More than 200 people gathered Sept. 22 at the Blue Event Center in Bethlehem to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Fund to Benefit Children and Youth. The event raised nearly $40,000.
The Fund, established in 1991 by trustees Laura Black, Anne Harrity, Lolly Siegel, Anne Shire, and Sy Traub, awards grants to assist children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or the effects of extreme poverty. Referrals for grants come from professionals working directly with children in critical need.
The Fund maintains no offices, and its modest administrative costs are covered by its board of trustees. Annually, the Fund makes grants totaling almost $150,000 to provide children with beds, bedding, clothing, school uniforms and health and education-related needs.
Board Chairman Paul Eifler said: “We hear it again and again. People appreciate the fact that all of the gifts we receive are used to make grants that will assist children in direct and important ways. The money raised at our anniversary celebration will do a great deal to support our grant making.”
Laura McHugh, executive producer for PBS39, served as mistress of ceremonies for the evening. PBS39 was the event’s media sponsor, and produced the video about the Fund that premiered at the event.
The event featured music and the presentation of original songs and poems by students from the Lehigh Valley Charter School for the Arts. The purpose of the Fund was underscored by lines in a poem by 10th grader Destiny Castillo Merola: “Our empty words became stories … and we were gifted possibilities,” and a song written by ninth-grader Michael Scuotto: “I can give you love and laughter, and that’s all that really matters … ’cause believe me, it gets better.”
Artwork was provided by children from Valley Youth House and the Boys and Girls Club.
Premier sponsors for the event were: Air Products, The Andretti Family and the Butz Family of companies. Signature sponsors were the Gadomski Foundation, Judith Harris of Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, Jaindl Farms, Just Born and the Scalici family.
John Wilchek produced the photography for the event.
Attendees included current Fund trustees Dee Ann Andretti and husband, Mario; Laura Black and husband, Bob; Cheryl Bleiler and husband, Michael; Dolly Butz and husband, Lee; Joseph Di Gangi; board chairman Paul Eifler and wife, Barbara; Jane Ervin; Judith Harris; Carol Henn; Dennis Morton; Lauren Wallitsch, and Gail Howell, fund administrator.
Former trustees in attendance included Noshir Chinoy and wife, Joanne; Philip Hof and wife, Ellen; Beth Mitchell; Amy Scalici and husband, Tom; Amy Meleck and husband, Peter; Dr. Kimberly DeWire; and Kevin Sprague.
Other attendees included Barbie Andretti and husband, Guiseppe Curto; Bob and Susan Gadomski, David and Jackie Jaindl, Cathy Jaindl-Leuthe and Tom Romanchik, Luke Jaindl, John Jaindl and Dr. Shannon McGinley-Jaindl, Greg Butz, Eric Butz and Debora Roberson, Shari Butz McKeever and Kristy McKeever, Barbara Schreiber Harris, Philip Jackson, Elizabeth Butler, Buddy and Laurie Lesavoy, David and Judy Mickenberg, Peg and Bernie Story, Andrea Foucek, Matt and Erika Petrozelli, Rabbi Seth Phillips and Marge Kramer, Matt Pye, Rep. Mike Schlossberg, Megan Beste, Ellen Kern, Dr. Charles and Susan Saunders, Jesse and Samantha Hof, Jim and Valerie Hutton, and Dr. and Mrs. James Balshi.
Jennifer Marangos is a freelance writer. Send items for Scene to jennifer@zephyrosinc.com.
Save the dates
RHYTHM & WINE: Pinebrook Family Answers is hosting Rhythm & Wine, an evening of contemporary jazz and celebration 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Barristers Club, 1114 W. Walnut St., Allentown. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres and an auction. Tickets: $85 per person, $160 per couple or $600 for a table of eight. Book at www.pbfalv.org.
WITCHES BALL: The Star of Bethlehem Festival will hold its inaugural Witches Ball 7-11 p.m. Oct. 21 at Van Bittner Hall at Lehigh University, 53 E. Lehigh St., Bethlehem. The event includes music by Girl Crue, magic by Mike Montgomery, food, beer, wine and prizes for costumes. Proceeds benefit the Star of Bethlehem Festival for Kids. Tickets: $25 a person; $45 a couple. Purchase at christmascitywinefestival.org or on Facebook at Christmas City Wine Festival.
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: Community Services for Children will host the Children’s Ball, “An Evening Down the Rabbit Hole,” 6-9 p.m. Oct. 21 at Historic Hotel Bethlehem. Costumes can be worn for the Alice in Wonderland-themed event. Tickets are $135 per person or $250 per couple and include a reception, dinner, children’s skit, music and auction. Proceeds support early education programs, including Head Start. Info: 610-437-6000, ext. 2112.
OPENING DOORS: The Lehigh Conference of Churches will host “Opening Doors,” a sneak peek of its new location 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 21 at Dubbs Memorial Community Center, 451 Allen St., Allentown. Tours showcasing renovations and the historic sanctuary of the former Dubbs Memorial UCC will be featured, with refreshments, live entertainment, a silent auction and a buy-a-brick fundraiser. Tickets are $35 or $175 for groups of six. The conference operates the largest housing assistance program in the Lehigh Valley, along with a soup kitchen and drop-in center. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and info: www.lehighchurches.org/sneak-peek.
ART DART: The Arts Academy Charter Middle School will hold the Art Dart 5K, a costume run/walk at 9 a.m. Oct. 22 at the Lehigh Parkway. Registration is $35; $20, students. Proceeds benefit the school. Info: www.arts-cs.org.
LITTLE PINK DRESS PARTY: The 7th annual “100.7 WLEV Little Pink Dress Party” for Breast Cancer Awareness is 6:30-10 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Musikfest Cafe at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. The evening will feature live music from Sunshine Symphony, demonstrations, samplings, drink specials and prize drawings. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, with proceeds benefiting the Women’s 5k Classic and Breast Friends of Pennsylvania. There will be a VIP reception earlier in the evening for breast cancer survivors and those battling the disease. Passes to the reception can be obtained by contacting the Women’s 5K or Breast Friends of Pa., or at wlevradio.com. Tickets are on sale through artsquest.org. Info: Barry Dawson, WLEV promotion director, at barry.dawson@cumulus.com or wlevradio.com.
co*ckTAILS AND COLLECTING: The Allentown Art Museum will host its fall fundraiser 6-9 p.m. Nov. 5. The event offers art lovers a mix of collectible artwork, hors d’oeuvres, and socializing. Up-and-coming and established artists from across the Lehigh Valley and beyond will be on hand to showcase, talk about, and sell their works. Some will demonstrate their creative process. The evening will feature an open bar and food on two floors, courtesy of Catering by Karen Hunter. Specialty drinks will be poured by bartenders from The Hamilton Kitchen and Bar and Hook. Music will be provided by the Lehigh University Jazz Combo under the direction of Dave Riekenberg. Tickets are $125; $100, museum members, in advance; $150; $125, members at the door. Purchase tickets at the museum or call 610-432-4333, ext 110.
HEARTS OF GOLD GALA: The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley will hold its Hearts of Gold Gala at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at The Renaissance Hotel Allentown. The black-tie optional event will include a live auction of art work created by foundation children as well as a silent auction featuring items donated by local businesses. The evening will also feature co*cktails, hors d’oeuvres, a sit-down dinner, musical entertainment and more. Tickets are $125 per person, $200 per couple or $1000 for a table of 10. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please contact michelle@pcflv.org or call 610-297-7292.
