Helping Hands Outreach Program, Inc.

01/08/2026

The outreach community lost one of the good guys today.

Rest easy George Merryfield!

12/17/2025

Busy night for Santa!

Team members from Helping Hands Outreach Program and Colin’s Wish delivered some extra Chistmas joy to some very deserving families.

Santa then made his way through Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties, visiting those who keep us safe.

Along the way, Santa was pulled over by several vehicles, carrying children, and was asked to say hello and take pictures, ……. To which Santa happily obliged!

This is our fourth year doing our Santa Tour. Thank you to Marcella Marie and Elf Kara for helping to make it a magical night!

12/16/2025

It’s almost time!🎅🏻

08/23/2025

As many of you know, the team as a whole, is no longer active. With that being said, many of us are still in roles helping those in need, including our friends on the street.

Tragically, this morning, we lost our dear friend known as “Tommy Fireman”. Tommy was a kind soul and always had a joke and a smile.

Tonight, our prayers go out to Tommy, his family, friends and those still fighting for a better way of life!

Thank you for all of the memories Tommy . We are so much better for having known you! (Tommy pictured on the left standing with Big Tom P.)
💔

08/14/2025

Rewarding Moment:

Yesterday, my ambulance was dispatched to a facility that helps those less fortunate.

When we arrived, I introduced myself. The Director says “oh, I already know who you are. You don’t recognize me, do ya”?

I paused, took a quick second glance, and couldn’t believe my eyes. The Director, used to be on the streets himself, struggling with homelessness. The Outreach I was a part of assisted him for years. He’s now back on track, looks amazing and is helping others!

It is amazing knowing that the efforts of Helping Hands Outreach Program, are still benefiting those that we served!

08/01/2025

Remembering those we’ve lost, those who won the battle and those still fighting!

12/22/2024

12/22/2024

https://newjersey.news12.com/jersey-proud-man-organizes-volunteers-to-look-after-camden-homeless-camps

New Jersey resident Tom Peculski has taken it upon himself for the last four years to look after homeless residents in Camden.

12/22/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15fPq1hKUC/?mibextid=wwXIfr

12/19/2024

Last night the outreach team did what it does best.

We delivered love, hope and smiles as we partnered with Colin’s Wish for the fourth year to deliver Christmas to those in need.

Such a special night!

11/14/2024

Message from Tom:

After much thought, planning and discussion with the team, we have made the difficult decision to wind down our operations as of January 1, 2025.

When we began, we wanted to be a team that provided nothing but the best. We certainly surpassed that goal. This was a grassroots effort that literally started by accident. Unfortunately, as we approach our 5 year anniversary, the lives of many of our members have changed, mostly for the better, allowing much less time to do outreach at the level that they were feel
is needed.

In the past 6 months, I was unexpectedly cleared medically to return to 911. It was a long road, that even I was beginning to question. It was years in the making. I have accepted assignments at some of the busiest units in the Tri-County area. I have also retired from Safety & Health Solutions, LLC, a business that I started in 1996 that began with an idea on a napkin. Tragically, I also lost my rock, my mother, Joan recently as well. This difficult loss lead me to reevaluate future plans. The biggest of the plans is for me to finally make my other rock, Amy Elizabeth, my wife.

Myself and Amy also had some family changes that have asked a bit more of us. We are having a home built so that we can provide security for our family for years to come. Our new home will be much further from Camden and Philadelphia. My EMS assignments, by choice, are in towns that have large homeless populations allowing me to provide both outreach and medical services to those in need.

Several team members have had career advancements and several others have gone on to develop their own outreach programs. Several of our team members have also experienced some medical issues. Sadly, time waits for nobody.

In 5 years we have met amazing people and heard incredible stories. Thanks to all of our generous supporters and donors, we have gotten nearly 500 people off of the streets and have helped thousands more.

There are no words to explain what we have seen, heard and experienced on the streets. We fought to make faces seen and voices heard and made sure that the world cannot just ignore those that need us most. We held people accountable and demanded both answers and change.

With this being said, we will all still continue to be visible in the outreach community. We are sharing our supplies with other teams and have offered team members other opportunities to give back with other great agencies. Santa will still be making his visits as well!.

To all those that have accepted our help, we love you and are so proud of you. To those still fighting, KEEP FIGHTING! I am always a call away. To those that have so generously supported us, we can never fully make you understand the impact that you have had in the lives that you have helped save.

To those we lost, you are in our hearts forever. We are such better people for having you in our lives, and in this world. Your stories, your smiles and your love will live on in each and every one of us.

In the coming days, we will be posting where you can send donations and/or volunteer to help.

On behalf of the most incredible team that I have ever been a part of, I offer my sincerest appreciation and love to all of you.

I wish everyone the best, and thank all of you again for taking this amazing ride with us!

08/21/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/y8frHCn8uuhcLMu8/?mibextid=WC7FNe

If anyone could help a 14 year old starting high school with school clothes this year it would be greatly appreciated. If anybody has any XL short sleeves, XL/1x. hoodies, long sleeve XL. XL sweats & shorts and I have to be honest I am not sure what size jeans he is. He fluctuates in size but he does need them. Size 12 shoes in men; preferably Jordan or Nikes, crocs. Possibly gift cards to give Marcella so she to take him shopping. Mother was hit by a car in Wawa parking lot & cannot receive unemployment because you have to be able to work/look for work to get the money every week. Temporary disability may take a while and he starts school August 29th. It would be greatly appreciated, no money has to be given unless it’s to Marcella. Thank you so much.