From Berks Community Television
Berks Community Television (BCTV) happily announces the 2026 Community Builder & Community Media award recipients: Patricia Giles, the Reading Public Library, and John & Winifred Hoskyns-Abrahall, Bullfrog Films. The honorees will be recognized and celebrated at a reception at Franklin Station by Saucony Creek on Tuesday, Oct. 20, starting at 5:30 p.m. Award details and ticket information are below.
“We are honored to recognize these remarkable individuals and institutions. They embody the dedication, passion, and hard work that strengthen our community,” said Heather Adams, Executive Director of BCTV.
“Each honoree has a meaningful connection to BCTV through partnership, support, or collaboration, making this recognition especially meaningful to us and particularly fitting that we celebrate them on Community Media Day during BCTV’s 50th anniversary year — a time when we are reflecting on the people and partnerships that have shaped our organization and the important role community media plays in bringing people together.”
The awards honor the legacy of Eugene L. Shirk, a two-term mayor of Reading. Mayor Shirk was chairman of the advisory committee that established Berks Community Television, and he served as BCTV’s first president, holding the post for 19 years until his death in 1994. He hosted two of BCTV’s core programs, “Bridging the Generation Gap” and “The National Issues Forum.”
2026 Eugene L. Shirk Community Builder Award Recipient:
Patricia Giles
This recognition honors the memory of former Reading Mayor Eugene L. Shirk and celebrates individuals who best embody his spirit and the qualities he demonstrated as an educator, coach, mayor, and citizen: civility, commitment to the well-being of others, honor, humor, involvement in our community, and leadership.
For more than 45 years, Pat has provided volunteer and professional leadership to community nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life in our community, including three of Berks County’s largest philanthropic organizations. Pat currently serves as President of The Wyomissing Foundation, guiding the organization to be a catalytic funder and collaborative partner, with a focus on creating community and economic development in Greater Reading.
Prior to that, she spent 17 years at United Way of Berks County, leading the Community Impact division, where she oversaw the annual distribution of funding and helped establish community initiatives and programs. Previously, Pat served for five years as Vice President for Grants and Programs at the newly established Berks County Community Foundation, where she created and managed grantmaking and community strategies.
The Eugene L. Shirk Community Builder Award has been presented to William Flippin, Jay Sidhu, Karen Rightmire, Paul Roedel, State Senator Judy Schwank, Sam McCullough, S. Henry Lessig, Mary Ann Chelius-Smith, Chip Karasin, John Weidenhammer, Rick Burkey, Chris G. Kraras, Carl Herbein, Kevin Murphy, Barbara Kline, Gust Zogas, Chris Pruitt, Elsayed Elmarzouky, Karen A. Miller, John Ernesto, Hon. Arthur & Louise Grim, John Gallen, Ramona Turner Turpin, and Dave & Cathy Myers.
2026 Community Building Institution Award Recipient:
Reading Public Library
Presented to an organization, company, or educational institution that promotes and exemplifies the positive spirit of the community by supporting local projects and encouraging volunteerism.
Reading Public Library (RPL) has served the City of Reading for generations as a place of learning, connection, opportunity, and community. Through its historic Main Library and three neighborhood branches, RPL provides free access to books, technology, educational resources, cultural experiences, and welcoming spaces for residents of all ages.
The library’s impact extends far beyond its collections. RPL works in partnership with schools, nonprofits, cultural organizations, local government, businesses, and community leaders to respond to local needs and create opportunities for people to learn, grow, and connect. Its programs and services support literacy, digital access, workforce development, arts and culture, civic engagement, and lifelong learning.
Today, RPL continues to strengthen Reading by bringing people and organizations together, expanding access to resources and experiences, and creating spaces where everyone is welcome. Through collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to the people it serves, Reading Public Library remains an essential community institution.
The Community Building Organization Award has previously been presented to Tompkins VIST Bank, Albright College, Berks Encore, Alvernia University, Centro Hispano, Reading Area Community College, United Way of Berks County, and Reading School District.
2026 Community Media Award Honoree:
John & Winifred Hoskyns-Abrahall, Bullfrog Films
This honor is given to an individual or organization to recognize their dedication to community media in Berks County and their passion for informing and engaging the public.
Located in Reading, PA, Bullfrog Films is the oldest and largest publisher of videos and films about the environment in the United States. The company principals are John Hoskyns-Abrahall and Winifred Scherrer, personal and professional partners. They met in graduate school in Philadelphia and began their professional careers as part of the Film Division of Rodale Press (publishers of Organic Gardening magazine), where they made six films. The mission of Bullfrog films is to bring together programs that point the way to a new paradigm for living happily, healthily, and sustainably.
Additionally, John has served as host and producer of the BCTV program, Centering on Peace for more than 30 years, and Winnie has served on the BCTV Board of Directors and as Chair of the Program Committee for 35 years.
The Community Media Award has been presented to Dr. Joseph Amprey, Thomas Fox, Sandy Graffius, collectively to the former Executive Directors of BCTV: Jerry Richter, Ann Sheehan, & Kate Stutzman, and The League of Women Voters of Berks County.
Tickets for the award reception are $100.00 and include wine, beer, soft drinks, and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets can be purchased by cash or check made payable to BCTV, or online by the Oct. 13 deadline.
For ticketing and sponsorship inquiries, contact Heather Adams at 610-374-3065 x.101 or via email hadams@bctv.org.
BCTV is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community media organization committed to empowering people and engaging community through media.
