40 Good Neighbors

Gail, Brian, and Michael Hartsfield

The Hartsfield family has long contributed to the life of Mt. Airy, each member finding his or her own way to being a good neighbor.  Gail Hartsfield has focused her volunteer efforts on education and, in particular, on the C. W. Henry School.  She was recruited soon after her sons went to the school.  To Gail, participating “seemed like a natural thing to do when there were things that needed to be done.”  She “jumped right in” since “there never is a lack of things to do.”  She has been a member of the Home and School Association for nine years, serving as both Co-President and Vice President.  She has also been the classroom representative, or room parent, in the classrooms of both her sons. 

In the last few years, Gail has spearheaded a twice-yearly school cleanup program in which volunteers have been involved in planting and tree maintenance, building repairs, and painting.  She gets “a great sense of satisfaction from the little and big improvements” made from year to year.  She says, “You would be surprised to see just how much something small can mean, like installing new coat hooks for students who have not had them in the past.”  In addition to her education work, Gail organizes leisure time activities at Beachcomber Swim Club, which her parents helped found.

Brian Hartsfield, age 13, and Michael Hartsfield, age 12, began contributing to the community early.  Since the ages of six and five, they have followed in the footsteps of their father, Mark, who leads the West Mt. Airy Town Watch. Brian says that he “always looked up to the police officers around and how they helped out the neighborhood.”  Brian and Michael have completed formal Town Watch training given by certified instructors in the City of Philadelphia’s Operation Town Watch Program and have participated in several workshops and seminars. Working on the Town Watch has benefited them as well as the community.  Brian has learned to use sophisticated radios.  And as Michael points out, “We have learned a great deal about our environment and about different streets.”  Brian adds, “I used to think that certain streets were scary. But now I know they are not.”