It is said that nothing brings a community together more strongly than tragedy. And it is with heavy hearts that our community mourns the loss of 9-year-old Preston Dray, his mother, Pamela Snyder, and his unborn baby sister, Evelyn, to a flash flood incident in July. However, our community – and many surrounding communities – are working hard to keep the young boy’s legacy alive.

Relay For Life is a life-changing event that brings together more than 3.5 million people in one day. For some participants, it is to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight. For others, it is to remember loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing.

If your family lives too far away for you to join them on Thanksgiving, or you now find yourself without family you still get a chance to experience the warmth of a Turkey Day gathering with people you love spending time with: your friends.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The color pink shows up everywhere. Everyone has a pink ribbon displayed somewhere. So, yes, the pink reminders increase "awareness." The truth is, thanks to years of campaigning and education, most Americans are already aware of breast cancer. Unfortunately, early detection and awareness is not the cure-all we once thought it was back when the pink ribbon was invented. Many women who catch this disease in its early stage and get treatment, still go on to have an advanced relapse - and that's what kills. Displaying pink ribbons isn't enough. We need to focus our efforts on helping people who have advanced breast cancer.

The 138 year-old Pottstown YMCA is an important community resource for the surrounding area. With programs for young children, middle and high school students, adults and senior citizens, the Y promotes healthy lifestyles for all ages. Programming includes daycare services, sports leagues, swimming classes, and much more. As Pottstown is home to both low and middle-income communities, the Y’s services are valuable and help to meet family needs.

It’s a beautiful autumn day in Pennsylvania and you are driving along Hoffmansville Road in Bechtelsville, on your way to Bauman’s to get some apple cider. You drive past a brick building with a sign by the road that reads “Helping Hands”. You have driven past this place many times, but today, for whatever reason, your curiosity has been piqued . . . what is this place and what do they do?

This time of year in Pennsylvania is beautiful. Summer is transitioning into fall and the weather is perfect for spending time outdoors. My advice: take advantage of this time and enjoy the local, natural wonders of where we live! One of those wonders is the Schuylkill River and the Schuylkill River Trail.

Summertime is officially here, bringing with it great times with friends and family. Summer is also the perfect time to get outside, get active, and to get involved in your community. The Pottstown Health & Wellness Foundation, located on E. High Street, is an organization that encourages just that and we here at WRIGLEY'S are proud to support their efforts.

For many of us, family is the reason we work. Our families encourage and motivate us, and provide us a place we can be our true selves; a home without walls. Unfortunately, it is easy to forget that many families are facing challenging times, which can lead to unstable situations. This is why Wrigley’s is proud to support CONCERN, a local non-profit that has been caring for children and adolescents and strengthening families since 1978.

I'm sure everyone can relate to the expression "when it rains it pours." Well, on the personal side of my life, it has been pouring buckets for the last six months. The last several months have, in many ways, changed my perspective on life.

There are some places in our hometowns that quietly and humbly serve residents in need week in and week out. The Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities (PCRC) is one such place. PCRC supports Pottstown residents through food assistance and community meal programs, as well as other programming such as the Pottstown Housing Resource Center. WRIGLEY’S is honored to be a supporting partner to an organization that is doing such great work in our area.

It’s funny how we can live in an area for a long time, sometimes our entire lives, and still continue to discover new places so close to home. There is a new (yet old) way to explore the local area: The Colebrookdale Railroad (CRR). A project of the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust, the Secret Valley Line is bringing a fresh energy to the Boyertown and Pottstown area.

WRIGLEY'S is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Schuylkill River National & State Heritage Area. We are excited to support and spread word of this organization which does so much to brighten and energize our community. A percentage of our earnings will be given so that their vision and mission can continue to grow and flourish.

Snow is on the ground, Christmas lights are up, and holiday cards are starting to arrive – it feels every bit like the Christmas season. Whether you are already in full-on elf mode or you’re feeling a bit grinchy this year, here are some local events to put you in the Christmas spirit.

One of the ways we can create positive change in our communities is to buy local goods whenever possible. This strengthens the local economy (about 80% of every dollar spent locally stays within the community, compared to 30% of a dollar that was spent at a big-box store) and brings more jobs to the area. If our local economy is stronger, we then have more money available for our schools, construction projects, and so on.

I am grateful to live in a place where we have the Autumn season. It is such a beautiful time of the year and provides such a nice transition from the warmer months to the cold. Fall provides us time to pause and reflect on our year thus far, while allowing us to prepare for winter. In a time when all around us nature is slowing down, growing quiet, and going dormant, we are able to breathe in the fresh, cool air and enjoy the season of color, harvest, and sweaters.