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HomeAbout the Village on the Ridge Board Members
About Village on the Ridge

Our Mission
Village on the Ridge, a volunteer organization, provides programs and services for older adults in Roxborough and its surrounding neighborhoods.  We strive to support our neighbors in their goals to stay socially and physically active, have a positive quality of life, and remain independent as long as they are able.


Our Vision
In the future, older adults living in Roxborough and its surrounding neighborhoods will know that there are a broad range of social and physical activities available to them. They will be assured that the community enhances their quality of life, fostering a belief that they can live independently in their homes as long as they are able.


“Villages represent a promising model, with the potential for positively affecting seniors in ways that may reduce social isolation, expand access to services, increase well-being, and increase seniors’ confidence in their ability to age in their homes.” Andrew Scharlach, researcher on aging and social welfare.

Everyone living in Roxborough and its surrounding neighborhoods is welcome to participate in this new organization as a member and/or volunteer. 

2025 Annual Report

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Current Board Members (effective 4/1/2026)


Sarah F. Wimberley, President

Joan Stanton, Vice President

Chuck Broadbent, Chief Operations Officer

Barry Davis, Treasurer
Don Simon, Secretary
Joanne Aurica

James M. Lammendola

Bob McWilliams



Founding Board Members

(pictured left to right)


Sarah F. Wimberley, Vice President

Chuck Broadbent, Chief Operations Officer

Don Simon, Secretary

James M. Lammendola, President

Joan Stanton, Treasurer



Highlights from our 2025 Annual Report

Membership 

As of December 31, 2025, Village on the Ridge had 76 active members, all of whom reside in the 19127 or 19128 zip codes. Of the members who joined in 2024, eight members who continue to reside in the area did not renew.


Member benefits continue to include, but are not limited to, social events, educational activities, wellness programs, non-emergency in-home assistance, ride assistance, and local service provider recommendations. We also connect members with other organizations to provide volunteer services we do not (e.g. snow shovelling) and city, county, and state services where appropriate. 


Programs & Events

Village on the Ridge sponsored 117 health and wellness events, 87 social events, 50 educational activities, and nine membership events. The most popular event of the calendar year was the Holiday Potluck Dinner attended by 38 individuals. The total attendance at all Village events and programs was 1,008.


Wednesday coffee get togethers, monthly luncheons/dinners, meditation, and Wissahickon Walks were regular features.


Our website calendar also promoted 44 community events and programs as well as 20 programs at East Falls Village or Northwest Village.

During 2025, member-driven initiatives established a new book discussion group, a movie discussion group and a singing circle. Members also freely shared their own stories and learnings, sharing educational and informational knowledge with attendees.


Two Gatherings of approximately thirty attendees each were held in March and October 2025.


Examples of our events are as follows (not an all encompassing list):

  • Educational activities: visits to museums and gardens, discussion groups such as movies and books, history of all types, and our exclusive ‘Our Town’ series

  • Health and wellness programs: aging topics including end of life discussions, yoga and tai chi, safety, meditation, and group walks in parks

  • Membership events: website tours via Zoom, learning about the Village Movement, and two Village Gatherings of membership

  • Social events: receptions including Art on the Ridge, informal meetings such as coffee breaks, monthly Happy Hours and Members’ Luncheons, singing sessions, Pot Luck dinners, and group excursions to commercial sites such as Philadelphia Christmas Village

  • Other activities included our participation in street festival and health & wellness fairs, community cleanups, as well as group attendance to Parks on Taps, MRAC Art Openings, PorchFest, and Library events


Our Vision for 2026
Village on the Ridge will continue to expand membership through a variety of outreach initiatives including participation in neighborhood events, deepening our partnerships with hyper-local civic organizations, increasing our media presence, engaging with the business community, and continuing to engage with our members by eliciting feedback and hosting Gatherings. 

We will continue to provide the opportunity to participate in events that are relevant, interesting and bring us together as a community. 


Key Strategic Initiatives
(2025 activities in parenthesis)

  • Increase Participation in Neighborhood Events (Roxborough Development Corporation’s SpringFest and Roxtoberfest, Gorgas Park’s Veteran’s Picnic, Tarik Khan’s Health & Wellness Expo, YMCA Health & Wellness Expo), Art on the Ridge)

  • Partnering with Civic Organizations (joined Manayunk Development Corporation, the Pennsylvania Village Movement group)
  • Increasing our Media Presence (Facebook, Instagram, articles and press releases in The Review, improved weekly newsletter)
  • Engaging with the Business Community (local businesses shared important educational content)
  • Continue to Engage with Our Members by Eliciting Feedback and Hosting Gatherings (two surveys and two Member Gatherings)



Special Thanks to Our Community Partners & Funders!

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