On March 29, 2025, approximately 145 guests gathered at the Berkshire Country Club to honor Ramona Turner Turpin with the 2025 Thun Award. The Thun Award was created in 1988 to honor Louis R. Thun and Ferdinand K. Thun, local industrialists and philanthropists, in recognition of their long-standing record of civic and community service. The award is presented to Berks County residents whose commitment of time, leadership, and philanthropy exhibits the enduring sense of community reflected by the high ideals of the Thun family.
Fulton Bank and Berks County Community Foundation proudly presented the 2025 Thun Award to Ramona Turner Turpin for her extraordinary community contributions, engagement, and philanthropy in Berks County. Ramona is an Instructor at the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks. Early in her career, Ramona was employed by Berks County Intermediate Unit – first as a teacher, then as an early childhood education coordinator. She served as the Dean of Leadership and Director of Funds Development for the I-LEAD Charter School in Reading. Ramona’s banking career began as the Community Reinvestment Act Director for Bank of Pennsylvania before she was named Community Relations manager for Sovereign Bank in 1999, a position she held for almost ten years. In addition, she held the role of Small Business Specialist for three years.
Ramona has served on numerous boards, including Berks County Community Foundation, Reading Musical Foundation, Olivet Boys and Girls Club, BCTV and United Way of Berks County. She has volunteered her time with Berks Intercultural Alliance. Ramona is a long-time member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church where she has shared her time and talents as a teacher, choir member, and Christian education director; she presently sits on the steward board. Ramona has received numerous awards, including the Athena Award, the Outstanding Woman award from Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, the Amiga Award from the Latina Gathering, and the NAACP Image Award.
Previous Recipients of the Thun Award:
- 1988: Ferdinand K. Thun and Louis R. Thun
- 1989: Gertrude Sternbergh
- 1990: H.O. “Mike” Beaver
- 1991: Eugene L. Shirk
- 1992: Severin Fayerman
- 1993: Albert Boscov
- 1994: Paul and June Roedel
- 1995: Sidney and Barbara Kline
- 1996: Samuel A. McCullough
- 1997: Dr. Charles A. Carabello
- 1998: John F. Horrigan Jr.
- 1999: T. Jerome and Carolyn Holleran
- 2000: P. Michael Ehlerman
- 2001: Robert W. Cardy
- 2003: Thomas P. Handwerk
- 2004: Karen A. Rightmire
- 2005: David L. Thun
- 2007: DeLight E. Breidegam
- 2008: Gordon G. Hoodak
- 2013: C. Thomas Work
- 2014: Irvin and Lois E. Cohen
- 2015: The Honorable Arthur E. Grim and Louise C. Grim
- 2016: Christ “Chris” G. Kraras
- 2017: Carole and Ray Neag
- 2018: Carl D. and Kathleen D. Herbein
- 2022: Julia Klein and Eric Jenkins
Thun Award recipients are community advocates who are leaders in commerce and industry. This year’s award recipient embodies the passion for and investment in this community, qualities that are found in all the recipients of the Thun Award.
Berks County Community Foundation established the Thun Award Fund from which honorees recommend grants to organizations of their choice. Ramona selected The Sisterhood of Reading to receive this year’s grant. The Sisterhood of Reading strives to foster a kindred and caring spirit among African American women. Their goal is to mentor young women for the betterment of our community.
Click here to view event photos from the Celebration of Giving and Thun Award presentation. To view the video which highlights Ramona’s contributions to the community, visit our YouTube page here. For more information about the Thun Award, please email me at mollyr@bccf.org.
