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Greater Northern Lehigh Announces Honorees of the 30th Annual Spirit Awards!
Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber Presents:
30th Annual Spirit Awards
June 17th, 2023 | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
he Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber, proud partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce presents the 30th 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 honorees of the 30th Annual Spirit Awards. The event and award ceremony will be hosted on Saturday, June 17th, 2023, 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.
This years awardees include Patricia Stewart (Spirit Award), of Ironton Telephone; Rentschler Auto Group (Business of the Year); The Neffs National Bank (Milestone Award – 100 Years) and The Venture Group (Nonprofit of the Year).
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 2023 Non-Profit of the Year
“We had an overwhelming number of nominations for this year’s awards and all were extremely deserving of being in the running” said Andy Gildner, Chair of the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce and Owner of Keystone Technology LLC. “Our honorees were selected because of their dedication to the Greater Northern Lehigh region and the work they do to make our community a great place to live and work.”
The Spirit Award, established in 1993 by the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber, has been a long-held tradition that honors a local individual who embodies community and volunteerism. This year’s honoree, Patricia Stewart, is the CEO of Ironton Telephone and is a dedicated volunteer throughout the region at various nonprofits, including (but not limited to) Neffs UCC Church, Boy Scouts of America, Upper Lehigh Historical Society, the Schnecksville Grange, Allentown Symphony, Schnecksville Fire Company, and local 4H groups. She’s been described as a “true mentor, someone who gives herself to her family and business staff every day,” written by one of her many nominating colleagues and employees. “I’ve worked for her for 43 years,” said another, “and that should tell you a lot about her. She is a wonderful boss and friend, caring to her work family, and anyone she speaks with. She is a mother figure to me.”
Additionally, Rentschler Auto Group (Business of the Year), The Neffs National Bank (Milestone Award – 100 Years) and The Venture Group (Nonprofit of the Year) will also be honored.
Kylie Adams-Weiss, Assistant Vice President of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce, stated, “Our slate of awardees this year is truly one of a kind and represents the incredible community partners within the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber region. Rentschler’s and The Neffs National Bank have both served our community for 50 and 100 years, respectively, and The Venture Group’s volunteers work tirelessly to ensure the Slatington Trailhead and D&L Trail is a clean, safe and beautiful pillar of our community. We’re excited to honor all three organizations this year, in addition to Ms. Stewart.”
Named Business of the Year, Rentschler Auto Group (Rentschler Chevrolet and Rentschler Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram) is family-owned and operated and located in Slatington, Pennsylvania. As a premier auto dealer in the Lehigh Valley, Pocono and Carbon County region, their tenure has been established on their dedication to top notch customer service and repair and maintenance work for their customers since 1973, earning the title of a 5-Star Dealer for sales and service since the program was established .
The Neffs National Bank will be recognized for 100 years of business. The Neffs National Bank is an independent community bank with a long tradition of quality customer service. Established in February 1923, the bank originally conducted its business operations using a small room between The Neffs Hotel and Kern & Moser’s General Store until the present-day’s bank building was constructed in 1937. In 1986, Neffs Bancorp, Inc. was formed and continues in operation as a one-bank holding company, and The Neffs National Bank was the sole subsidiary of Neffs Bancorp, Inc. In April 2020, The Neffs National Bank opened its second location in Walnutport. “From its modest beginning in 1923, the growth of the bank has been influenced by the prosperity of the local communities. Individuals and businesses continue to contribute to promoting community-oriented, independently-operated banking. Community banking continues today under dynamic leadership of a dedicated Board of Directors, the excellent cooperation of the employees and loyal support of the shareholders and depositors,” states their website.
Named Nonprofit of the Year, the Venture Group was established to maintain the trailheads of the D&L Trail and the Heritage Trail in Slatington, Pennsylvania. This volunteer-led organization manages the multi-use trails, and is responsible for the construction of the restrooms and pavilion on Main Street, Slatington, which has quickly become a hub for trail activities and local recreation and entertainment.
“All four of our awardees hold the spirit of community close to their hearts and have family legacy that ties them to our community at their core,” said Jessica O’Donnell-Gower, Executive Vice President of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce. “The Greater Northern Lehigh region is one that echoes these sentiments – it’s a place that our families invest in, work in, grow in, and do business in, and one that we are proud to call home. We’re excited to be able to shine a spotlight on the businesses and individuals who embody the spirit of our community in such genuine ways!”
For 30 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.
Tickets are available now for this event. For more information about Greater Northern Lehigh’s Spirit Awards or to reserve your seat, please visit the Greater Northern Lehigh’s website at: t.ly/he8u
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When: June 17, 2022 from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Pricing Information: $45 Individual Member Rate/$85 Couple Member Rate; $60 Individual Future-Member Rate/$115 Couple Future-Member Rate.
Sponsors (as of 5/15/2023):
Presenting Sponsor: Ironton Telephone
Platinum Sponsor: The Neffs National Bank
Gold Sponsor: Keystone Technologies LLC, Heintzelman Funeral Homes, Bechtel’s Pharmacy
Cocktail Hour Sponsor: Service Electric
Bronze Sponsor: Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund, Rentschler Auto Dealerships, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Benjamin Real Estate
Printing Sponsor: EBC Printing
Beverage Sponsor: Eight Oaks Farm Distillery, Sam’s Club of Allentown
Awards Sponsor: Bux-Mont Awards and Engraving
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
AVP, Affiliated Chambers & Director of Marketing and Design
(Affiliated Chambers, Allentown Initiatives, Easton Initiatives, CCEDC)
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/
