Ja’Siah Young, star of the Netflix hit Raising Dion, outside the Easton branch of River Crossing YMCA. Young is scheduled to deliver the keynote at this year’s YMCA Lehigh Valley Region Community Gala on Nov. 9. (Photo courtesy of River Crossing YMCA)

 

EASTON- River Crossing YMCA will host Ja’Siah Young, star of Netflix’s hit show Raising Dion, as the keynote speaker at its annual Lehigh Valley Community Gala on Nov. 9 at the Centennial Catering & Conference Center in Center Valley.

The event, entitled Masquerade Gala, begins at 5:30PM, and includes cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, and both live and silent auctions to support River Crossing YMCA community impact programs. These include the Allentown Warming Station, which provides beds and meals for the unhoused during the cold months (November-April), and YMCA feeding programs for children, families and seniors throughout the Lehigh Valley region. River Crossing YMCA provides the community over $12 million annually in the form of programs and financial assistance.

Young, 13, will talk about his exciting acting career, as well as what it is like to be a young star growing up in Easton. Young and his family have attended programs and swim lessons at the Easton branch of River Crossing YMCA throughout his life.

“The Y is really important to me and my family,” explained Young. “I’m excited to speak at the gala and share my support for the Y with the whole community.”

The Masquerade Gala program will also feature special guest Hanna O’Reilly, current social media manager for Discover Lehigh Valley and former Y camp counselor. Awards will be presented to Y Champion Award Winners the Bajan Family, the County of Lehigh, and Two Rivers Health & Wellness Foundation.

The Presenting Sponsor of the 2024 Masquerade Gala is Lehigh Valley Health Network. Silver Sponsors are United Federal Credit Union and Wind Creek Bethlehem. Bronze level sponsors include PSECU, Capital Blue Cross, First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, Highmark Blue Shield, Barley Snyder, Attorneys at Law, Heavy & Highway Construction Workers, ServPro and North Star Construction Management Inc. A full list of sponsors can be found on the the gala event page.

Tickets to the Masquerade Gala can be purchased on the gala event page. Registration for those wishing to participate in the silent auction but cannot attend the event is also available on that page. Ticket sales close Nov. 1.

River Crossing YMCA (formerly YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Greater

Valley YMCA) is a charitable, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening

communities through membership and programs that foster youth development,

healthy living and social responsibility for all. Annually, the Y serves over 142,000 members and participants at its 12 member branches, 13 early childhood centers, 20 summer camp locations and 37 school age child care programs. River Crossing YMCA provides over $12 million of community impact annually in the form of financial assistance to individuals and families in need and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults and more. To learn more visit ymcarivercrossing.org.

Information provided to TVL by:
Michael Reisman
Association Director of Communications
RIVER CROSSING YMCA