United Way of Berks County honors top supporters and announces 2024 campaign chairs

Michelle Lynch, Reading Eagle, Pa.
·2 min read

Apr. 25—United Way of Berks County has recognized its top supporters at its annual Celebrate United event.

The event at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel also recognized community partnerships and showcased the nonprofit's programs aimed at tackling key community issues.

The following awards were presented at the event last week:

—The Impact Award was shared with Reading School District for its United Way campaign achievements and its partnership in delivering the Read Alliance program. The program is a building block for academic and life success. High school student tutors are paired with first-graders to teach an evidence-based program to boost reading skills. The teens gain leadership and job skills and the first-graders achieve measurable reading progress.

—The Tradition in Caring Award was presented to John and Karen Arnold. Through their generosity and their Kindness Coalition Foundation, the Arnolds helped grow United Way's Leadership Giving Program and provided leadership as last year's campaign co-chairs.

—The Wilbur H. Doran Award was presented to Patricia Giles, president of The Wyomissing Foundation. This award honors an individual who has shared unwavering commitment to the community and United Way. The award is the highest level of distinction. Giles led United Way's Community Impact Division for 16 years and during that time led the development of the organization's Ready.Set.READ! program. The reading initiative is designed to improve early grade reading proficiency. Giles also was instrumental in the formation of the Berks Community Health Center.

The event also introduced the United Way's 2024 campaign chairs. The campaign will be led for the first time by a trio of individuals: Kelly Fessler, Mike Duff and Dharma Sivasamy of Penske Transportation Solutions. Together, they have a combined 30 years of experience leading United Way activities. Duff chaired the 2011 campaign with his wife, Diane. Dharma and Kelly have led Penske's company campaign for several years.