Local Businesses Support $10.5M United Way Campaign
Companies are loaning staff to manage donation efforts, a move that requires operational planning for temporary worker absences.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Philanthropy
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New Castle Lawn & Landscape is donating the salary of retired Reading police officer Chad Evans to support the United Way of Berks County annual campaign. As one of 16 loaned specialists, Evans spends the 12-week drive managing local employee donation initiatives.
Why it matters
Local businesses utilize loaned employee programs to strengthen community ties and support regional fundraising goals while maintaining their own corporate social responsibility objectives. This year, the campaign aims for $10.5 million in contributions to local support services.
The current fundraising goal for the United Way of Berks County is $10.5 million, compared to the $11 million total raised in 2022. There are 16 loaned specialists working on the 12-week drive to secure support from local organizations.
The players
New Castle Lawn & Landscape
A regional landscaping company that contributes to community development by sponsoring employee participation in nonprofit initiatives.
United Way of Berks County
A regional nonprofit organization that manages large-scale community fundraising campaigns for local social support services.
Chad Evans
A retired 29-year veteran of the Reading Police Department currently serving as a loaned campaign specialist.
The details
Loaned campaign specialists act as a bridge between the nonprofit and local employers to facilitate workplace giving programs. Candidates undergo three weeks of preparation, covering public speaking and direct agency engagement to better understand how donations move through community support services. Employers support this by paying their staff member's salary during their multi-month deployment.
Timeline
1991: Irv Evans began his 25-year volunteer tenure with the United Way.
2015: Chad Evans retired from the Reading Police Department after 29 years of service.
2022: Irv Evans died at age 81 during a year that saw the campaign raise $11 million.
Q4 2026: The current 12-week campaign cycle takes place.
Market Landscape
This effort follows the benchmark set by the 2022 United Way of Berks County annual campaign, which secured $11 million in total funding. The organization continues to leverage corporate partnerships to maintain consistent support levels against shifting community needs.
Business owners should assess whether loaning staff to regional nonprofits aligns with their internal corporate social responsibility and professional development programs. Consider how these 12-week deployments impact staffing levels versus the potential for building deeper local network connections.
The takeaway
Loaned executive programs offer a structured way for firms to engage in community service while providing employees with unique leadership training in public speaking and stakeholder management. Monitor upcoming campaign results to evaluate the efficacy of these programs in meeting regional funding goals.
Further reading
Learn more about organizational charitable outreach in Reading Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Reading Eagle.
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