POTTSTOWN PA – Several local non-profit organizations say they will join forces April 25 (2026; Saturday) to host a community project called “Rock the Block.” It aims to beautify Pottstown, and bring neighbors together for fun in the process.
The organizations – Hobart’s Run, Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties, and Pottstown Community Action – say they hope to encourage “Pottstown community members to roll up their sleeves, improve the borough, and make valuable connections with others” to mark the 56th anniversary of Earth Day, observed only days earlier.
Also assisting in planning for the event are Friends of Edgewood Historic Cemetery, and the Ricketts Center.
The event is scheduled to include community beautification and service activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ricketts Center, 658 Beech St., and Edgewood Cemetery, 989 E. High St. A clean-up planned by Mosaic Community Land Trust also will be held at 10 a.m., beginning at the corner of Second and North York streets. There also is a garden clean-up organized at the Walnut Street Permaculture Garden, 301 Walnut St., from 2-4 p.m.
Advance registration of “Rock The Block” participants is being requested and is available online. They also can register on the day of the event at 10 a.m. at the Ricketts Center. Additionally, volunteers interested in working at Edgewood Cemetery or the Mosaic clean-up can report to their sites directly.
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.
Photos provided to Travels With The Post by Hobart’s Run
Rocking The Block at Ricketts
Activities at the Ricketts Center will include:
- Accepting donations for Habitat’s area ReStore operation. It sells used furniture and décor, appliances and electronics and media devices, hardware, tools, building supplies, clothing; and “like new” mattresses. ReStore cannot accept open paint, chemicals, cleaning products, or items that are notably 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 or temporary fixes, major systems and lifespans, and tips for vetting contractors;
- Borough-wide litter clean-ups, for which organizers thank Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful in providing gloves, trash bags, and other materials for the clean-ups;
- Mulching and beautification of the Ricketts Center flower beds;
- A dumpster provided by Habitat so residents can dispose of items that cannot be recycled or donated;
- Hobart’s Run will provide free mattress and box spring bags to borough residents looking to have the borough to pick up and dispose of these items at their home. Bagging is required by the borough; and
- Genesis Housing Corp., Pottstown Community Action, the Ricketts Center, ArtFusion 19464, and Pottstown Community Arts will share information about their programs.
A Draft Watch Party, Too
The Ricketts Center will host a National Football League draft watch party at noon, with hopes that Rashul Faison – a former Pottsgrove High School student – will be drafted. Randolph Hawkins, director of the Ricketts Center, reports Faison grew up attending the Ricketts Center. He went on to attend and play for the University of South Carolina.
Edgewood welcomes volunteers who can bring small mowers, weed whackers, and chainsaws. Gloves and other tools will be provided on-site. Lunch also will be provided to volunteers at Edgewood Cemetery by Little Italy/The Pourhouse.
A rain date for the Edgewood clean-up is scheduled for April 26 (Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No rain date is planned for activities hosted at Ricketts.
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