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AUGUST 12, 2020
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SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXVIII • NO 29
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Group Offers Masks For Students, Teachers By Francine Fulton
When the “Making Face Masks in Berks� group formed in March, its primary goal was to provide masks to health care workers. Members have recently shifted their focus and are now busy making masks for students, school administrators and teachers who are slated to return to school this fall. The nonprofit group was founded on March 22 when clothing designer Angela Pilat of Morgantown posted on Facebook that she needed help sewing face masks. Pilat, with the help of her daughter, Lydia, converted her design and sewing business to make and donate face masks for health care workers. Pilat was joined in her effort by Jackie Confalone, who had previously enjoyed sewing and had made clothing for herself and her children. “Angela has commercial and
professional sewing machines and had a professional setup and could zip out a ton of masks in a short amount of time,� Confalone said. “I stepped in and helped, and we were meeting daily.� Also joining the effort was Christine Keeny, a hair stylist who was temporarily unemployed. Together, the group made its own Facebook page and started a GoFundMe campaign. “The four of us ran the group for about two months and had daily pickups at the Kenhorst Plaza (in Reading),� said Confalone. “There were companies wanting 1,500 to 2,000 masks for their employees. We were taking anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 masks to Reading Hospital per week.� Soon, other sewers join the group, as well as non-sewers who were willing to cut fabric and elastic for the 100% cotton masks. “(Fabric and elastic) cutters speeded up the process.
People who cannot sew were thrilled to help,� noted Confalone. As of early June, the group members had made and donated more than 25,000 face masks. In mid-June, Pilat was able to return to her design business and she began the process of shutting down production of the nonprofit. “We donated the fabric to charity, and we had a couple thousand dollars in the GoFundMe and she donated that to two children’s hospitals in Philadelphia,� said Confalone. However, the group soon began receiving requests for masks from teachers who may be going back to school, along with parents requesting masks for their children or college-age students.
The group is now once again offering masks for people in need and accepting homemade mask donations. Dropoff and pickup are currently held on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the Ollie’s/BK Trading Post parking lot near the closed Fulton Bank. The GPS address is 2251 Lancaster Pike, Reading. The group offers sizes ranging from adult XL (mostly for men), regular adult and children’s masks. Those who would like a mask are asked to search for “Making Face Masks in Berks� on Facebook. The Facebook page has a link to a Google form where the masks can be ordered. See Masks pg 4
Jackie Confalone, a member of the “Making Face Masks in Berks� group, accepts mask donations and distributes masks to those who ordered them out of the back of her minivan on Wednesday evenings in a parking lot near Ollie’s in Reading.
CrossNet Schedules First Drive-In Dinner And Auction
MCC
By Ann Mead Ash
Meredith Dahl (left), director of CrossNet Ministries, and Carl Edwards, director of development and ministries with CrossNet, are preparing for the organization’s first Drive-In Dinner and Auction, to be held at Garden Spot Village on Saturday, Sept. 19, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
For several years, CrossNet Ministries has held an annual evening gala in the fall in the beautiful gardens at Garden Spot Village (GSV). This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers reimagined the event several times before hitting upon the idea of a Drive-In Dinner and Auction fundraiser. “We are excited to offer this safe and fun event for the community,� said Meredith Dahl, director of CrossNet Ministries. “It has been a challenging season for everyone, and we are looking forward to having a fun, memorable evening.� The dinner and auction will be held outside at GSV, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland, on Saturday, Sept. 19. The meal will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m. Attendee’s cars will be spaced so that they are safely socially distanced in Lot 9, which is the same lot that has
been utilized for the gala. Dahl noted that event coordinators will be present to direct people to park. According to Dahl, attendees can choose to stay in their vehicles or bring lawn chairs to sit in front of their car. She advised those who take part to dress comfortably. In the field adjacent to the lot will be a stage with an LED screen. Dahl said that the stage will be high enough to make it easy for spectators to see. In addition, attendees will be directed to tune to a specific radio setting to easily hear the event, which will include live musical entertainment. “It will be upbeat music, a mix of ’50s and some newer songs with a fun vibe,� said Dahl. Appetizers; beverages, including soda and lemonade; and dinner will be served to attendees in their cars. The meal will be prepared by GSV in partnership with another food provider. Dahl noted that the goal of the menu See CrossNet pg 4
Berks Strollers Get Back To Hiking By Francine Fulton
After a break during the stay-athome order, members of the Berks Community Strollers have reunited and are once again planning local outings. The walking group welcomes community members to join during Saturday hikes planned in August and September. “We are trying our best go back to Saturday hikes. Our last (official) hike in 2020 was in the middle of March,� said group member Angele Arutunian. “We had one hike (on a recent) Saturday, and 11 people showed up. So we decided to resume our hikes.� She noted that during the outings participants wear masks and practice social distancing. See Berks Strollers pg 5
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