000 fans in South Philadelphia. Temple’s defense recorded 10 sacks in a suffocating effort that resulted in fans storming the diamond-themed cherry end zone near the university’s marching band.
That matchup represents an outlier in a 4-40-1 record against Penn State in 45 matchups. In fact, it’s the only positive result the Owls have had over the Nittany Lions since a 14-0 win in Philadelphia all the way back in 1941. Temple won three of the first four matchups against Penn State before snapping the decades-long losing streak 11 seasons ago.
The schools matched up again the following season at Beaver Stadium in State College, PA in 2016. This time, the Nittany Lions offense defended their home turf by scoring three rushing touchdowns in a 34-27 win over the Owls to avoid another stunning upset.
Saquon Barkley recorded 75 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, including a game-high 55-yard dash; meanwhile, Chris Godwin led the way with 117 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven catches for Penn State. Jahad Thomas paced the Owls' offense with 57 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns in the loss.
There have been no meetings in the Temple-Penn State series since Barkley stomped all over Temple fans' hearts in 2016. Which brings us to an exciting matchup in South Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon.
ESPN’s matchup predictor has a 94.2% chance of a PSU victory this weekend, which still leaves a bit of room for Temple to pull out another shocking upset in 2026.
Rocco Becht, the son of former NFL tight end Anthony Becht, led Penn State to a 45-0 victory over Marshall behind a 13-18 performance for 271 yards and four touchdowns. Koby Howard was on the receiving end of the majority of nearly half of those passes, finishing with 161 yards and a touchdown on six catches.
Keveun Mason led Temple’s offense with 158 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 38-14 win over Rhode Island last weekend in South Philly. Temple’s defense limited the Rams to 97 rushing yards in the victory, but they will have a more difficult assignment against the Nittany Lions talented backfield.
It’s going to be a matchup that local football fans will want to tune into this weekend as they settle into a full day of college football action. The game will be carried nationally on ESPN 2 with kickoff scheduled for 12 pm.
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