BerksTALKLINE

Fundraising at BerksTALKLINE

BerksTALKLINE, P.O. Box 13234, Reading, PA, 19612-3234

From the Director | Golf Bowl 14 | Sponsors | In-Kind Sponsors | Committee

BerksTALKLINE Golf Bowl

BerksTALKLINE's major fundraising activity is the BerksTALKLINE Golf Bowl, an 18-hole indoor miniature golf tournament, held annually in January. Golf Bowl 14 was held on January 30, 2010 at the Canal Street Pub and Restaurant.

Thank you for making Golf Bowl 14 a great success!

Thanks for joining the team at BerksTALKLINE. Since BerksTALKLINE was created, our staff has spoken to many individuals who needed someone to listen, someone to allow them to vent, someone to direct them to resources or professional assistance. For many individuals this year, we were the first step, the first person to trust, the first verbalization of, "I need help." Your donation to and support of our organization is greatly appreciated. Thank you for making a difference in someone's life-someone who will not be able to thank you personally. We now take this opportunity to do so on their behalf.

During these difficult times, our staff was reduced by 50 percent; even with this challenge, we continue to reach out and serve our community with compassion and professionalism. Your generous support has allowed us to reach 468 people looking for community resources; 512 individuals who needed inroads to housing/basic needs; and 2,837 callers who needed assistance with health or mental health services. While we are grateful for your efforts, our work is far from over.

In life, at some point, we all interact with individuals who may need a listening ear, information on resources, or emergency assistance. Please, be part of our pyramid; share what you know about BerksTALKLINE with your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Remember, everyone needs someone aometimes.

Scott C. Nickell, President, Board of Directors

Sandra C. Eshelman, Executive Director

Golf Bowl 14
Message from Golf Bowl Chairman, Jason Shaffer

A few years ago, I was reading Walter Payton's biography and a quote jumped off the page and has been stuck in my mind ever since: "Tough times don't last, tough people do." After the hardships that many of us faced in 2009, it is easy to relate that quote to what is going on with BerksTALKLINE and our local economy. I consider the "tough times" part of the quote against what has happened over the last year and a half, as well as what may lie ahead. The "tough people" part of the quote makes me think of BerksTALKLINE's staff members, board members, committee members, trustees, our honorary chairman, Peter Terranova, and especially our director, Sandra Eshelman.

On January 30, 2010, at 2:30 p.m., Golf Bowl 14 officially began. This year, we saw more than 300 smiling faces walk through the 18-hole miniature golf course at Canal Street Pub and Restaurant. There were many familiar teams, along with plenty of new ones. Golf Bowl 14 offered plenty of excitement through our raffle prizes, which included a gas grill donated by UGI; a weekend getaway at Wildwood, NJ, provided by White Star Tours; and a Reading Phillies pool party. The 19th hole created quite a buzz, with three putts for $5, and lucky winners taking home some great prizes. New to Golf Bowl 14 was a silent auction, which auctioned off six wonderful prizes.

Golf Bowl is BerksTALKLINE's biggest fundraiser, and without this event our organization would have a hard time existing. Our Golf Bowl Committee was formed and started the planning for Golf Bowl 14 immediately after Golf Bowl 13. I would really like to thank the committee members for all of their hard work and tireless efforts. I would also like to thank all our teams for contributing and all of our sponsors for donating to such a wonderful organization. Thanks again to everyone, and we look forward to seeing you at Golf Bowl 15 on January 29, 2011.

Jason Shaffer, Golf Bowl Chairman