from Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS
Pictured above: Jerry Buffa and Jen Barkman of Coldwell Banker Realty volunteer for R-BAR’s 39th Thanksgiving Day Meals on Wheels.
As they’ve done for the last 39 years, early on Thanksgiving morning, members of the Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS (R-BAR) came together to prepare, package, and deliver home-cooked holiday meals to seniors in need across Berks County.
“When you deliver a freshly-made Thanksgiving dinner to even one elderly person, who is all alone and has no one to celebrate Thanksgiving with, and you see that look of loneliness momentarily melt away to gratitude and joy, even if it’s only for a few moments, you know why it’s worth continuing this tradition each year,” explained Todd Hummel, chair of the R-BAR Outreach Committee and lender for Lending Heights – Hummel Mortgage Team.
This year, over 60 R-BAR members and their families, representing 20 different brokerages and affiliate organizations, took time out of their holiday to feed over 240 local citizens through Berks Encore, Opportunity House, and Providence House. In addition, four Thanksgiving dinner baskets were donated to families in need through Family Promise.
“As real estate professionals from numerous different offices, it is heartwarming to see us all work together, even though we are in essence ‘competitors,’” said Dan O’Brien, REALTOR with RE/MAX of Reading, who’s been volunteering for Thanksgiving Day Meals on Wheels for over 30 years. “There is a shared camaraderie as we willingly sacrifice part of our holiday for a good cause.”
This event would not have been possible without the generous donations of our members’ time and efforts to ensure this project’s success. We also thank the following organizations and individuals for their generous donations: Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church for their use of space, Bell & Evans for turkeys, Way-Har Famrs for milk, Sweet Street Desserts for dessert, Redner’s Warehouse Markets for corn and rolls, and The Leed Family for filling and cranberry sauce.
Meals on Wheels serves individuals aged 60 and over who are unable to prepare their own meals due to physical limitations and have no family or friends available to assist them.
In addition to Meals on Wheels on Thanksgiving Day, R-BAR members also took part in the annual Red Kettle Ring Day, where REALTORS across Pennsylvania trade house keys for bells to participate in this cherished event. R-BAR members collected donations to support The Salvation Army of Reading and the services they provide to neighbors in need.
Darren Kostival of RE/MAX of Reading and Alyssa Damiani of Coldwell Banker Realty volunteer for the annual Red Kettle Ring Day.
“We are blessed for the ongoing partnership with many REALTOR organizations in Pennsylvania,” said Lt. Colonel Larry Ashcraft, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division. “By working together, we can make a greater impact in meeting the needs of our local communities. Ring Day is a powerful example of how collaboration and teamwork can bring real change and provide essential resources and support to our neighbors in need.”
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, which began in 1891, is now an iconic holiday tradition, helping millions of people by raising money for food, toys, clothing, and social services year-round. Ring Day, held each December, is specifically designated for REALTORS to contribute to their communities by ringing the bell and collecting donations.