ICE STORM CAUSES DAMAGE TO CONFERENCE OFFICE

Among the casualties of the snow and ice storm that passed through much of Pennsylvania and damaged trees, power lines and buildings across the region February 1, 2011, is the Seventh-day Adventist Pennsylvania Conference Office building, located at 720 Museum Road, Reading, PA.

Officials at the Pennsylvania Conference indicated that a large oak tree, which had been located near the Northeast corner of the building, had fallen across the office building, striking the roof and smashing through several windows sometime before the first employee arrived on Wednesday morning. No one was injured in the damage. The tree appeared sound and was thought to have fallen due to the heavy ice buildup which has caused numerous trees, branches and even power lines to fall to the ground.

Ron Christman, Conference Treasurer and Paul Shobe, Conference utility technician have been assessing the damage and making temporary repairs. There appears to be some damage to portions of the roof, exterior flashing and gutters, and several windows, which will be removed and made weather proof until more permanent replacement windows may be installed.

Adventist Risk Management, the insurance provider for property damage has been contacted, according to Ron Christman, and the goal is to restore the affected areas and return the building to its original condition as soon as possible. The Conference Office is open and conducting business, serving the 101 churches, 14 schools, and ministries of the Pennsylvania Conference.

Floyd Dare, Vice-President and Secretary of the Pennsylvania Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists, which holds title to all Conference properties, stated that reports the falling tree was caused by squirrels attempting to use the natural weather conditions to their advantage in order to gain access into the building and raid the supply of bird seed, to be completely baseless and without foundation. (Now-to be sure- this paragraph is only meant to bring you a smile!)

Pictures of the Conference Office Damage are available for viewing on the Conference website: www.paconference.org


 For more information on this story, contact Floyd Dare (610-374-8331) Assistant to the Communication Director for Emergency Communications.