West Chester Weekly News Roundup
Posts
Meet your 2024 Hello, West Chester Community Sponsors!

Meet your 2024 Hello, West Chester Community Sponsors!

Hello, West Chester Sponsors Have Community at Heart

A little over a year ago, I started a Community Sponsor program. It was my first foray into advertising. As such, the benefits aren’t huge. Three times a year, Community Sponsors get their names posted at the top of the newsletter and a company intro at the bottom. They have their logo in the footer and on the website, but there are no big ads that cover the screen, no social media takeovers, or flashy promotions - just a logo and a thank you message. And maybe because of that, what I have discovered is that these 16 companies and organizations represent some of the best that West Chester has to offer.

They are all local and they all care deeply about the community - enough to support a small upstart news company with, at the time, a still pretty niche, if totally amazing, audience. It doesn’t stop there - they chair boards, organize and lead food drives, volunteer their time, and more.

The names you’ll recognize but you may not know all the quiet ways they have been giving back and supporting the West Chester community. Looking to support local? This is a good place to start.

This is a sponsored post

Meet Your 2024 Community Sponsors

“With our roots in the heart of downtown West Chester, align.Space is proud to play an active role in supporting our local community,” says Community Manager Nikki DiGiorgio. Beyond their services offered as a clubhouse, co-working space, and event venue, they have coordinated and shared services with the local school districts, chambers, charitable organizations, retailers, and eateries. Learn more (and see their beautiful space) at align.space.

In May 2023, align.Space partnered with N.E. Thing Projections on a time lapse film in support of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Andrea Napoli, owner of Andrea Napoli Real Estate, is a lifelong West Chester resident and invested in supporting and helping the community thrive. She sits on the board of the West Chester Area Senior Center and is an avid tennis player at the West Chester Golf & Country Club. She actively supports several community causes including SHiNE at Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital Abramson Cancer Center, Unite for Her, and the Philadelphia Chapter ALS Association. A seasoned real estate professional with deep local roots, she blends her professional experience and knowledge with a commitment to her clients and the community. Give Andrea a call or text at 610-405-8326 to learn more.

Athletes Untapped connects parents and kids with private sports coaches for in-person training. It was founded by two Borough residents - Elaine and Gene Williams. The married couple/co-founders say there's no better place to start a business. West Chester's community is unmatched and they're grateful for all the support they've received since launching the business! Visit their website to learn what makes Athletes Untapped different and find a private coach near you.

Athletes Untapped owners and West Chester residents, Elaine and Gene Williams.

As a Borough resident, Realtor Cassie Shankweiler sits on the steering committee for the West Chest Parks and Recreation PROS (Park, Recreation and Open Space) Plan. This committee works with consultants as the voice of residents to help develop a 10-year comprehensive plan for the entire Parks and Recreation Department. Cassie volunteers her time because she knows community is an important part of the home-buying decision. Looking to buy or sell in 2024? Give her a call or text at 484-888-6772.

For 25 years, Hazley Builders has been committed to quality, innovation, and integrity in construction. The Hazley Family has been rooted in West Chester for over 50 years and is humbled to contribute to the community by supporting local organizations including the West Chester Downtown Foundation, West Chester Public Library, Unite for Her, Uptown, Friends Association for Care & Protection of Children and Chester County Day. Visit Hazleybuilders.com to learn more.

The President and Owner of Mitten Systems, an operations consulting firm, Alisha Mitten, is an active member of Saint Agnes Parish where she provides support as a collections reconciliation volunteer. You can also find her across the street at the West End Community Garden, tending to her raised bed, participating in community garden chores, and creating content for their newly revived Instagram account. Follow them at @westendgarden!

Nationally ranked, The Kit Anstey Real Estate Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Realtors is a regular recipient of “Best of” awards. Most recently, they were named West Chester Lifestyle Magazine’s Best Realtors 2023 and the 2023 Daily Local Newspaper’s Readers’ Choice for Best Realtors of Chester County. Specializing in Residential Real Estate in West Chester and surrounding areas. Kit Anstey and his partner Debbie West, Associate Brokers at Berkshire Hathaway, live in the downtown and enjoy being a part of the bustling Borough.Thinking of buying or selling please feel free to reach out anytime to Kit or AnsteyTeam.com or 610-836-2348.

The Lorgus Company has owned and managed rental properties since 1976. Its flagship property is at 103 S. High Street, once the home of impressionist artist Mary Cassatt. The company continues that legacy today by working to honor and support local artists and professionals.

Fun Fact: The Lorgus Company was my first-ever Community Sponsor!

PetCare Group has played a consistent role in the animal rescue and welfare sector of Chester County. They host an annual pet food drive, volunteer with Forgotten Cats, foster cats, assist with pet adoptions, and sponsor rescue agencies' fundraising efforts and events. (They also sponsor a great local newsletter!) Visit their website to learn more about their dog walking and pet sitting services.

For 30 years, SLA Financial has been a fixture in the West Chester community, offering tailored wealth management services, guiding women through divorce, and encouraging financial literacy. Committed to the community, SLA routinely sponsors local events and offers several financial education classes throughout the year. Visit their website for lots of helpful information including a free eBook on the Secure Act! SLA Financial is not only dedicated to its clients but to the community at large.

The Riverstone United crew at Escape West Chester this past fall.

"We serve the needs of families in the West Chester area by offering an alternative to public education,” says Robbie Martin, Principal of West Chester’s Riverstone United Christian Academy. Their focus on Christian values, small class size, and academic rigor creates an environment in which students thrive. Their middle and high schools have served the local and wider community by assisting organizations like Connect Care, Cradles to Crayons, Night to Shine, local churches, and international missionary organizations. Visit Riverstoneunited.com to learn more or register for an upcoming Student Visitation Day.

Something’s Awry is a global animation studio with a soft spot for its local community. They regularly donate no-longer-needed props and toys to local daycares and recently helped Kennett Square community center The Garage set up an onsite studio for kids using their donated equipment! In addition for the last two years, they have sponsored a breakfast workshop at the West Chester Film Festival. This year, Producer Amy Theorin took their commitment one step further and joined the board! She is also a volunteer member of the West Chester Park, Recreation and Open Space) Planning Committee and the West Chester Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about what they do at Somethingsawry.com.

Proudly located in the Borough of West Chester, TG Customs builds custom camper vans and trailers for clients locally and throughout the country. At TG Customs we believe in the power of detail. We work closely with each customer to build their adventure vehicle. “Stop in and see what we are working on!” encourages co-owner Hillary Todd.

The Uptown Singers after a free performance in front of the Court House.

Uptown is the heartbeat of West Chester's cultural scene. Since 2017, nestled in historic downtown, Uptown has been a hub for theatre, music, comedy, dance, film, and education. “With world-class performances and intimate venues, we're proud to be your go-to destination for enriching entertainment experiences,” says Board Member Leslie Telthorster. Visit their website for a complete listing of upcoming shows, events, and summer camps!

West Chester Lacrosse and West Chester Field Hockey run year-round lacrosse and field hockey clinics, leagues, and camps for preschool through 8th graders. These programs are based locally at Kelly Field, WCASD fields, and township parks. Check out www.wclax.net for information and registration for their spring and summer leagues and summer camps. You can email [email protected] with any questions.

Last year, West Chester Public Library and West Chester Park and Rec installed a story walk at Hoopes Park with the help of a grant from the Chester County Health Department.

Founded in 1872, West Chester Public Library moved into its current location at the corner of North Church and Lafayette Streets in West Chester in 1888. The library serves the greater West Chester community circulating over 140,000 items annually from its in-house and digital collections. Programs include children’s story times; programs for teens and tweens; and special programs for adults. WCPL also collaborates with several area organizations to provide programs and services outside the library building. You can find a complete list of programs and events on their website.

Truly a great group. Thank you again to all our Hello, West Chester Community Sponsors!