Verbeke & Charles Streets Cleanups: Volunteers from MAC and other community groups led the cleanups of the Verbeke Street median as well as Charles Street — all while socially distancing during a pandemic in mid-May. Thank you so much to all of you who turned out to show your civic duty during these most certain times to support this cause and ensure that if we’re stuck at home, at least the streets outside our doors look beautiful. Take a look at some of the photos from the cleanup:

2020 MLK Community Dinner: Thank you to everyone who turned out for MAC’s FREE annual neighborhood dinner on MLK Day on Jan. 20 at The Capitol Room at HMAC. It is always great to spend time with neighbors and learn about what’s shaping our community. And congratulations to our raffle winners, Rich and Gary, who each won complimentary three-month memberships to the YMCA at North and Front streets in Harrisburg. Until next year!

2019 Toasting Trio Raffle WINNERS: Congratulations to the winners of MAC’s “2019 Toasting Trio Raffle,” which featured three specialty basket prizes filled with wine, liquor or beer. David Biser won the wine basket, Richard Brenner won the liquor basket, and Alison Kroh won the beer basket. The real winner, however, was MAC and our community at large. Because of your generous support, MAC raised $415 to support the Historic Marker Revitalization and Enhancement Project. Click HERE to see the official results. Thank you again to all our participants!

2019 Toasting Trio Raffle: MAC is hosting its “2019 Toasting Trio Raffle” to give away some holiday cheer this season! Raffle winners will receive one of three specialty basket prizes filled with wine, liquor or beer, plus accessories and gift cards. Tickets are on sale through Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. The drawing will take place at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4 during MAC’s regular board meeting at 1230 North Third Street. Meetings are open to the public. Winners will be notified within five days of the selection. All proceeds from the sale will go toward the Historic Marker Revitalization and Enhancement Project. CLICK HERE to learn more about that MAC program. Participants must be 21years of age or older to win and collect a raffle prize. Contact a MAC board member for tickets.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: 2019 Toasting Trio Raffle – Official Rules

Celebrating Harrisburg’s History: The Midtown Action Council, working in conjunction with Historic Harrisburg Association, secured $13,652 through Dauphin County’s gaming grant program to refurbish, replace and install new historical signs scattered throughout Harrisburg. The 113 signs originally were installed between 2002 and 2004, but most are badly in need of repair and replacement. We have 40 panels to be replaced, 10 of which were ordered new and 30 that were found in storage, as well as new stands to replace damaged or missing posts for some signs. Learn more about how Harrisburg’s history is coming alive from this article from The Burg.

National Night Out 2018: Thank you so much to the friends and neighbors who joined MAC and other partners for National Night Out at the Broad Street Market on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018. Several members of MAC handed out free ice cream to the many folks who came by the various stations. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth! National Night Out is an annual event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make where we live a safer, better place.

FREE Annual Neighborhood Dinner: As part of an annual tradition, MAC once again sponsored its FREE neighborhood dinner on Jan. 15, 2018 in The Capitol Room at H•MAC, located 1110 N. Third St., Harrisburg. This was a great opportunity for neighbors to meet neighbors, and for residents to help us elect our slate of MAC board and officers for 2018. More information about the slate of candidates can be found on this FLYER that accompanied the event. Thanks to everyone who attended.

Cleaning Up Graffiti: MAC is among three Midtown groups, including Friends of Midtown and Historic Harrisburg Association, that have combined forces to clean up graffiti and tags on brick and stone walls all over our neighborhood. You can read more about the effort and learn how to get involved by reading this article from The Burg.

MAC Receives $15,000 Grant to Extend Wireless Video Surveillance Security System to Midtown: Midtown Action Council (MAC), Harrisburg’s oldest continuously operating community group, has received a $15,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to help finance an extension of the wireless video surveillance system, jointly operated by Dauphin County and the city, into Harrisburg’s Historic Midtown neighborhood. The project also includes installation of the first camera on the extended network. [READ THE RELEASE HERE.] This is just a first step, but arguably the most important step. Having the infrastructure in place sets the stage for future wireless cameras to be installed strategically throughout Midtown to tap into the real-time system. Prior to installation, MAC must secure matching funds. There are two ways you can help:

1. You can support the effort by visiting our GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/cameras-in-midtown.
2. Or, send your contributions by mail. Contributions are tax-deductible and can be made to Midtown Action Council, 1230 N. Third St., Harrisburg, PA 17102.

National Night Out: Thank you to everyone who joined us at “National Night Out” on Aug. 1, 2017, to meet your neighbors and enjoy some FREE food and entertainment. This was a special event for MAC members especially, as it is part of our yearlong celebration to mark our 40 years of continuous service to the community. Thank you for all you do and for all your support.

2017  Basket of Cheer: Congratulations to Evan Cosby and his team, who pitched in to share tickets and ended up winning the Midtown Action Council’s “Basket of Cheer” raffle June 12, 2017, as part of MAC’s 40th anniversary celebration. Proceeds raised through the raffle support our neighborhood improvement and beautification projects, and will help to finance security initiatives being launched in the Midtown community. The sturdy basket (pictured here) contained premium whiskey, wine, vodka, rum and other spirits valued at $500. Thanks to everyone who purchased tickets to support our work on your behalf.

Neighborhood Yard Sale: MAC held its annual neighborhood yard sale again on May 6, 2017. The community event was held outside the Harrisburg Historic Association building at Third and Verbeke streets. Thank you to everyone who participated and made the event a success.

MLK Dinner 2017: Each January, MAC hosts a community dinner to kick off the new year and bring together neighbors in community service.For years, the dinners were held in the basement of the Salvation Army building on Green Street. More than 50 residents attended the 2017 dinner, where Salvation Army representatives were honored for their contributions to MAC . The event also marked the start of MAC’s 40th year of community service, with more events planned throughout 2017.

Broad Street Market Benches: The Broad Street Market on Verbeke Street is experiencing a resurgence. The market forms a key corner of MAC’s borders and serves as a central community space for the entire Midtown. Those who want to take in the scenery in the open space between the two buildings can enjoy benches installed by MAC members.