Author: Angela Cremer

Friend, Inc. is hosting their annual Christmas Cheer Program, where they provide gifts for children of their clients. Any group or individual wanting to provide gifts may do so by contacting Friend Inc. and requesting a certain number of children. From there, Friend Inc. will send a label for each child with their sizes and interests. Another way they make a difference is by providing holiday dinners to their many client families in the Kutztown, Fleetwood, and Brandywine Heights area. Friend Inc. supplies the turkey, while they ask volunteers to assemble boxes and the rest of the holiday dinner. (View guidelines here for what to include in your Holiday Box of food). Learn more about both of these initiatives here!

Come to the Birdsboro Fire Company on Saturday, December 21st to enjoy the Earl David Reed Comedy Show! Andrew Kearney of the Oley Valley Business Association is one of four individuals opening up for Earl David Reed. The event will be held in the fire company’s banquet hall. Doors open at 7 PM, and the show starts at 8 PM. Must be 18+ with valid ID to enter. Parking is located in the rear of the building. There is a wheelchair accessible entrance. There will be a cash bar and food available for purchase also. Cash only, ATM on site. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.

Join Museum Educators and other community partners as the Reading Public Museum rings in the New Year from 9 AM to 12 PM at the museum and The Neag Planetarium! Families will be able to create some fun props and noisemakers that are commonly used to celebrate the holiday. Children will also be able to dance the wait away as we count down to the noon hour for our balloon drop. Visit the museum’s website here for more information as it becomes available.

*Fleetwood Bank is a proud sponsor of this event and supporter of the Reading Public Museum*

The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance is hosting their next Coffee & Convos event on Tuesday, January 14  from 7:30 AM to 9 AM at their Center for Business Excellence. Fleetwood Bank’s own, Curin Romich (VP of Business Development and Cash Management), will be speaking on how to elevate your networking game. Networking is more than exchanging business cards—it’s about forging relationships that can drive your business forward. Learn how to sharpen your networking skills and build lasting connections! This session will explore tools and strategies to make an impact in the room and, more importantly, carry those relationships beyond the event. Whether you’re looking to expand your professional circle, foster collaborations, or strengthen community ties, this event will provide actionable insights to maximize your networking potential. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow with fellow professionals. Join us for a morning of meaningful conversations, practical tips, and a hot cup of coffee by registering for this event here. This event is free for all GRCA members. Any questions can be directed to Katie Johnsen by emailing [email protected].

Join the Oley Valley Business Association for a Trivia Night at the Oley Valley Fire Company on Thursday, January 16. This is the organization’s major fundraiser to raise $3,000 for their Annual Scholarship awards, which are given to deserving Seniors of Oley Valley High School, and to help supplement the Oley Valley Community Education Foundation’s efforts to ensure that kids with financial hardships can get into BCTC who otherwise wouldn’t be able to.

Doors open at 6 PM, and Trivia starts at 7 PM. Bring your own snacks, and enjoy a cash bar for drinks! Find your teammates and register here. YOU MUST REGISTER PRIOR TO THE EVENT. There will be no ticket sales at the door. Tickets are $20 per person, and there can be 4 to 6 players per team. All team members must be 21+. There is a maximum of 20 teams.

*Fleetwood Bank is a proud sponsor of this event and supporter of the Oley Valley Business Association*

Safe Berks’ 2025 Celebration of Peace will include Robin Givens, acclaimed actress and unwavering domestic violence advocate, as the keynote speaker. Andi Funk will also be honored as the recipient of our Vision for Peace Award and you will be able to hear a moving story from a local survivor. Enjoy food stations, raffles, a live auction and cash bar. The event starts at 6 PM at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Reading, and the VIP Meet and Greet with the keynote speaker begins at 5 PM. VIP tickets are $150 and General Admission tickets are $100. Both can be purchased here.

*Fleetwood Bank is a proud sponsor of this event and supporter of Safe Berks*

Join The Friends of the Reading Police K-9 Unit for their 8th Annual K-9 Bowl on Saturday, February 1 from 3 to 9 PM at Hister Lanes in Reading. Reserve a spot by 12/31/24 and save $25. After this date, the cost is $125 per lane for 4-6 people to bowl for two hours (either from 4 to 6 PM or 7 to 9 PM). This price includes shoe and ball rental. Those attending can enjoy raffles, prizes, 50/50 contest, drink specials, food and more! For more information and tickets, please click here.

*Fleetwood Bank is a proud supporter of this event and the Friends of the Reading Police K-9 Unit*

The Fleetwood Area Middle School will be hosting performances of Singing’ in the Rain Jr. at the following times: Friday, March 7 at 7 PM, Saturday, March 8 at 7 PM, and Sunday, March 9 at 2 PM. Senior citizens will also have the opportunity to enjoy the performance on Thursday, March 6 at 10 AM for free. Tickets go on sale in mid-February and are $7 each. Seats will be assigned. If you are interested in getting tickets, please email Carin Mileshosky at [email protected].

*Fleetwood Bank is a proud sponsor of this event and supporter of the Fleetwood Area Middle School*

Join the party to celebrate Fleetwood’s Finest on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the Fleetwood Volunteer Fire Company Social Quarters Banquet Hall as Fleetwood begins its 151st  Year. At 6:30 PM, Red Carpet Arrivals and Cocktail Hour will take place (VIP takes place starting at 6 PM). Enjoy Dinner at 7:15 PM, followed by the presentation of both the Fleetwood Hometown Hero Award and Fleetwood Cadillac Award at 8:15 PM. At 9 PM, dessert will be served, followed by dancing with Josh Squared. The Fleetwood Hometown Hero Award honors an individual or individuals who leave a lasting legacy on the town. This award will be presented to Barney Dietrich, Ernie Fink and R. Joel Schaeffer for building Fleetwood’s Little League Field with the Fleetwood Jaycee’s in 1965. The Fleetwood Cadillac Award is presented to an organization or business that has contributed extraordinary community service. This year, the Fleetwood Volunteer Fire Company is being awarded for their extraordinary service to the community since 1914. Tickets are on sale for $50 ($75 for VIP, which includes cocktails with the honorees). All tickets include cocktail hour, dinner, desserts, beer and wine. Please wear business / celebration attire. To learn more about the event and to purchase tickets, click here!

*Fleetwood Bank is a proud sponsor of this event and a proud supporter of Friends of Fleetwood Parks*

The Optimist Club of Kutztown is hosting the Kutztown Fools Run on Saturday, March 29, 2025. The event starts at 9 AM. Registrants can sign up for the Bob Focht 10 Mile Run, the Sally Miksiewicz 5K Run, or the Optimist Club 2 Mile Walk. With the support of sponsors and the running community, the Optimist Club of Kutztown has been able to provide scholarship assistance to the most promising and deserving students in our service area to attend Kutztown University. Scholarships are provided through the Donald Peters Memorial Scholarship Fund under the administration of the Optimist Club of Kutztown Foundation. 2025 will represent the 19th year the Fools Run is under the auspices of the Kutztown Optimist Club with over $155,000 in scholarships distributed in the first 17 years within the Kutztown Area, Brandywine Heights, Fleetwood Area and Hamburg Area School District. Learn more about the race here and register online here or in-person on race day at 7 AM.

*Fleetwood Bank is a proud sponsor of this event and supporter of the Optimist Club of Kutztown*