The Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley announced winners of the 2017 Volunteer Challenge at its annual fundraiser held at ArtsQuest SteelStacks in Bethlehem on May 16. The Volunteer Challenge is an invitation-only corporate competition in which company-sponsored teams conceive, design and complete projects for local nonprofit agencies. Projects are either self-selected by the organization or by project opportunities identified by the Volunteer Center.

“This year, we had 28 teams that have designed outstanding projects. Each year I’m continually amazed at the breadth of projects completed here in our community,” said Karen Daly Smith, CEO of the Volunteer Center. “This event, which is the agency’s largest fundraiser, is a win-win for all involved. Companies participating have the opportunity as a team to give back to their community and enjoy great team building.  The nonprofits are the direct recipients of projects that they could not otherwise complete.  Relationships between the companies and nonprofits go far beyond the Challenge.”

Small, medium and large corporate winners were selected by the general public through online voting in advance of the event.  Winners of this year’s Volunteer Challenge are:

Small Company Award – The Peak TV – The team partnered with Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network to design and paint a wall mural that will empower children and brighten the space that hosts about 50 children and 175 adults each week.

Medium Company – Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C.—The team partnered with Central Elementary School in Allentown on a Positive Minds/Positive Body campaign encouraging students and families to make positive food choices by providing planter boxes and soil, as well as herb, fruit and vegetable plants so the students could grow their own fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the year.

Large Company – Dun & Bradstreet – The company partnered with McKinley Elementary School in Allentown and converted an underutilized old classroom into a multi-purpose community room to be used for Communities in Schools advisory offices, storage and family meetings.

People’s Choice Winner – Crayola – Crayola’s project was selected by attendees of the fundraiser for its creativity, usefulness/purpose to the organization, community impact and sustainability. The company partnered with Third Street Alliance for Women and Children and transformed an underutilized storage space into a relaxing and motivating environment where residents can work on developing themselves.

June Webre, regional president-Lehigh Valley Provident Bank served as this year’s honorary chair. Provident Bank & Provident Bank Foundation were the Premier Sponsor for the event and Air Products was the title sponsor.

About Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley – The Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley’s mission is to be the premier resource to connect, empower, and transform the Greater Lehigh Valley by partnering with people, businesses, and non-profits through volunteer coordination, leadership development, and recognition.  In 2016 over 25,000 volunteers were recruited to serve more than 400 agencies across the Lehigh Valley, saving our community significant dollars.  For more information about the Volunteer Challenge or the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley, contact Karen Daly Smith at 610-807-0336 or visit www.volunteerlv.org