November 7, 2023

I hope this message finds you well. As we approach the end of the year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made in revitalizing the Sunbury community through events, small business support, and the Albright Center for the Arts.

 SRI organizes events to promote Sunbury, attract visitors, and support small businesses. This year we added two new events to our annual lineup: For the Love of Coffee and An Irish Hooley. Although the River Festival was impacted by a change of location due to Front Street repairs by PennDOT, it was nevertheless a delightful success. The Lake Augusta Wine and Brew Festival provided guests a unique experience tasting wines, spirits, and brews from our region on a gorgeous fall day by the river. We are extremely grateful for businesses and organizations who regularly sponsor our events. Net proceeds are used for SRI’s operational costs to continue community and economic development efforts including an application underway that, if selected, will provide long-term access to funding, support, and mentorship in revitalizing commercial spaces and upper level living in Sunbury’s downtown.

 Thanks in part to our Community Partners, Weis Markets, Inc. and UPMC, SRI established the ThinkSunbury Business Association. Meeting monthly since March, the purpose of the association is to facilitate communication, encourage business to business networking, and connect businesses to resources. On behalf of the association, we promoted Sunbury businesses at a Crosscutters baseball game; purchased advertising; entered a float in the Halloween Parade; and hosted an Evening Brunch for Business featuring guest speaker, Mayor Michael Lombardo of Pittston. We will continue to grow the association in 2024.

Renovations at the Albright Center for the Arts made a giant leap forward with the completion of a million-dollar project to upgrade the HVAC system on the lower level and overhaul the kitchen. The project was funded through a combination of a RACP grant, a grant from the 1994 Charles B. Degenstein Foundation, and generous capital campaign donors. SRI believes that the arts have the power to transform communities. The completed upgrades enable us to offer a year-round programming and event venue. Planning is underway for the Storyteller Art & Music Series; a music listening room series; and other programs and events.

 As we look to the year ahead, we hope you’ll consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support SRI’s ongoing efforts toward Sunbury’s revitalization. Your generosity will make a real difference in the lives of our fellow community members. Thank you for your support and partnership in this important work.

 Sincerely,

Slade Shreck

Board President