Happy Holidays from the Valley Forge Park Alliance!

At this time of year, our thoughts turn to those close to us—those who make our lives a little brighter with their company. The Valley Forge Park Alliance is no different, and we're thinking with gratitude about you, our community of friends and supporters.

Valley Forge has always been a community: a gathering place of different backgrounds who came together to shape the world they lived in into one they were excited to be a part of. Whether it was soldiers from the north or south learning to live and work together; fifty Oneida warriors serving on a reconnaissance team under the Marquis de Lafayette, a French man; or white soldiers serving for perhaps the first time alongside the 700 patriots of African descent here at Valley Forge; this has always been a melting pot of a community. Our past, present, and future are all the richer for it.

The Alliance has been hard at work making sure that everyone in our wider community feels welcome at Valley Forge. We believe that everyone, regardless of their background, deserves a safe, joyful, and accessible experience in our wonderful park. It was a pleasure to help the park welcome 20 new naturalized citizens this year, who we are proud to count as Alliance members. Hand in hand with In Color Birding, we created opportunities for underserved communities of color to come to a park they may have never visited to experience the over 227 different species of birds that call Valley Forge home. We're excited to have a Spanish interpreter at March Out for the first time this year, and to invite back the extraordinary interpreter Noah Lewis, who brings Black wagoneer Ned Hector to life.

Thank you to all in our community who made this year such a vibrant, exciting time, and to those of you who are working with us to make sure Valley Forge remains a place for all people to gather. The Encampment shows us how great things can be accomplished when all kinds of people work together for a brighter future, and we look forward to going boldly into that future with you.

Happy holidays and best wishes for a very happy new year,

Molly Duffy, Executive Director Amy Johnson, Board Chair

For more information about giving opportunities and to donate online, visit vfparkalliance.org or call 610-783-1777. Valley Forge Park Alliance is a nonprofit exempt corporation under Section 501 ( c )(3) of the US Code. Tax ID: 23-2036005