Air Products Foundation to Match Retiree and Employee Giving

Allentown, Pa. - Air Products Foundation is joining the commitment made by its parent company, Air Products, to support United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s 2017-2018 Campaign. Air Products Foundation announced today that it would match each dollar of retiree contributions, up to $50,000 annually per eligible retiree. Air Products also matches contributions of its employees dollar for dollar.  

"Air products is excited to include our retirees in the United Way campaign this year by matching their contributions dollar for dollar," said Laurie Hackett, Community Relations Director for Air Products. "Our retirees are part of the Air Products family and this is another way we can all come together to help the community!"

Bill Spence, Chairman, President and CEO of PPL Corp., and his wife Denise, are serving as 2017-2018 Campaign Co-Chairs for United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s centennial year. The Spence’s have been longtime supporters of United Way and are challenging the community to dig deep and give more this year.  

“I am thrilled that Air Products has once again exhibited its leadership and commitment to our community,” remarked Mr. Spence. “The campaign is gaining great momentum and it is exciting to see the enthusiasm from all our community partners.”

Air Products Foundation’s incentive will go a long way to support the Century Challenge.  The Challenge was initiated by campaign co-chair Spence to expand the good works done by United Way in the community.  PPL Corporation, Air Products, Crayola, Dual Temp Company, BB&T and a handful of anonymous individuals have pledged a total of $1 million in matching funds for all new and increased gifts to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley this year.  

“Having the trust of corporate leaders to effectively carry out our mission speaks volumes,” said David Lewis, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley President.  “Our organization has a proven track record of efficient, successful, and measurable impact in our community.  The Century Challenge is creating even more opportunity to make a brighter future for so many Lehigh Valley residents.”

In the past few years, UWGLV has organized its work around three goals aimed at strengthening the Lehigh Valley by 2022: increasing the number of older adults whose basic needs are met at home by 50 percent; increasing access to and availability of nutritious food by 50 percent; and increasing the number of third-grade students reading at grade level by 50 percent, which in turn will increase high-school graduation rates across the Lehigh Valley.

UWGLV will commemorate its milestone birthday with a 100th Anniversary Gala on September 16, 2017 at Sands Event Center in Bethlehem. Tickets can be purchased at www.UnitedWayGLV.org/100.  Gala sponsors include PPL Corp, Dual Temp Company Inc., Air Products, B. Braun Medical Inc., City Center Lehigh Valley, Crayola, Alvin H. Butz, Inc., BB&T, Capital BlueCross, Lafayette Ambassador Bank, Lehigh University, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Lutron Electronics Co. Inc., St. Luke’s University Health Network, ADP – Automatic Data Processing, Just Born, Inc., Lafayette College, Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A., UGI Utilities, Wells Fargo, FirstEnergy, Follett, JoycePayne Partners, and lehighvalleylive.com + The Express-Times.

Mission of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley

The mission of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is to provide the leadership, convene the partnerships and develop the resources and solutions that improve our community. We remain committed to these goals and sincerely appreciate the continued support of partners, program providers and donors throughout the Lehigh Valley.