Norristown's Carver Center Gets $10,000 Donation From Local Man

NORRISTOWN, PA — Renowned local philanthropists and entrepreneurs are making another huge donation to benefit to the greater Norristown area community.

Lenny and Teresa Bazemore and the Bazemore Family Charitable Fund are donating $10,000 to the Norristown Washington Carver Community Center. The money has been earmarked for improving citizen access to reading and writing learning opportunities, as well as financial literacy.

"We believe the Norristown community will greatly benefit from this investment and thrive in the future because of it," Lenny Bazemore said. "We believe in education and action."

The donation will create a new program at the Carver Center, whose executive director is Lenny's cousin Charmaine Bazemore.

Lenny, a real estate investor, developer, art sales consultant, visual artist, and short film movie maker has been donating to important projects around the Norristown area for years. He and his family have donated $1 million to Habitat for Humanity to build new homes for those in need, along with $10,000 to Elmwood Park Zoo.

Bazemore expressed how much the Norristown area means to him and his family.

Growing up in Norristown has made me who I am," he said. "And I am thankful for my experiences, both good and bad."

The former Norristown High School football star is also the former owner of Bazemore Enterprises, The Bazemore Gallery, and The Juice Merchant restaurant, which were all in Manayunk. He sold them prior to moving to Los Angeles in 2019.

In operation since 1948, the Carver Center says its mission is to offer "programs to youth, adults, and families to stimulate personal development, which in turn foments community advancement and growth."

It's located on 249 Jacoby Street.