Supporters of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) celebrated the organization’s 100th anniversary with a record-breaking 2017-18 campaign totaling $15,050,500. Campaign co-chairs Bill and Denise Spence announced the total at the annual “Celebration of Caring” at DeSales University, Center Valley.

“I am so proud and thankful for the giving spirit partners demonstrate year after year. Their generosity helps to encourage, inspire and make a difference in the lives of 60,000 people each year,” said Bill Spence, CEO of PPL and 2017-18 Campaign Co-chair.

The 2017-18 campaign total represented a $3 million increase from the 2016-17 campaign. UWGLV will fund health and human services and pursue goals in education, food access and healthy aging in Northampton, Lehigh and Carbon counties. More than 400 corporations and 19,000 individuals contributed to the 2017-18 campaign.

More than 400 attended the “Celebration of Caring” hosted by The Peak TV’s Ashley Russo and featuring B104’s Mike Kelly and Steph Wells. The event took place April 18, the date of UWGLV’s 100th Anniversary.

Said UWGLV President David Lewis, “We look forward to the next century of working together toward our common goal to create a healthy, educated and safe community.”

Bill and Denise Spence introduced the 2018-19 Campaign Co-chairs, David and Sue Shaffer.

UWGLV honored the following companies and individuals:

Air Products: Live United Award

St. Luke’s University Health Network: Campaign Chairman’s Award

Miller-Keystone Blood Center: Air Products Leonard Pool Impact Award

Rob Franklin, IBEW Local 375: Labor Achievement Award

ASR Media Productions: Community Building Award

Mike Molewski: Campaign Volunteer Award

Trisha Higgins: Carbon County Champion Award

Maeve Yanes: TeenWorks “Making a Difference” Award

Valerie Lane: Women United “Betsy Torrence Philanthropist of the Year” Award

Community partners in sponsorship for the event included:

Presenting sponsor: Dual Temp Company Inc.

Gold sponsor: Crayola

Bronze sponsors: Brown-Daub Dealerships, Da Vinci Science Center, Highmark Blue Shield, Just Born, Inc., Lafayette Ambassador Bank, lehighvalleylive.com + The Express-Times (media sponsors), UGI Utilities, Inc.

In-kind sponsors: AmericaVen, Anthony Limousine, ASR Media Productions, KLO Events, Penn Beer Sales & Service, RichMar Florist, Volpe’s Sports Bar, Working Dog Press