Hundreds turn out to honor Lehigh Valley Outstanding Friend to Kids

On Friday, October 15, more than 320 business and community leaders braved the damp weather and early hour to help the Weller Health Education Center honor this year’s Outstanding Friend to Kids award winners. The event raised more than $34,000 to support the development and delivery of the Weller Center’s life-saving preventive health education programs and services for children throughout the region.

Held at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center in Fogelsville, the second annual awards breakfast began at 7:30 a.m. and honored four individuals and organizations that have made a significant positive impact on kids’ lives. Holiday Inn owner Kostas Kalogeropoulos donated the facility and food and also served as master of ceremonies. For the second year, Beall and Marlene “Linny” Fowler were the presenting sponsors.

Melissa Lee, Weller Center CEO, presented the awards of the morning. Dr. John and Mrs. Ruby Updegrove received the philanthropy award for their years of personal and foundation-sponsored giving in the Lehigh Valley. The Junior League of the Lehigh Valley was presented with the award for Community Service-Organization, which was accepted by Junior League President Lorrie Garcia. Dr. Michael Danjczek earned the Outstanding Children’s Advocate award for his work as the president of the Children’s Home of Easton. Dr. John VanBrakle, who helped create the first and only pediatric intensive care units in the Lehigh Valley, received the award for Community Service-Individual.

Steering committee members included Chairperson Sally Albano, Louise Disney, Elizabeth Hahn, Sara Levin, Madeline Lozowski, Elena Pascal, Elizabeth Sarris and Ellen Shaughnessy. Guests included Alan Abraham, Laura Azzalina, Keith Bachman, Nancy Billiard, Wendy Body, Fred Bonsall, Paul Brunswick, Greg Butz, Peter Carpino, Cor Catena, Judy Chase, Dr. Mike Consuelos, Dr. Kelly Costello, Andy Daub, Ed and Inez Donley, Bob Episcopo, Steve Ferretti, Don and Mibs Follett, Kathy Frazier, Marta Gabriel, Sue Haberberger, Brad Hahn, John Hayes, Carol Henn, Kassie Hilgert, Theresa Hogan, Talbot Houck, Ron Macaulay, Andy Montero, Mike Moorehead, Dr. Alrita Morgan, Jim Palmeri, Dick Pearce, Paul Pierpoint, Dave Rabaut, David Shafferman, Pat Simon, Jane Stone, Dr. Elliot Sussman, Evelyn Tracy, Sally Vikner, Mary Ellyn Voden, Tamantha Yanders and George Ziolkowski.

The event was sponsored in part by the Holiday Inn & Conference Center of Fogelsville and Lafayette Ambassador Bank. Air Products & Chemicals, The Express-Times and the Morning Call provided additional funding for the program. The award sponsor was Binney & Smith.