More than 140 community and business leaders joined Community Services for Children (CSC) recognizing State Senator Pat Browne and Dr. John Van Brakle with The Inez and Edward Donley Award for Children’s Advocacy for their achievements on April 23, 2014, at DeSales University Center. Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey also recognized their work promoting children’s health and education with citations presented via field representatives Carol Obando-Derstine and Marta Gabriel, respectively. Created especially for the event was a new glass design by artist Peter Yenawine of Crystal Signatures. Ashley Russo, President of The Peak TV, was mistress of ceremonies, and premiered a short video about CSC’s work to start the event.

“The country has come to recognize the importance of early childhood education,” said Mr. Edward Donley, former CEO of Air Products. “And Pat Browne has been in a forefront of this for years. We in Pennsylvania owe him a debt of gratitude.”

“The high level of pediatric care and attention to children who have been traumatized in the Lehigh Valley is very much a credit to Dr. Van Brakle,” said Jane Ervin, CEO of CSC.

Among those attending were Edward Donley, Jane Ervin, Barbara Fraust, Lehigh County DA James Martin, Rep. Mike Schlossberg, JB Reilly, Don Bernhard, L. Anderson Daub, David Lewis, Bernie Story, Barbara Diamond, Edward Meehan, Dr. Mark Erickson, Dr. Jarret Patton, Glenn Guanowsky, Kay Hughston, Peter Brown, James Klunk, Winnie Willinsky, J. Robert Lovett, Lin Erickson, Fred Fenselau, Dean Wagaman, Frank Smith, Ray Federici, Peter Schurman, Robert Kraemer, Donna Haggerty, Colby Kent, Jan Heller, Thomas and Cindy Donley, Robert Episcopo, Laurie Hackett, Robert Vitale, Tony Cioffi, and Andrea Brady.

Major sponsors for the event included Air Products, Crayola, INetU and PPL.

Given for the first time in 1996, CSC established this prestigious award to acknowledge public service at the local, state, and/or national levels which has significantly improved the quality of life for children. Mr. and Mrs. Donley, who exemplify the spirit of the award, were the first recipients. We continue to honor their example by naming the award for them.

“I believe the judges have made outstanding selections from among the nominations we received,” said Jane Ervin, CEO of Community Services for Children. “The choice wasn’t easy since we have so many shining lights advocating for children in the Lehigh Valley.”

The judges who made the selections were Jan Heller, Thomas Donley, and Dr. Arthur Scott.

Senator Patrick Browne   Senator Browne is the recognized leader in the PA Senate on Early Learning issues.  He is co-chair of the Early Learning Caucus – the largest bi-partisan caucus in the PA legislature. This caucus ensures that the needs of children are given continuous priority.  While Senator Browne may be most associated with Lehigh County, his efforts have helped children across the Commonwealth. Without his leadership, state funding for various programs helping children would have been greatly decimated. We can thank his efforts in saving Subsidy for childcare, mental health and early intervention, Head Start Supplemental Assistance, and Nurse Family Partnership home visitation program. Senator Browne famously builds coalitions among legislators across the aisle as well as community and business leaders.

Formerly a state representative, Browne successful ly negotiated a 10-acre allotment from the Allentown State Hospital to provide a children’s campus now housing Head Start, Early Head Start/home program, SafeStart, Subsidy Services, and the Keystone STARS program.

Dr. John Van Brakle  Until his recent retirement. Dr. Van Brakle was chief of pediatrics, holding the Forrest G. Moyer Distinguished Chair of Pediatrics at Lehigh Valley Hospital. He greatly expanded the pediatric clinic at LVH, recruited subspecialists in allergies, behavioral health, neurology and cardiology. He has participated in studies in parenting and ADD. He worked on the development of a vision for a children’s emergency treatment facility and hospital.  He was also a driving force in establishing the Lehigh County Child Advocacy Center. He has been a long-time advocate especially for children who have suffered abuse. Dr. Van Brakle grew the LVHN Pediatric department, especially the Children’s Clinic on 17^th and Chew Streets.  He has consulted for the CAC in Northampton County and served as the Vice Chair of Children’s Coalition of the LV. He is a current board member of Pennsylvania Partnership for Children. He is the consummate child advocate and always dedicated to the health, education and wellbeing of children

In addition to the Donleys, past individual recipients include Chief Roger McLean, Mrs. Rebecca Gorton, Mrs. Ardath Rodale, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Butz, Mr. Kostas Kalogeropolous, Mrs. Patricia W. Levin, The Honorable Edward G. Rendell, Dr. Arthur L. Scott, Mr. Scott Fainor, Dr. Diane Scott, The Honorable Jeanette Reibman, Mr. L. Jack Bradt, Mr. Peter Carpino, Mrs. Marlene “Linny” Fowler, and Dr. and Mrs. Peter Likins.

Past recipients of the Organization Award are Northampton County Medical Society Alliance, Computer Aid, PPL Corporation, Education 2020!, St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network, The Women’s Leadership Initiative of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley; PNC Financial Services; Just Born, Inc; The Harry C. Trexler Trust; Bethlehem Steel Corporation; Agere Systems; Air Products & Chemicals, Inc; Lehigh Valley Health Network; CoreStates Bank; and Binney & Smith, Inc (now “Crayola”).

Community Services for Children is a regional leader in early childhood education, affecting the lives of 40,000 children annually.