West Chester Sponsors Have Community at Heart ❤️

Meet your 2025 Hello, West Chester Community Sponsors!

Author

Cara Corridoni
April 17, 2025

When I first realized I would need to accept advertisers, I was concerned about maintaining the reader experience. I didn’t want flashy, intrusive ad campaigns that would distract from the content or interrupt our weekly catch-ups. So, instead, I had the idea for the Community Sponsor program.

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 banners or pop-up ads that cover the screen, no social media takeovers or flashy promotions - just a presence and a thank you message. And maybe because of that, what I have discovered is that these 15 companies quietly 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, let’s face it, a totally amazing audience.

After learning about all they do for the community and beyond, I thought you would like to know too. The names you’ll recognize, but you may not know all the ways they have been giving back.

Meet Your 2025 Community Sponsors 

 align.Space Team (Alex Arnell, Michelle Puglia, and Lydia Pegler) partnered with the non-profit SowGoodNow to collect college gear for students.

At align.Space, they're proud to be a part of the West Chester community. Whether it's through local partnerships, events, or giving back, their goal is to create a space where people and businesses can connect and grow together right here in town. align.Space recently partnered with the non-profit SowGoodNow to collect and donate college gear to support underserved communities. 

“We just wrapped up the clothing drive; however, we are constantly creating new opportunities for involvement from the community,” said align.Space Membership Experience Coordinator Lydia Pegler.  

Realtor Andrea Napoli is an active support a variety of local causes.

Andrea Napoli, owner of Andrea Napoli Real Estate, is a lifelong West Chester resident and invested in supporting and helping the community thrive. 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. Visit Andrea's website or 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. 

Some members of the West Chester Walking Club. (That’s Cassie on the right and Piper and I next to her on the left.) This club is open to anyone. Follow on Facebook for walk updates and come out and meet your neighbors!

Borough resident, Cassie Shankweiler of Shankweiler & Co. Real Estate & Renovations, recently founded the West Chester Walking Club as a way to meet new people and enjoy the walkability of our beautiful community. She also sits on the steering committee for the West Chester Parks and Recreation PROS (Park, Recreation and Open Space) Plan. Whether you’re curious about real estate, renovations, or local happenings, Cassie is your go-to resource. Reach out today to stay in the loop and make the most of living in the Borough!

First Presbyterian Senior Pastor Andrew Esqueda and Senior Associate Pastor Caroline Cupp work with chef Chrisetta Nyepan to bring Liberian cuisine to the Borough.

Located at 130 W. Miner St., First Presbyterian Church is a family-oriented church that cares for little ones and their parents all the way through to the end stages of life. In a world where many hunger for authentic connection, First Presbyterian seeks to follow Christ through its relationships with one another and the wider West Chester community. “We want to know God and know others, and to be known by God and known by others,” said Senior Pastor Andrew Esqueda. Visit their website to learn more or join them this Sunday for a very special Easter celebration.

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 Kit Anstey Real Estate Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Realtors specializes in residential real estate in the West Chester Area. Associate Brokers Kit Anstey and Debbie West live in the borough and are always available to assist you with your Real Estate needs. [email protected] or [email protected]

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 Hello, West Chester’s first-ever Community Sponsor!

From gardening to pets, HWC Community Sponsors are passionate about a variety of interests!

President of Mitten Systems, Alisha Mitten is an active supporter of the West Chester community. Alisha volunteers with the Saint Agnes Parish collections team and contributes to local growing efforts at the West End Community Garden. She builds regional connections among hospitality professionals and, through her business, supports community efforts around substance use recovery. (She’s also a whiz at reducing inefficiencies in business operations. Visit her website to learn more.)

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. 

SLA Financial own Kristen Taylor is committed not only to her client’s finances but their future.

SLA Financial has been a proud part of the West Chester community for over 30 years, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement solutions to individuals, businesses, and families. Beyond their services, they actively support local charities, sponsor community events, and offer financial education initiatives. “Our commitment goes beyond finance—we’re invested in West Chester’s future,” says owner and financial adviser Kristen Taylor. Visit their website for lots of helpful information, including curated articles, videos, and more!

Something’s Awry’s Amy and Kurtis Theorin getting ready to walk with the West Chester Film Festival float in the West Chester 225 Parade.

Something’s Awry is a global animation studio with a soft spot for its local community. Producer Amy Theorin is on the board of the West Chester Film Festival, a member of the West Chester Chamber of Commerce, and a volunteer with the Borough’s Parks and Rec PROS Committee. She and her family will also be participating in Porchfest this year. Stop by on May 17 and rock out with the band! In the meantime, 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 they believe in the power of detail. They work closely with each customer to build their perfect adventure vehicle. “Stop in and see what we are working on!” encourages co-owner Hillary Todd

Uptown is the heartbeat of West Chester's cultural scene. Since 2017, nestled in historic downtown, Uptown has been a hub for Broadway-style theatre, music, comedy, and education. This year, Uptown will be hosting its annual gala “Moments of Magic” on May 10. The festivities kick off with a lively cocktail hour on the lawn followed by live music and performances both inside and outside the venue. The evening will conclude with a captivating performance by renowned illusionist Anthony Salazar on the A. Roy Smith Mainstage Theatre. 

“This elegant affair promises a night of enchantment and entertainment, all dedicated to supporting Uptown's vibrant artistic and educational initiatives,” said Uptown Board Member Leslie Telthorster. Learn more about the event and grab your tickets here.

West Chester Public Library hosts their Summer Reading Kickoff at Barclay Park.  Join them on June 14th to kickoff Summer Reading 2025.

West Chester Public Library has served the community for over 150 years.  Located at the corner of N. Church and Lafayette Streets, the library circulates over 140,000 items annually. Programs include story times, summer reading, book clubs, trivia, and more.  You’ll find a complete list of programs on their website, wcpubliclibrary.org. 

Truly a great group. Thank you again to all our Hello, West Chester Community Sponsors! If you can support them, do and if you see them out, tell them you saw them here.