Good morning, Reading.

Giant Company donated 200 hams to Helping Harvest, the Spring Township food bank, on Friday, Dec.

12 to support families in Berks and Schuylkill counties, and its employees helped pack boxes for hunger relief ahead of the busy holiday season.

Six local museums and historical organizations in Berks received $181,200 in grants to support operations, announced by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Recipients include Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust, Reading Public Museum and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary among others.

Renewed Spirit Church, located at 449 N.

Ninth St. in Reading, will hold an authentic German Christmas worship service on Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. (broadcast live on WEEU-AM 830) with music by the Reading Liederkranz Chorus and a sermon by Rev. Sonja Ware.

Students in the Autistic Support classroom at Green Valley Elementary engaged with retired NFL quarterback Chad Henne earlier this week as part of a lesson redesign under the Total Experience Learning program from Alvernia University; the mock press conference (a real-world Q&A) helped them build communication skills and confidence.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Albany Township was awarded a $42,200 grant from the Pennsylvania Wild Resource Conservation Program to study habitat and threats affecting nesting & wintering northern harriers.

Officials say the grant will help protect the threatened bird as part of a state effort to conserve local biodiversity.

Berks County is set to receive $200,000 in state funding for Chesapeake Bay watershed projects that will reduce pollution from local waterways over the next 12 to 24 months — the funding was announced by the Pennsylvania DEP under its Countywide Action Plan.

Reading fire marshal Jeremy Searfoss warned that fires in buildings without working sprinkler systems now cause far more damage.

He cited the arson at the former Lincoln Chemical building on 600 South 9th Street and past fires to stress the need for proper maintenance.

The Reading Fire Department introduced Burnie, a 15-month-old Labrador retriever trained to detect accelerants, at a City Hall press conference on Thursday; she replaces retired K-9 Gracie and will help investigators narrow down fire scenes.

State Rep. Manny Guzman and Trucare Home Care workers delivered holiday baskets Thursday to Berks County seniors receiving care at home, including ham, milk, and basic pantry items for those spending the holidays alone.

Officials say the effort highlights ongoing challenges with the home care workforce.

Andrew Groller of Daniel Boone High School bowled a perfect 300 game on Friday at State Street Lanes in Hamburg as part of a busy week that also saw Joe Vazquez and Mason Basile roll perfect games at Jay Lanes in Douglassville.

Friday night, Gov. Mifflin beat Berks Catholic (46 to 39) in a BCIAA girls basketball game; Bella Super scored 16 (points) to lead the Mustangs, while other local teams improved their records in matchups.

Adirondack Thunder vs. Reading Royals

7-8:30 p.m. — Santander Arena — Tickets starting at $13 — Watch an exciting matchup in the AHL as Thunder take on the Royals.

World Ballet Company's The Nutcracker

1:00 – 2:30 PM — Santander Performing Arts Center — Ticket prices may vary — Experience a magical ballet performance this holiday season.

Norfolk Admirals vs. Reading Royals

4-5:30 p.m. — Santander Arena — Group tickets starting at $10 — Catch the thrilling action as the Admirals take on the Royals in this exciting hockey matchup.