For a volunteer-led civic association, fostering community is tough when volunteers can’t engage in their normal events, attend their scheduled meetings, or even roam the streets of their neighborhood. As the COVID-19 outbreak made its way to Philadelphia, Center City Residents’ Association started brainstorming ways members could engage with one another from the comfort (and safety) of their own homes.

CCRA members flocked to Facebook to participate in a Facebook Photo Competition. Members posted their favorite photos of their pets on social media and friends and family helped to choose a winner by hitting “like” on their favorite photos.

At the end of the week, Sara King-Dowling and her dog Penelope (shown above, top left) were chosen as the winner of the contest with a total of 248 likes. Sara received a gift certificate from CCRA Business Member Di Bruno Bros., as well as a gift certificate from local small business, World of Animals at Rittenhouse. 

Overall, over 50 CCRA members posted photos of their pets to enter the contest, which received hundreds of “votes” via Facebook comment likes, as well as hundreds of comments from members chatting with one another about their favorite pet photos.

The opportunity to have some lighthearted fun with neighbors is invaluable during such a difficult time. To stay up to date with future Center City Residents’ Association photo contests, visit facebook.com/CCRAPhilly.