And don't faint, it's sponsored by the once-notorious Morrocco's Gang, which published the gang newspaper Dig This from 1968 to 1970.
But now, the teens who once instilled fear in Francisville neighbors and in rival North Philadelphia gangs are men (and a few are women) who have had a couple of decades to sort out their mistakes.
Gone is the gang warfare, the zip guns, the deaths, the holdups, the drug addictions and the repeated prison terms.
These old heads, who once terrorized residents and merchants from Fairmount to Girard Avenue, from Broad Street to the now-closed Eastern State Penitentiary, now call themselves the New Morrocco's. Every one of them says he has found God, whether as a Christian or a Muslim.
And they want to do something positive, give back and make amends to the community where they grew up and did battle.
Giving back has become a trend. Ex-gang members from North Philadelphia's Valley and Zulu Nation gangs also are reaching out to help their communities, especially seniors and the homeless.
Last year, 17 ex-Morrocco's were surprised when 600 people from the old neighborhood showed up at an all-day picnic they sponsored at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park. That success inspired more.
This year, under the New Morrocco's banner, they plan a May 2 candlelight reunion dinner featuring the Bootsie Barnes Quartet at $25 per ticket at the Pyramid Temple on Girard Avenue near 15th Street. They also planned a free prayer breakfast for senior citizens on June 13 at AME Zion Methodist Church, 19th and Poplar streets, and another all-day picnic at $6 a ticket at Lemon Hill on Sept. 5, complete with horseback rides.
``We want to become a legitimate organization, pay taxes, get a bank account,'' said Lawrence ``Pete'' Hankins, 42, of Uber Street near Fairmount Avenue.
The new gang wants to pour everything it raises back into the community, but members say they need legal and accounting help.
