A Prize for Civic Duty

A small gesture from local businesses goes a long way. Attendees at recent Manayunk Neighborhood Council meetings earned a little something extra for their civic vigilance: a piece of cake.

Thanks to donations from Manayunk merchants, the neighborhood council has raffled gift certificates to those who come to the group's monthly meeting, which is the first Wednesday of every month.

"I know it's not earth shaking, but this is something MNC has been working on. We are very pleased so far," council member Dave Bass said.

The Wissahickon Neighbors Civic Association similarly holds a 50/50 drawing at each of its meetings to raise funds. However, that group lacks the tension with merchants, as the MNC sometimes has.

New businesses often must come before the civic to present plans for alterations at properties. The civic either supports or opposes applicants in letters to the Philadelphia Zoning Adjustment Board. So sometimes, they are at odds with merchants.

Bass thanked the participants for supporting the local group.

"We in MNC view this as a very positive step that not only makes the community meetings more enjoyable but helps develop... a business/community relationship that can only benefit everyone," he said.

Thus far, the are donations have been:

• —several $5 gift certificates
• —five cupcakes and a four-cupcake certificate
• —$10 gift certificate
• —three $5 certificates

For more information on the MNC, visit its website.