Pottstown Challenged to Super Hero Clean-Up

Pottstown may not have a beach, but its got trash and time will tell if its got super heroes willing to help pick it up during the March 28 challenge issued by Reading.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Hobart's Run.

Hobart’s Run has been challenged to engage all of Pottstown in a “clean-up competition” on Saturday, March 28.

 The gauntlet was thrown down by Reading’s grassroots South of Penn Task Force. This dual-city event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon in both locations, with lunch being served to Pottstown volunteers at the Hobart’s Run 703 E. High Street office at the clean-up’s conclusion.

And – to make things more interesting and colorful – volunteers are invited to wear a “superhero” costume of their choosing (not required, but strongly encouraged). 

Homemade costumes, capes, and masks are welcomed, as is overall creativity – but the important ingredient will be residents’ participation. The South of Penn group is striving to recruit 500 volunteers, so organizers hope Pottstown will rise to the challenge and show our town’s community spirit.

“With all of the exciting, encouraging developments happening as part of Pottstown’s revitalization, this is a great opportunity to remove distracting, unsightly litter while demonstrating community pride, having fun with friends and neighbors, and setting a positive example for all residents,” says Cathy Skitko, Hobart’s Run director of communications.

Hobart’s Run will provide and drop off trash bags and tools to community partners who will be contacted soon about hosting squads dedicated to particular sections of Pottstown.

Individuals interested in organizing a squad of clean-up “superheroes” from their club, school, church, other organization, or immediate neighborhood should reach out to Twila Fisher, Hobart’s Run’s director of community and economic development, at hobartsrun.pottstown@gmail.com or 610-780-6324.

Individuals who live in the Hobart’s Run neighborhood or who have not joined another clean-up group should meet at 701 E. High St. by 10 a.m. on March 28. 

(The Hobart’s Run focus neighborhood is roughly bordered by Queen Street in the south; North Adams on the west; Beech, Grant, and Jackson on the north; and Keim on the east.) All other superhero squads also will meet at their soon-to-be shared starting points on March 28 at 10 a.m.

The Hobart’s Run Facebook page (as well as Instagram and Twitter) will continue to provide information closer to the event.

Hobart’s Run thanks the Borough of Pottstown for agreeing to collect trash bags following the event (please note that all filled bags must be placed near a stop sign or intersection).

Local eateries interested in donating snacks, drinks, or lunch should contact Stephanie Trauner at strauner@thehill.org or 610-705-1018. Hobart’s Run will be sure to recognize your generous contributions.

All superhero clean-up squads will be asked to strike a powerful pose and send selfies and photos to Hobart’s Run (c/o cskitko@thehill.org) for social media sharing during and after the clean-up.

Trash Can Adopters and Sponsors are Superheroes, Too

Amy and Levi Wolf stand with the trash can sponsored by

Wolf Baldwin Assoc.

Another proven way to help keep Pottstown’s streets clean is to “adopt” a Hobart’s Run or Hobart’s Run and Pottstown Community Action trash bin. Hobart’s Run will deliver cans and liners to Borough adopters’ homes or offices; residents or businesses only need to periodically add the trash to their normal collection and replace the bag.

Hobart’s Run has purchased the majority of cans that currently dot Pottstown’s streets, but the organization welcomes additional trash can sponsors to help keep even more blocks clean.

“We’ve heard from trashcan ‘adopters’ that the presence of these sturdy, attractive bins on their streets has led to a significant decline in litter,” Skitko says.

Participating Pottstown businesses are recognized through social media and their business logo will be affixed to their sponsored cans, letting neighbors know of their investment in the community. One bin can be sponsored for $200 (essentially, this fee covers the cost for one can and a sticker); three bins can be sponsored for $500; and six bins can be sponsored for $1,000. Sponsoring organizations can adopt and maintain their branded can or cans at their office location, or donate them to residents or nonprofits looking to adopt a bin.

To date generous Adopt-a-Trashcan sponsors have included Matt Green of Glocker Real Estate; Jennifer Davidheiser of the Real Estate Professionals; Sitko Tree Farm, and 422 Sports Plex. Interested adopters or sponsors should contact Stephanie Trauner at strauner@thehill.org or 610-705-1018.