As president of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, which is also the parent organization of the Chestnut Hill Local, I am here to make an unabashed appeal to your heartstrings during the holidays to support these two important cornerstones of our community. Like a well-crafted PB&J, we are better together with all the nostalgia and memorable flavor but perhaps taken for granted despite our impact and fortitude. But I am here to remind you that we need YOU. We are better when we have and feel your support during our annual appeal campaign. 

I cannot imagine a Chestnut Hill without our local paper, Pastorius Park Concerts, movie nights at the Water Tower, Hoops Madness, holiday parade or Holiday House Tour. Nor can I imagine not having these traditions or opportunities to connect with our neighbors, institutions, and community partners. I cannot imagine not having volunteers eager to help with greenspace improvements at our train stations, Rec Center, Pastorius Park, Mermaid Park and other green jewels in our community. These things that make Chestnut Hill so special could easily go away with lack of funding. Your donations big and small fuel what we can do to foster building, cultivating and continuing our community connections. Offering free events year after year is only possible with memberships, donations and sponsorships. As the Local’s Publisher Daralyse Lyons shared in her message last week, we have not raised membership or paper costs in five years which has put further pressure on both of our organizations. That makes our Annual Appeal and the community support of it critical. 

As your community organization, we continue to be neighborhood advocates for Save the Train, crosswalk improvements, housing and commercial development, and other quality of life issues that are meaningful to you. Often this includes working with our community partners and government officials to amplify your voice, concerns and develop solutions. This work is communicated broadly and expertly by the Chestnut Hill Local, putting matters on record and helping hold decision makers accountable. It’s a partnership and responsibility that has served this community well. 

Please join me in making an impactful donation to our Better Together Annual Appeal this season. Like Batman and Robin, Lucy and Desi, and last week’s turkey and gravy, we are an unbeatable combo platter when we are together. 

Laura Lucas 

President

Chestnut Hill Community Association