A Reading-area drive to collect menstrual hygiene and incontinence products for women and girls in need is entering its third year. Help a Girl Out collects diapers, pads, tampons, period underwear, wipes and incontinence products.
Organizers say that inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products and education disproportionally affects lower-income families According to the Alliance for Period Supplies, 1 in 7 women and girls between the age of 12 and 44 lives below the Federal Poverty Line in Pennsylvania. Without access to these products, many women who are already struggling to make ends meet cannot go to work or miss classes at school.
Donations are to be split between Opportunity House, Children’s Home of Reading, Safe Berks and the LGBT Center of Greater Reading.
A livestreamed discussion on the program will take place on the Berks Women in Motion Facebook page on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
The campaign kicks off Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Be Mine Boutique in West Reading, where people can meet the community partners, enjoy wine and cookies, and pick up a donation bin to collect products throughout the month.
Donations should be returned to Muhlenberg Greene Architects, 955 Berkshire Blvd., Wyomissing by noon on March 1 .
For more information or to register for the kickoff event visit www.mgarchitects.com/events/help-a-girl-out-product-drive-57a4y
Ice harvesting
The Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society has scheduled a presentation on Pennsylvania German ice harvesting on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 2 p.m. at the farm near Virginville.
The program will include a demonstration of antique ice harvesting tools, (weather-permitting) cutting and harvesting ice blocks from the ice pond and hauling and loading the ice in the ice house.
Presentations are scheduled for 2:15 and 3 p.m. Horse-drawn sleigh or wagon rides are offered for a small fee. A bonfire, warm soup, and hot chocolate will be available, and the farm grounds and nature trail will be open to the public.
The event is free, with only pouring rain or blizzard conditions leading to cancellation.
Dress for the weather and be prepared to walk on an unpaved farm lane that may be icy or covered in mud.
The Historic Dreibelbis Farm is located on Route 143 in Richmond Township. To learn more, go to www.Dreibelbisfarm.org, Historic Dreibelbis Farm on Facebook or call 610-451-1193.
Autism talk
“Understanding Autism,” presented by Claire Malfaro, will be the program at Spirit on Tap on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 701 Penn St., Reading.
Malfaro is a licensed professional counselor and president of Positively Produced Foundation, a newly incorporated nonprofit that aims to assist adults with autism to achieve full community inclusion. She is the mother of an adult with autism and a mental health professional and has spent much of her career educating, supporting and counseling, with a specialization in working with individuals and families impacted by autism.
All are invited and there is no charge. For more information, contact Dr. Harry L. Serio at hlserio@aol.com.
Philharmonic concert
The Reading Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Michael Slechta, will perform in the sanctuary of Reformation Lutheran Church, 3670 Perkiomen Ave. Reiffton, on Sunday at 3 p.m. The group will play music ranging from Disney to the classics. A free-will offering will be received.
Arboretum volunteers
The Reading Public Museum Arboretum Assistant Program is seeking volunteers. Each year, the number of projects at the Arboretum increases, as does the need for volunteers. Gardening sessions are Wednesday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon from April through October.
A required training/informational session is scheduled for March 20 at 8:30 a.m. in the museum’s planetarium. Inclement weather date is March 27.
Pre-registration is required. To register to volunteer or to request additional information, contact Donna Goughnour, volunteer coordinator, by March 5. Email tstingrayg@comcast.net .
Theology with a Twist
Theology with a Twist meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Kutztown Tavern, 272 W. Main St., for a discussion on faith formation and families
There will be a panel discussion about the kids and parents who are (or aren’t) in your churches. Participants will tackle the future of faith formation, programs that work and don’t work, and how the church tends to be one stop behind what families want and need. There will also be discussion on the uniqueness of each church and community and how different settings require different resources and programs.
The panel includes Marjorie Hughes, minister of faith formation at First UCC, Hellertown, Northampton County; the Rev. Kimberly Berenotto, pastor of Longswamp UCC; and the Rev. Sara Hertzog, retired pastor of Maidencreek Church.
Theology with a Twist meets in the tavern’s upper room. The event is free, but food and drink can be purchased in the restaurant downstairs and brought up to the event space. Parking is available in the community lot behind the tavern or on Main Street
Night at the Races
The Knights of Columbus St. Benedict Council presents its 10th annual Night at the Races on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m. at St. Benedict Family Life Center, 2020 Chestnut Hill Road, Robeson Township. Snow date is Feb. 10. Call 484-263-0322 for inclement weather announcement.
Entry fee is $25 for general admission; $30 for admission and own a Horse (limit 100). Make checks payable to K of C Council 14654. Every horse will run in one of 10 races, giving each owner a chance at the winner’s purse. Admission price includes all you care to eat or drink of food, beer, wine, and soda and water.
No one under 21 admitted.
For tickets call Jim Gregor 610-858-5235. Payment required by Jan. 29.
One Family Gala
St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, Reading, will hold its sixth annual One Family Gala on March 3 at the DoubleTree by Hilton.
Each year the event raises funds for community organizations and honors their leaders. This year’s event will call attention to Crime Alert Berks County. The featured speaker will be Cumru Township police Chief Madison Winchester, president of the Berks County Chiefs of Police. Crime Alert President Rick Periandi will accept the One Family Award on the organization’s behalf.
The event begins with a cash bar at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6. There will be an opportunity to participate in a basket raffle.
Tickets cost $75 each, which includes entrée options and are available from the church at 610-372-1531 or stpaulsrcchurch@comcast.net. The deadline for reservations is Feb. 12.
Table sponsorships and patron listings are available. The deadline is Feb. 12.
Lanternfly program
A program on the status of spotted lanternflies in Berks County is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. at the Cultural Center at the Highlands at Wyomissing, 2000 Cambridge Ave. Richard Kruczek, Master Gardener and spotted lanternfly coordinator for the Penn State Extension, will offer an update on the pest and answer questions.
Antique auto club
The next Ontelaunee Region Antique Automobile Club meeting is scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. in the New Jerusalem Zion UCC Church basement, 1456 Krumsville Road, Greenwich Township. Anyone with interest in old cars is welcome. For more information, call Phyllis at 610-965-9236 or email phyllispeters@hotmail.com.
Meals for sale
The Antietam Valley Community Partnership will be serving meals on March 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Mount Penn Elementary Center cafeteria.
AVCP is selling eat-in or take-out meals (single or family size) to raise money for college scholarships for local students. Options include chili, golumpki (stuffed cabbage) and kielbasa/halushki (sausage with cabbage and noodles). Family meals serving four people are $50. Individual meals are $15.
To order in advance, email info@antietamvalley.org, leave a message at 610-779-6973 or go to www.antietamvalley.org/upcoming-events/2024-community-dinner/?mc_cid=9a7093e153&mc_eid=ae4342cec8. The order deadline is Feb. 16.
There will be a limited number of walk-in dinners available on a first-come first-serve basis.
Spring Valley Boutique
The next Spring Valley Boutique is scheduled for Saturday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Spring Valley Church of God, 2727 Old Pricetown Road, Muhlenberg Township. Park in the upper parking lot. The boutique is in the gym.
Most items are free. Selection frequently includes clothing for women, men and children; shoes; handbags and jewelry
Anyone looking to donate used items may do so during boutique hours.
Call 610-929-7969 to learn more.
Submit items to news@readingeagle.com.
Source: Berkshire mont
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