Habitat for Humanity, Hobart’s Run, and Pottstown Community Action are joining forces with other community engagement organizations and Edgewood Historic Cemetery to hold a day filled with projects to beautify Pottstown and bring neighbors together. This collaborative “Rock the Block” will occur on Saturday, April 25 from 10 am to 2 pm (volunteers may work for a little or as long as they would like). The official “home base” and registration site will be the Ricketts Center, 658 Beech St., although volunteers who want to help with the annual spring cleanup at Edgewood Cemetery , 989 E. High St., may report there directly. There is not a rain date for the Ricketts-based activities but rain date for the cemetery cleanup will be Sunday, April 26, also from 10-2.
Rock the Block participants are encouraged to register at the Ricketts Center at 10 am when the day’s events begin, although volunteers who prefer to report directly to Edgewood Cemetery or the Mosaic cleanup may do so. To sign up in advance, use this link: https://volunteer.bloomerang.co:443/JE/dj67ya6g9j415b.
Rock the Block activities at the Ricketts Center will include:
- Accepting donations for Habitat’s area ReStore location, which sells used furniture and décor; appliances and electronics/media devices; hardware, tools, and building supplies; clothing; and “like new” mattresses. Please note ReStore will not accept open paint, chemicals, or cleaning products or items that are notable damaged, covered in pet hair, or stained.
- Free home repair project workshops conducted by Habitat. The home repair workshop will provide homeowners with practical knowledge and hand-on guidance for maintaining and caring for their homes. Habitat will provide sample seasonal checklists, general maintenance and upkeep, examples of DIY emergency/temporary fixes, major systems and lifespans, and tips for vetting contractors.
- Borough-wide litter cleanups. Event organizers thank the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful organization for providing gloves, trash bags, and other materials for the cleanups.
- Mulching and beautification of the Ricketts Center flowerbeds.
- A dumpster will be provided by Habitat to allow residents to dispose of items that cannot be recycled or donated.
- Hobart’s Run will provide free mattress/box spring bags to Borough residents who would like the Borough to pick up and dispose of these items at their home (please note bagging is required by the Borough).
- Genesis Housing Corp., Pottstown Community Action, the Ricketts Center, and ArtFusion 19464 and Pottstown Community Arts will share information about their programs.
Volunteers will be treated to lunch provided by Little Italy/The Pourhouse. Music will be provided by Pottstown students working with David Charles of The STRIVE Initiative’s multi-media program.
Lunch also will be provided to volunteers at Edgewood Cemetery by Little Italy/The Pourhouse.