Scott Gruber, CEO of Tompkins VIST Bank, and Dr. Vincent LaSorsa, CEO of The Children’s Home of Reading, visited the bank’s Wyomissing branch recently to help launch the tour of a motorcycle called “Penny,” which was rebuilt by residents of the Children’s Home. The bike, a 2007 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, will be on display at the bank’s branches through Feb. 26 (see schedule below). The public is invited to view and purchase tickets to win the bike at the branches or online at www.childrenshomeofrdg.org. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Children’s Home of Reading.
The motorcycle is part of the Children’s Home of Reading’s “Helping With Horsepower” program, in which teenage residents restore used motorcycles. The teens worked on the bike under the supervision of Charlie Conrad, owner of Reading Cycles. The name “Penny” was the suggestion of a teenager who participated in the project and who likened the bike to a discarded penny. He said that he had often felt like such a penny, but working on the bike helped him restore his life.
Tompkins VIST Bank President and CEO Scott Gruber, a motorcycle owner and enthusiast, welcomed the opportunity to help the Children’s Home by displaying the bike.
“I’ve always liked motorcycles and when I heard about the Horsepower project I was impressed with the idea of helping kids develop character and skills this way,” Gruber said. “We’re hoping people support this worthwhile project.”
“It is a great project for our young men and very symbolic of them rebuilding their own lives,” said Dr. LaSorsa. “We’re grateful to Reading Cycles for their commitment to our boys and to local business like Tompkins VIST Bank for their support in helping spread the word about this great project.”
Tompkins VIST Bank branches will be hosting the motorcycle and raffle on the following schedule: Feb. 2 (until 11 a.m.), Wyomissing Office; Feb. 2-5, Leesport/Northpointe Branch, 241 South Centre Avenue, Leesport; Feb. 8- 12, 16-19, Northeast Reading Branch, 1210 Rockland Street, Reading; Feb. 22-26, Exeter Branch, 4361 Perkiomen Ave., Reading; and Feb. 29 to March 4, Sinking Spring Branch, 4708 Penn Avenue, Sinking Spring.