On April 18, 2013, 120 business, education, and community advocates gathered to honor Allentown Police Chief Roger MacLean and members of the Northampton County Medical Society Alliance as the 2013 recipients of the Inez and Edward Donley Award for Children’s Advocacy. Community Services for Children founded the award in 1996 honoring a lifetime of support for children. The Donley were the first recipients.
Joan Benso, President and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, was keynote speaker. She addressed the research that supports quality early education as a foundation for achievement. She applauded the efforts especially of the Early Learning Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, composed of business and education leaders who champion early education through government policy and budgeting.
State senators Pat Brown and Lisa Boscola were joined by other Lehigh Valley legislators Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, Mike Schlossberg and Dan McNeil to applaud the work of the two honorees and presented them with state commendations. Field representatives for US Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey also presented commendations, Carol Obando-Derstine and Marta Gabriel, respectively.
Among others attending were Edward Donley, Dev Chanchani, Dr. Russell Mayo, James Martin, Jane Ervin, Dr. Karen Angello, Don Bernhard, Michana Johnson, and Kay Hughston.