PW Alumni uses his business to give back to his school community
Andrew Salkin
by Leena Krayyem, PWHS Class of 2024
Andrew Salkin, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School Class of 2022, started up his sports card business PhiCardz at the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Salkin purchases and sells primarily collectible sports cards. Recently, he has decided to utilize his growing business to give back to his school and help those in need.
PhiCardz has evolved greatly over the past four years as a more established business. Salkin noted that his business has made great strides by expanding the options available beyond just cards, moving toward sports memorabilia and more unique collector’s items.
Salkin said, “The value of the cards that I interact with as well as the amount of cards is almost unimaginable compared to where I started.”
PhiCardz’s success sparked an idea for Salkin: host a PhiCardz event to raise funds for Plymouth Whitemarsh’s MiniTHON.
During his time at Plymouth Whitemarsh, Salkin was heavily involved in the school’s chapter of MiniTHON, a smaller scale version of Penn State University’s THON. The MiniTHON team fundraises throughout the year until their culminating event in the spring where students dance for twelve hours. All of the funds raised go directly toward helping pediatric cancer patients and their families pay their medical bills, as well as pediatric cancer research, through a nonprofit organization known as Four Diamonds.
Participants at the event showed their collections and traded cards with each other.
The PhiCardz event was on Sunday, March 3. PhiCardz invited all young sports fans to come out to receive and trade some sports cards, as well as create their own cards. There was also a scavenger hunt around the high school to uncover more cards. Overall, the event raised around $400 for Four Diamonds!
“I feel really bonded to this cause and greatly appreciate their work to help the fight against childhood cancer,” said Salkin.
Would you like to donate to the PW MiniTHON? Click here!