Thanks to the generosity of our community, we have raised more than $64,000 so far but still have a long way to go. As we enter the final weeks of raising funds to help community groups bring wonderful services and programs to our area, we ponder what Chestnut Hill would be like without their contributions.

There wouldn’t be the wonderful music that tickles our ears and gets our toes tapping on warm summer nights at Pastorius Park. These free concerts would not be possible without your donations to the Fund Drive. Nor would there be support for music throughout the year from The Crossing and Tempesta di Mare, Both groups are able to keep ticket costs down with our support, which makes the addition of a late dinner on the Avenue a great night out.

The students at Jenks would also not be exposed to the music of The Crossing and the two year musical collaboration underway. Maybe the next inspired maestro would not find his or her calling.

Forget about art programs for all ages, art summer camp, art and music focus at our public school, field trips, special exhibits and lectures, and a book festival. Without funding, these programs might languish. The next Picasso might not ever pick up his or her paint brush at Allens Lane Art Center, Mt. Airy Art Garage, Mt. Airy Learning Tree, or Friends of J.S. Jenks. We might not also see the next Hemingway be inspired at the Chestnut Hill Book Festival.

Can you also imagine living in an area without the beauty of pocket parks, garden baskets along the Avenue, well-tended train stations and parks for kids of all ages to enjoy? Friends of the Wyndmoor Train Station, St. Martins Station Committee, Friends of the Children’s Park and Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Club are comprised of neighbors just like you, who have negotiated with the city for the rights to take care of our neighborhood gems.

Year after year, they ensure we have well-loved treasures in our neighborhood free of graffiti and full of the good stuff – plantings and grass for organized sports. Without our support, it might be easy to give up. We’d also be remiss without including the stunning greening of the Avenue that the Chestnut Hill Garden District makes possible, which the fund drive has also supported.

Without funds from the fund drive, we wouldn’t be able support service organizations that cover teenagers and seniors at Teenagers Inc., Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, and Center on the Hill. Teens would have fewer opportunities for leadership and personal development while enjoying group activities. Additionally, seniors may not have a place where meeting new and familiar faces is just as much fun now as it was when they were teenagers.

Can you imagine an Avenue without a cohesive plan? The Fund Drive supports groups that strengthen our neighborhood with outreach and review forums. From the Chestnut Hill Historical Society to the CHCA Development Review Committee and Land Use Planning and Zoning Committees, there are expert volunteers – institutions, architects, designers, developers, lawyers and more – who make Chestnut Hill a vibrant place to live and do business.

If you have an affiliation with any of these groups or take part in any of the outstanding programs and events on the Hill, we hope that you consider making an additional contribution directly to the Chestnut Hill Community Fund Drive so we can continue to support great programming in our community. The Fund Drive continues through March 17.

To make a donation to the Chestnut Hill Community Fund, visit chestnuthill.org or Town Hall at 8434 Germantown Ave.