National Greater Reading - Northern Edition First Place AFCP

Association of Free Community Papers

Guaranteed Delivery THE KEY TO SMART BUYING Volume XLVII – No. 48 November 28, 2018 www.TheMerchandiser.com

Volunteer Citizens Will Step up for the Homeless at the 8th Annual Cups of Compassion Event by Jack Cantwell warm clothes and other services for It will happen again on Thurs- this special event. day, December 20th, in the heart of From 8 until noon at the intersec- the Holiday Season, when Cups of tion of 4th and Penn Street in down- Compassion will be celebrated for town Reading, local businesses and the 8th time. individual volunteers will once It is a one-day pop up soup again demonstrate their holiday kitchen by a team of dedicated vol- spirt by providing food, clothing, unteers, who provide hot meals, blankets, pet treats, and entertain- ment to those in our community that need it most – the homeless and the Inside... needy. The event traditionally draws in 27 Days Till Christmas 7 excess of 1800 men, women and Automotive 10 children in need to benefit from the day’s activities. They will be helped community celebrated again on De- underwear, toiletries, etc. to distrib- Classified Ad Form 9 by an army of volunteers exceeding cember 20th. ute at the event. 150 people. Of course an event like this just • Volunteer as a helper – for set Community Calendar 2 Cups of Compassion started doesn’t happen by itself. Here are up, breakdown, unloading cars, when Laura Cooper, a local at- some things you can do for this very serving food, assist others. Tasks Cooking Corner 11 torney, upon looking at the streets worthy cause. You can sign up any- will be assigned at the monthly meetings. Crossword Puzzle 4 below her Downtown Reading of- time: fice, concluded that homelessness • Sign up for a committee for For more information, email Dining & Entertainment 4 and hunger are among the impor- next year. Choose from – Volun- [email protected], or tant real life issues facing our com- teer; Marketing/PR; Donations; visit www.BigVisionFoundation. Job Opportunities 8 munity today. Her first act was to Logistics. org/cups. make soup and serve it to the needy • Be a photographer and take You can also check the Cups Obituaries 8 passing by. She invited friends, event photos. of Compassion Facebook page – • Bring, make and serve food! www.Facebook.com/CupsofCom- Public Auctions 11 co-workers, local businesses and family to help. The name “Cups of • Provide haircuts or other ser- passion. Real Estate 11 Compassion” came naturally. It has vices. • Contact Merchandiser Editor at 717-273-8127 grown to the annual event that the • Collect clothing, shoes, boots, or [email protected] Baseball Legends Add Excitement to Hot Stovers Banquet by Dawn Wivell graduating seniors in Berks County that The baseball/softball season may be have played varsity baseball or softball for over, but that isn’t going to stop a group of two or more years and have been accepted baseball fans from celebrating the sport and into an accredited university, college, or its local student athletes at the 58th annual community college to receive scholarships. Reading Hot Stovers Banquet on January Scholarships are awarded to student ath- 17th. This event will feature some baseball letes who not only excel on the baseball or legends, scholarship and award presenta- softball field but also in the classroom and tions, a chance to win lots of baseball and extracurricular activities. Additionally, ap- sports memorabilia, and much more. plicants must submit an essay explaining The event has hosted over 275 baseball why they should be a Reading Hot Stovers speakers including Hall of Famers such as Award honoree. Mike Schmidt, Robin Roberts, and Richie Ash- and Greg “Bull” Luzinski – winner of the 1978 The Reading Hot Stovers Board of Directors burn, and this year is no different. Attendees Roberto Clemente Award, a former player for review the applications and selects the winners. will have the opportunity to mix and mingle the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White The fourth scholarship is selected by the Read- with this year’s speakers during the cocktail Sox. This year’s MC is sports announcer Steve ing High School Baseball Coach. hour, get their autographs, and hear their inspir- Degler. Charles Milch, a member of the Reading Hot ing stories. But the evening is really about honoring Stovers board of directors and banquet commit- This year’s speakers include the following local student athletes. The night features schol- tee, said, “We provide over $6,000 annually in players: Dan Plesac – a retired MLB pitcher, arship presentations honoring student athletes, scholarships and individual and team recog- 3-time American League All-Star, former Phil- individual and team award winners in high nitions to Berks County baseball and softball lies player, and an analyst for MLB Network school baseball and softball (boys and girls, re- players at the Annual Banquet.” since 2009; Lou Trivino – a rookie pitcher for spectively) as well as Legion ball. In addition to the scholarships, three MVP the Oakland Athletics from Green Lane, PA; Every year, the Hot Stovers select three Continued on page 10