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Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber Presents:
27th Annual Spirit Awards
September 19th, 2020 | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber, proud partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce presents the 27th Annual Spirit Award!
The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce (GNLCC), proud partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber, is pleased to announce that the recipient of the 27th Annual Spirit Award will be awarded to local historian and Veteran David D. Altrichter of Slatington! The event and award ceremony will be hosted on Saturday, September 19th, 2020, at Ontelaunee Park Pavilion in New Tripoli, PA, beginning at 9:30 AM. The morning brunch will be held in this historic park, as we honor our awardees that have impacted the past, present and future of the Greater Northern Lehigh region.
The morning will consist of an outdoor event nestled in the hills of Ontelaunee Park and will provide ample opportunity for mingling while social distancing. Brunch will be catered by the coveted Curious Goods at The Bake Oven Inn, who sources their ingredients from local farmers and suppliers throughout the region. The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber will also hold a basket raffle and 50-50 to benefit the GNLCC Scholarship fund and local food pantries.
A representative of the Town and Country Gazette, a sponsor of the event, said, “We are particularly pleased to be saluting this year’s Spirit Award honorees for their service and dedication to the communities we have served as a publication since 1985. With respect for our history, veterans and the current needs of so many in our communities, this year’s honorees represent our Region’s finest and we salute them.” David Altrichter, 2020 Spirit Award Winner, is a prime example of these values.
David Altrichter was born in Slatington in 1941, son of Otto and Arlene Altrichter. A former US Navy officer, Altrichter joined the Naval reserves while still in High School and graduated in 1962; after high school, he was stationed on the USS John R. Perry Destroyer Escort 1034 in Key West, Florida, before being transferred to the A-Gang and working as a machinist. While still on active duty, he married his wife Janice in 1964, celebrating 56 years of marriage this year. After retiring from the Navy, David worked as a machinist throughout his life; moving back to Slatington with Janice in 1972, he worked for Mack Trucks for 16 and a half years before they moved south, continuing to work in machine shops until his retirement in November 2006.
Throughout his life, Altrichter was involved in many local organizations, including the American Legion (Allen O. Delke Post 16), Lehigh Township Rails to Trails, the local Rotary club, as well as the Northern Lehigh Historical Society; in addition, David serves as a mentor for the Lehigh County Courthouse’s “Veterans Mentor Program,” as well as serving as committee rep for the “Unsung Heroes” program with the Pennsylvania Link to Aging and Disability Resources.
“My father was very involved in Slatington,” said David Altrichter of his community involvement. “There was a time where he would receive mail with just his first name, ‘Otto’, and ‘Slatington’ on the envelope and the community knew where to deliver it to – he was very involved and well-known in his time. He taught me the importance of volunteering and being active within my community.”
Continually humble, Altrichter downplays his involvement in Slatington when asked; as a local Slate Belt Historian, he has worked with local community groups to preserve local history and aspires to record it permanently for future generations. Additionally, Altrichter was instrumental in the installation of the Slatington Veterans Memorial and the restoration of the Slatington Fireman’s statue. Many attribute his actions to improving the quality of life in Slatington, as well as preserving its past.
“Slatington’s history has been carefully preserved and presented by David,” said Andy Gildner, Chair of the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce and Owner of Keystone Technology LLC. “He has continued to serve our community through his volunteerism and we are grateful to have strong community members keeping our history alive. We look forward to honoring him.”
“The Spirit Award is given to someone who has actively worked to make our community a better place to live and work,” said Kylie Adams, Manager of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. “For 27 years, the region has gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of our neighbors and the type of person who continues to selflessly give back in order to make our region great! David Altrichter has continues to make strives, even in retirement, to not only to improve our community, but celebrate its rich history.”
“I learned it is not always the big things you do in life that are the most important,” Altrichter added. “It is often a simple act of kindness that has a greater meaning to people you encounter along your path.”
Also being celebrated at the 27th Annual Spirit Awards is Eight Oaks Farm Distillery (Business of the Year) and Parkland CARES Food Pantry, Lowhill Food Pantry, and Northern Lehigh Food Bank (Non-Profits of the Year). Attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods and donations for the food banks, which will be collected at the event and divided amongst the organizations, as well as cash for raffle tickets and 50-50! A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the food pantries, as well as benefitting the GNLCC Scholarship Fund.
For more information about Greater Northern Lehigh’s Spirit Awards or to purchase tickets, please visit the Greater Northern Lehigh’s website at: https://lehighvalleypacoc.wliinc16.com/events/-NEW-DATE-GNLCC-Spirit-Awards-837469/details.
Please note: An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending a Chamber event or meeting, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce including partnerships; the event venue; or other parties such as caterer or production company; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers liable for any illness or injury.
When: September 19, 2020 from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Pricing Information: $40 Individual Member Rate/$75 Couple Member Rate; $50 Individual Future-Member Rate/$90 Couple Future-Member Rate.
Sponsors:
Premier Sponsor: Ironton Telephone
Platinum Sponsor: Keystone Technology LLC
Gold Sponsor: Neff’s National Bank, Bechtel’s Pharmacy, Cindy Miller – SVN/Imperial Realty
Cocktail Sponsor: New Tripoli Bank, Jason Ruff for State Rep
Silver Sponsor: Blue Mountain Town & Country Gazette
Bronze Sponsor: Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund, Women Veterans Empowered and Thriving, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Benjamin Real Estate (Schnecksville), Rentschler’s Auto, Service Electric
Supporting Sponsor: Robert Kempf
Candy Sponsor: Sam’s Club of Allentown
Floral Sponsor: Precious Petals Florist
Photography Sponsor: Mike Robinson Productions
About the Chamber:The mission of The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce is to improve the economy and quality of life in the Lehigh Valley Metropolitan Area. We accomplish this through business-to-business networking events and marketing products, affinity programs and exclusive, money saving member benefits, training programs, government affairs initiatives and public policy advocacy, and community development enterprises. With nearly 5,000 members who employ more than 200,000, the Chamber is the largest in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in the top ten nationwide.
Information provided to TVL by:
Kylie Adams
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
Manager of Affiliated Chambers (WACC, GNLCC)
https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/
