Son Honors Dad's 25-Year Volunteer Legacy in Berks County

When Chad Evans signed up as a United Way volunteer, he wasn't just joining a program. He was continuing a family tradition that stretched back more than three decades.

His father, Irv Evans, spent 25 years as a Loaned Campaign Specialist for United Way of Berks County, helping local workplaces connect employees with community programs. After Irv passed away in 2022, Chad decided to honor his dad by stepping into the same role.

Now retired from the Reading Police Department and working for New Castle Lawn & Landscape, Chad brings a unique perspective to his volunteer work. During his law enforcement career, he saw families facing domestic abuse, homelessness, and hunger up close.

"As a police officer, I saw how quickly a family can find itself in crisis and how important it is to have trusted resources ready to help," Chad shares. Those real-life experiences now shape how he talks with donors about the impact of their support.

As a Loaned Campaign Specialist, Chad works alongside United Way staff to organize employee campaigns at local workplaces. He makes presentations explaining how United Way programs empower youth, strengthen health, and support people during their toughest moments.

Tammy White, President of United Way of Berks County, remembers working with Irv for all those years. He first joined in 1991 when Met-Ed loaned him to the organization, and he loved it so much he kept coming back as a volunteer every year after retirement.

"Irv cared deeply about this community and about United Way," White says. "Seeing Chad step into the LCS role all these years later is incredibly special."

Sunny's Take

What makes this story shine isn't just that Chad followed in his father's footsteps. It's that he's weaving together everything he learned from his dad's example of service with his own experiences helping people in crisis. He watched his father show up year after year, connecting donors to the community needs that mattered. Now Chad is creating those same connections while bringing the wisdom he gained from years of responding to 911 calls and meeting families at their most vulnerable moments.

The Evans family proves that when service becomes part of who you are, it doesn't end with one generation.