“Entertaining Angels Unaware”
Mayor Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins
When I was a child, as I headed out to school or to play, my grandmother often said to me, “Do not forget to entertain strangers: for by this some have entertained angels unawares.” It took quite a bit of growing up before I fully understood what Grandma Laura was teaching me. For many years, I found myself looking to see if the strangers I stumbled upon had a set of wings hidden underneath their coats or halos hidden beneath their hats. I didn’t understand Grandma was teaching me that out in the world, there are many kind and helpful people out there that are doing wonderful things for us, we might even totally unaware of. Therefore, we need to great each person we meet with friendliness and hospitality.
I connected with a group of “Angels” in Collegeville a couple of weeks ago, early on a Saturday morning. Theses angels belong to the Sigma Mu Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The Alphas are part of what is known as the “Divine Nine”, one of nine historically African American fraternizes and sororities focusing on scholarship, service and the power of community. These men walked up and down Main Street, from 9th Avenue to the Collegeville Diner, picking up discarded bottles, cans, cigarette butts, cups and other trash that littered our primary throughfare.
Alpha Phi Alpha had been doing this for years and I, for one, had been unaware of it. The Sigma Mu Lambda Chapter is one of the organizations in Pennsylvania that volunteers to beautify our community two miles at a time, picking up litter at least two times a year here. Exchanging suits and ties that these men normally wear Monday through Friday at their businesses and organizations they donned safety vests, work gloves, trash bags and boots to help make Collegeville a Great Place to Come Home to.
I was delighted to join them that morning and plan to join in their efforts for many years to come. Please be on the lookout for the blue “Adopt A Highway” signs on Main Street. And when you read the words, “Alpha Phi Alpha”, know that we as a community have entertained angles, often unaware. Thank you, Mr. Kewin Gales, Chapter President and all the brothers of Sigma Mu Lambda for helping make Collegeville a great place to come home to.
