The weather was perfect, the venue welcoming, and the company? Spirited!
Tocqueville members came out in force on May 5th at an intimate gathering at Anne and Brad Baum’s home to usher in the 2022 campaign season. Tocqueville Chair, Frank Lawler, welcomed the members and guests to the first in-person Tocqueville event since last fall. He took the opportunity to thank previous Campaign Chair, Laurie Gostley-Hackett, for her record-breaking 2021 results and welcomed incoming chairs, Vince and Michelle Sorgi and Ashley and Joe Russo. Seasoned Tocqueville donors, Ed Harakel and Virginia Oskin, along with new members Tyrone and Ingrid Russell, spoke about their personal reasons for giving back through United Way.
Please enjoy photos from this event at The Barn at Fox Hollow Farm hosted by Anne and Brad Baum along with Campaign Chairs Ashley and Joe Russo and Vince and Michelle Sorgi.
Tom and Marion Edwards presented with a $10,000 cash prize courtesy of the Brown-Daub Family of Dealerships
$10,000 donation will support United Way’s United for Ukraine Global Fund and World Central Kitchen
Easton, PA – On March 18, United Way supporters Tom and Marion Edwards, of Center Valley, were presented with a $10,000 cash prize courtesy of the Brown-Daub Family of Dealerships. The Edwards are the grand incentive prize winners of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s (UWGLV) 2021-22 Campaign.
“We’re really excited to support United Way and the community. If it weren’t for the dedication and participation of our employees who have increased their giving through the COVID-19 pandemic, we wouldn’t be able to offer these incentive prizes,” said Laura Lueders, Corporate Charity Officer, Brown-Daub.
Long-standing supporters of United Way and the community, the Edwards will donate the prize to United Way’s United for Ukraine Global Fund and World Central Kitchen to support Ukraine relief. “There’s a lot of need here in the local community, but due to current world events, we determined we’re going to donate to Ukrainian relief. That is the greatest human need right now,” stated Tom Edwards, when asked why they decided to donate their prize.
Brown-Daub has been a United Way Cornerstone Society member for over a decade and supports many United Way events throughout the year. United Way Cornerstone Society consists of 20 generous and deeply committed partners that help our community with annual contributions of $100,000 or more. For the past 8 years, Brown-Daub has provided a significant incentive prize of $10,000 cash or a new vehicle for donors who contributed to the campaign at a certain level, which encouraged individuals to give more.
As an Air Products retiree, Edwards’ donation will be matched by the Air Products Foundation, which matches all contributions of its employees and retirees to maximize the impact.
“Dedicated partners like Air Products and Brown-Daub are the cornerstones of our community and we’re extremely thankful for the huge impact their organizations, employees and retirees have made throughout the community for decades,” stated Paul Hurd, Chief Development Officer, UWGLV.
“We’re proud and impressed by the Edwards’ generosity and Air Products’ match to such a great cause,” Lueders added.
Individuals who became an Everyday Hero by contributing at least $365 to UWGLV’s 2021-2022 campaign became eligible to win one of three incentive prizes.
Grand Prize: $10,000 provided by the Brown-Daub Family of Dealerships, presented to Tom and Marion Edwards
First Prize: $2,500 in Wegmans gift cards, presented to Jason Mengel of Buckeye Partners;
Second Prize: A Martin Guitar valued at $2,229 courtesy of C.F. Martin & Co., presented to Graham Christensen of Lutron Electronics.
“Thank you to Brown-Daub, Wegmans and Martin Guitar for encouraging the spirit of giving and for their continued support of UWGLV,” added Hurd.
Jason Mengel with Bob Malecky, President of Buckeye Partners, and Robin Billger, Employee Campaign Champion at Buckeye, presented with Wegmans incentive prize
Graham Christensen of Lutron Electronics presented with Martin Guitar incentive prize
About Brown-Daub Brown-Daub has grown from a single Chrysler Plymouth franchise purchased in 1936 by William J Daub and Thomas M. Brown into the Lehigh Valley’s largest auto group. Currently led by the third generation owner, Thomas A. Daub, Brown-Daub is celebrating 86 years of servicing and supporting the community with its 9 new car franchises, commercial truck center, and auto body repair shop. For more information, please visit www.browndaub.com.
About World Central Kitchen Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises while working to build resilient food systems with locally led solutions. WCK has served more than 60 million fresh meals to people impacted by natural disasters and other crises around the world. WCK’s Resilience Programs strengthen food and nutrition security by training chefs and school cooks; advancing clean cooking practices; and awarding grants to farms, fisheries, and small food businesses while also providing educational and networking opportunities. Learn more at wck.org.
More than 20,000 donors unite to advance education, healthy aging and community stability during campaign chaired by Air Products and Laurie Gostley Hackett.
Allentown, PA – More than 20,000 donors and partners united to raise a record-breaking $19,741,940 during United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s (UWGLV) annual fundraising campaign. Contributions will provide critical services in the areas of education, healthy aging and community stability.
“Many in our community are still struggling with the devastating effects of the pandemic. More than ever, our families, our kids and our older adults need help to meet some very basic needs like healthy food, a safe and warm place to live and economic security. We came together like the true community that we are,” said Laurie Gostley Hackett, Air Products Director of Community Relations and Philanthropy, who chaired the annual campaign on behalf of Air Products.
With an increasing number of area residents experiencing food insecurity, Air Products and United Way partnered to create the Air Products Fresh Food Promise. In honor of every new donor to United Way, Air Products Foundation made an additional contribution to provide fresh, healthy food for local families. As a result, over 9,000 more donors joined the cause.
“Because of caring supporters, up to 45,000 people will have access to healthy and nutritious food; more than 20,000 people will receive emergency services such as housing and disaster relief; almost 30,000 students will have better opportunities to succeed in school,” said David Lewis, President, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
“We are grateful for each and every person who stepped up to become part of the solution, and we’d especially like to thank Laurie Gostley Hackett and Air Products for their leading this community campaign,” said Lewis.
In all, more than 20,000 individual donors and 400 partners contributed to the annual campaign, which ran from April 2021 to March 2022. Air Products’ and PPL Corporation’s employees, retirees and corporate foundations each contributed more than $5,000,000; City Center Allentown and Crayola each donated more than $1,000,000. This represents the largest annual campaign in the UWGLV’s 100+ year history and 12 consecutive years of growth.
“United Way represents the ideal way to leverage your giving to the maximum extent and thus help the most people possible. By building sustainable programs and solutions that lift our communities, United Way delivers real results on meaningful bold goals and is truly making a difference thanks to donors and partners who invest in the work,” said UWGLV Board Chair Joanne Raphael, retired Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of PPL Corp.
United Way announced the results today during Celebration of Caring, presented by Crayola. The event celebrates and honors organizations and individuals who have made a significant impact in the community in partnership with United Way. Award recipients included:
Air Products Leonard Pool Impact Award – Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center Campaign Chair’s Award – Just Born Quality Confections Community Builder Award – G. Dean Young, Boys & Girls Club of Easton Lifetime Achievement Award – David Noel, Dual Temp Company Inc. PPL LIVE UNITED Award – Crayola
Valued community partners in sponsorship for this year’s Celebration of Caring include: Presenting sponsor – Crayola Platinum sponsor – Dual Temp Company Inc. Bronze sponsors – Capital Blue Cross, Fulton Bank, Just Born Quality Confections Pearl sponsor – BSI Corporate Benefits In-kind sponsors – ASR Media Productions, RichMar Florist, Working Dog Press
The Company’s 2021-22 Contribution is the Largest Single-Year Campaign Contribution by any Company in the History of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
LEHIGH VALLEY, PA – Air Products’ (NYSE:APD) employees, retirees and the Air Products Foundation raised and contributed more than $5.3 million for the 2021-2022 United Way Campaign to support those in need throughout the Lehigh Valley and across the country.
The total contribution of $5,314,809 is the largest single-year campaign contribution by any company in the history of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
“The collaboration with Air Products on this campaign has been amazing. Because of the contributions of Air Products and its employees, more than 17,000 people will receive emergency services, such as housing and disaster relief, 25,000 students will have better opportunities to succeed in school and more than 38,000 people will have access to healthy and nutritious food,” said David Lewis, President, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
“The challenges of the past year brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic greatly increased the need among families struggling across the country. I am so proud of the responsiveness and generosity of our Air Products family to so strongly support those in need,” said Victoria Brifo, Air Products’ Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, who was also a co-chair of this year’s Air Products United Way Campaign. “The strong results of this campaign will have a positive impact on many families and children in our communities.”
Photo Courtesy of Air Products: Victoria Brifo, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, and co-chair of this year’s Air Products United Way Campaign; Chris Bongo, Process Engineer and co-chair of the Air Products United Way Campaign; Laurie Gostley Hackett, Director of Community Relations and Philanthropy, and chair of the overall campaign for the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley; and Simon Moore, Vice President, Investor Relations, Corporate Relations and Sustainability, and President of the Air Products Foundation.
Contributions to the United Way support students, families and older adults who are in need of safe housing, education support and economic stability. Employee and retiree contributions, as well as the matching support from the Air Products Foundation, will be utilized to support programs in the communities across the U.S. where Air Products’ employees and retirees live and work.
“Air Products is committed to our host communities, and we are honored to step up and serve,” said Chris Bongo, an Air Products Process Engineer and co-chair of the Air Products United Way Campaign. “This year’s campaign showed nearly a 30 percent increase over last year’s and is a testament to the spirit and compassion of our employees and retirees.”
Laurie Gostley Hackett, Air Products’ Director of Community Relations and Philanthropy, served as chair of the overall campaign for the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. As part of the campaign, Air Products also worked with the United Way to launch the Air Products Fresh Food Promise. As part of that initiative, for every new donor to the United Way’s 2021-22 annual campaign, the Air Products Foundation made an additional contribution to support the United Way’s food access work to provide fresh, healthy food for local families.
“Food scarcity is a real issue for many families with one out of 10 people in the United States facing food insecurity,” said Gostley Hackett. “Our Air Products’ Fresh Food Promise initiative generated 9,000 new donors throughout the community, which translates to thousands of healthy meals for people who might otherwise not have access.”
Today’s overall contribution announcement includes the Air Products Foundation’s matching gift program as well as the recently announced plan to contribute an additional $500,000 to the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley in recognition of campaign chair Gostley Hackett. The additional funds, which will be distributed over three years, will be used to expand education and food access programs in partnership with the Bethlehem Area School District, Greater Easton Development Partnership and the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley.
The Air Products Foundation is a separately incorporated 501(c)(3) tax-exempt foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to build meaningful relationships with charitable organizations that share the values inherent in the Air Products’ higher purpose and enhance the Company’s positive relations with employees, communities, customers and shareholders.
About Air Products Air Products (NYSE:APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 80 years. Focused on serving energy, environment and emerging markets, the Company provides essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemical, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food and beverage. Air Products is also the global leader in the supply of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment. The Company develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world’s largest industrial gas projects, including: gasification projects that sustainably convert abundant natural resources into syngas for the production of high-value power, fuels and chemicals; carbon capture projects; and world-scale low- and zero-carbon hydrogen projects supporting global transportation and the energy transition.
The Company had fiscal 2021 sales of $10.3 billion from operations in over 50 countries and has a current market capitalization of about $55 billion. More than 20,000 passionate, talented and committed employees from diverse backgrounds are driven by Air Products’ higher purpose to create innovative solutions that benefit the environment, enhance sustainability and address the challenges facing customers, communities, and the world. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Award will be presented at United Way Celebration of Caring event which recognizes donors, volunteers and community partners.
Allentown, PA – United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) will honor Crayola with the PPL LIVE UNITED Award for improving lives and quality of life across the region. The award will be presented at United Way Celebration of Caring on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 to recognize the transformative impact donors, volunteers and partners made throughout the year.
“The Greater Lehigh Valley came together to build a stronger community. Celebration of Caring recognizes the collective impact of United Way donors, volunteers and partners,” said United Way Campaign Chair Laurie Hackett, Air Products Director of Community Relations and Philanthropy.
The event, which is also presented by Crayola, celebrates and honors organizations and individuals who have made a significant impact in the community in partnership with United Way.
Crayola will receive United Way’s highest honor, the PPL LIVE UNITED Award. This award is presented to an organization or company whose engagement in the Lehigh Valley community results in a significant contribution toward improving quality of life for those in need. Under President and Chief Executive Officer Rich Wuerthele’s leadership, Crayola contributed more than $1 million during its recent United Way campaign, representing the largest corporate gift and most employee donations in the company’s long history of giving. Crayola had a 19% increase in the number of employee donors and utilized creative, innovative ways to motivate giving.
“The PPL LIVE UNITED Award is our organization’s highest honor, and Crayola continues to show up as one of our most dedicated partners. They exemplify what it means to ‘LIVE UNITED’ in their commitment to giving back and making a true impact in our community,” said David Lewis, President, UWGLV.
The following awardees will also be honored during Celebration of Caring:
David Noel – Lifetime Achievement Award Presented to an individual who demonstrates a lifetime of philanthropic leadership and inspiring service to the Lehigh Valley community. The Lifetime Achievement Award is not given out annually, but rather when someone has truly impacted the community in such a deep and powerful way.
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center – Air Products Leonard Pool Impact Award Accepted by Bill McGlinn, Interim Director, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center Presented by Air Products, the Leonard Pool Impact Award recognizes a nonprofit organization that demonstrates commitment to exceptional community leadership, outstanding stewardship of community resources, active and meaningful volunteer engagement, readiness to serve as an example to others, and strategic impact on the Lehigh Valley community.
Just Born Quality Confections – Campaign Chair’s Award Accepted by Courtney Angle, Corporate Affairs Specialist, Just Born Quality Confections Presented to a company that has demonstrated leadership and innovation in conducting its United Way campaign and an ability to increase awareness throughout the Lehigh Valley.
Dean Young – Community Builder Award Accepted by Dean Young, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of Easton Presented to an individual or organization that supports United Way in its community-building efforts, encourages cooperation, contributes talent and resources to further partnerships, creates a common ground and perseveres in the face of challenges.
Valued community partners in sponsorship for this year’s Celebration of Caring include: Presenting sponsor – Crayola Platinum sponsor – Dual Temp Company Inc. Bronze sponsors – Capital Blue Cross, Fulton Bank, Just Born Quality Confections In-kind sponsors – ASR Media Productions, RichMar Florist, Working Dog Press
Community members are invited to join United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Campaign Chair Laurie Gostley Hackett of Air Products as we recognize the collaborative efforts of the community. Registration is $60 and required. Click here or email [email protected] to register, or call 610-758-8010 with questions.
Allentown, PA, March 29, 2022 – Connecting individuals to employment has proven difficult throughout recent months, and the child care industry is no exception. A recent survey reports that nearly 100 classrooms are closed in the Greater Lehigh Valley and over 92% of programs have a staffing shortage.
“With a staffing crisis greatly affecting our child care sector, access to high quality early learning and child care opportunities are decreasing for families. We are taking action to connect job seekers to open opportunities available,” stated Akshara Vivekananthan, Director of School Readiness, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV).
Across the state of Pennsylvania, child care providers have faced serious challenges in staffing their facilities, which prevents them from providing the quality care they strive to maintain. In response to these shortages, hundreds of child care programs from across Pennsylvania are coordinating Child Care Hiring Days for PA from March 29 through March 31, 2022.
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley has partnered with PennAEYC, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Greater Valley YMCA and the Children’s Center to ensure that Lehigh Valley child care organizations have a presence and to raise local awareness of the statewide staffing shortages.
“When child care programs can’t open classrooms or open at all due to staffing issues, it makes it challenging for parents to work and ultimately impacts business productivity and the overall economy,” said Jen DeBell, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC), a statewide, non-profit membership organization that advocates for high-quality early care and education opportunities for children and families and appropriate compensation and support for the professionals that provide these programs.
Over these three days, participating programs will host walk-in hiring events, featuring on-the-spot interviews at their locations. Many locations will be offering competitive salary and benefits, signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, continuing education and on-the-job training.
“In a moment of truth, we know this hiring event is a temporary solution. We are counting on our legislators to save child care as we need continued investments so all children have equitable access to a healthy start,” Vivekananthan added.
This state wide hiring event aims to simplify the job search and hiring process for job seekers, help participating programs reach potential applicants and promote the rewards of working in early childhood education. Interested programs can learn how to participate with the Child Care Hiring Days for PA by visiting ECEhire.com or emailing Akshara Vivekananthan at [email protected].
Job seekers interested in making a difference in the lives of youth and families can view the entire list of careers and locations performing interviews during the Child Care Hiring Event on ECEhire.com.
The Air Products Foundation’s support will expand education and food access programs in partnership with Bethlehem Area School District, Greater Easton Development Partnership and Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley and is given in recognition of campaign chair Laurie Gostley Hackett.
From left to right: Victoria Montero, Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley; Jared Mast, Greater Easton Development Partnership; Laurie Gostley Hackett, Air Products; Simon Moore, Air Products; David Lewis, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley; Dr. Joseph Roy, Bethlehem Area School District
Easton, PA, March 28, 2022 – The Air Products Foundation has announced a gift of $500,000 to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley to expand education and food access programs with trusted community partners.
“The data is clear that access to healthy food and quality mental health and educational services, remain significant challenges for many of our community’s children and families. Air Products is proud to be a part of the solution to these challenges with our continued partnership with United Way,” said Simon Moore, Air Products’ Vice President of Investor Relations, Government Relations and Sustainability, and President of the Air Products Foundation.
According to Feeding America, unfortunately, one in 10 Lehigh Valley residents face food insecurity, including one in six children. Local food pantries supported by United Way served approximately 45,000 people last year, an 88 percent increase since the pandemic started. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions to the lives and education of Lehigh Valley students, resulting in what the U.S. Surgeon General has described as a national “youth mental health crisis.”
“Our community has great needs, and our community partners have adapted and innovated to meet those growing and changing needs. This support will help to launch three new community initiatives that will ultimately make our students and families healthier, safer and more successful,” said Laurie Gostley Hackett, Air Products’ Director of Community Relations and Philanthropy, who chaired the annual United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley campaign.
“The full and lasting impacts of the pandemic on our local children and families are just becoming known. Air Products and United Way have a strong partnership in evaluating community needs and providing the resources to meet them. With this donation, Air Products will create a far-reaching impact at a time when it is so needed,” added David Lewis, President, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
The $500,000 contribution, which will be distributed over three years, was announced in Easton and will support the nonprofit Greater Easton Development Partnership’s (GEDP) West Ward Market. In year one, the funding will support the creation of the outdoor market located near 12th and Northampton streets as well as provide additional support for students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Bethlehem Area School District and expand food access in partnership with Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley.
The West Ward Market, run by the West Ward Community Initiative and Easton Market District, which are both programs of GEDP, will launch this summer and increase neighborhood access to fresh food and community programming. Partners will include Paxinosa Elementary School, Easton Area School District, Lafayette College, YMCA of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Community Bike Works, Kellyn Foundation, Crayola as Paxinosa Elementary School’s United Way Community School partner, and the City of Easton.
“We are grateful for this support from Air Products, which will allow us to bring an outdoor, neighborhood market to the people of the West Ward and surrounding neighborhoods. Our market will support local businesses and farmers, and connect to a broader effort to support food entrepreneurship in Easton,” said Jared Mast, Executive Director, Greater Easton Development Partnership.
The Air Products Foundation’s support will also meet critical needs of students in the Bethlehem Area School District. Air Products is the Community School partner at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, in partnership with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Moravian University. Community Schools improve student outcomes by transforming high-poverty public schools into resource hubs that offer a range of support and opportunities to children, families and the surrounding neighborhood.
“Young people who receive appropriate mental health support and opportunities to participate in after-school programming have improved academic achievement, are more likely to graduate and are more likely to attend and successfully complete college. This support from Air Products will allow us to expand services for students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary with a behavioral health specialist and an after-school activities coordinator,” said Dr. Joseph Roy, Superintendent of Bethlehem Area School District.
Funding will also support a new transportation vehicle for the food pantry program at Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley. During the pandemic, the food pantry program distributed 62,000 pounds of food to clients and delivered almost 20,000 pounds of foods to the homes of 52 seniors isolating and following safer-at-home orders.
“Our food pantry program provides clients with emergency food resources once per month. To ensure the food is both nutritious and fresh, food pantry staff picks up a weekly donation from a local grocer. A reliable vehicle is essential for this since we provide close to 2,000 pounds of food every week to our clients. A reliable vehicle enables us to provide continuous, uninterrupted services of our most vital programs and reach our neighbors in need,” remarked Victoria Montero, Executive Director, Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley.
Through United Way’s annual campaign, Air Products and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley have partnered to expand access to healthy, nutritious food with the Air Products Fresh Food Promise. For every new donor to United Way during the 2021-22 annual campaign, the Air Products Foundation will make a contribution in support of United Way’s food access work to provide fresh, healthy food for local families.
There is still time to make a contribution to The Fresh Food Promise as it remains available for all new donations received by March 31, 2022.
Allentown, PA – A new survey of Lehigh Valley seniors finds that one in three older adults feel that they lack companionship and one in four often feel isolated since the start of the pandemic. The report by United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) reveals that low-income respondents who live alone and are unemployed or retired report greater feelings of loneliness when compared to those who have a higher socioeconomic status.
“Our research shows that older adults report good or excellent quality of life when they are connected to each other, feel respected and have access to resources they need,” said Carmen Bell, Director of Healthy Aging, UWGLV.
“As we build an Age-Friendly Lehigh Valley, our seniors need increased connections to basic needs and community hubs that are in accessible areas,” Bell added.
The Lehigh Valley Seniors: Healthy Aging 2021 Update was prepared for UWGLV by the Lehigh Valley Research Consortium and the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion. The telephone-based survey questioned more than 1,000 seniors age 65 and older living in Lehigh and Northampton counties.
“We surveyed over 1,000 seniors living in the Lehigh Valley to learn more about the relational nature of aging in place. Although the vast majority of seniors report very positive experiences aging in our community, many continue to struggle with barriers to healthy aging, including income, loneliness and experiences with ageism,” reported Lanethea Mathews-Schultz, Ph.D., Muhlenberg College Professor and Chair of Political Science.
According to the report, approximately 116,500 people ages 65 and older reside in Lehigh and Northampton counties, a 22% increase since 2010.The Urban Institute estimates that the number of U.S. adults ages 65 and older will more than double in the next 40 years, reaching approximately 80 million by 2040.
The vast majority of seniors in the Lehigh Valley convey positive feelings toward their communities; however, 23% of older adults have reported decreased companionship since before the pandemic and 18% report increased isolation. “Our goal is to increase awareness of social isolation and coordinate efforts to address social isolation to promote a better quality of life for those individuals,” stated Bell.
Visit www.agefriendlylv.org to view the Lehigh Valley Seniors: Healthy Aging 2021 Update.
On Wednesday, March 9, Cheston Elementary School, a United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) Community School in Easton, hosted a Read Across America Day for 1st and 2nd grade students. Leaders and executives from Cheston’s lead Community School partner, Victaulic, were guest readers during the event.
Rick Bucher, Victaulic President & CEO, and his wife Amy Bucher, read The Cat in the Hat to a class of 2nd grade students. The students enjoyed hearing one of their favorite stories, followed by an activity where they cut out and colored a Cat in the Hat themed bookmark.
“As a Community School Coordinator, I felt so inspired after the event. It was so uplifting to see how the employees came in and enjoyed their time in the classrooms,” said Stacee Banko, Community School Coordinator at Cheston Elementary School. “It left me inspired for all the wonderful things we can do together for the children.”
Joe Savage, Victaulic EVP & CFO, and his wife Suzanne Savage, read the book to a 1st grade class. Students attentively listened and asked questions about the story, and after, created Cat in the Hat finger puppets.
Several other Victaulic leaders attended the event, read to students and even dressed as characters from the book.
This event, in honor of the National Education Association’s Read Across America effort, highlights Victaulic’s dedication to its partnership with the Communities in Schools program. Victaulic has partnered with the organization since 2015 and continues to work toward bettering the communities where they live and work.
On Thursday, February 24, UWGLV VISTAs volunteered at New Bethany Ministries in Bethlehem for MLK Day of Service. VISTAs assisted Laura Stoudt, Northside Service Coordinator at New Bethany, in deep cleaning the common areas and organizing the kitchen.
“It was truly inspirational to see how much of an impact it has to create a healthier eating environment for the community New Bethany services,” said Haley Rogers, LV Community Schools Network VISTA.
New Bethany Ministries is a nonprofit organization providing hope and support to people who experience poverty, hunger and homelessness in the Lehigh Valley. New Bethany addresses immediate needs while also encouraging long-term change that will lift individuals out of poverty.
Americorps encourages every VISTA to participate in this day of direct service, benefiting the communities where they serve.
Americorps VISTA is a national service program that builds permanent infrastructure in non-profit organizations in order to help them more effectively bring individuals and communities out of poverty. To learn more about UWGLV Americorps VISTAs, visit www.unitedwayglv.org/take-action/volunteer.
