Air Products’ Laurie Gostley Hackett to Chair United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s 2021 Campaign
Allentown, PA – Laurie Gostley Hackett, Air Products’ director of community relations and philanthropy, will chair the 2021 campaign for United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV).
“With the strong support of Air Products, I step into this role with great optimism, enthusiasm and hope. The community has been through so much together over the past year, and my colleagues and I are inspired by the passion, partnership and potential of United Way. United Way is truly the Greater Lehigh Valley’s community builder, helping our community to be strong, stable and accessible,” said Hackett.
Hackett brings a unique perspective to the 2021 campaign, which will raise funds to meet today’s emerging needs while investing in sustainable solutions to challenges in the areas of education, emergency services, food access and healthy aging. Hackett’s work with the Air Products Foundation supports programs, activities and agencies that are working hard every day to improve the quality of life for all. She is actively engaged as a volunteer with dozens of Lehigh Valley-based nonprofits and has served on UWGLV’s Board of Directors since 2019.
“There is a special spirit of community and deep commitment to serve that is so evident in the Greater Lehigh Valley. This campaign belongs to the entire community, and we invite and encourage everyone to participate at all levels. We know there are great needs. By investing in United Way, all of us become part of the solution,” added Hackett.
Air Products raised a record-breaking $4.1 million for the communities it serves around the country during the company’s 2020 United Way campaign. The donations were raised by Air Products’ current employees as well as retirees, and the Air Products Foundation provided $1.9 million to match those contributions.
“When you speak to Laurie, her love and her passion for the Greater Lehigh Valley are just so apparent. We are so fortunate to have her leadership and the support of Air Products as we focus on the future and continue the fight for the health, safety and education of every person who calls the Valley home,” said David Lewis, President of UWGLV.
In addition to her role as United Way Board Member, Hackett volunteers with numerous nonprofits including Workforce Board Lehigh Valley Chair, R.K. Laros Foundation Trustee, St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Board, Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee and Board of Governors, Miller-Keystone Blood Center Board Member, Iron Pigs Charities Board and Phantoms Charities Board. She is a recipient of the Moravian College Shining Star Award, Chamber Volunteer of the Year, Girl Scouts Take the Lead Award, Bethlehem Chamber Spirit of Bethlehem Award and Chamber of Commerce Athena Award.
United Way’s annual campaign runs through March 31, 2022.