How to help those impacted by West Reading chocolate factory explosion

The West Reading Disaster Recovery Fund is accepting donations

To aid members of the community who were affected by the explosion in West Reading, two organizations have partnered to create the West Reading Disaster Recovery Fund.

The Berks County Community

Foundation and the United Way of Berks County have come together to establish the fund at the request of West Reading Borough Council.

Council President Ryan Lineaweaver said at a news conference Sunday morning that they have been overwhelmed by the amount of love and support the community has received since the tragic events of Friday night, March 24.

“We have seen the absolute best that our community has had to offer,” he said.

Lineaweaver said council members wanted to channel that generosity into something that could make an impact on the lives of those most affected by the incident. And with the guidance of a few other local officials he said that the idea for the fund was born.

“We were wondering how we could help and there’s not much that the council can do in this situation other than provide support,” he said. “And one of the ways we were able to do that was by bringing together partners to create the West Reading Disaster Recovery Fund in just a couple of hours — which is incredible.”

Kevin Murphy, president of the Berks County Community Foundation, said that by 9 a.m. Sunday, March 26, before the fund was even officially announced, it had already raised about $7,000.

Based on the level of donations received, officials from the two organizations said 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 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,” United Way of Berks County President Tammy White said. “We are humbled by the desire of our community to

help in any way it can.”

Murphy said it’s their hope that grants from this charitable fund will help to ease the burdens caused by the devastating event.

“We’re grateful to be able to provide the community with this vehicle to aid those most affected by the tragedy,” he said.

Donations can be made online at bccf.org or by mailing a check to Berks County Community Foundation, 237 Court St., Reading, PA 19601 and noting the West Reading Disaster Recovery Fund in the memo line.

BILL UHRICH — MEDIANEWS GROUP Berks County United Way executive director Tammy White talks about fundraising to help those affected by the explosion at the R. M. Palmer Company in the borough through her organization and the Berks County Community Foundation with president of the community foundation Kevin Murphy, left, and West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag, right.

West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag is briefly overcome with emotion while describing the response of the community and emergency personnel to Friday’s deadly explosion, March 24, at the R. M. Palmer Company in the borough during a press conference Sunday, March 26, at the West Reading Borough Hall. At right is Police Chief Wayne W. Holben.