West Reading chocolate factory explosion: 7 dead as final 2 victims found

Karen Shuey, Reading Eagle, Pa.
Updated ·2 min read

Mar. 26—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.

"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, 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.