Featured Image: Back Row: Jeremy Coxe, Doug Snyder, Glenn Noack, Harry Mora, Bob Huffstutler, Tom Kresge Front Row:  Sydney Cyr, Traci Cyr, Joann Mertz, Michele Grasso (Via), Lisa Walkiewicz (Via)

47th Annual Lehigh Valley All Star Classic and Hall of Fame Committee Presents Check to Via of the Lehigh Valley

Event to Honor Lehigh Valley Basketball Raised $13,000 to Support Services for People with Disabilities

 

BETHLEHEM, PA – Today the Lehigh Valley Senior All-Star Classic Committee presented Via of the Lehigh Valley with a check for $13,000 to support the services Via provides to children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. On March 27, 2022, the 47th Lehigh Valley Senior All-Star Classic, presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network, took place at Northampton Community College. 96 all-stars competed in four basketball games and five new members were inducted into the Lehigh Valley Basketball Hall of Fame. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic led Via to make difficult decisions to ensure we continue to fulfill our mission of helping people with developmental and intellectual disabilities reach their full potential within new financial and safety constraints,” said Lisa Walkiewicz, President and CEO of Via of the Lehigh Valley.  “After careful consideration and deliberation, we determined that we could no longer devote the extraordinary resources needed to host the Senior All Star Classic and Hall of Fame.  We are thrilled that members of the basketball community and sponsors, including St. Luke’s, stepped up to continue this tradition to honor Lehigh Valley basketball and support Via’s services. This generous donation will help fund the gap between government funding and the true cost to provide our essential services.” 

About the Lehigh Valley All-Star Classic and Hall of Fame

Established in the early 1970’s, the Senior All Star Classic and Hall of Fame is an annual event honoring the best basketball players, coaches and contributors from now and the past.  The Senior All Star Classic and Hall of Fame has established a strong relationship with Via of the Lehigh Valley and uses the event to spread awareness and raise money for Via’s mission. For more information on the Lehigh Valley Senior All-Star Classic or to nominate someone for the Lehigh Valley Basketball Hall of Fame, please go to www.lvsallstarclassic.org . 

About Via of the Lehigh Valley

Serving our community since 1952, Via helps people reach their full potential.  In a typical year, Via provides services to 1,250 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, Bucks and Berks counties. These services include vocational exploration, community employment, educational activities, volunteer and recreational opportunities for teens and adults and early intervention therapies and inclusive education for young children. Visit www.ViaNet.org to learn more.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Michele Grasso
Via of the Lehigh Valley
http://www.ViaNet.org/

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