Share This...   

The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley celebrated the end of its annual campaign Tuesday May 22, 2012 at DeSales University by honoring numerous organizations and individuals crucial to its success.

Campaign Chairman Charles Marcon announced the 2011 campaign raised $9.8 million, an increase of $66,000 over the prior year.

United Way President Susan Gilmore said the nonprofit agency touched more than 60,000 people in the last year.

Awards and honorees are:

The Campaign Chairman's Award, presented to a company for its leadership in helping to conduct the campaign: The Guardian Life Insurance Co., Bethlehem.

The Express-Times Community Building Award, for building partnerships: Joseph Roy, superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District.

Community Innovators Award, for making a community impact: Air Products; Just Born Inc.; and Rodale. These were presented to organizations for their support of United Way's COMPASS Community Schools.

The Morning Call Silver Bowl Award, for outstanding volunteers: Lisa Beslanovits and the B. Braun team
Labor Achievement Award, for advancing United Way work: Lehigh Valley Building and Construction Trades Council
Live United Award, for engaging the community: Crayola

Teenworks "Making a Difference" Award: Kurt Keller, 18, of South Whitehall Township; the Children's Home of Easton; and Megan Frey, 16, of Upper Macungie Township.

Keller is an Eagle Scout who built 25 shadow boxes for residents in the Alzheimer's and dementia wing of Cedarbrook Nursing Home. Keller, a senior at Parkland High School, built them in memory of his grandmother, who died in April 2010 and had been at Cedarbrook.

Frey, a Parkland sophomore, built a pen for therapy ducks at Grass Mountain Ranch in Orefield.

Visit our Facebook page for photos from the event.