Happy Holidays from Mayor Aidsand “Ace” Wright-Riggins

As we come to the close of 2021, I reflect on what our community has gone through for the last couple of years, and I am filled with gratitude that Collegeville continues to be a great place to come home to. Collegeville has demonstrated responsibility, resilience, and the impulse to respond that makes me proud to be its mayor.

Little did we know on Christmas day of 2019 that our country, commonwealth, county, and community would soon be hammered by the most devasting virus that the USA has seen in the last one hundred years. No one would have expected that over seven hundred thousand Americans would succumb to COVID-19 in less that twenty-four months. We could not have projected that businesses would be closed, classes conducted virtually, and our ability to interact with loved ones become severely limited as physical distancing and mask wearing became common place.

Just when we began to think that there was a bright light at the end of an interminable tunnel, Hurricane Ida struck the northeast coast of America and Collegeville did not escape unscathed. Businesses were severely damaged. Families were rendered homeless. Personal property was swept away in a horrendous flood that most thought unimaginable.

But through it all, Collegeville stepped up. Despite the hassles and inconveniences that COVID-19 inflicted on us, we wore masks. We physically distanced. We washed surfaces. We did not buy more than our fair share of toilet tissue and hand sanitizer! In addition, we demonstrated a concern for local businesses. We ordered food and services online, not only because we needed to but because we wanted to make sure that our neighbor’s businesses and the people who worked for them survived. We responded by expressing the gift of neighborliness.

I saw the same thing in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. It made me extremely proud to see Collegeville residents spend their weekends cleaning up the homes and property of people impacted by the devasting flood. It made my soul happy to see our police department and borough employees spend their days off serving our community without pay. I was thrilled to see people in “The ‘Ville” fill buckets with cash and checks to make sure that the needs of others were met.

So, I just want to say thank you! This December reminds me that Hannukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa are holidays in which gift giving is extended and celebrated. I celebrate you, and the gift you are in extending community to each other. You indeed make Collegeville a great place to come home to.

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