Shawn Watson wasn’t always the owner of three flourishing businesses in Lower Pottsgrove and Douglass Townships and a member of the Lower Pottsgrove Township Board of Commissioners. There was a time when he knew what it was to struggle through life.
Growing up in Norristown, Watson, who is now 38, was raised by his grandmother and, he recalls, it was sometimes tough going.
During this time of year, he said, “it’s unfortunate that there are families who are suffering hardships just to put food on the table. I can identify with them. I know what it’s like to struggle. I can understand where these people are coming from because I was in a similar situation” So, he added, “when you’re able to make their holidays brighter, it’s a warm feeling and especially meaningful to me when you can help these families by placing food on their tables,”
From now until Dec. 21, Lower Pottsgrove Township will be collecting canned goods and non-perishable foods, such as soup, jelly, peanut butter, stuffing, rice, cereal, pancake nix, pet food and macaroni and cheese. These items can be taken to the Lower Pottsgrove Township Administration and police station at 2199 Burkert Road by Dec. 19. Or, alternatively, residents may place a bag full of groceries in front of their mail boxes on Saturday or Sunday, Dec. 20 and Dec. 21.
On those days, Santa will be making his rounds through the neighborhood on Sanatoga and Ringing Hill Fire Co. trucks, followed by Lower Pottsgrove Township trucks which will collect the bags and deliver them to the township administration building. From there, the food will be sorted, bagged and distributed to two families in Lower Pottsgrove Township and a 3rd family in Douglass Township. The families were selected by a charitable organization in Pottstown.
The Santa run starts at 10 a.m., Saturday and Sunday, and will proceed through the Sanatoga and Ringing Hill Fire Districts.
