The event, known as Serving the Schuylkill was a celebration of the Schuylkill River, both its art and the people working to preserve and protect it. Held November 10th at the North Hall Gallery of Montgomery County Community College’s Pottstown Campus, the event included an artists’ reception for the 18th annual juried art show, Scenes of the Schuylkill.
Executive Director of SRG, Elaine Schaefer summed up the purpose for the award ceremony in her welcome remarks. “Each year we take this opportunity to recognize partners who have made exceptional contributions as partners in achieving our mission of connecting communities to the river and trail. All three award recipients this year have helped SRG take our efforts to the next level and we feel fortunate to have their continued support.”
The Community Partner of the Year award was presented to The Schuylkill Hose Company No. 2, which has long supported the mission of SRG. Their dive team works tirelessly to clear the river bridges of debris so that participants in the annual Schuylkill River Sojourn – and all other paddlers – can safely paddle the river. Their work also has lasting impact all year long in keeping the river flowing as it would in nature which contributes to a healthy watershed ecosystem. Kyle Morgan and John Trout accepted the award. The Schuylkill River Sojourn is the signature event for the non-profit, SRG and is attended by hundreds of people each year. Thousands of people who use the river for recreation also benefit from the work of the Schuylkill Haven based fire company.
The Borough of Pottstown received the Government Partner of the Year award. Schuylkill River Greenways has worked with the Borough successfully for many years but the last year has been especially impactful. In 2021 SRG asked the Borough for permission to relocate the headquarters of their recreation partner, Take it Outdoors, to a location in Riverfront Park, closer to the river, the trail and the SRG offices.
John Wolfe, SRG board member, presented the award. “The Borough Council and Staff worked diligently with us to make sure that the new location would be up and running in time for the summer season. The first season – last summer – was a resounding success and we saw over 3000 participants engage with the river, hundreds of residents and visitors take advantage of our free bike share and a tremendous response to our new programming and educational offerings through Take It Outdoors. This support and our partnership are integral to achieving the goals of SRG and to sparking the revitalization of the Borough of Pottstown,” Wolfe said. 5th Ward council representative, Dan Weand, accepted the award on behalf of the borough.
Other final recipient was Corporate Partner of the Year, PA American Water in recognition of their support of the non-profit’s events, not only financially but by attending and providing clean water and education to participants. In addition, American Water is a major contributor to the Schuylkill River Restoration Fund, which invests directly in water quality improvement projects every year. Kara Rahn, Senior Manager, Government and External Affairs accepted on behalf of PA American Water.
The final award was presented to The Schuylkill Hose Company No. 2, from Schuylkill Haven which has long supported the mission of SRG. Their dive team works tirelessly to clear the river bridges of debris so that participants in the annual Schuylkill River Sojourn – and all other paddlers – can safely paddle the river. Their work also has lasting impact all year long in keeping the river flowing as it would in nature which contributes to a healthy watershed ecosystem. Kyle Morgan and John Trout accepted the award.
The mission of the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area is to connect residents, visitors and communities to the Schuylkill River and the Schuylkill River Trail by serving as a catalyst for civic engagement and economic development to foster stewardship of the watershed and its heritage.
Executive Director of SRG, Elaine Schaefer summed up the purpose for the award ceremony in her welcome remarks. “Each year we take this opportunity to recognize partners who have made exceptional contributions as partners in achieving our mission of connecting communities to the river and trail. All three award recipients this year have helped SRG take our efforts to the next level and we feel fortunate to have their continued support.”
The Community Partner of the Year award was presented to The Schuylkill Hose Company No. 2, which has long supported the mission of SRG. Their dive team works tirelessly to clear the river bridges of debris so that participants in the annual Schuylkill River Sojourn – and all other paddlers – can safely paddle the river. Their work also has lasting impact all year long in keeping the river flowing as it would in nature which contributes to a healthy watershed ecosystem. Kyle Morgan and John Trout accepted the award. The Schuylkill River Sojourn is the signature event for the non-profit, SRG and is attended by hundreds of people each year. Thousands of people who use the river for recreation also benefit from the work of the Schuylkill Haven based fire company.
The Borough of Pottstown received the Government Partner of the Year award. Schuylkill River Greenways has worked with the Borough successfully for many years but the last year has been especially impactful. In 2021 SRG asked the Borough for permission to relocate the headquarters of their recreation partner, Take it Outdoors, to a location in Riverfront Park, closer to the river, the trail and the SRG offices.
John Wolfe, SRG board member, presented the award. “The Borough Council and Staff worked diligently with us to make sure that the new location would be up and running in time for the summer season. The first season – last summer – was a resounding success and we saw over 3000 participants engage with the river, hundreds of residents and visitors take advantage of our free bike share and a tremendous response to our new programming and educational offerings through Take It Outdoors. This support and our partnership are integral to achieving the goals of SRG and to sparking the revitalization of the Borough of Pottstown,” Wolfe said. 5th Ward council representative, Dan Weand, accepted the award on behalf of the borough.
Other final recipient was Corporate Partner of the Year, PA American Water in recognition of their support of the non-profit’s events, not only financially but by attending and providing clean water and education to participants. In addition, American Water is a major contributor to the Schuylkill River Restoration Fund, which invests directly in water quality improvement projects every year. Kara Rahn, Senior Manager, Government and External Affairs accepted on behalf of PA American Water.
The final award was presented to The Schuylkill Hose Company No. 2, from Schuylkill Haven which has long supported the mission of SRG. Their dive team works tirelessly to clear the river bridges of debris so that participants in the annual Schuylkill River Sojourn – and all other paddlers – can safely paddle the river. Their work also has lasting impact all year long in keeping the river flowing as it would in nature which contributes to a healthy watershed ecosystem. Kyle Morgan and John Trout accepted the award.
The mission of the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area is to connect residents, visitors and communities to the Schuylkill River and the Schuylkill River Trail by serving as a catalyst for civic engagement and economic development to foster stewardship of the watershed and its heritage.
Submitted Photos
