At the request of West Reading Borough Council, Berks County Community Foundation and the United Way of Berks County have partnered to create the West Reading Disaster Recovery Fund to aid members of the community who were affected by the
March 24, 2023 explosion in West Reading.
Based on the level of donations received, the fund will provide grants to organizations assisting community members in the following order of priority:
1. Grants to organizations providing support to the families of individuals killed in the explosion for immediate financial losses.
2. Grants to organizations providing support to individuals displaced from their homes as a result of the explosion.
3. Grants to organizations providing support to individuals displaced from employment as a result of the explosion.
4. Support to the Borough of West Reading for planning and/or implementation of historical commemoration of the explosion (including, but not limited to the creation of a memorial to those lost).
“Our hearts are with the families who have been impacted by this tragic event,” said Tammy White, president of the United Way of Berks County. “We are humbled by the desire of our community to help in any way it can.”
Donations can be made online at www.bccf.org, or by mailing a check to Berks County Community Foundation, 237 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601 and noting the West Reading Disaster Recovery Fund in the memo line.
“It’s our hope that grants from this charitable fund will help to ease the burdens caused by this event,” said Kevin K. Murphy, president of Berks County Community Foundation. “We’re grateful to be able to provide the community with this vehicle to aid those most affected by the tragedy.”
