BOSCOV’S BERKS JAZZ FEST TO RAISE FUNDS FOR R.M. PALMER DISASTER VICTIMS

Two hours before the opening concerts of Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest were scheduled to begin on Friday, March 24, the sky darkened with the smoke of the tragic explosion in the West Reading headquarters of the R.M. Palmer Company.

As traffic slowed to a halt and it became apparent what had happened, all of the BJF concerts were delayed, but the music played on. With the lingering smoke came the realization that lives and livelihoods had been lost in the space of a second. 

Berks Arts, the festival presenter, has decided to support the victims of this tragedy in the best way it can, by raising funds at two of this weekend’s concerts.

Community members are welcome to attend Frank Vignola’s Birdland Guitar Night, Friday at 6 p.m. in the Miller Center for the Arts, and/or Adam Hawley’s West Coast Groove, Saturday at 9:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Grand Ballroom, with a $20 donation collected at the door (doors open one hour prior to start of concert).

All donations will go directly to the West Reading Disaster Recovery Fund, created by the Berks County Community Foundation and the United Way of Berks County, to assist those who have been impacted by the explosion.

“We are heartbroken at the immense loss in our community, and we have been trying to find an appropriate way to support the victims and their families,” said Justin Heimbecker, Executive Director of Berks Arts. “Music can always serve as a form of healing for everyone, and it just felt right to open our doors and try to contribute to the start of the healing process.”

According to John Ernesto, Artistic Director of Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, “The Berks Jazz Fest team decided to make the remaining ticket inventory for these two special concerts available for this fundraising opportunity. We hope that this effort helps to generate some added funds to those affected, while also bringing our community together through music.”

Aside from the juxtaposition of the festival and the disaster, there is a personal connection between Berks Arts and the R.M. Palmer Company. Tish Davis, who was hired on July 1, 2022 as Berks Arts’ Event Operations Director, had previously worked for the R.M. Palmer Company for 34 years.

During those three decades, Davis made many friends, two of whom were lost in the explosion. One has not been officially identified as of this writing, but Davis called her “the best person in the world.” The other, Amy Sandoe, who worked in human relations, was someone with whom Davis had much in common.

“She drove a motorcycle, and I drive a motorcycle,” she said. “There are so many wonderful stories. They were beautiful people and it’s so sad to lose them. To all the families, my heart goes out to them, and they are in my prayers.”

For information on the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, which ends Sunday, visit www.berksjazzfest.com. For more information on the West Reading Disaster Recovery Fund, visit www.bccf.org.