As the new year begins, it is a good opportunity to reflect one last time on 2022, a year that featured positive news stories that filled the pages of the Community Courier newspaper.

Local pet rescues were highlighted in 2022, specifically those with inspirational stories. Readers learned about a little kitten named Drizzle, who was dumped in the trash and found by a good samaritan who turned him over to Lucky Dawg Animal Rescue (LDAR). LDAR volunteers cared for Drizzle, who weighed only 2.5 ounces when he was found, which included feeding him by hand every four hours for several weeks. Today, Drizzle has found a permanent, loving home and is thriving with his new owners.

A new animal welfare organization highlighted in 2022 was Callie's Critter Rescue, founded by Twin Valley High School alumna Calla Gibson. The goal of the rescue is to provide foster care for unwanted cats and kittens until their forever homes can be found. Calla is currently a veterinary technician but plans to attend school to become a veterinarian.

People who were highlighted in 2022 included Callie King of Honey Brook, a trainer and riding instructor who took part in the Mongol Derby, dubbed the longest and toughest horse race in the world. The event took riders through the grasslands of Mongolia for a distance of approximately 621 miles over the course of 10 days. Even though it was her first time competing, King finished in fourth place.

Community service organizations highlighted in 2022 included the Summerfield Handstitchers, a group of sewing enthusiasts who are residents of Summerfield at Elverson, a local housing development. The group makes fleece blankets for Project Linus, creates prayer shawls for people who are sick and crafts hats, lap covers and small pillows for residents of the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Other community groups that were active in 2022 included Mission Trip Birdsboro and Beyond, a group of volunteers that completed home repair projects for community residents in need in the summer of 2022; the American Legion Riders from Post 626 in Birdsboro, who constructed an access ramp for a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran; and Anchored Ministries, an Elverson-based organization that offered a free prom boutique for Twin Valley High School students.

Morgantown ReUzit, which offers new and gently used merchandise for shoppers, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022. Proceeds from items sold at the shop, which includes housewares, clothing, toys, books, fabric and more, are donated to Mennonite Central Committee, a Christian relief organization.

The historic Pine Swamp Church, located at 400 Pine Swamp Road, Elverson, reopened in 2022 under the direction of new pastor David Yamarick. The church features its original curved pews and domed stained-glass windows, as well as 16 original horse stalls outside, which were once used by congregation members who traveled to the church by horse and buggy. Sunday services are held at the church at 10:30 a.m.

To read the highlighted stories in their entirety, visit http://www.townlively.com and enter the story topic in the search bar.