The weather did not disappoint for our second Tocqueville gathering of 2023. New and seasoned donors were welcomed to the beautiful home of Mike and Mandi Tuskes in Easton. Hints were dropped in the invitation that the vibe would be cool and casual, but no one expected the beach in the driveway, a jet ski or custom pizzas made to order in the outdoor oven.
There was plenty to celebrate, including another record-breaking campaign and number of new Tocqueville families. Incoming Campaign Co-Chairs, Tony and Adrienne DaRe, had an opportunity to share their early thoughts about this year’s campaign and rallied the crowd to continue the positive trajectory of both Tocqueville membership and donations.
Our heartfelt thanks to Mike and Mandi, whose commitment to United Way, generosity and excitement truly elevated the entire experience.
Photo caption: Lehigh Valley Leaders kick off new initiative at Catasauqua Park to increase pedestrian safety (l to r), Lamont McClure, Northampton County Executive; Carmen Bell, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley; Mayor Matt Tuerk, City of Allentown; Kellie VonStein, AARP PA; Phillips Armstrong, Lehigh County Executive; Mayor Barbara Schlegel, Borough of Catasauqua; Becky Bradley, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission; Kristen Wenrich, Bethlehem Health Bureau.
To ensure that walking is safe, accessible and convenient for all, Age-Friendly Lehigh Valley and partners will conduct walk audits of Lehigh and Northampton County neighborhoods in an effort to improve community walkways and increase accessibility.
Catasauqua, PA, April 25, 2023 – More than ever before, older adults are choosing to bike and walk instead of driving, making them a growing share of the nation’s pedestrians and cyclists. However, reports show that from 2010 to 2019, drivers in the U.S. struck and killed 53,435 pedestrians — an average of more than 14 people each day, and an estimated 137,000 pedestrians were treated in the emergency room for nonfatal crash-related injuries in 2017.
To ensure that walking is a safe, accessible and convenient alternative for people who cannot or choose not to drive — and to reverse the trends in pedestrian fatalities and injuries — United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) and Age-Friendly Lehigh Valley (AFLV) have partnered with AARP PA and Lehigh Valley Planning Commission to conduct a walk audit to improve the community walkways, increase accessibility and help build transportation infrastructure.
“Our goal is to have an active community fully connected by pedestrian networks, allowing all residents to have equitable access to services and resources or an alternative mode of transportation,” said Carmen Bell, Sr. Director, Healthy Aging, UWGLV.
Partners launched the new initiative during an event at Catasauqua Park with support from the Lehigh and Northampton County Executives, mayors of the city of Allentown and the Borough of Catasauqua, as well as the Bethlehem Health Bureau.
“As Northampton County grows and ages, it’s very important for us to have the trails accessible to the population. It’s a fundamental necessity for us to participate in a program like this,” shared Lamont McClure, Northampton County Executive.
A walk audit is an activity in which participants observe and evaluate the walkability of a location to identify and document if and how pedestrians can safely travel along streets and trails as well as navigate intersections. Walk audits benefit all pedestrians and cyclists, including people in wheelchairs, those who are blind, persons with disabilities, those pushing strollers and many more.
“Walk audits are about more than just sidewalks and crosswalks – they’re about creating communities where people can move around safely and with ease,” said Kellie VonStein, AARP Pennsylvania State Associate State Director of Outreach and Advocacy in the Lehigh Valley. “By focusing on walkability, the Lehigh Valley is investing in the health, safety and well-being of its residents.”
Walkability has an impact on chronic diseases, injuries, pollution, aging in place and a local economy. Walk audits support the implementation of the region’s active transportation plan, Walk/RollLV, which provides a clear vision of how walking, rolling and other forms of active transportation fit within the larger transportation network. They will also provide data to support regional transportation infrastructure investments into the pedestrian network, ultimately improving safety along sidewalks, intersections and roadways.
“The Walk Audit program allows us to gather information that can better inform transportation investments and improve the Lehigh Valley’s pedestrian and ADA accessibility. This will significantly advance the goals of FutureLV: The Regional Plan and Walk/RollLV: Active Transportation Plan as well as support a safer and more equitable transportation system,” said Becky Bradley, Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.
“We can’t do this alone. We must all work together to make our neighborhoods safer for pedestrians, and that comes from making investments, enforcing laws and educating our public,” stated Mayor Matt Tuerk, City of Allentown.
In livable communities, people of all ages can safely walk for fitness and to get where they need or want to go. AFLV and partners aim to make Lehigh and Northampton neighborhoods more walkable by identifying the roads and intersections that should be walkable and crossable but are instead dangerous for pedestrians.
“Community health is a top priority for our city, and we are excited that United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is leading the way,” added Bethlehem Mayor Willie Reynolds.
“I’m really proud to support this initiative to expand and maintain our walkways. We must make sure we have accessibility for our seniors, those without access to transportation and all of our population,” said Phillips Armstrong, Lehigh County Executive.
Lehigh Valley walk audits will begin in April and continue through November. Community Walk Days will be scheduled throughout the spring, summer and fall.
Women United is proud to support ProJeCt of Easton Inc.’s Family Literacy and Parent Education Program. The program utilizes a “teach the parent, reach the child” model to assist parents in becoming the first and most important teacher, promote a child’s success in school and advance the family educationally and economically. ProJeCt shared success stories of three students and their families who have greatly benefited from the Program.
Jacqueline joined her family in the United States just four months ago. She and her granddaughter, Zoey, attend ProJeCt’s Parent Education and Early Childhood Education classes every day. Jackie’s goal is to utilize the literacy strategies taught in her Parent Education class to support her grandchildren’s success in school. As an active participant in the Program, Jacqueline increased her vocabulary in speaking, listening, reading and writing on the intermediate level and broadened her understanding of American culture in a short time.
Esmeralda, mother of three, is working hard to keep life stabilized for her family despite various health issues. With the goal of earning a G.E.D., she attends classes at ProJeCt while her youngest son, Emmanual, participates in the preschool program. Through the Family Literacy and Parent Education Program, Esmeralda and Emmanual get to work on literacy development together in the classroom. The Program gives Esmeralda the confidence in teaching and advocating for her children’s success in school and helps prepare Emmanual for his transition to kindergarten.
Yariana attends ProJeCt’s adult literacy class for English skills while her two-year-old son, Diego, participates in the preschool program. Diego initially struggled with being separated from Yariana, so the teachers created an opportunity for them to learn and play together. During that time, Yariana practiced the teaching strategies she learned in the Parent Education class and incorporated speaking opportunities and other educational aspects during their playtime. Thanks to ProJeCt, Yariana has advanced from Intro to English class to the Advanced ESL class and feels more confident as her child’s first teacher. Diego no longer struggles with separation from Yariana, and now looks forward to playing with his new friends in the preschool program.
Thank you for joining the ’50s Sock Hop, an age-friendly event that promotes inclusion and intergenerational social interactions. Community tables were present to promote services and programs, along with refreshments, dancing, basket raffle, health screenings, art activities and a photo booth.
As part of its 2022 United Way campaign, Crayola launched a $100K Challenge – an opportunity for Crayola employees to designate monetary contributions from Crayola to the United Way-funded agency of their choice.
Participating Crayolians were chosen at random from a raffle system. The winners received entry points for the exclusive raffle based on their 2022 United Way contributions and participation. Two Crayolians were selected to give away $10,000 and 16 were selected to give away $5,000.
Some of the benefiting organizations include Bethlehem Area School District, Domestic Violence Service Center, Easton Area Community Center, Miller-Keystone Blood Center and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
More than 18,500 donors and partners united to raise a record-breaking $22,642,018 during United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s (UWGLV) annual fundraising campaign. The campaign was chaired with remarkable dedication and leadership from Vince Sorgi, president and CEO of PPL Corp., and Ashley Russo, president and owner of ASR Media Productions, and their spouses, Michelle Sorgi and Joe Russo, MD. This represents the largest annual campaign in the organization’s 100+ year history and 13 consecutive years of growth.
“Early on in our campaign, we saw the ripple effects of the pandemic starting to truly impact our community. Families are finding it hard to meet their basic needs, schools are overwhelmed, and there is a measurable shift in the needs of older adults. Campaign contributions provide critical services to meet these needs and develop long-term solutions,” said Russo.
The housing crisis in our community has increased due to many factors, including the past two years’ health and economic crises. With an increasing number of people experiencing homelessness and serious financial instability in the region, the PPL Foundation partnered to create Be a Housing Hero. In honor of every new or increased gift to United Way, PPL Foundation made an additional contribution to aid neighbors and families experiencing housing insecurity. As a result, almost $3 million more was donated.
“PPL Foundation’s pledge of up to $500,000 will provide support for thousands of people who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity right here in the communities we serve,” stated Sorgi. “By partnering with United Way, we know that these funds will be invested into organizations whose missions align with addressing housing insecurity through prevention and intervention.”
The support includes the creation of a new no- to low-barrier rental assistance program. Developed in partnership with Lehigh Valley Regional Homeless Advisory Board, the program will provide up to three months to help families stay in their homes.
“Because of caring supporters, over 46,000 people will receive emergency services such as housing and disaster relief; nearly 27,000 people will have access to healthy and nutritious food; over 45,000 students will have better opportunities to thrive 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 create lasting and measurable change in the Greater Lehigh Valley, and we’d especially like to thank Vince, Michelle, Ashley and Joe for rallying unparalleled support,” said Lewis.
In all, more than 18,500 individual donors and 300 partners contributed to the annual campaign, which ran from April 2022 to March 2023. PPL Corp.’s employees, retirees and corporate foundation have contributed more than $6,000,000—the first in UWGLV’s history; Air Products raised more than $5,000,000 for the second consecutive year; City Center Allentown and Crayola each donated more than $1,000,000. Their continued support helps raise the bar for our work in the community.
“Together with the Board, your United Way identified three new and bold goals to ensure our community is stable and strong with increased access to food, housing, mental health and emergency services. The investments that United Way is making in our community would not be possible without the unwavering support and trust of our donors and partners. Their investments are well-spent, are well-stewarded and are making a direct impact on one in every six people in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon Counties,” said UWGLV Board Chair Dorota Gasienica-Kozak, Partner, King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC Law Firm.
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:
PPL LIVE UNITED Award – Brown-Daub Dealerships Community Builder Award – Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Campaign Chairs’ Award – Tony Salvaggio and Tom and Destiny Salvaggio Air Products Leonard Pool Impact Award– Greater Easton Development Partnership Labor Achievement Award – Gregg Potter, Capital Blue Cross
Valued community partners in sponsorship for this year’s Celebration of Caring include: Presenting sponsor – Crayola Platinum sponsor – PPL Corp. Silver sponsor – Air Products Bronze sponsors – Capital Blue Cross, Fulton Bank, Just Born Quality Confections, Olympus Corporation Pearl sponsor – Members 1st Federal Credit Union In-kind contributors – ASR Media Productions, Rich Mar Florist, Working Dog Press
More than 18,500 donors made life better for over 130,000 people in the region through community stability, education and healthy aging during campaign chaired by Vince Sorgi of PPL Corp. and Ashley Russo of ASR Media Productions.
Allentown, PA, March 28, 2023 – United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) will honor Brown-Daub Dealerships with the PPL LIVE UNITED Award for their significant contribution toward improving the quality of life of those in need across the region. The award will be presented at United Way Celebration of Caring on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 while honoring donors, volunteers and partners united to build a stronger, healthier and more thriving community.
“Celebration of Caring recognizes the transformative and collective impact of United Way donors, volunteers and partners made to better the lives of well over 130,000 people this year,” said David Lewis, President, UWGLV.
Presented by Crayola, this event honors organizations and individuals who have made a significant impact through the annual United Way campaign chaired by Vince Sorgi, president and CEO of PPL Corporation, and Ashley Russo, president and owner of ASR Media Productions and their spouses, Michelle Sorgi and Joe Russo, M.D.
Brown-Daub Dealerships 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 the quality of life for those in need, demonstrates community leadership and also encourages its employees to lead. Owned and operated by long-time United Way supporters Andy and Tom Daub, Brown-Daub is one of UWGLV’s most dedicated partners and champions for education initiatives, particularly in the Easton area. In addition to running workplace campaigns in seven dealerships, Brown-Daub has donated our grand prize incentive for donors of a new car or $10,000 cash for the past eight years.
“The PPL LIVE UNITED Award is our organization’s highest honor, and Brown-Daub has been one of our most dedicated partners for decades. They continuously find innovative ways to engage their employees and community to dig deep to make a true impact in our community. Brown-Daub exemplifies what it means to ‘LIVE UNITED’,” said David Lewis, President, UWGLV.
The following awardees will also be honored during Celebration of Caring:
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission – Community Builder Award 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.
Tony Salvaggio and Tom and Destiny Salvaggio – Campaign Chairs’ Award Presented to a partner that has demonstrated leadership and innovation during United Way’s campaign and an ability to increase awareness throughout the Lehigh Valley.
Greater Easton Development Partnership – Air Products Leonard Pool Impact Award 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 and strategic impact on the Lehigh Valley community.
Gregg Potter, Capital Blue Cross – Labor Achievement Award Presented to an individual member of organized labor whose volunteer efforts significantly advance the work of United Way and labor.
Valued community partners in sponsorship for this year’s Celebration of Caring include: Presenting sponsor – Crayola Platinum sponsor – PPL Corp. Silver sponsor – Air Products Bronze sponsors – Capital Blue Cross, Fulton Bank, Just Born Quality Confections, Olympus Corporation Pearl sponsor – Members 1st Federal Credit Union In-kind sponsors – ASR Media Productions, Rich Mar Florist, Working Dog Press
On Saturday, February 18, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) held “Be a Housing Hero” Night, presented by PPL Foundation, at the Lehigh Valley Phantoms game. All fans in attendance were encouraged to bring a new pair of socks to support local shelters in need. The sock drive was part of UWGLV and PPL Foundation’s Be a Housing Hero initiative that benefits families experiencing financial insecurity in the Lehigh Valley.
The COVID-19 pandemic and recent economic disruptions exacerbated the current housing crisis devastating our community forcing families to make difficult decisions between buying groceries or paying rent. PPL Foundation and UWGLV believe that a strong, resilient and UNITED community can address the area’s housing crisis and invest in prevention and intervention solutions.
Participants were entered in a raffle drawing for prizes including an overnight stay at the Americus Hotel in Allentown, a Martin Guitar and a $100 gift card to Tacos Y Tequila restaurant. Accompanying the grand prize was a $1,000 PPL Foundation donation to the charity of the winner’s choice. United Way Night at the Phantoms proved to be a great success–raising over $3,000 and collecting 3,577 socks from nearly 300 donors.
Socks are a major need among local shelters and are vital for protection during the colder months. The donations will be distributed to New Bethany Ministries in Bethlehem, Safe Harbor Easton and other organizations in the area.
United Way and Lehigh Valley Reads celebrated Read Across America and National Reading Month with a full week of events at United Way Community Schools all across the Greater Lehigh Valley. Volunteers read to students while mascot Corey delivered reading materials, supplies and more to Cheston Elementary School in Easton Area School District; Fountain Hill Elementary School in Bethlehem Area School District; and Central, Hays and Sheridan Elementary Schools in Allentown School District. Guest readers included volunteers from PPL, Crayola, Victaulic, Truist, People First and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
This celebration of reading serves as the official kickoff of Lehigh Valley Reads’ Million Minute Challenge, sponsored by CAI, People First and Truist, which also provided additional books and supplies for several schools. Everyone is invited to participate in this regional campaign to collectively read 1,000,000 minutes or more throughout the month of March. Families, individuals, schools and groups can pledge their minutes online through March 31 at www.lehighvalleyreads.org.
Lehigh Valley Reads is a regional literacy campaign, powered by PBS39 and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, to ensure all Lehigh Valley students read on grade level by the end of third grade.
Photo credit: United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley/Marco Calderon Photography
In collaboration with the Bethlehem Health Bureau, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) conducted a Project Lifesaver information session at the YWCA of Bethlehem on February 13.
Project Lifesaver is a search-and-rescue program strategically designed for “at risk” individuals who are prone to the life-threatening behavior of wandering, including those diagnosed with cognitive impairments such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Bethlehem Health Bureau works with local police departments to locate loved ones, with the goal to determine their location within 30 minutes. Officers are trained on Project Lifesaver technology, strategic protocols and basic understanding of cognitive conditions.
Community Health Specialists from the Bethlehem Health Bureau, Brittany Pantoni and Zory Garcia, presented on Project Lifesaver transmitter bracelets, which rely on radio frequencies rather than GPS tracking. Officer Jeffrey Fehr from the Bethlehem City Police Department and Officer Steven Santiago from the North Catasauqua Police Department both gave demonstrations of the technology and discussed their experience with Project Lifesaver in the field.
“Education is the first step to action. By learning about Project Lifesaver, families can make an informed decision as to whether this program is right for them. If their loved one goes wandering, this program ensures that individual can be found quickly and increases the overall likelihood of a positive outcome for all parties involved,” shares Erika Newhard, Dementia Outreach Coordinator at UWGLV.
Eligible attendees were also fit with bracelets at the end of the session and families were trained on how to maintain proper upkeep for the device.
