2020 Started out like every other year. New Year’s resolutions of losing weight, a ground hog predicting weather, and then you know what happened next… Out of the hundreds of stories we published this year, here are a few unique stories from Berks County.
January: Chick-fil-A opened in Muhlenberg Township with 100 fans camping out in front of the store overnight in freezing weather for a chance to win free Chick-fil-A for a year. Read More: Chick-fil-A Opens New Location on 5th Street Highway
February: 50+ runners traveled from West Reading to the Opportunity house in Reading to donate teddy bears for children in need. Read More: 2nd Annual Teddy Bear Run brings Hope to Kids in Reading
March: Shippensburg University surprises seven Reading High School seniors with full scholarships. Read More: Shippensburg University Surprises 7 Reading Students with Full Scholarships
April: 93 volunteers came together to help local first responders and essential workers by providing over 18,500 units of PPE to 182 organizations. Read More: Berks PPE Resource Network Distributes 18,500 Units to Front Line Workers
May: Dieffenbach’s Potato Chips heard from one of their suppliers that they had potatoes that were going to waste. They stepped in to help out the farmer and the community by giving away over 40,000 potatoes. Read More: 40,000 Pounds of Surplus Potatoes Handed Out at Berkshire Mall
June: “Our skin is not a weapon.” Those were the words echoed by Shakair Mccain in City Park during a Juneteenth peace rally. Meeting in front of the Christopher Columbus statue, the rally drew a crowd of a few hundred people marching through the city streets. Read More: Hundreds Gather for Juneteenth Rally and Cookout in City Park
July: After months of uncertainty, funding difficulties, and a close call with the wrecking ball, the historic Epler School building moved from the location where it stood for over 170 years to its new home at the Berks County Historical Center on Tuesday. Read More: Historic Epler Schoolhouse Moves to Berks Heritage Center
August: Tropical Storm Isaias moved into Berks County dumping almost 5 inches of rain. Emergency crews rushed to answer the hundreds of calls, including multiple water rescues, pump assignments, and attending to downed trees. Read More: Tropical Storm Isaias Causes Flooding and Power Outages in Berks
September: Alvernia University took the next step in their CollegeTowne initiative by announcing three new three new Bachelor of Science degrees. Read More: Alvernia Launches Engineering Programs to Meet Region’s Workforce Needs
October: All eye were on Pennsylvania in the last month before the election. Vice President Mike Pence, Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, and President Donald Trump all visited Berks county making campaign stops at the Reading Airport and downtown Reading. Read More: Vice President Mike Pence Stops in Reading to Rally Voters
November: Olivet Boys & Girls Club, Blankets of Hope, and Fecera’s partnered to provide beds to youth in need through a cooperative effort. Read More: Blankets of Hope, Fecera’s, and Olivet Clubs Partner to Provide Beds for Youth in Need
December: United Way of Berks County received a $10 million gift from author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This major grant marks the largest gift received in the organization’s 95-year history. Read More: Berks United Way Receives Gift from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott