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“Stand Down” Volunteers Stand Up for Local Veterans

Dani Motze
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“Stand Down” Volunteers Stand Up for Local Veterans

On the third Saturday of every month in City Park you’ll find volunteers representing local groups, from a church congregation to a motorcycle club, joining together to host a Stand Down, an event that serves local veterans and their families. At no cost to them, veterans and their families can receive hot meals, takeaway food, blankets, clothing, boots and even haircuts.

According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, “The original Stand Down for homeless veterans was modeled after the Stand Down concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations.”

Robin “Cherokee” Gilmore, co-founder of Veterans Coalition of Pennsylvania, volunteered at the Philadelphia Stand Down events that were held yearly and wanted to bring a more frequent service to Berks County veterans, “I thought, maybe we could do better. Maybe it could be more than yearly. So we started what eventually became the monthly Stand Down here in Reading City Park.”

He and his partner and wife Sunny, and their team have been leading these Stand Downs every month for five years, rain or shine, and receive up to thirty volunteers on any given Saturday.

Many volunteers have made this a regular part of their month. Robin, a member of Bausman Memorial UCC church, heard about this event from her pastor and has been at the last fourteen Stand Downs, including during last year’s frigid winter months. She and her congregation collect snacks that she brings to distribute. “It’s very rewarding, I can tell you. I miss it in between months.”

According to Cherokee, Stand Down partners with local organizations, and the Berks County Veterans Affairs, for support and donations of food and other materials, “We’ve become super good at begging for stuff.”

Sunny and Cherokee founded the Veterans Coalition of Pennsylvania to serve as an umbrella organization that brings together various groups serving veterans, to act as the 501c3 that can accept charitable donations and to provide other functions, like carrying the insurance needed for these events. Cherokee said that he also wanted to found the organization to serve veterans on a daily basis, in between these monthly Stand Down events.

“It’s the most honorable thing I can think of to do…[It’s honorable] to serve today’s veterans and that’s what all these people you see here are doing…It’s the highest calling an American can have, serving today’s veterans.”

Brides Across America’s ‘Operation Wedding Gown’ visits Wyomissing

Jason Hugg
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Brides Across America’s ‘Operation Wedding Gown’ visits Wyomissing

With hundreds of dresses to choose from, Julia Gipprich hopes to find her dream wedding dress during a Brides Across America event at the Inn at Reading’s Bridal Show. Julia’s fiance is currently deployed in Japan, making the planning of her dream wedding a challenge.

After learning about Brides Across America from a college classmate, she registered online and was approved to choose a dress. Arriving early the venue Julia, her mother Ashley and Aunt waited anxiously in the lobby waiting for their names to be called.

Founded in 2008, Brides Across America is a nonprofit that provides free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides. The goal of the organization its to lessen the financial hardships unique to servicemen and women.

“Some participants have already had civil ceremony but have not had a formal wedding just yet, so this is a way to say thank you for their service” said Kathleen Cruz, Brides Across America.

After a short wait it was finally their turn to select a dress. Seeing the dress room for the first time Julia’s eyes lit up with excitement, which quickly turned to anxiety when she realized this was it, the time to try on her wedding dress. Several volunteers from Brides Across America stood by to help guide Julia and her family through the process.

Once Julia found a few gowns of her liking it was off to the dressing room to try them on. For her fan club, Julia’s mother and Aunt waited with bated breath for the big reveal. “Stunning, look at the detail.. It was like it was made for her” said Ashley, Julia’s mother.

After a few trips from the dressing room to the stage Julia was set. Are you saying yes to the dress? said a volunteer. Julia nodded her head and the whole room lit up with applause. The winner was dress number one. “I knew it was the one when I felt nauseous trying it on” said Julia. The next step was to pick out a complimenting veil to complete the look.

With the tentative wedding date planned for fall 2018, Julia is well on her way to planning a wedding her and fiance Damian Schweikert can be proud of.

Women Rally for Change at City Park in Reading

Reading Magazine
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Women Rally for Change at City Park in Reading

Inspired by the Million Women March in Washington DC, hundreds of people rallied in Reading’s City Park on Saturday to join together and stand up against inequality.

To stand as One, in the name of Equality. Equal Respect. Equal Pay. Equal Power..

One of the speakers was Ramona Turner Turpin, a life long resident of Reading. She spoke about her experience growing up. “I don’t know anything but a life of service because that’s what I came from”.

For Turpin, faith is large part of her life. Her struggle is understanding those closest to her that “don’t get it”. Service is important to Turpin, which she explains means supporting and uplifting those who may be different.

Reading Knights Honor McDonald’s All-American Lonnie Walker

Jason Hugg
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Reading Knights Honor McDonald’s All-American Lonnie Walker

Reading High School Basketball player Lonnie Walker was presented his official McDonald’s All-American hat and jersey Friday at a community pep rally held at the Geigle Complex. During the presentation Lonnie awarded his long time friend and former teammate Damon Stern the Dream Champion Award.

IM ABLE Foundation and Baseball Charities Partner to build Adaptive Playground

IM ABLE Foundation
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IM ABLE Foundation and Baseball Charities Partner to build Adaptive Playground

IM ABLE Foundation and Baseball Charities have announced a partnership to build an adaptive playground at the new Savage 61 Field of Dreams Complex in Berks County.

“I’m excited to announce the partnership between the IM ABLE Foundation and Baseballtown Charities. I think this is great having two communities come together trying to accomplish great things. It’s going to be a really cool project.” -Chris Kaag, IM ABLE Foundation Founder

The playground will create a motivating and encouraging environment that will allow all children including those with physical or cognitive challenges to play together. Children who use a wheelchair, cane or crutches will be able to move freely throughout the playground. The surface of the playground will be rubber tile.

“We try to create as many opportunities to get up on top of playground equipment. If you see a lot of playground equipment, they have sliding boards, etc”, added Kaag. “Unfortunally for people in wheelchairs with canes and crutches, they aren’t able to do that. We want to try to provide an opportunity to have equipment for all children to play together. It won’t be a separate playground.”

In November, Baseballtown Charities announced they were launching the Baseballtown Dream League, providing children with physical and developmental challenges the opportunity to play baseball. To accomplish this, Baseballtown Charities is building the Savage 61 Field of Dreams at Relevant Sports Complex. The special field, with a special surface will be the home to the Baseballtown Dream League.

Thanks to this partnership between IM Able Foundation, and Baseballtown Charities, not only will children with physical and developmental challenges be able to play baseball, they will also be able to play on a playground before and after their Baseballtown Dream League games. Further, the IM Able Foundation playground at the Savage 61 Field of Dreams will allow ALL KIDS to play together, and get to know one another.

Baseballtown Charities’ Dream League is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Reading, Pa. that focuses on making dreams come true one pitch at a time. Since 2002, Baseballtown Charities has worked to build inclusive baseball diamonds as well as bonds between players, teammates and supportive communities.

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