WE NEED A MOMENT OF YOUR TIME...

On April 23, 1985, Merion Village residents gathered at a local YMCA branch for the first meeting of what would become the Merion Village Association. What began as a small group of neighbors coming together with a shared commitment to their community has grown into an organization that has served Merion Village for more than 40 years.

Over the past four decades, countless neighbors have volunteered their time, creativity, and passion to strengthen our neighborhood. In 2025, the MVA celebrated an incredible milestone, 40 years of neighbors coming together for our community.

The Merion Village Association has always been, and remains, a 100% volunteer-run organization. Everything the MVA has accomplished exists because neighbors chose to get involved. Passionate volunteers are the foundation of the association and the driving force behind every meeting, event, initiative, and improvement.

Today, the MVA continues to serve Merion Village in many ways, including:

• Hosting monthly public meetings to share updates and engage with neighbors
• Organizing beloved annual events like the Chili Cook-Off, Spring and Autumn Yard Sales, Fitness in the Park, Garden Tour, Festival, and Winter Potluck
• Facilitating community conversations around zoning changes and variances
• Raising funds for South Side scholarships and education initiatives
• Advocating for our neighborhood and fostering meaningful connections

These efforts help preserve the character of Merion Village and strengthen the sense of community that makes this neighborhood such a special place to live.

Like many volunteer-driven organizations, the MVA was deeply impacted by the changes brought on in 2020. Since then, volunteer participation has steadily declined. For an organization built entirely on volunteer energy, this presents a serious challenge. The board currently has vacancies for the Vice President and Treasurer roles. In addition, the number of volunteers available to help plan and execute events has declined significantly. This led to the difficult decision to cancel the 2026 Founder’s Day event.

This moment represents both a challenge and an opportunity.

The future of the Merion Village Association depends on neighbors who care about this community and are willing to help carry its mission forward. Whether you’re new to Merion Village, have lived here for decades, have never volunteered before, or were involved in the past, there is a place for you.

 The MVA thrives when neighbors show up. 

How to Get Involved

interested in serving on the MVA Board? If you’re a current MVA member and a Merion Village resident, complete the board nomination form: https://form.jotform.com/MerionVillageAssociation/BoardNomination

Want to help with events or committees? Complete the volunteer interest form: https://www.merionvillage.org/volunteer

Interested in outreach and growing the association? Email [email protected]

The Merion Village Association exists because neighbors choose to invest in their community. Every volunteer, past and present, has helped shape the neighborhood we know today.

Now is the time to ensure that this legacy continues.

Thank you for your support and for being part of the Merion Village community.