Gratitude, solidarity and determination.

In recognition of those traits, residents in the commonwealth and churches are being asked to ring bells in support of those on the front lines in the continued fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

At 7 p.m. Sunday, all Pennsylvanians and churches are asked to ring bells as part of “Bells Across Pennsylvania Day,” an initiative of the Pennsylvania State Mayors’ Association.

The bells are encouraged to be rung for three minutes, one minute for each of the below purposes:

• Recognize and honor first responders, health care workers, and employees of grocery stores, pharmacies and other life-sustaining businesses who have maintained essential services while at risk of infection from COVID-19.

• Show solidarity with elected officials and residents of municipalities across Pennsylvania, all of whom are fighting COVID-19 on the front lines together.

• Demonstrate that Pennsylvanians will prevail over COVID-19 and work tirelessly to ensure that their businesses and civic life will thrive once again.

Lehighton Mayor Clark Ritter issued a proclamation in support of “Bells Across America Day.”

Ritter noted that a statewide disaster emergency was proclaimed in March 6, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating all Pennsylvania residents to shelter in place, businesses to close or curtail their activities, and social events to be canceled.

The proclamation also states that despite all of the efforts of state, county and municipal governments to mitigate the effects of this pandemic, to date, over 1 million Pennsylvanians have been afflicted with COVID-19, and 24,792 Pennsylvanians have died from it.

“And I call upon all residents, businesses, and churches at 7 p.m. to ring bells or make other celebratory noise for three minutes to honor their hometown heroes, rally with other Pennsylvanians on the front lines of the COVID-19 battlefield and show resolve to restore their local businesses and civic life to their former prominence,” the proclamation reads.