Pediatric Cancer Fdn, Bev Bradley new Donley Awardees

On April 17, 2015, Community Services for Children will present Michelle Zenie, Executive Director of the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, and Beverly Bradley with Cops n Kids with The Inez and Edward Donley Award for Children’s Advocacy. The event takes place at DeSales University Center at noon. Tickets are $50. Sponsorships are available.

Given for the first time in 1996, Community Services for Children 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 Thomas Daub, Dr. John vanBrakle, and Thomas Donley.

Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley.  The PCFLV supports quality of life for children diagnosed with cancer along with long-term survivorship, family support and bereavement programs. The Foundation remains a friend of the family forever from the moment of diagnosis. They reduce anxiety and stress with programs like Chemo Circus and Golden Days and with special guests such as the IronPigs. The Foundation holds art programs at the Banana Factory and supports date nights, family fun nights, and Moms and Dads Nights Out. PCFLV runs Camp Smile during the summer for children diagnosed with cancer.

Beverly Bradley.  Beverly Bradley has worked tirelessly as the leader of the Cops-n-Kids literacy program. Over 600,000 children’s books gave been distributed to grade school children attending many of the “at risk” school in the Lehigh Valley. Besides encouraging a love of reading, Cops-n-Kids instills a sense of a caring community for children who may feel isolated. She has recruited volunteers from businesses as well as other organizations including countless young people from colleges, sports teams, and high schools. These young people in turn mentor and instill in children a love of learning and reading that may not be a priority in households that are challenged by poverty, unemployment, and personal problems.

In addition to the Donleys, past individual recipients include Senator Pat Browne, Dr. John vanBrakle, 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”).

For additional information, call Community Services for Children at 610-437-6000, x2112, or log onto www.cscinc.org/events.

Community Services for Children is a regional leader in early childhood education, affecting the lives of 40,000 children annually. In 2015, we celebrate 50 years of Head Start of the Lehigh Valley, founded in 1965.