United Way of Berks County celebrated its 100th anniversary this week with a series of commemorative events and community-driven volunteer projects that honor the organization’s century of service, unity and local impact.
United Way leaders, community members and local officials gathered at Gring’s Mill on Monday afternoon to plant a white oak tree as a symbol of resilience and growth.
The tree, donated by New Castle Lawn & Landscape, Birdsboro, was planted in memory of Irv Evans, a beloved longtime volunteer who served as a loaned campaign specialist for 25 years.
Tammy White, United Way president, and Joni Naugle, board chair, were joined by the Berks County commissioners for the ceremony, held on the anniversary of the day the organization was founded 100 years ago.
Attendees were invited to write their hopes for the future of the community on tags and tie them to the tree.
The celebration will continue later this year when United Way representatives return to the tree site to bury a time capsule at its base. Crafted by Carpenter Technology, the capsule will be filled with artifacts and messages representing today’s community spirit and vision for tomorrow.
The celebration moved to City Park on Tuesday morning, where Mayor Eddie Moran joined United Way staff and volunteers in raising a ceremonial flag. The flag is intended as a symbol of the organization’s century-long commitment to collaboration, compassion and creating lasting change, United Way officials said.
The mayor also presented a special citation honoring United Way’s legacy of improving lives and strengthening the Berks community.
The centennial celebration also inspired hands-on service across the city. Several corporate volunteer teams rolled up their sleeves in honor of social service organization’s mission.
The projects included:
• A team from Reading Hospital that painted, served lunch and completed outdoor clean-up projects Monday at Hope Rescue Mission.
• Volunteers from Tompkins Bank, who worked Tuesday on gardening and outdoor improvements at SafeBerks.
• Diamond Credit Union employees took part Wednesday in renovation projects at a Habitat for Humanity site on Miltimore Street.
Since its founding in 1925, United Way of Berks County has brought together donors, volunteers and community partners to address urgent needs and build a stronger future, the organization said. The organization supports over 80 programs focused on education, financial stability, health and safety net services and reaches more than 190,000 Berks residents each year.
As United Way steps into its second century, officials said it remains committed to driving local initiatives that foster literacy, food security, workforce development and more.
The centennial events serve not only as a celebration of the past, they said, but as a powerful reminder of the collective strength that fuels community progress.
For more information about United Way of Berks County’s centennial and how to get involved, visit uwberks.org.
Source: Berkshire mont