October 31 email: From Magic to Miracles: Stories of Inspiration to Celebrate Our Community

Rep. Melissa Cerrato October 31, 2025

We made our way back to Harrisburg this week, and as always, I’ll share the legislative summaries of the bills that ran on third consideration next week, once I have a bit more time to draft them. For now, I want to share that our leadership, along with Governor Shapiro, has spent the week in closed-door meetings with Senate leadership. For the first time in a while, I’m hopeful that we’ll see some movement on the budget soon. I’ll keep you updated as soon as I know more.

Dear Friends,

One of the greatest privileges of serving as your Representative is the opportunity to connect with people across our community who are making a difference every day. From small business owners to industry leaders, and from local volunteers to dedicated trades professionals, I am constantly reminded of the creativity, resilience, and spirit that make our neighborhoods strong. I’d like to share a few recent highlights with you.

Celebrating Community Together

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the joy of joining many of you at two incredible community events that truly captured the spirit of connection and celebration here at home.

At the Montgomery Township Fall Festival, it was wonderful to meet so many neighbors, friends, and families as we celebrated the season together. Your conversations, ideas, and support were a powerful reminder of why community spirit is at the heart of everything we do. From sharing thoughts on the work ahead to simply enjoying the festival atmosphere, your presence made the day truly special.

At our Third Annual Family Resource Fair and Trunk O’ Treat, co-hosted with Rep. Ben Sanchez, Rep. Liz Hanbidge, and the Ambler YMCA, we came together for a day filled with laughter, smiles, creative costumes, and plenty of sweet treats. Alongside the fun, families had the opportunity to connect with valuable community resources, making the event both festive and meaningful. I am deeply grateful to everyone who joined us at these gatherings. Your energy, participation, and willingness to engage remind me why this work matters so much. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected community, and I look forward to continuing that work with you in the months ahead.

Celebrating Local Talent and Small Business

I recently had the chance to meet Rick Deezie, an expert family magician and corporate mentalist from Montgomery Township. He asked me to think of someone who has inspired me on my life’s journey, and through a mix of psychology, science, intuition, and a little mystery, he nearly read my mind. I chose my big sister, Anne Caprara — and he guessed “Anna Ca…” Pretty incredible! Encounters like this remind me how special our local businesses are and how much talent we have right here at home. Support local. Believe in a little magic. And never underestimate the power of inspiration.

Working Together to Strengthen Pennsylvania’s Future

I was proud to join my colleagues from the Bipartisan and Bicameral Pennsylvania Economic Competitiveness Caucus for a Life Sciences and Technology Roundtable with leaders from across the Commonwealth. This was a valuable opportunity to listen, learn, and collaborate on ways to make Pennsylvania a national leader in this critical sector. By working together on forward-thinking legislation, we can ensure our state remains competitive, innovative, and ready to lead. Thank you to Pfizer for graciously hosting us, and to all the experts who shared their insights.

A Dream Turned Reality in Horsham

Back in 2022, I first heard from Bill Slaymaker about his vision for an all-inclusive sports field where every child, regardless of ability, could experience the joy of playing sports. That dream has now become the Miracle Field of Horsham, and I had the honor of visiting the completed field. The Miracle Field Board, the township, and countless residents worked tirelessly to make this vision a reality. Their dedication is inspiring, and I can’t wait to return next spring for Opening Day to see the joy this field will bring to children and families. This is what community looks like. This is what inclusion looks like. This is what miracles look like.

Whether it’s celebrating local businesses, supporting inclusive community projects, strengthening our economy, or investing in workforce development, I remain committed to working alongside you to build a stronger, healthier, and more connected Pennsylvania.

Upcoming Events

?? Join Us for the Third Annual Fall Senior Fair! ??

This event is dedicated to senior citizen living and wellbeing.

Stay informed about services and initiatives in the 151st Legislative District. Learn more about programs for seniors, such as:

PACE/PACENET: Prescription assistance programs to help seniors afford their medications.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program: Financial assistance for eligible seniors to help with property taxes or rent.
SEPTA Key Card
And so much more…

Have any questions? Contact our office at 267-282-6695.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect and learn more! ??

SEPTA Senior Key Card Event

We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming SEPTA Senior Key Card Event, created to make it easier for residents who may not be able to visit our office during the workweek to apply for or renew their Senior Key Card.

Through our continued partnership with SEPTA, we’re proud to provide this convenient opportunity for seniors in our community. The SEPTA Senior Key Card is available to residents aged 65 and older and offers free rides on all SEPTA transit routes, including buses, trolleys, subways, and regional rail. Seniors traveling to Delaware or New Jersey can also enjoy a 50% discount on fares when using their Senior Key Card.

Important Notes:

SEPTA currently takes about four weeks to process and mail new cards.
If you prefer not to wait, you may renew your pass directly at SEPTA Headquarters, 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, by scheduling an appointment at (215) 580-7145.
Please note that duplicate cards cannot be issued at this event. To replace a lost or stolen card, you must mail a $5 check or money order payable to SEPTA to: SEPTA, P.O. Box 824833, Philadelphia, PA 19182.

We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to secure or renew your Senior Key Card in a convenient and supportive setting. Please spread the word to friends and neighbors who may benefit from this program.