The Pennsylvania State Mayors’ Association has initiated an event entitled “Bells Across Pennsylvania Day.” This statewide event will take place on May 3, and its three-fold purpose is:
- to recognize and honor first responders, healthcare workers and employees of grocery stores, pharmacies and other life-sustaining businesses who have maintained essential services to the general public while at risk of infection from COVID-19 and who deserve to be celebrated as “hometown heroes.”
- to show solidarity with elected officials and residents of municipalities across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, all of whom are fighting COVID-19 on the front-lines together in their communities.
- to demonstrate a collective resolve that Pennsylvanians will prevail over COVID-19 and work tirelessly to ensure that their businesses and civic life will thrive once again.
Mayors and other municipal officials are being encouraged to hold whatever events “sheltering in place” will allow.
Events may include encouraging residents to do something special for someone in their neighborhood who is a “hometown hero” like a telephone call, a note of support, delivery of baked goods, etc.
Then at 7 p.m., all Pennsylvanians and houses of worship will be encouraged to ring bells for three minutes, one minute for each of the above purposes.
Questions regarding “Bells Across Pennsylvania Day” may be directed to Mayor Jim Nowalk, president of the Pennsylvania State Mayors’ Association, at 412-508-6873 or pamayors@pamayors.org.