In a true community partnership, the Bethlehem Rotary Club and Rotary District 7430, Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley and City of Bethlehem Health Bureau have partnered to secure a $3,000 Rotary district grant that will be used to support the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program by training a lactation specialist, purchasing educational technology and providing portable cribs for use in the 'Safe Sleep Initiative.'

Rotary district grants are supported through individual Rotarian donations and distributed locally through a formal application process. Rotarian Deb Geiger coordinated the proposal to support the local WIC program initiative. The Bethlehem health bureau provided technical support and the Hispanic Center will conduct the programming for its clients.

The Bethlehem Health Bureau was also awarded additional funding from the Pa. Department of Health, which will provide breastfeeding equipment and educational supplies for the WIC Program.

Both Rotary District 7430 Governor Frank Romano and Bethlehem Rotary Club President Kerry Wrobel emphasized Rotary's service aspect.

"We're here to serve the community," Romano said.

Wrobel explained how the 'Pack 'N Play' portable cribs would help to reduce infant injuries and deaths caused by unsafe sleeping practices and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and that training a lactation specialist would promote the benefits of breast feeding.

Mayor Robert Donchez, a former board member at the Hispanic Center, lauded the multi-organization partnership, noting his familiarity with the WIC Program as a teacher at William Allen HS.

Hispanic Center Executive Director Lorna Velazquez expressed her appreciation for the support.

"We have in our hearts the benefit of our community," said Velazquez, whose staff of five serves 2,600 clients each month.