Celebrating Impact: Women United Event Honors Philanthropy and Resilience in Downtown Allentown
In a vibrant celebration of community and impact, over 100 members and guests of Women United gathered at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Allentown for an unforgettable evening. The beautiful venue was lively with energetic conversations as attendees shared in the collective spirit of philanthropy and empowerment.
Organized by United Way Women United and sponsored by Silver Sponsor Air Products with additional support from Capital Blue Cross, Fulton Bank, Lehigh Valley Health Network, King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC, PSECU Credit Union and Valley National Financial Advisors, the event honored the 2024 Betsy Torrence Philanthropist of the Year, Laurie Siebert of Valley National Financial Advisors, and showcased stories of triumph and resilience from local program graduates.
The event created opportunities for attendees to connect deeply with Women United’s mission. Several Signature Projects lined the event space with informational tables, where members and guests learned more about the impact of these programs and participate in activities such as writing inspirational notes to inspire the youth allowed participants to contribute to the uplifting atmosphere in their own meaningful ways.
During the event, Women United announced the addition of Global Hope International as their latest emerging project. Global Hope International, led by Executive Director Monica George, was presented with a $1,000 check to support their work providing free pop-up healthcare clinics in the Allentown community. These clinics will serve over 100 women and children, expanding access to vital health services and wellness resources right where they live and work. United Way’s commitment to evaluating and addressing emerging needs in the community is exemplified by this new partnership, which aligns with Women United’s mission to create positive change for women and children. Learn more about Global Hope International here.
Another highlight of the night was hearing from two remarkable women who shared their inspiring journeys. Malu, a graduate of ProJeCt of Easton Inc.’s ESL and GED classes, and Thi, a graduate of The Literacy Center’s program and now their Data & Reporting Assistant, captivated the audience with their personal stories of perseverance. Their powerful words showed not only the life-changing opportunities provided by these educational programs but also the importance of the collective impact of Women United in helping our community overcome obstacles.
The night’s centerpiece was the presentation of the 2024 Betsy Torrence Philanthropist of the Year Award to Laurie Siebert. In a heartfelt acceptance speech, Laurie shared her own journey in philanthropy, starting from her earliest experiences with giving to her current role as an advocate for Women United. Her passion and dedication to making a difference was prevalent as she extended an exciting challenge to the attendees.
“To continue this momentum, my husband, Karl, and I have issued a challenge: We will match up to $10,000 for any new members who join Women United by the end of October.” With additional matching support from Air Products, this initiative has the potential to generate up to $30,000 in new funding to address urgent community needs.”
For more information about Women United, please contact us at [email protected].
