The Schuylkill River Heritage Center (SRHC) will honor Dr. Louis J. Beccaria at its 10th Annual Heritage Award Celebration at The Foundry on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 6-9 PM.

The recently retired Dr. Beccaria will be recognized for all that he has accomplished for the Greater Phoenixville region during his 21-year tenure as President and CEO of the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation. He has fostered a sense of community benevolence, involvement and support that is truly without equal. Every nonprofit in the region has received the respect, attention and support it deserves because of his leadership.

Dr. Beccaria changed the lives of numerous people. He also inspired the formation of a Community Health Leadership Academy to build the capacity of nonprofit groups, so that these organizations could be better prepared to fulfill their missions to meet the needs of the community.

Aside from those needing medical and quality-of-life help, the “social health” of the community has been part of Dr. Beccaria’s mission as well. Improvements to the historic Colonial Theater and the restoration of the historic Foundry Building have both been enabled by the PCHF’s approach to giving to organizations that nurture and celebrate Phoenixville’s special historic and cultural legacy. Working with Phoenixville Borough leaders, Dr. Beccaria also founded Phoenixville’s Beautification Advisory Commission (BAC).

With Dr. Beccaria’s leadership, the BAC was able raise the funds needed to sponsor the creation of a large mural in the lobby of the Phoenixville Borough building. Phoenixville artist Teresa Haag painted the mural that provides a unique view of Phoenixville for all visitors who enter the building.

Another BAC initiative was the project to paint the utility boxes located in Phoenixville. Several local artists provided a wonderful array of designs that were approved by the BAC and painted on the boxes.

Click here to purchase tickets to the SRHC’s 10th Annual Heritage Award Celebration.