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Top Lehigh Valley Leaders, Philanthropists & Orgs Rally to Help a New Generation of Children

The effort will replace and upgrade facilities for children, including two residences built a century ago and one that was previously destroyed. It will also create esthetic and traffic improvements, and provide a new entrance and driveway to increase safety for the greater neighborhood. The new home will serve about the same number of youngsters.

"This renovation is part of our ongoing commitment to quality and safety as we help children overcome very difficult problems," said KidsPeace Acting President Dr. Lorrie Henderson. "KidsPeace has a long tradition of giving the best to kids who have been through the worst. We are fortunate to have so many friends and neighbors in theLehigh Valley who feel the same way."

KidsPeace was founded in 1882 by Bethlehem Steel President William Thurston and since then has helped save and improve the lives of more than 150,000 children experiencing severe traumas and crises such as abuse, neglect, depression and autism.

The nonprofit's board chairman Joel Newman joined with representatives from the Trexler Trust, the Century Fund, the Laros Foundation, the KidsPeace Auxiliary and leaders from major local foundations, government & industry to inaugurate the community's newest commitment to helping a new generation of children to live happier, healthier lives.

An abbreviated list of donors includes: PPL, the Harry C. Trexler Trust, the R.K. Laros Foundation, the Rider Pool Foundation, Keystone Nazareth Charitable Foundation, Empire Education Group,State of Pennsylvania, Patt, White Company, Verizon Foundation, the KidsPeace Auxiliary, Just Born, Inc., The Fowler Family, The Sacco Family, Charles Hoch Foundation, the Century Fund, David and Jill Bugby, Kurt Chaleby, Spillman-Farmer Architects, Gross, McGinley LLP, and the Blitz family.

"Through the Great Depression, two World Wars, national disasters and terror attacks, KidsPeace has been there for kids and families," said Dr. Henderson. "Today's outstanding support by the community is a pledge to our children and a pledge to ourselves that we intend to keep theLehigh Valley a great place to raise healthy, happy kids."

KidsPeace is a 126-year-old children's charity dedicated to giving help, hope and healing to kids facing life-threatening and life-altering crises including traumas, neglect, depression, and the pressures of modern life. Founded inBethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1882, KidsPeace was named "The Outstanding Organization" of its kind in the country by the AAPSC and was called "a prototype of what we need for all children everywhere" by the late, nationally renowned child and family expert, Dr. Lee Salk.

    Contact: Mark Stubis, vice president
    (800) 25-PEACE or mstubis@kidspeace.org

SOURCE KidsPeace