|
I’ve lived in East Falls for over 25 years and greatly enjoy the many advantages we have in our community: proximity to Center City, evening rides along Kelly Drive, our wonderful library, the community pride and spirit of all our residents, some good restaurants for a snack or meal, and our diversity of age, race, income, and housing. Only recently have I awakened to the fact that for at least 22 of those years I was oblivious to all those who worked and volunteered to enrich this neighborhood as one that others and I today can treasure. I guess I thought one night the Tooth Fairy did it.
Who were those former and current neighbors who developed a library to serve as the center of the community? Or who initiated Town Watch? Old Academy Players? Or volunteered to be on the EFCC Zoning Committee? Or worked to maintain our parks for the enjoyment of all? Or had the insight to start the Village so that others and I can continue to live here longer? Know what? I like what I do as a volunteer. It’s a way that I can express appreciation to those who helped to make such a fine community to live in today. Probably the personal value that I treasure most as an East Falls volunteer is that I rub shoulders with people who are ‘winners’ in every sense of the word. They are movers and shakers with a strong commitment to one another and the community. Some I see frequently; others I see only once or twice a year. No matter how often our paths cross, they are interesting, smart, thoughtful, and fun to work with. My ‘work’ is interesting. Sometimes it’s voting for funds to encourage teen literacy at the library. Other times it’s to promote the Fall Festival so that residents can enjoy and learn about the neighborhood’s many assets. Assisting folks to plan the Inn Yard playground has been rewarding. Working with our three large educational institutions in land use planning will have a long-term payout for them and for us. Honestly now, my life today would be dull without these opportunities to enrich both our common quality of life and myself. As slow as me? Why did you move here? Probably for the same reason many of us did: It’s a great place to live. There are so many advantages, the people are nice, etc., etc., etc. Hopefully it will not take you 22 years to figure out that other Fallsers worked and volunteered to provide all the good things that you enjoy today about living here. (No, it was not accomplished by the Tooth Fairy.) There are so many ways that you can help. It doesn’t have to be more than a few hours a month. The EFCC has many interesting issues; you don’t have to worry about offering to volunteer and then do something uninteresting or unfulfilling. Maybe it’s another organization that appeals to you as a potential volunteer opportunity. Identify your concerns, interests, passions, and values. I know there’s a place in East Falls for you to fulfill them. I did. So can you. There’s a spot for you. Call me. 267.975.5814. Let’s talk.
|
