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Neags receive Thun Award for commitment to community and philanthropy

Berks County Community Foundation
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Neags receive Thun Award for commitment to community and philanthropy

In honor of their unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for others, Berks County philanthropists Carole and Ray Neag were presented with the 2017 Thun Award at a private ceremony on March 11.

Berks County Community Foundation, in partnership with Fulton Bank, held the annual Celebration of Giving at the Neag Planetarium at the Reading Public Museum to thank the Neags for their enduring support of numerous Berks County nonprofits and institutions.

“Carole and Ray have had an immeasurable impact on this community,” said Jeffrey R. Rush, Senior Executive Vice President and Regional President of Fulton Bank. “Many of their gifts to local organizations have been breathtaking in their generosity, and many of those gifts were historic moments for the organizations that received them.”

The Thun Award is presented to Berks County residents who generously contribute improvements to the quality of life in the community, said J. William Widing III, Community Foundation board chairman.

“Carole and Ray embody the leadership and love for this community that is found in all of the recipients of the Thun Award,” Widing said.

Along with the award, the Neags were given discretion to distribute a $5,000 cash grant from the Thun Award Fund. The Community Foundation administers the fund, which each year provides a grant to an organization chosen by the Thun Award recipients.

This year, the Neags chose to award the grant to Co-County Wellness Services. Co-County Wellness was founded in 1985 as Berks AIDS Health Crisis and was later known as Berks AIDS Network, or BAN. Today, Co-County Wellness Services continues to meet the needs of persons living with HIV in Berks and Schuylkill counties. The agency also provides prevention services related to HIV and STDs and teen pregnancy.

Ray Neag was one of the four founders of Arrow International, a world-renowned medical device manufacturing company. Carole Neag is a former emergency and maternity nurse who worked with numerous facilities to implement federal injury-prevention standards.

Organizations that have received significant gifts from the Neags include Albright College, Alvernia University, Berks County Community Foundation, Berks Nature, Berks Encore, Berks Youth Chorus, Caron Treatment Centers, Children’s Home of Reading, John Paul II Center for Special Learning, Kutztown University, Opportunity House, Penn State Health St. Joseph, Reading Public Museum, Reading Symphony Orchestra, Safe Berks (formerly Berks Women in Crisis), United Way of Berks County, and the University of Connecticut.

The Thun Award was created in 1988 to recognize the lifelong commitment that was shown by Ferdinand K. and Louis R. Thun to improve the quality of life in Berks County through philanthropy. Since that time, the award has been presented to Berks County residents who make significant contributions of civic service and who exhibit a steadfast commitment to the community. Not long after its founding in 1994, the Community Foundation became a partner in the Thun Award.

Recipients of the award exemplify the mission of the Foundation: to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County. Fulton Bank has been a partner in the Thun Award for many years.

 

Local Manufacturers Honor Berks Schools in Video Contest Awards

Reading Magazine
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Local Manufacturers Honor Berks Schools in Video Contest Awards

After months of planning, editing and filming students from 19 area schools packed the Santander Performing Arts Center for the inaugural “Whats So Cool About Manufacturing in Berks” video contest awards. Hosted by the Manufacturers Resource Center based in Allentown, Pa and Dream it. Do It PA, the video contest challenged Berks school students to film and produce a video based on a local manufacturing business.

During production of their videos students were given behind the scenes access to production lines, employees and products all providing a one of a kind chance to experience the culture of the manufacturing industry. Voting, which took place the first week of March gathered an impressive 65,000 votes through the Dream It. Do It Website.

Waiting for the show to begin we caught up with a few teams outside the auditorium. Students from Reading Northeast said they felt accomplished being able to put together their video with Berks Packing Company. They also mentioned visiting the plant and talking with employees changed the way think about how products are made.

Schuylkill Valley students, who featured Packaging Corporation of America said teamwork played an important role in their video. Each student was responsible for a different part of the production. PCA was very happy to be a part of the project.

“We got a call from MRC and were more than happy to say yes. They’re the next generation so it was a no brainier for us” said Soe Lee, employee of PCA.

With over 600 people in attendance for the awards ceremony John Weidenhammer, President of Weidenhammer Systems, inc. began the event by recognizing the hard work and long hours both students and teachers put into the the competition.

Speakers of the night included Jack Pfunder, CEO of Manufacturers Resource Center, State Senator Judy Schwank and a special video message from Governor Wolf.

“I thought the videos were amazing, funny and certainly memorable. Each video caught the essence of what manufacturing is all about in the 21 century.” – Judy Schwank, PA State Senator.

Award Winners

Overall Program: Muhlenberg Middle School featuring Appeeling Fruit Inc.
Videography: Schuylkill Haven Area Middle School featuring SAPA Extrusion
Creativity: Reading Southern Middle School featuring Remcon Plastics
Marketing Plan: Reading Northwest Middle School featuring Carpenter Technology Corp.

Viewers Choice: Tamaqua Area Middle School featuring Highwood USA
Outstanding Cool: Wilson West Middle School featuring Sweet Street Desserts Inc.
Educational Value: Wilson Southern Middle School featuring Cambridge-Lee Industries LLC.

Families discuss real life experiences with Opioid Addiction

Reading Magazine
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Families discuss real life experiences with Opioid Addiction

State Senator Judy Schwank hosted an Opioid Addiction Awareness panel discussion Thursday night at Governor Mifflin Intermediate School in Shillington.

The night featured an Naloxone demonstration by Reading Health System, panel discussion including people who have had family members suffer from an opioid addiction and a small group Q&A session with community resource organizations.

“This night isn’t about the experts, it’s about the real people who have been through this in there own lives” said Sen. Schwank said in here opening comments.

Prior to the panel discussion Charles F. Barbera, Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Reading Hospital to give a short Naloxone demonstration. Giving a few samples to pass around let the audience get a feel for the medication containers.

“This is really life saving, we save on average 1-3 patients a day because of this drug. Mostly by Police, fire or ems or even at home” said Dr. Barbera.

For the discussion, a group of three panelist was invited on stage to share their own family stories. Although the details they shared were personal, what brought the panel together was the important call to let others know they are not alone.

A few of the common themes of the night included concerns not typically thought of by those who may not have experience dealing with a family member addicted to Opioids. The panelist talked about issues with health care, insurance and dealing with the opinions of friends and family members.

Dealing with family members with addictions is not an easy subject to talk about. The panelist all wanted the audience to understand that they are not alone.

The night ended with the audience breaking off into small groups where they could go into more detail about there own personal stories.

Sister of Keith Haring draws large turnout at Weekend book signing

Justin Choate
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Sister of Keith Haring draws large turnout at Weekend book signing

When author Kay Haring returned home to Berks County for a book signing this past weekend, she was thrilled to see the strong support she received from her hometown community.

Kay, is the sister of world-renowned artist, philanthropist, activist and Berks County native, Keith Haring. Her brother Keith’s art is well-known for pieces that give off a very simple vibe, yet have a much deeper meaning. The backbone and inspiration to Keith’s pieces were love, death, sexuality and war. Though, long before these simple yet sophisticate pieces were ever created, there was a boy who just loved to draw.

In Kay’s new book, “Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing” readers get an inside look at how Keith’s passion for art and drawing sparked a career that would go on to inspire millions — even 30 plus years after his death. Keith died of AIDS-related complications in 1990 while living in New York City.

The book signing took place over two days at the Reading Public Museum. A line that spanned far past the main entrance of the museum was filled with people of all ages, race and background, and showed just a small glimpse of how many people Keith’s work touched.

“I knew I could count on my hometown community,” Kay Haring said after the signing ended on Saturday afternoon. “I told my editor, we’ll see a lot of people in Berks County.”

And a lot of people she saw. Over 500 books were signed throughout the course of the two-day event, making it the largest turnout of the book signing tour. To honor Keith’s love for giving back, Kay decided to do something that her brother would be especially proud of.

“I wanted to mirror what Keith taught me, and so many people through his generosity and philanthropy,” Haring said. “I early on decided that 25% of my proceeds are going to go to the Youth Advisory Committee of Berks County Community Foundation.”

YAC is made up of approximately 30 high school student volunteers from across Berks County who annually make decisions about $15,000 in grants that fund projects that address the issues facing their peers in Berks County.

“We appreciate Kay’s generosity for putting the proceeds toward our YAC program,” said Kevin K. Murphy, Berks County Community Foundation president. “She is continuing the dedication to children’s welfare that Keith exhibited throughout his life.”

In addition, each elementary school in Berks County will receive a copy of the book for their school’s library.

Another passion of Keith’s during his prolific life was the well-being of children in his community. He created many pieces for children’s hospitals all over the world, one of which is highlighted in the book. However, one of Haring’s most prominent works was one that commemorated the Statue of Liberty for her 100th birthday. Haring called on over 1,000 youngsters from the CityKids Foundation in New York to help him complete the massive 90’ x 30’ painting. The piece was titled “CityKids Speak on Liberty.”

“Keith loved working with kids,” Haring stated. “I know that if he were still alive today, he’d be working on projects where they’d be able to participate hand-in-hand.”

It’s safe to say, Keith would be proud of his younger sister’s persistence, as it took her 10 years and three different drafts to perfect the story she wanted to tell.

“I wanted to make sure that this part of Keith’s legacy remains,” Haring said. “It was important for me to have people remember him for his generosity, and for everything that he did for so many.”

With the help of Kay’s book about her brother, Keith Haring’s generosity and drive will go on to touch a brand-new generation of young people — something else Keith would proud of.

“It’s great to see and hear from people who have read it, and actually like the story,” she giggled. “The best part about this experience has to be when children come up to me, and say, ‘I want to be like Keith!’”

“You never know how people are going to react to it,” Kay continued. “And, when they do, and it’s so positive, that’s like the best thing in the world.”

The hardcover book was illustrated by Robert Neubecker, and includes many original pieces of Keith Haring’s artwork that spans across his lifetime. The 500-word story was published by Penguin Random House, and is perfect for readers aged 5-8, or anybody who may be interested in Keith’s inspiring journey. The book also includes a short biography of Keith, multiple family pictures of the Haring family, information about YAC and the Berks County Community Foundation and information on the Keith Haring Foundation.

Kay Haring’s book, “Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing” is on sale now at kayharing.com and Amazon Prime.

Creative Rock Art Spreads Around Berks County

Reading Magazine
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Creative Rock Art Spreads Around Berks County

Kids these days have plenty to do inside, and if you’re a parent you’re all too familiar with the problem of getting your little ones outside. As a parent and Publisher of Macaroni Kid Berks County, Jennifer Schorr wanted to come up with a program that helped children learn and have fun outside.

Schorr came up with Berks County Rocks, a Facebook group dedicated to creating art and outdoor fun. The concept is simple, Schorr hosts free rock painting workshops where kids can paint their own 2×3 inch stone. Once finished, kids take and hide them throughout the county posting clues as to where they are in the Facebook group.

“The goal is to encourage art, creativity and community” said Jennifer Schorr.

The idea isn’t original, said Schorr. Talking with fellow Macaroni Kid Publishers, she heard it was being done in Florida and after some research though it would be the perfect addition to Berks County.

We caught up with Jennifer at the Oley Valley Library where she was leading a group of 15 kids and adults through the rock painting process. There are no rules on what to paint, just that everyone has fun. Walking though we saw quite the display of artistry. Ladybugs, flowers and animals were just a few of the designs being painted.

Each rock is sign and stamped with the URL of the Facebook group. That way those who find it can join in and hide it in a new location.

Jennifer told us it was important to keep the activity free, however the supplies do cost money. To fund the workshops, she looks for business and community sponsors to offset the costs. Although it’s a good thing, the growing popularity has pushed her workshops close to capacity. Her goal is to find more organizations with space and partner with them to host additional Rock Painting Workshops.

So far, her workshops have produced 50+ rocks. Where they will end up nobody knows, but as the popularity of the Facebook group grows, you may start to see these little works of art near you.

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