If ever the United Way of Berks County’s function as a giant safety net for various human service agencies was vital, it was in 2020.
In March of that year, as it became clear that COVID-19 was here in Berks County, the United Way established its COVID Relief Fund that raised $1 million in just a month’s time, Tammy White, president of the local United Way unit, proudly told volunteers and supporters who gathered Tuesday morning in FirstEnergy Stadium for the organization’s annual campaign kickoff event.
Following the event, which included a breakfast buffet in the ’67 Club pavilion, 260 volunteers fanned out to take part in 21 projects as part of the Day of Caring event.
Volunteers traded their regular work attire for T-shirts with the words We’re Making a Difference on back, worked in teams doing painting, garden and fall maintenance chores, helping at food pantries and serving meals at area shelters
“Our COVID fund provided over 70 grants to help feed, house and provide essential services to those most in need in our community,” White said.
United Way of Berks County President Tammy White addresses volunteers and supporters alongside Senior Vice President Ashley Chambers during the 2021 campaign kickoff Tuesday morning at FirstEnergy Stadium (Steven Henshaw — Reading Eagle)
That’s in addition to the support the United Way normally provides to nonprofits. And last year, that support was needed more than ever, said Ashley Chambers, the organization’s senior vice president of community impact.
“We have 33 incredible agency partners,” she said. “We applaud their unwavering dedication, perseverance. They figured out how to help when all the rules change overnight.
“They will tell you they could not have done it without all of you. Your support of United Way was a source of comfort and stability through difficult times.”
The United Way also distributed hundreds of thousands of personal protective equipment and personal care items to nonprofits to keep their staff and clients safe.
The United Way is the sole supporter of 2-1-1, the human services equivalent of 9-1-1.
Due in part to COVID-related stressors and issues, the help line has been needed more than ever to connect people with help, Chambers said. There were 9,500 contacts made through 2-1-1 in 2020, a 70% increase from the previous year, she said.
Kelly Auto Group, formerly known as Freedom Auto Group, Hamburg, once again donated a Toyota RAV4 to be raffled as an incentive for giving certain amounts to United Way through automatic paycheck deduction.
“We believe supporting the United Way is the best way to make a difference in our community,” said John Bobo, general sales manager at Kelly Auto Group.
White introduced this year’s co-chairs Angela and Richard “Dick” Ehst while announcing a campaign goal of $10.5 million.
Dick Ehst, who retired in March as president of Customers Bank, expressed confidence the campaign will be successful due to the “incredible sense of community” in Berks.
“This morning’s event and the amazing response to the Day of Caring is a demonstration of our desire to connect with one another for a purpose, connecting to help, help our neighbor, help our followers, help our family members and more importantly, help our community,” he said.
Richard and Angela Ehst are co-chars of United Way of Berks County’s 2021 campaign. Richard expressed confidence during the kickoff event at FirstEnergy Satidum that the goal of $10.5 million would be exceeded because of “the incredible sense of community” that exists in Berks. (Courtesy of United Way of Berks County)
Source: Berkshire mont
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