Reading Eagle: Richard A. Zuber Realty organization captures the holiday spirit
Jan. 16—For the 16th year, the Richard A. Zuber Realty organization delivered hundreds of toys collected at the organization's Boyertown and Royersford locations via the Zuber bus to Boyertown's Salvation Army. Lt. Rebecca Smith and volunteers were on hand to collect the toys that were distributed to children through the Angel Tree program.
"We are grateful for the efforts of Zuber Realty in collecting toys for low-income families and for the generosity and compassion demonstrated through this effort," Smith said.. "It's always heartwarming to know our communities care."
"The opportunity to help children, the chance to meet members of their communities and be surrounded daily with evidence of compassion and caring for others make this annual commitment an 'automatic go,'" said owner Richard Zuber. "The mission of the Zuber Realty organization is, 'We Work for You!' and making sure that children have smiles on their faces on Christmas morning is a special way we serve!"
----For the third year, Richard A. Zuber Realty's light tour showcased the creativity of homeowners, provided an inspiring activity for families and added to the festivities of the season.
Winners were announced on Jan. 7. A $100 gift card went to the grand-prize-winning home. Category winners received $50. One randomly-drawn voter received $50. This year's winners:
Grand prize: 241 S. Franklin St., Boyertown
Clark Griswold award: 919 N. Reading Ave., Boyertown
True meaning of Christmas: 209 N. Monroe St., Boyertown
Most elegant: 253 W. Seven Stars Road, Phoenixville, Chester County
Kids choice award: 734 Cherry St., Bally
Random award was given to Pete Meriditg.
Twenty-five homes were part of the 2021 Holiday Light Tour; 250 tour-goers voted online.
The tour began Dec. 4, 2021, and extended through Jan. 2. Tour-goers drove past the decorated homes identified by yard signs and then voted for their favorite. There was no charge to register or vote during this family-friendly COVID-safe event.
----Santa, a few of his elves and the Grinch visited with more than 60 children and families at the Zuber Insurance office in Boyertown and the Richard A. Zuber Realty office in Royersford, Montgomery County, to offer refreshments, gift the families with framed photographs of the children with Santa and offer a goodie bag to take home.
"Grinch was a huge attraction," said agent Betsy Bellantoni, who coordinated the visits. "The Santa visits provided some heartwarming and funny moments. One mom in Royersford brought her son thinking he was dropping off toys for Toys for Tots. His face was priceless when he came in and saw Santa.
"One little girl couldn't care less about Santa, but she wouldn't let the Grinch alone. Typically, the youngest children are always afraid, and Mom has to play with them to get the photo taken. They want nothing to do with Santa!
"But one family of 5 introduced their 7-day-old newborn son to Santa — hoping perhaps that early bonding with Santa would decrease his fear in a few years.
"Another little boy declared, 'I know that's Santa. His beard is real!' And his beard was real. Santa shaves every year in January, and in June starts to let his beard grow in again.
"Overall, our Santa Visit days are so rewarding. Families are so thankful. For example, one mother was afraid she would have to pay for the pictures and so grateful they were complimentary.
"To see and feel the different reactions to Santa from the children is so special. We let the children choose their coloring book. That was an event it itself. I wasn't aware that it could be such a difficult decision!"
