United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Celebrates Record-breaking 100th Anniversary Campaign

Supporters of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) celebrated the organization’s 100^th anniversary with a record-breaking 2017-18 campaign totaling $15,050,500. Campaign co-chairs Bill and Denise Spence announced the total at the annual Celebration of Caring at DeSales University.
 
“I am so proud and thankful for the giving spirit partners demonstrate year after year. Their generosity helps to encourage, inspire and make a difference in the lives of 60,000 people each year,” said Bill Spence, CEO of PPL and 2017-18 Campaign Co-chair.
 
The 2017-18 campaign total represented a $3 million increase from the 2016-17 campaign. UWGLV will invest all funding in health and human services and pursue bold goals in the areas of education, food access and healthy aging. All money raised in the Greater Lehigh Valley is invested into programming in Northampton, Lehigh and Carbon counties. More than 400 corporations and 19,000 individuals contributed to the 2017-18 campaign.
 
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the depth of your generosity this year. At the heart of the United Way effort are the hearts of the generous people in our community. They show us that actions speak louder than words,” said Campaign Co-chair Denise Spence.
 
More than 400 people attended the Celebration of Caring hosted by The Peak TV’s Ashley Russo and featuring B104’s Mike Kelly and Steph Wells. The event took place on the date of UWGLV’s 100^th Anniversary.
 
“As we commemorate this milestone, your steadfast support strengthens our ability to invest in the future of our community,” remarked UWGLV President David Lewis. “Thanks to people like you, your United Way will continue to meet the Greater Lehigh Valley’s ever-changing needs to create a brighter future for every single person.   We look forward to the next century of working together toward our common goal to create a healthy, educated and safe community.”
 
Bill and Denise Spence introduced the 2018-19 Campaign Co-chairs, David and Sue Shaffer.
 
“David and Sue have been tremendous supporters of our United Way for many years and we wish you the best of luck as you lead United Way into the next century,” said Bill Spence.
 


UWGLV honored the following companies and individuals at Celebration of Caring:
Air Products – LIVE UNITED Award
St. Luke’s University Health Network – Campaign Chairman’s Award
Miller-Keystone Blood Center – Air Products Leonard Pool Impact Award
Rob Franklin, IBEW Local 375 – Labor Achievement Award
ASR Media Productions – Community Building Award
Mike Molewski – Campaign Volunteer Award
Trisha Higgins – Carbon County Champion Award
Maeve Yanes – TeenWorks^™ "Making a Difference" Award
Valerie Lane – Women United “Betsy Torrence Philanthropist of the Year” Award
 
For more information on the award winners, visit www.unitedwayglv.org.
 
Valued community partners in sponsorship for this year’s event included:
Presenting sponsor – Dual Temp Company Inc.
Gold sponsor – Crayola
Bronze sponsors – Brown-Daub Dealerships, Da Vinci Science Center, Highmark Blue Shield, Just Born, Inc., Lafayette Ambassador Bank, lehighvalleylive.com + The Express-Times
Media sponsors – UGI Utilities, Inc.
In-kind sponsors – AmericaVen, Anthony Limousine, ASR Media Productions, KLO Events, Penn Beer Sales & Service, RichMar Florist, Volpe’s Sports Bar, Working Dog Press


Students from Fountain Hill Elementary School assisted with the campaign total announcement.


2017-18 Campaign Co-chairs, Denise and Bill Spence


Air Products Leonard Pool Impact Award Recipient Pete Castagna of Miller-Keystone Blood Center with Jennifer Grant of Air Products

UWGLV President David Lewis with Carbon County Champion Award Recipient Trisha Higgins


Community Building Award Recipients Ashley Russo and Katie Wallace of ASR Media Productions with UWGLV President David Lewis


Campaign Co-chairs Bill and Denise Spence with Campaign Chairman's Award Recipients Pat Bower and Rochelle Schaller of St. Luke's University Health Network


UWGLV President David Lewis with LIVE UNITED Award Recipient Laurie Hackett of Air Products