Raising $28,227, about 640 people attended the 4th Annual FriendFest 2012 Benefit Beer and Wine Festival, all in the name of fun and helping to battle poverty.

With the help of 66 volunteers, the beer and wine tasting event served as a fundraiser for Friend Inc. Community Services in Kutztown. All proceeds go to ending poverty in rural Northeastern Berks County.

“I think it’s just another way to bring the community together and to build awareness of what we do and what we need and at the same time people can enjoy themselves with their friends and family,” said Sandra Wise, recently appointed executive director of Friend.

According to the nonprofit’s website, Friend, Inc. Community Services is a multi-service social agency that supports the well-being of those in need and is committed to strengthening the lives of families and individuals living in Northeastern Berks County.

“I think it’s a good way to raise money for Friend because it’s not your typical fundraiser where you just ask people for money,” she said. “They’re enjoying themselves for the day and being to help our organization to continue to do the services that we provide.”

FriendFest 2012 was held Feb. 18 at Beltzner Hall, Kutztown Fairgrounds. There were three sessions: 1 to 3:30 p.m. with music by Midnight Dim Light, 4 to 6:30 p.m. and 7 to 9:30 p.m., with music by Frog Holler with the Wallace Brothers.

Many local breweries and wineries mainly in Pennsylvania showcased their products, as well as various vendors such as jewelry made from recycled beer bottles.

“I think they put it together very well. I wasn’t expecting all of this coming in,” said Brandy Skorupsky, Oley.

Her favorite part was the wine tasting, the music, the jewelry, “and a little bit of this and a little bit of that.” Continued...

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Friend Board of Directors member Barbara Coffin, Kutztown, volunteered at the fundraiser.

“It’s a great fundraiser, it’s lots of fun and people get to experience lots of different tastes and sample lots of good beers and wines,” said Coffin.

Noting that the tasting event is one of the major fundraisers for Friend for the year, Coffin said, “Friend provides lots of services to the residents of the area. I think the cost is very fair for what the benefit is. Watch for us next year, we’ll be back again.”

Wise began serving as the new executive director Jan. 2 and FriendFest was her first big project.

“What an organization to be working for and I have been amazed at the community support for the organization,” wrote Wise in the opening of the festival booklet handed out that day. “Coming in as late as I have my first priority has been to make FriendFest as successful as in past years. I believe we did just that.”

Last year’s event raised about $26,000 with a record breaking 1,000 people attending. The event has gained popularity over the past couple of years. In 2010, more than 700 people attended and the event raised about $13,000.

“This event is a huge undertaking and would not have been possible without the help of two staff who worked tirelessly on FriendFest, Cathy Dill and Laura Reichart” said Wise.

Wise also thanked the festival committee, the Board of Directors, Land Displays, the Kutztown Optimist Club, Constable Gregory Heid, the donors and many volunteers.

Wineries included Blair Vineyards, Long Trout Winery, Paradocx Vineyard, Peace Valley Winery, Sand Castle Winery, Stonekeep Meadery and University Wine Company.

Breweries included Brooklyn Brewing Company, Flying Dog, Golden Avalanche Brewing Company, Long Trail, Lost Coast, Sly Fox, Southern Tier, Stone Brewing Co., Vermont Hard Cider (Strongbow and Woodchuck), Weyerbacher Brewing Company and Wolaver’s Fine Organic Ales. Continued...

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Other vendors included Saint Obnoxious, I Love Puttle, Cabot Creamery, Cookie Lee, One Woman’s Junk, Kutztown Tobacco Co., Trimble Sales Group (Sauces and other condiments), Just Peachy, Torchbearer Sauces, ING Financial, and Kikenelle.

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Raising $28,227, about 640 people attended the 4th Annual FriendFest 2012 Benefit Beer and Wine Festival, all in the name of fun and helping to battle poverty.

With the help of 66 volunteers, the beer and wine tasting event served as a fundraiser for Friend Inc. Community Services in Kutztown. All proceeds go to ending poverty in rural Northeastern Berks County.

“I think it’s just another way to bring the community together and to build awareness of what we do and what we need and at the same time people can enjoy themselves with their friends and family,” said Sandra Wise, recently appointed executive director of Friend.



According to the nonprofit’s website, Friend, Inc. Community Services is a multi-service social agency that supports the well-being of those in need and is committed to strengthening the lives of families and individuals living in Northeastern Berks County.

“I think it’s a good way to raise money for Friend because it’s not your typical fundraiser where you just ask people for money,” she said. “They’re enjoying themselves for the day and being to help our organization to continue to do the services that we provide.”

FriendFest 2012 was held Feb. 18 at Beltzner Hall, Kutztown Fairgrounds. There were three sessions: 1 to 3:30 p.m. with music by Midnight Dim Light, 4 to 6:30 p.m. and 7 to 9:30 p.m., with music by Frog Holler with the Wallace Brothers.

Many local breweries and wineries mainly in Pennsylvania showcased their products, as well as various vendors such as jewelry made from recycled beer bottles.

“I think they put it together very well. I wasn’t expecting all of this coming in,” said Brandy Skorupsky, Oley.

Her favorite part was the wine tasting, the music, the jewelry, “and a little bit of this and a little bit of that.”

Friend Board of Directors member Barbara Coffin, Kutztown, volunteered at the fundraiser.

“It’s a great fundraiser, it’s lots of fun and people get to experience lots of different tastes and sample lots of good beers and wines,” said Coffin.

Noting that the tasting event is one of the major fundraisers for Friend for the year, Coffin said, “Friend provides lots of services to the residents of the area. I think the cost is very fair for what the benefit is. Watch for us next year, we’ll be back again.”

Wise began serving as the new executive director Jan. 2 and FriendFest was her first big project.

“What an organization to be working for and I have been amazed at the community support for the organization,” wrote Wise in the opening of the festival booklet handed out that day. “Coming in as late as I have my first priority has been to make FriendFest as successful as in past years. I believe we did just that.”

Last year’s event raised about $26,000 with a record breaking 1,000 people attending. The event has gained popularity over the past couple of years. In 2010, more than 700 people attended and the event raised about $13,000.

“This event is a huge undertaking and would not have been possible without the help of two staff who worked tirelessly on FriendFest, Cathy Dill and Laura Reichart” said Wise.

Wise also thanked the festival committee, the Board of Directors, Land Displays, the Kutztown Optimist Club, Constable Gregory Heid, the donors and many volunteers.

Wineries included Blair Vineyards, Long Trout Winery, Paradocx Vineyard, Peace Valley Winery, Sand Castle Winery, Stonekeep Meadery and University Wine Company.

Breweries included Brooklyn Brewing Company, Flying Dog, Golden Avalanche Brewing Company, Long Trail, Lost Coast, Sly Fox, Southern Tier, Stone Brewing Co., Vermont Hard Cider (Strongbow and Woodchuck), Weyerbacher Brewing Company and Wolaver’s Fine Organic Ales.

Other vendors included Saint Obnoxious, I Love Puttle, Cabot Creamery, Cookie Lee, One Woman’s Junk, Kutztown Tobacco Co., Trimble Sales Group (Sauces and other condiments), Just Peachy, Torchbearer Sauces, ING Financial, and Kikenelle.

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