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“Thunder” could be heard from way beyond the boundaries of Bechtelsville on September 9^th thru the 11^th.  Yet there was no wind, rain or even a dark cloud in the sky.  In fact, it couldn’t have been a more beautiful day for the organizers and participants of “Thunder In The Valley”.

“Thunder In The Valley” was held at Morningstar Fellowship Church in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania.  Morningstar Pastor Steve Defrain handed off the baton to Mark Malizzi and Bruce Crotzer and they ran with it!  Mark Malizzi was the President of Thunder In The Valley and Bruce Crotzer was the Vice President.  Crotzer belongs to a Worship team at Morningstar and was heading to practice one day and a street rod had passed by, giving him an idea.  He thought about the large parking lot they have at Morningstar and thought it would be neat to have a car show or something on the grounds.  Hence the spark that became the fire.

When the dynamic duo started to research the local areas, they found that there was a great need right in their own back yard.  They didn’t realize how many food banks were right here that needed to fill their shelves for people in need.  So Team Thunder came up with a tremendous idea for a food drive.  The food was to be collected to benefit local food banks such as: The Salvation Army Of Boyertown, Salvation Army Of Pottstown, Boyertown Area Multi-Service, Greater Berks Food Bank and other local food banks.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not and Guinness Book Of World Records were contacted and had both authorized the event.  The purpose of contacting them was to try to set the standard for future events of this kind.  Team Thunder had 10 tractor trailers lined up and ready with the hopes of filling those trailers with 200,000 pounds of donated food.  The event was hoped to be the largest food donation in a 24 hour period.  The food drive began at 8 p.m. on Friday the 9^th of September and was scheduled to end at 8 p.m. on the 10^th.

Thunder In The Valley had a varied schedule of events and participants throughout Saturday.  Local radio station 107.5 Alive was there to broadcast the events of the day along with a live interview with Pastor Steve Defrain and his wife Liz.  A Boeing CH47 Schinook military helicopter flew in from Fort Indiantown Gap with a crew from the 104^th Aviation G-Company.  Motorcycles and vintage cars and trucks were on hand to see.  There were various children’s events and displays set up including an area where children could put their handprint on a giant banner that would be sent to Iraq for the troops.  Postcards were also available to send to the troops, courtesy of Christine Burnley, a local artist who owns Europa Studio.  Reading Motorcyle Club, United Way, Hawk Mountain Council and Special Olympics also had displays at the event.  There was a craft stand and a few food venues selling food from hot dogs and soda to Moore’s french fries to pizza to funnel cake.

Graceland Coaches provided a coach pulled by two impressive Clydesdales horses which was a ride enjoyed by both children and adults.  Miller Keystone blood bank was available for blood donations.  A few fire rescue and ambulance crews were there including two fire trucks from Friendship Hook & Ladder Company in Boyertown, one from Barto Fire Company and two ambulances from Bally Ambulance.  The Salvation Army was there to accept donations for hurricane relief.

Many local businesses supported “Thunder”.  Sponsors included: 107.5 Alive, Beacon Container, Cabela’s, Advertising IT, Hawk Mountain Boy Scout Councel and local Boy Scout Troops 512 and 533, Grand Rental Station, Boyertown Foundry, Doaty & Company, Boyertown YMCA, The Salvation Army, The Word FM, United Way of Boyertown, Y102, Island Breeze Tanning, Kulp Car Rentals, Classic Harley-Davidson, PA Army National Guard, Wells & Son’s Chimney Service, Christel’s Car Care, Impressions Media Design, West Motor Freight, WFMZ (Channel 69), Cabot, Coca-Cola, Everything Postal, Stanley Steamer, Giant Food Stores, Papa John's Pizza, The Mercury, PCTV, Salvation Army, Fred Beans Ford of Boyertown and Harleysville National Bank.

Of course we can’t forget the many individuals who came out to either donate food or money,  to participate in the activities, or to donate their time to help pack food.  Both the organizers of the event and the participants were very lucky to have such a beautiful day.  The event had been planned about 9 months ago with no rain date in mind.  So Team Thunder was very happy that the only “thunder” they heard was on the ground.

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