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Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber Presents:
28th Annual Spirit Awards
June 12th, 2021 | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber, proud partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce presents the 28th 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 28th Annual Business of the Year Award will be awarded to Bechtel’s Pharmacy of Slatington, PA. The event and award ceremony will be hosted on Saturday, June 12th, 2021, 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 and networking prior to the awards presentation. 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 to benefit the GNLCC Scholarship fund and the 2021 Non-Profit of the Year, K9 Kop Project.
“Jack, Ed and their team continue to be a strong partner to the Chamber and our local nonprofits,” said Andy Gildner, Chair of the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce and Owner of Keystone Technology LLC. “Bechtel’s is easily a household name in the Slatington Area, and both Ed and Jack Bechtel continue to serve the community in and out of the Pharmacy. Personally, I couldn’t imagine a business more deserving of this milestone award. The dedication to the health of our community is exemplary and above reproach.”
Kylie Adams, Assistant Vice President of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce, stated, “In celebrating 60 years of service to the Greater Northern Lehigh region, Bechtel’s Pharmacy was an easy choice for this year’s Business of the Year. After pivoting, adjusting and ensuring our community was still safely provided the medications and supplies they needed throughout the pandemic, the family at Bechtel’s proved that they are not only dedicated to serving our community but adaptable and creative in their means of doing so.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced closures of businesses in 2020, Bechtel’s Pharmacy, considered an essential business, adjusted their services to ensure the safety of their customers. They offered delivery to patients and customers too vulnerable to leave their home, and curbside pickup to those who needed prescriptions and pharmacy items when their doors were otherwise closed.
“While many larger businesses and grocery stores were permitted to keep their doors open, many were still uncomfortable venturing out into those crowded environments,” said Adams. “Jack and Ed Bechtel made sure there was a safe alternative for those who needed one.”
This level of service goes hand-in-hand with the history of Bechtel’s Pharmacy. After purchasing the former Moyer’s Rexall Drug Store, located at 320 Main St. in Slatington, from Charles F. Moyer, Joseph G. Bechtel, R.Ph., took control of the business on June 19, 1961. Ten years later, he moved the store to its current location on the corner of Main and Center Streets, where it stands as a local landmark. Mr. Bechtel built his business with excellent service, not just to his customers, but also to his community. He was an active member of the Slatington Chamber of Commerce, Northern Lehigh Jaycees, Rotary Club of Slatington, Lehigh Valley Pharmaceutical Association, and the Assumption B.V.M. Parish, and served on the Slatington Borough Council, showing his commitment to his business, community, and profession.
In 1983, his son, Edward, joined Joe in the business. Ed has followed in his father’s footsteps serving his community, as Committee Chairman for Boy Scout Troup 58 and president of the Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce, and his profession, as president of both the Lehigh Valley Pharmacists Association and the PA Pharmacist Association. Ed has also served the citizens of the commonwealth as a member the State Board of Pharmacy, acting as chairman for two years. Both Joe and Ed have been honored by their profession with The Bowl of Hygeia Award for Community Service, and both are also past Spirit Award recipients.
As Joe approached his retirement from full-time work, another son, John, joined the business as its business manager. Jack, as he is known, got involved with the youth sports programs of the Northern Lehigh area, serving as the Director of the NLYAA Basketball program for ten years and coaching baseball, soccer, and basketball. He has served as treasurer of both the Northern Lehigh Chamber and the Slatington Library and is a past president of the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce.
“Our prescription department is a destination. You are not only getting your medication, but you are also able to tap into the knowledge of our pharmacists,” said Ed Bechtel. “The goal of Bechtel’s Pharmacy is to serve the health concerns of the local communities.” Bechtel’s Pharmacy is your basic community pharmacy where filling prescriptions has been the main driver over the years.
“Bechtel’s Pharmacy is the epitome of a true community partner and a true community leader in our Greater Northern Lehigh Area. We couldn’t be prouder to award Joe, Jack, Ed and their team with this well deserved award,” said Jessica O’Donnell, EVP of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The Bechtel family has made a commitment to the community that they live in and work in, and the community has responded with their trust and support for 60 years.
For 28 years, the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit Awards have celebrated individuals and organizations that have created a lasting impact within our community; the award looks for organizations that commit to making the area a great place to work and live.
Also being celebrated at the 28th Annual Spirit Awards is Nancy Treskot (Spirit Award) and K9 Kop Project (Non-Profit of the Year). Attendees are encouraged to purchase raffle tickets for a basket raffle at the event, which will benefit K9 Kop Project. Ticket sales for the event will benefit the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber 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://web.lehighvalleychamber.org/events/GreaterNorthern%20Lehighs%20Spirit%20Award%202021%20%20GNLCC-837943/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: June 12, 2021 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
Gold Sponsor: Neffs National Bank, Bechtel’s Pharmacy, Cindy Miller – SVN/Imperial Realty, Keystone Technology LLC
Cocktail Sponsor: Sam’s Club, Eight Oaks Farm Distillery, PenTeleData
Silver Sponsor: Northern Valley EMS
Bronze Sponsor: Rentschler’s Auto, Service Electric, Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Benjamin Real Estate (Schnecksville), Action Party Rentals
Floral Sponsor: Precious Petals Florist
Photography Sponsor: Michael Straub Photography
Supporting Sponsor: Promogroup LLC
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-Weiss
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
Assistant Vice President of Affiliated Chambers (WACC, GNLCC, NCC) & Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation
https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/
