READING — Donations are pouring in from all over as Reading tries to pick up the pieces after the May 21 tornado that tore through the town.
The Reading City Council held a meeting Thursday night to talk about a variety of issues including donations being given to the town to help with tornado relief. Gene Ramsey, mayor of Ottawa, presented the city council with checks for Reading for the playground from the City of Ottawa and a check from the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce.
“We feel that Reading may have been overlooked a little bit over Joplin,” Ramsey said.
Barbara Schlobohm, public information officer for Reading, said there is money being raised all over in the name of Reading from dinners to other fundraising activities.
Reading also received a donation from Reading, Mass., in the amount of $5,000 to help re-build the ball diamond. Reading has only one ball diamond and it was destroyed in the tornado. The Kansas City Royals Alumni Group contacted Reading as well and offered to donate to the town. Those in attendance at the meeting decided they wanted the donations to go to the park when received.
Jami Reever, executive director of the United Way of the Flint Hills, cleared up some rumors as to where the money raised for the people of Reading will be going.
“The money is going to the people of the community,” Reever said, adding that the money will be available for residents who need things such as repairing homes, cars and medical bills.
In other matters:
Schlobohm talked about a grant available to homeowners whose homes are in need of rehabilitation following the tornado. The grant is for homeowner occupied homes only and for homes that are still standing.
There will be a lunch on Saturday at the fire station in Reading by Lebo Baptist Church.
The store will be open on Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. Residents are asked to pick up their own free supplies and to sign in. Use the southeast gym door.
The Reading Community Development group will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Reading.
On June 25, there will be a day full of activities to benefit Reading. The day starts with a walk/run with registration starting at 6:30 a.m. and the walk/run beginning at 7:30 a.m.; at noon there will be bands, raffles, pony rides, bouncy toys and vehicle displays; at 6 p.m. there will be a free fish/hot dog dinner; and 9ish, there will be fireworks. The event is free and donations will be accepted.
A school supply barbecue will be from 5 to 7 p.m. July 6 at the shelter house in Reading. The Wyandotte County Kiwanis have committed to raise the funds for Reading kids.
The final noon meal will be provided for the community from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 26. The Emporia Presbyterian Church will be hosting.
A Reading housing fair will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. June 25 at the Reading United Methodist Church to provide information to Reading residents on home financing, energy efficiency, credit counseling/homebuyer education and other housing information. The event is presented by the USDA Rural Development, Kansas Housing Resource Corporation, FHLBank Topeka; and the Mennonite Housing Rehabilitation Services. For more information contact the USDA Rural Development at (620) 365-2901.