Local Groups Rake Leaves, Plant Trees in Phoenixville

Borough resident Joan McCracken started a program a few years ago that encourages groups to go out and rake leaves in the community. 

It's a perfect fit, as McCracken has served on the Tree Advisory Commission. She realized elderly or handicapped residents may have trouble cleaning up after the street trees during the autumn months, so she decided to do something about it. 

She got a few groups together. A local Boy Scout troop rakes, and Key Club members from Phoenixville and Spring-Ford also help rake leaves around the borough. A couple rakes each year, and St. Ann's Junior High Youth Group was out in Saturday, one big group all working together to clean up yards along Anderson Avenue and in other parts of Phoenixville. 

"We've been coming out and raking for the last few years," said Brent Illig, who was helping out with the St. Ann's group. "We always do the same few lawns." 

"I got more groups together as the years went on," said McCracken, who started the tradition back in 2005. 

At the same time groups were out raking on Saturday morning, another group was planting new trees on borough streets and in parks around Phoenixville, and you can see those photos in this gallery as well. 

Thanks to Doreen Smith and Randy Morin for sending in photos.