Corporations make major donations to GoggleWorks

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A number of local business leaders have made philanthropic gifts to the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in Reading, that will allow the organization to expand scholarships, youth education and community-based creative educational experiences. 

The gifts include $150,000 from Rawden Joint Ventures, $150,000 from Customers Bank, and $50,000 from Kevin Timochenko of the Metropolitan Group. 

 “Customers Bank is proud to continue our long-standing support of GoggleWorks, expanding scholarships and youth education so more students and families can take part in programs that inspire, connect, and open doors,” said Tim Romig, Customers Bank executive vice president. 

 Additional support includes $9,000 from Tompkins Community Bank, along with new and continued gifts from Douglas Messinger ($20,000), GNS Enterprises 1, LP ($40,000), and Marty and Terri Stallone ($11,000). 

These contributions are complemented by $178,000 in continued leadership support from Sweet Street and Sandy Solmon, whose sustained commitment over multiple years has helped anchor GoggleWorks’ scholarship and youth programming. 

“The Rawden family is honored to join the many donors that share the vision of creating creative outlets for the community.  We know first-hand, that fostering creativity can aid in someone’s success personally as well as professionally and we see it come to life in many of our McDonald’s managers and crew through creative problem solving.  We are honored to help families kindle their creative spark, knowing that we are helping build a stronger community,” said Stephanie Rawden, McDonald’s Owner/Operator, president Rawden Joint Ventures. 

With this expanded philanthropic support, GoggleWorks will advance several major initiatives including the launch of a new interactive family art space; full scholarships for children of first responders and new music scholarships, aligned with the growth of programs connected to GoggleWorks’ recording studio and the Thorn Alley venue, which opened in fall 2025 as part of the Art Park. 

“Our programs are growing because families, educators, and young people are asking for more access to meaningful creative educational experiences,” said Levi Landis, executive director of GoggleWorks. “These gifts allow us to expand responsibly, deepen impact, and ensure that cost is never a barrier to a young person’s creativity.”