MARCH 23, 2026, POTTSTOWN, PA – Several local nonprofits will join forces on April 25 to host “Rock the Block,” a community project that aims to beautify Pottstown and bring neighbors together for fun camaraderie in the process. Hobart’s Run, Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties, and Pottstown Community Action are encouraging Pottstown community members to roll up their sleeves, improve the Borough, and make valuable connections with fellow residents in honor of Earth Day, which precedes the Rock the Block event.
The Saturday, April 25 Rock the Block event will include community beautification and service activities between 10 am and 2 pm at the Ricketts Center, 658 Beech St., and Edgewood Historic Cemetery, 989 E. High St. A cleanup planned by Mosaic Community Land Trust also will be held at 10 am, beginning at the corner of Second and North York Streets, as well as a garden cleanup at the Walnut Street Permaculture Garden, 301 Walnut St., from 2 to 4 pm.
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.
There will not be a rain date for the activities hosted at Ricketts. Rain date for the Edgewood cleanup will be Sunday, April 26, from 10 am to 2 pm.
What’s on tap?
In addition to Habitat MontDelco, planning partners have included Hobart’s Run, the neighborhood revitalization and engagement nonprofit established by The Hill School; Friends of Edgewood Historic Cemetery, volunteers working to maintain the otherwise abandoned 12-acre resting ground at 989 E. High St.; Pottstown Community Action, a grassroots effort to improve Pottstown quality of life; and the Ricketts Center.
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.
Attending to the day’s excitement, 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, says Faison grew up attending the Ricketts Center. Faison went on to attend and play for the University of South Carolina.
Collaborative support for Pottstown
Hot on the heels of their first Pottstown rehab dedication in February, with four more residential unit rehabs in process, Habitat for Humanity MontDelco is excited to show continued support to the Pottstown Borough.
“Rock the Block is a wonderful event and opportunity for Habitat MontDelco to not only partner with such intentional and impactful Pottstown organizations, but to do so with the community directly involved,” says Brittney Crenshaw, Director of Program Services and a lead partner for the day’s activities. “We can’t wait to see everyone there!”
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.
“We are excited to be a part of this upbeat community-wide event,” says Andrew Monastra, President of Historic Edgewood Cemetery and Borough Councilman for the Sixth Ward. “We depend upon volunteers for our big spring and fall clean-ups. We welcome Rock the Block helpers at the Cemetery as we beautify the grounds after a hard winter and prepare for the mowing season.”
Edgewood welcomes volunteers who can bring small mowers, weed whackers, and chainsaws; gloves and other tools will be provided on-site.
“Volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life in the Borough and beyond are encouraged to join us at the Ricketts Center or the Cemetery – or both! — for a few hours, or the entire day,” notes Alyssa Slade, Executive Director of Community Engagement for Hobart’s Run.
Hill School Afternoon Community Service students as well as students from Pottstown High School and The Hill School active with the collaborative Pottstown CARES club plan to be involved as well.
“We are grateful for the brainstorming and synergy we have enjoyed with Habitat and all our planning partners,” Slade adds. “We know this joint event will epitomize the Hobart’s Run values of promoting community action, Pottstown neighborhood pride, and real progress toward meaningful, sustainable revitalization.”