Bethlehem, PA (August 29, 2018) – The Provident Bank Foundation (PBF) has announced Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation (PBS39) in Bethlehem, PA, as the recipient of the Foundation’s $50,000 Signature Grant for 2018 in the Education funding priority area.

PBS39, in collaboration with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV), was selected for its work in the Education Services focus area. The collaboration will focus on the educational initiative, Lehigh Valley Reads, which aims to have all local students reading at grade level by Grade 3.

“Raising the awareness of literacy, which is exactly what PBS39 and United Way are doing through Lehigh Valley Reads, is critical in the field of education,” said Jane Kurek, Executive Director, The Provident Bank Foundation. “It is our mission at the Foundation to help give people of all ages the resources and knowledge needed to prosper.”

Funding will support the community-wide promotion of the literacy strategy, Talk, Read, Sing, as part of the overall initiative. This evidence-based approach will teach parents and caregivers of children, ages 0-3, basic skills on how to positively impact early literacy and social-emotional development.

“Talk, Read, Sing is an innovative strategy focused on the importance of early childhood literacy and its academic, economic, and societal impact. It aims to provide families with the resources needed to set their children up for future success,” said Jill Pereira, Vice President of Education, UWGLV.

“PBS39 values the power of partnership,” said Timothy Fallon, CEO of Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation. “This grant from our partners at the Provident Bank Foundation creates yet another valuable opportunity for PBS39 and the United Way to work together to end the cycle of poverty with the groundbreaking program Talk, Read, Sing.”

“We’re grateful to The Provident Bank Foundation for this Signature Grant and honored to partner with PBS39 to advance our community’s grade-level reading goals. Together, we will impact the lives of thousands of children and families throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley,” remarked Marci Ronald-Lesko, Executive Vice President, UWGLV.

PBS39 is a community-owned public television station licensed to Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, PA, serving eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. Its mission is to act as the catalyst to promote civic engagement, and to fulfill the regional needs of the Greater Lehigh Valley through its dynamic communication platforms and resources.

The Foundation presented the check on Monday, August 20, 2018 at the PPL Public Media Center at PBS39. Attending from The Provident Bank Foundation were President Christopher Martin and Executive Director Jane Kurek along with Adel Mikhael and Jim Higgins of Provident Bank. Accepting the grant on behalf of PBS39 is Timothy Fallon. Marci Ronald-Lesko and Jill Pereira accepted on behalf of UWGLV.

For more information about PBF, visit theprovidentbankfoundation.org or call (862) 260-3990.

PBS39 is a community-owned public television station licensed to Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, Pa., serving eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. PBS39 is owned and operated by the Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation. PBS39 acts as the catalyst to promote civic engagement, and to fulfill the regional needs of the Greater Lehigh Valley through its dynamic communication platforms and resources. For more information, visit wlvt.org.

The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 by Provident Bank to enhance the quality of life in the region through support of not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services in communities served by the Bank. Since inception, the Foundation has granted more than $23 million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities.

The mission of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is to provide the leadership, convene the partnerships, and develop the resources and solutions that improve our community. We remain committed to these goals and sincerely appreciate the continued support of partners, program providers and donors throughout the Lehigh Valley.UnitedWayGLV.org