Media Center « Press Releases »

Media Advisories

ATTENTION: EDITORS / ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

Contact:

Neil Cotiaux, FHLBank of Pittsburgh: 412-288-2851; cell: 412-335-9488
John Gentzel, Congressman Gerlach: 202-225-4315

CONGRESSMAN GERLACH, SOVEREIGN BANK TO ANNOUNCE ANOTHER $500,000 GRANT FOR 100 MORE HOMES WITHIN 'OUR CITY READING'
Open House, backyard barbeque tied to funding announcement this Thursday

READING, PA, August 22, 2006 — U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (PA-6) will be the keynote speaker this Thursday when Sovereign Bank, FHLBank Pittsburgh and community leaders announce another one-half-million-dollar grant, bringing to $1 million the total amount of grants that the two banks have coordinated in support of the growing Our City Reading neighborhood revitalization program. The funding announcement will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 24, at a newly renovated Our City Reading home at 722 N. 5th Street.

Speakers at this week's event will include Congressman Gerlach; John Connelly, president of Our City Reading; Al Boscov, founder and chair of Our City Reading; and representatives of Sovereign Bank and FHLBank Pittsburgh.

Also speaking will be Mr. and Mrs. Juan Castaneda, who recently purchased an Our City Reading home and will discuss the benefits of first-time homeownership as part of the neighborhood initiative.

Also as part of the day's activities, residents of the neighborhood will enjoy a barbeque in the backyard of the restored six-bedroom home. In addition, an open house will be held at the site to allow prospective first-time homebuyers an opportunity to view the property. The announcement portion of the activities is expected to conclude by 11 a.m.

Directions

From Harrisburg and points west:

• Take I-76 East toward Philadelphia.
• Take Exit 286 toward US-222, Reading/Lancaster (Go less than 0.2 mile after the toll booths and take the ramp to Route 222 North).
• Merge onto US-422 East toward I-176, Reading/Pottstown (Take the second lane exit to Reading - 500 feet after the first one-lane exit ramp; do not take the first one which goes to Pottstown).
• Take the Penn Street Exit (second exit) toward Reading (As you cross the bridge, make sure you are in the left-hand lane). Take the second ramp into the city of Reading.
• Turn left onto N. 5th Street, go several blocks, and the property will be on the left-hand side of the street.

Parking
Ample on-street parking is available along North 5th Street.

For "day of" assistance, call: Neil Cotiaux, FHLBank, 412-335-9488 (cell).