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Girls on the Run of Berks Celebrates its Biggest Season Ever at the annual 5k

Girls on the Run Berk County
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Community runners and walkers are invited to join the Girls on the Run Spring 2017 5K on Saturday, May 20 at the Penn State Berks campus located at 1800 Broadcasting Road. This non-competitive 5K fun run/walk is open to community members of all ages and fitness levels. At the event, 440 Girls on the Run program participants in grades 3–8 from across Berks County will finish their first 5K, after completing the 10-week Girls on the Run personal development program at their local school.

This is the biggest season of all-time for the local non-profit, which completed its first season locally in the fall of 2013.

Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program for girls. Participants meet after school twice per week in small teams of 10 to 20 girls with their volunteer coaches, completing twenty 90-minute sessions over a period of 10 weeks.

The Girls on the Run program creatively integrates running as a method of reinforcing the principles of goal setting, teamwork and personal accomplishment; and participants complete a 5K event at the end. The curriculum covers topics such as accountability and intentional decision-making, identifying and curtailing negative self-talk, resisting peer pressure and more.

Girls learn to assert themselves in a healthy manner, effectively manage their emotional responses, and identify areas of challenge and confidence in their own personalities. As a non-profit, Girls on the Run offers this unique experience to all girls, regardless of family income. Last season, 49% of program participants received financial assistance to participate.

This spring’s local school teams include: 10th & Green (2 teams), Amity, Andrew Maier, Birdsboro, Brandywine Heights Intermediate, C.E. Cole Intermediate, Cornwall Terrace, Glenside, Governor Mifflin Intermediate, Green Valley (2 teams), Greenwich-Lehartsville, Kutztown, Millmont, Muhlenberg, Northwest Middle, St. Ignatius Loyola, Schuylkill Valley (2 teams), Shiloh Hills Spring Ridge, Tilden, Whitfield, Willow Creek, Wilson West Middle and Wyomissing Hills.

The Girls on the Run 5K will be held for the first time at Penn Sate Berks, with a host of activities for participants.

The 5K course route is fully-enclosed on the campus, to provide a safe and fun experience for all participants. Pre-event activities beginning at 8:00 AM will include live music from DJ Ben Smith of 5 Star Productions, a free photo booth provided by ROG Orthodontics, a free “happy hair” colored hairspray station provided by Salon Avanti, a free “spirit” station hosted by Penske Women’s Network, plus a host of activities provided by other local Girls on the Run sponsors.

Online registration is open at gotrberks.org through May 17th, and in-person registration will be conducted at the event beginning at 8:00 AM. The registration fee is $28, and all proceeds from registration fees directly benefit Girls on the Run of Berks County.

This year, patrons are invited to bring their new and gently used shoes of all types (running shoes, sandals, cleats, kids shoes and more) to the 5K in order to help raise funds for Girls on the Run program scholarships. Girls on the Run of Berks County will earn funds based on the total weight of the shoes collected, which will be purchased by charity affiliate Funds2Orgs. Shoes can also be brought anytime through the end of May to The GoggleWorks, 201 Washington Ave in Reading.

Buttonwood Street Bridge is Officially Open to Traffic

Reading Magazine
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Buttonwood Street Bridge is Officially Open to Traffic

After 2 years of hard work and traffic delays the Buttonwood Street Bridge is finally open! To officially open the bridge to local motorist, both Reading and West Reading Mayors, Wally Scott and Valentin Rodriguez met in the middle for a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

After the ribbon cutting Savage L&B presented West Reading Mayor Rodriguez with a $1,000 dollar donation to plant trees along the road leading to the West Reading Side of the bridge.

To celebrate the opening, Reading’s Mayor Scott made the first vehicle crossing of the bridge with a 1931 Ford Model A. The Model A was chosen because both the car and bridge were built the same year. A 2017 Ford Mustang was also onsite to commemorate the reopening.

Now that the bridge is open motorist in West Reading will see a change in traffic patterns. Penn Avenue is expected to be back to its former self early next week.

Tyrone Nesby Showcases Berks Top Basketball Players

Reading Magazine
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Tyrone Nesby Showcases Berks Top Basketball Players

With the recent State Championship victory by Reading High’s Red Knights it’s no surprise Berks County has more than a few great athletes. To highlight the top County players former NBA player Tryone Nesby took it upon himself to feature the best of Berks in an All-Star Basketball showcase game.

Almost 900 students, parents and fans packed the gym at Exeter High School for the first Berks County Basketball Showcase Game featuring players from 11 different local schools.

Unlike typical high pressure season games, Nesby’s Showcase Game promoted a fun and relaxing environment for players. Watching the game you could see everyone was just having fun.

For Nesby, the day was all about entertainment and activities for both spectators and players.

At times, Nesby himself would even take the microphone and break the game play to choose a few kids to compete in his own basketball obstacle course activity called “Nesby Games”.

Happening several times during the course of the game contestants would run the length of the court trying to put on over sized basketball jersey, shorts and shoes, only then return to shoot the winning basket.

Just like the rest of the game the half time show didn’t disappoint. Nesby, along with a group of volunteers organized players to compete in both slam dunk and 3 point contest. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/wLHLjJpcDYc

With the closing of the game Nesby gave the mic to Lonnie Walker for a few closing words. Walker thanked the community for their support and encouraged kids in the crowd to continue to work hard and be proud of where they come from.

Before he left, Walker had one last request for the audience. Take one last bow.

Nesby Showcase Players

Blue Team

Lonnie Walker IV – Red Knights
Isiah Cook – Red Knights
Tymir Comfort – Red Knights
Luis Garcia – Saints
Dillon Larkin – Spartans
Drew Miller – Brandywine
Isiah Tisdale – Mustangs
Riley Dobraniecki – Eagles
Trent Johnson – Trojans
Jack Casey – Saints

Red Team

Devon Jackson – Eagles
Ryan Okuniewski – Blazers
Grayson Kline – Bulldogs
Wesley Butler – Red Knights
Tyrone Nesby IV – Red Knights
Dreyton Kipp – Muhls
Keba Mitchell – Saints
Lorencz Jean-Baptiste – Cougars
Michael Jackson – Bulldogs
Bryce Calloway – Saints

14-year-old Animal Rescue League volunteer receives certificate of appreciation

Animal Rescue League of Berks County
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14-year-old Animal Rescue League volunteer receives certificate of appreciation

14-year-old Animal Rescue League Volunteer, Timothy Bauder received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Department of Education Professional Association on Wednesday, March 29, 2017.

Timothy was the guest speaker at the Department of Education Professional Association meeting on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Timothy spoke about his participation in the ARL’s Book Buddy Program and the impact it has had in his life. Book Buddies is a program geared for children in grades 1-8 to read to the cats in the ARL’s adoption room.

The program helps children improve their reading skills while benefitting the shelter animals by providing socialization and human interaction. Timothy also volunteers with the ARL by taking his adopted cat, Sunshine, to nursing homes for the residents to meet twice a month.

Glenn Miller, Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary of Education, Commissioner for Libraries and State Librarian presented Timothy a certificate of appreciation and several books signed by the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education, Pedro Rivera.

“Timothy is a wonderful example of how the Animal Rescue League’s book buddy program encourages children to read in a non-judgmental environment,” stated Liz McCauley, Executive Director of the Animal Rescue League of Berks County.

“Timothy has now become an advocate for the animals every time he volunteers for the ARL. We are all so proud of his accomplishments!”

ASICS Supports Girls on the Run Berks with donation of running shoes

Reading Magazine
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ASICS Supports Girls on the Run Berks with donation of running shoes

It was quite the afternoon for two teams of Girls on the Run Berks Tuesday at 10th and Green Elementary. 30 students received new running shoes thanks to a generous donation by ASICS.

Over 200 pairs of running shoes have been donated by ASICS and will be delivered to students throughout the next week.

“We are so thrilled to receive this generous donation from ASICS,” said Jennifer Strock, Executive Director of Girls on the Run of Berks County.

“This is a tremendous contribution to our efforts in the local community. We currently have over 400 girls from 25 schools participating in our Spring 2017 season, and we are working with our coaching team to help us distribute the ASICS running shoes to the girls who need them most.”

Not only does Girls on the Run promote physical activity but also helps develop life skills, all leading to complete a celebratory 5K event.

For Girls on the Run, receiving the donation from ASICS is only half of their goal. In an effort to raise essential funds to support scholarships for the Girls on the Run programs throughout the County, the nonprofit organization is also conducting a used shoe drive now through May 20, 2017.

Anyone can help raise money for Girls on the Run by donating gently worn, used or new shoes at the Girls on the Run collection bin located in the lobby of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts.

Girls on the Run of Berks County will earn funds based on the total weight of the shoes collected, which will be purchased by Funds2Orgs. Donated shoes will be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of microenterprise partners in developing nations.

Funds2Orgs helps impoverished people start, maintain and grow businesses in countries such as Haiti, Honduras and other nations in Central America and Africa. Proceeds from the shoe sales are used to feed, clothe and house their families.

“As a running based youth program, we’re excited to be making a difference this spring though shoes,” said Strock.

“The ASICS donation has assured that all of our program participants have the proper shoes to train for our spring season, and our used shoe drive will help us raise money for more girls to participate in the years to come.”

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