A snowstorm that dropped approximately 5 inches of snow throughout the Lehigh Valley was perfect weather as Frosty, Rudolph, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived at the Delta by Marriott in Breinigsville for the Children’s Luncheon hosted by the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association Dec. 14.

For the past four years, GLVADA Executive Director Dan Moyer, along with his wife Deb and daughter Kristi have organized the event with the support of various sponsors and members of GLVADA.

“Our organization is about cars, communities and kids,” Moyer explained.

GLVADA members reached out to hospitals, schools and churches throughout the Lehigh Valley, Monroe County and Pottsville for the names of families who have children who are in need of holiday cheer. There were children battling various forms of cancer and other illnesses. There were children in foster care.

“If you believe, you can come,” Moyer shared about who is selected to participate.

Forty families and 67 children were served at the event.

Children and their families arrived early and waited with anticipation in the hotel lobby until the doors opened to the banquet hall.

Once inside, families could see the festive trees and the stage area for meeting with Santa and friends. Children appeared excited to see the entire side of the hall lined with wrapped gifts.

Families selected a table and enjoyed a “kid-friendly” buffet style lunch of hot dogs, chicken fingers, French fries, cookies and brownies.

Radio personality Mike Kelly of B104/iHeart Radio was on hand to entertain the families and provide holiday music for the event. Kelly was assisted by technician Archie Lucia and radio station sales representative Steve Flank.

The room erupted in cheers when Santa, assisted by John Stanojev, Mrs. Claus, assisted by Lynne Anne Donchez, Rudolph, assisted by Monica Carr, Frosty, assisted by Joseph Spadafora Jr. and special guest Driver arrived and mingled with the children and families.

Driver is the new mascot for the GLVADA auto show scheduled March 18-22, 2026, at the Goodman Campus of Lehigh University. Driver is a Bernese mountain dog and is the first representative for the new nonprofit foundation Cars and Kids Because We CARe.

“We needed a mascot who can relate to the children,” Tiffany Sondergaarv, CEO of TS Brand Elevation and Public Relations and Community Relations for GLVADA, explained. Driver did not disappoint the families. He was the favorite for Dillon Matthigssen whose older sister Fionna is a cancer survivor in remission now for four and one-half years.

Moyer welcomed the families and noted all the support received from organizations such as GLVADA, First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, B104, Real Oldies 1470, 95.1 ZZO, News Radio 790 WAEB and iHeart Media.

He called families one at a time for the children to come to the stage to visit with Santa and friends while families took pictures. As children left the stage, they were greeted by Santa’s helpers and GLVADA members Kristi Moyer and Travis Yohe of Black Glass Automotive Styling. Moyer and Yohe presented each of the children and their siblings with four gifts. The children appeared overjoyed to receive the presents which they opened and started playing with while they enjoyed the party.

The Matthigssen Family, of Danielsville, looked forward to this annual luncheon event. Mom Danielle Matzo and Dad Lucas Matthigssen enjoyed watching their three children enjoy the event. Their daughter Fionna was diagnosed with a liver tumor known as hepatoblastoma which is a rare type of cancer that affects children under the age of 5 and is often linked to premature birth or genetic syndromes.

Fionna and her twin sister Summer, along with her other siblings Dillon and Gradee were all smiles throughout the event. They danced, sang and played with their new toys. Fionna’s favorite toy was her “Baby Alive” doll. Fionna will celebrate five years in remission in April 2026.

The Gross Family, of Macungie, also attended the event with their warrior Jameson who was diagnosed at 18 months with a germ cell tumor. By the time he was 3 months old he was battling teratoma that had developed into cancer. He was all smiles sitting with Santa and his friends at the event.

The event allows children to place their battles on hold to enjoy being a child dancing, singing and eating hot dogs and chicken fingers. A few families were unable to attend the event due to the weather, but Moyer said “all the children will still get their toys.”

Arrangements will be made to deliver the gifts to the families.

For the past 30 years, GLVADA has donated more than $1.9 million to various community programs serving youth organizations, nonprofits and educational initiatives throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley. The 44 new car dealers, with 75 franchises, are committed to promoting automotive excellence and community engagement through events such as the annual Lehigh Valley Auto Show.

Moyer also pointed out the Children’s Luncheon event has become so important to GLVADA it had to become its own nonprofit foundation.

Its first inaugural gala will follow the auto show and be held March 31, 2026, at Windcreek in Bethlehem. However, beginning in 2027, the gala will be held on the third Saturday in May.

The purpose of the gala is to raise money to continue to support the children of the Lehigh Valley.

Individuals or organizations interested in becoming involved in this annual event can contact Moyer at 610-972-5496 or dmoyer2@ptd.net.