|
|
The Whitehall Area Chamber, proud partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber, kicks off the holiday tree lighting season with the Whitehall Area Annual Tree Lighting and Basket Raffle on November 14th.
The Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce, proud partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber, and hundreds of community members gathered on November 14th at the Lehigh Valley Mall to light the first tree of the Lehigh Valley’s 2023 Holiday season!
“As one of the first ‘official’ tree lightings in the Lehigh Valley, the Whitehall Area Chamber loves bringing our business community and residents together for a truly special event,” said Kylie Adams-Weiss, Assistant Vice President of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. “The Lehigh Valley Mall and Whitehall are keystone to the Lehigh Valley and our business community, and we’re grateful to shine a light on the great retailers as we head into the shopping season, too.”
The Chamber upped the ante this year with a live musical performance from local band, DMC Duo, singing favorite holiday tunes to a receptive crowd, and an exciting performance from the talented dancers of Innovative Arts Academy, under the direction of Sami Schugardt. Lehigh Valley Phantoms MeLVin and GEICO of the Lehigh Valley’s Gecko made appearances for photo opps and to light the tree, welcoming Santa to the stage in style.
A basket raffle, including multiple grand prize items sponsored by First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union and Kendra Scott, was hosted with dozens of raffle items donated from local businesses; proceeds will benefit the Whitehall Area Chamber’s philanthropic efforts. In addition, gift wrapping supplies were collected for the Zephyr Holiday Express, an inaugural program with the Whitehall-Coplay School District modeled after the popular “Shop with a Cop” initiative; dozens of rolls of wrapping paper, bags of bows, tape and gift tags were donated for this event.
Vendor booths offering giveaways and holiday items featured local businesses and organizations such as Sam’s Club of Allentown, Kendra Scott, LVHN, First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, and Accelerated Waste Solutions.
“It’s hard not to get into the holiday spirit, and the spirit of giving, attending this event,” said Jessica O’Donnell-Gower, Executive Vice President of the Affiliated Chambers, Northern Tier and Easton Initiatives for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. “It is the perfect blend of local businesses, philanthropy and that holly jolly holiday fun.”
With dozens of more trees to be lit across the Lehigh Valley with the support of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and the business community, that holiday fun has just begun! Whether you are looking to attend in your local community, indulge in a holiday trail, join for a mixer or partake in a holiday movie night, there is much in store for the 2023 Holiday Season. For a full list of events, visit web.lehighvalleychamber.org/
2023 Whitehall Area Chamber Tree Lighting Sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor: Fellowship Community
Grand Prize Sponsor: Kendra Scott, First Commonwealth Federal Credit Untion
Hot Chocolate Kit Sponsor: CJ’s Tires (Whitehall)
Venue Sponsor & Host: Lehigh Valley Mall
Cookie Sponsors: Sam’s Club of Allentown
Santa’s Helper Sponsor: ATA Financial, Accelerated Waste Solutions
Photos Details (Left to Right, back row): Bill Molchany (North Catasauqua Mayor), Phillips Armstrong (Lehigh County Executive), Michael Harakal (Whitehall Township Mayor), Kylie Adams-Weiss (AVP, Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce), Santa Claus, Jessica O’Donnell-Gower (EVP, Affiliated Chambers, Northern Tier and Easton Initiatives, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce), Cara Butz (ESSA Bank, Chair of the Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce), Tracy Roman (COO, Fellowship Community), Connor Corpora (Office of Senator Nick Miller). Geico Gecko and Lehigh Valley Phantoms MeLVin also pictured.
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/
