Volunteers collect potatoes

Positive impact of Alvernia initiatives leads to BCTV Award

 

Reading, Pa. – Conducting over 90,000 hours of annual community service and other community-based programs in the Reading and greater Berks County community has earned Alvernia University the BCTV Community Building Company Award.

 

Alvernia students contribute over 40,000 hours of service to the community through a combination of days of service events and specialized programs like the South Reading Youth Initiative. In addition, the students contribute another 50,000 hours through the Foster Grandparent Program.

 

Other university community initiatives noted by BCTV include Alvernia’s Angelica Park Partnership, the Reading Collegiate Scholars Program, various lecture series including the ‘A Common Heart’ interfaith event, and the centers for excellence created in both the O’Pake Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Public Service, and the Holleran Center for Community and Global Engagement.

 

The award is presented annually to an organization, company, or educational institution that promotes and exemplifies involvement in the community.

 

Alvernia will be honored at a benefit reception hosted by the Board of Directors of BCTV on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.

 

The Community Builder award honors the memory of former Reading Mayor Eugene L. Shirk and celebrates individuals who best embody his spirit and the qualities he demonstrated as educator, coach, mayor and citizen; civility, commitment to the well-being of others, honor, humor, involvement in our community, leadership.

 

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Alvernia University is a thriving comprehensive university that empowers students to become ethical leaders with moral courage, while providing an intellectually challenging environment with real-world learning experiences. Located on a scenic 121-acre suburban campus in historic Berks County, Pennsylvania, the distinctive Franciscan university of nearly 3,000 students is conveniently located near Philadelphia (60 miles) and within an easy drive of New York, Baltimore and Washington, DC.

 

BCTV is a 501c3 nonprofit community media organization committed to empowering people and engaging community through open media and technology.