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170 Berks Students Compete in Canstructure Contest

Reading Magazine
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170 Berks Students Compete in Canstructure Contest

Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading partnered with Performance Toyota to host the second annual YVC Canstructure event, a structure building competition to fight hunger, to Berks County. Teams of youth throughout Berks County, mentored by artists, architects, engineers, and contractors competed to build incredible designs made entirely from cans of food collected during youth food drives.

Building took place at the Berkshire Mall, where the structures will remain on display for one week. Following the competition, all canned food will be donated to the Greater Berks Food Bank. Last year’s contest engaged over 100 youth participants and resulted in 3.2 tons of food being donated to the Greater Berks Food Bank. This year’s larger event hosted over 170 youth.

Karen Linder, Performance Toyota Charitable Giving Coordinator, said, “We are proud to partner with Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading in their food drive for Canstructure and are excited to see the sculptures students create with the canned goods they collect.  It’s a win-win community service project that fosters important skills in our youth and helps to fight hunger at the same time.  How could we pass that up?”

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VOiCEup Berks, a fund of Berks County Community Foundation and an affiliate of Youth Volunteer Corps, is a local organization dedicated to connecting all sectors of Berks County to volunteer opportunities through service learning. Formed in 2015, VOiCEup is the collaborative effort of a group of experienced volunteers who are committed to the power of service.  As an affiliate of Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC), VOiCEup engages youth ages 11-18 in meaningful community service.

Habitat For Humanity dedicates home in Reading

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Habitat For Humanity dedicates home in Reading

Habitat for Humanity Berks County held a dedication ceremony on Tulpehocken Street in Reading this past weekend for new homeowner Jeffry Santos. A small group of residents, volunteers, and community leaders attended to show support.

“We are thrilled to announce our newest homebuyer and proud of the beautiful renovation of Tulpehocken Street. Home dedication ceremonies are great events that allow us to introduce the city of Reading to another great neighbor. Many volunteers contributed their time and talent to renovate this home from top to bottom, and we are grateful for their support. Penske Truck Leasing was the lead sponsor on this home and contributed generously in dollars as well as volunteers.” said Tim Daley, Habitat Executive Director.

The home was completely renovated, which includes new electrical and plumbing, replacing the roof with slate to match its original beauty, and rebuilding the front porch. Additional projects included resurfacing the exterior brick and all of the home’s windows, new kitchen and bathrooms, re-configuring the floor plan, and painting.

To complete the renovations, 35 Penske Truck Leasing employees from the company’s used trucks department worked 575 hours.

During the dedication ceremony, Bob Glenn Director of Remarketing for Penske presented Santos with a housewarming gift of a new mattress and box spring.

“Jeffry worked hard to achieve his goal of home ownership, putting in 300 hours of sweat equity, including hours in education classes and financial counseling, all while working full-time and going to school part-time. He should be proud of this accomplishment, and I expect we will continue to see great achievements in Jeffry’s future.” said Penny Hummel, Habitat Director of Family Services.

We caught up with Santos at the end of the ceremony. “It’s amazing, a dream come true! Anyone that has a determined mind can accomplish anything.” It’s been a long journey for Santos, so he wanted to give advice for anyone looking to start the Habitat For Humanity process.

“Go for it! Some days your going to feel like you can’t do it, then as soon as see a little progress, that’s going to encourage you to keep moving forward. Sometimes the unknown will make us fear things, but you have to take a leap of faith and just go for it. Prayer and hard work are the keys to achieving anything in life.” said Santos.

Re-watch the Dedication Ceremony

Hilton Recognizes Alneasa Jordan with CEO Light & Warmth Award

Reading Magazine
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Hilton Recognizes Alneasa Jordan with CEO Light & Warmth Award

Hilton announced the winners of its annual CEO Light & Warmth Award this week, naming Reading’s own Alneasa Jordan, Human Resources Director, as one of thirteen team members company wide to receive the award. This isn’t the first time Reading has been highlighted. Back in 2016, Craig Poole, General Manager also received the award.

The annual accolade celebrates team members from across all levels and geographies who consistently over deliver on the job and model the company’s values of Hospitality, Integrity, Leadership, Teamwork, Ownership and Now. Finalists were selected by a committee of representatives from across the company with the 13 winners chosen by Hilton president and CEO, Christopher J. Nassetta.

“For the last 100 years, our Team Members have been at the heart of Hilton’s world-changing hospitality,” said Nassetta. “Our CEO Light & Warmth Award winners in particular are a true inspiration, consistently going above and beyond to have a profound positive impact on our guests, communities and one another. I am humbled and honored to work alongside these outstanding individuals, and celebrating their efforts is without a doubt one of the highlights of my year.”

This year’s recipients range from chefs and bartenders to managers and laundry attendants, and have gone beyond their job duties to provide for fellow colleagues, guests and their communities.

This year, nearly 700 team members from across Hilton’s managed and franchise network submitted CEO Light & Warmth Award nominations. As a recipient, Alneasa Jordan will receive a $10,000 bonus, trophy to display in the lobby, and lapel pin to wear daily. Since 2009, Hilton has awarded more than $690,000 since the recognition was established.

Oscars Themed Fundraiser Benefits Local Theatre

Reading Magazine
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Oscars Themed Fundraiser Benefits Local Theatre

Genesius Theatre held its second annual “From Stage to Screen” Pre-Oscars party Sunday night at the YR Club in Wyomissing. The red carpet night featured cocktails by piano, silent auction, and special musical theatre entertainment by Genesius actors.

Before the entertainment began, we spoke with Ellen Walter, Advisory board member about the legacy of Genesius and its future. “A lot of theatre is made into film, so a pre-Oscar party was a natural fit to build as our signature fundraising event”. With last year’s fundraiser raising over $7,000, Walter says her goal for the theater this year is $10,000.

Walter says the bulk of the money raised comes from the silent auction, which hosts a variety of high end items, including wall art, sculptures, wine bundles, gift cards and jewelry. Walter’s personal favorite, the collectors edition Marilyn Monroe Barbie.

Silent auction included a Marilyn Monroe Barbie.

The night isn’t just about enjoying cocktails and bidding on silent auction items. It’s about continuing the mission of Genesius Theatre, focusing on the three pillars of Genesius, structure, staff, and youth.

Owning the building at 10th and Walnut since 1974 is an investment for the theatre. Walter mentioned a few of the buildings on going maintenance needs. “It needs to be painted, and heating is a big cost during the winter due to the high ceilings. Overall, we want to enhance our corner of downtown Reading, which takes in-kind donations to fulfill those needs.”

Staffing is also a concern for the theatre. “We are in need of a managing director, marketing director, development director, all these don’t come free for a nonprofit” said Walter. As a mostly volunteer run organization, Genesius is very frugal with how it uses its hard earned ticket money. “The shows pretty much break even, between licencing fees, building sets, and having a full orchestra.” 

Genesius’s third pillar is especially important to Walter. Since the age of 13, Walter has been involved in the Genesius and wants to see it continue to provide opportunity’s to educate youth in the community. “Most of our actors get their first starts at Genesius, and many progress to degrees and careers in professional theatre” said Walter.

To highlight the talent of Genesius actors, Ellen, and Genesius Artist Director, introduced two stage performances during the entertainment portion of the evening, featuring actors from 6-14’s years old and teens to 20’s.

Walter is very excited about the new year for Genesius. “I really want to give back to the place that helped launch my career. The new batch of talent that gets added every year here is extraordinary, and I look forward to the new season. Im thrilled to be involved!” said Walter.

East Penn Mfg Employee Wins United Way Shopping Spree

Reading Magazine
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East Penn Mfg Employee Wins United Way Shopping Spree

On your mark, get set, go! For the sixth year in a row Redner’s has sponsored the annual United Way campaign incentive shopping spree. Held at the their Sinking Spring location, this years winner is Edwin Lopez, an employee of East Penn Manufacturing for his part of the United Way’s 2018 fundraising campaign.

The shopping spree was a whirlwind. Lopez had three minutes to run through the store, grabbing as many items as possible to fill his shopping cart with store customers cheering him on. In total, Lopez grabbed $1281.26 of grocery items.

“I was excited to win the shopping spree. I think it’s great that my company and Redner’s support United Way. It takes all of us to make our community stronger,” said Lopez.

The shopping spree was offered as a campaign incentive to donors contributing $4.00 or more per week to the 2018 United Way campaign. United Way raised over $10.9 million in 2018 to tackle issues around its focus areas of health, education, income and safety net services and to support more than 50 programs, initiatives and grants throughout Berks County.

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Each year, more than 100,000 people are helped through United Way programs.
Redner’s Markets, Inc., an employee owned company is committed to supporting the community in which each Warehouse Market and Quick Shoppe is located through a variety of supportive partnerships nd enrichment programs.

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