YMCA Raises $125,000+ at Record-Setting Gala featuring Larry Holmes

LEHIGH VALLEY - Greater Valley YMCA hosted the annual community gala at Centennial Catering & Conference Center in Center Valley, PA on November 11. The event, presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, featured keynote speaker Larry Holmes, and raised over $125,000 to support children, families and seniors throughout the Valley. That amount is the largest the Y has ever raised at a gala event in over 100 years serving the community.

“This year’s record-breaking gala success is the culmination of passionate work by committed volunteers, staff and community partners,” said Kate Cohen, chief development officer for Greater Valley YMCA. “Not only were we able to celebrate all this community has accomplished over the last year, but funds raised will help ensure we can provide even more services to the Valley in 2024.”

The Greater Valley YMCA’s “World of Pure Imagination” gala celebrated the 125th Anniversary of the Easton/Phillipsburg branch, as well as the contributions of 2023 Greater Valley Y “Y Champion Award” recipients. Lehigh Valley Health Network was awarded the Association Advocate Award for their continuous partnership in support of the health and well-being of Lehigh Valley neighbors.

“Lehigh Valley Health Network has been honored to partner with Greater Valley YMCA for many years,” said Lisa Liddington, vice president of Lehigh Valley Hospital 17th St. Campus and director of school-based health programs. “We see it as a transformational partnership because we are working together to help change and strengthen the health in our communities. It feels tremendously gratifying to win this award.”

Larry Holmes, who grew up in Easton and frequented the YMCA, was internationally known as the “Easton Assassin.” Holmes was a professional heavyweight boxing champion from 1978-1985.

“You had things to do when you went to the Y,” said the former heavyweight champ. “I wrestled, played football and baseball at the Y, just to be together. Young people are the future, but kids don’t have a place to go. The YMCA is what they need.”

Cohen further explained that funds raised at the community gala support free meal programs for children, financial assistance for families to afford much-needed child care, and operation of the YMCA warming station in Allentown during the cold months. The evening’s “Send a Kid to Camp” appeal raised $45,000 for 2024 Day Camp financial assistance.

“The Y is the place where the community comes together to be kind to each other and support you at any age of your journey,” said Peter Dent, chief volunteer officer for Greater Valley YMCA. “I am humbled by the generous support of our partners and neighbors as we live, work and thrive together.”

In addition to Lehigh Valley Health Network, Y Champion Award winners included Brosky Insurance Agency, GOLD Credit Union, Greater Easton Development Partnership, Martin Guitar & Co., Young Chiefs Group and Wind Gap Chevrolet.

The YMCA would like to thank this year’s more than 30 sponsors for their commitment to the Greater Valley community, with special thanks to the Presenting Partner Lehigh Valley Health Network; Silver Partners Members First Federal Credit Union, GOLD Credit Union, Wind Creek Bethlehem, North Star Construction Management; and Bronze Partners PSECU, First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, Santander Bank, Highmark Blue Shield, UGI Utilities, Brown & Brown of the Lehigh Valley, and Stephen Bajan II of Edward Jones Financial Advisors.

About the Greater Valley YMCA

The Greater Valley YMCA is a volunteer-led, nonprofit community organization serving more than 10,000 members Valley-wide. The Y is committed to strengthening community by positively changing lives every day. At each of our Branches, we concentrate our efforts in three areas: Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Our programs and services remain accessible to the community through our charitable mission; our Y distributed more than $700,000 in financial assistance and subsidy to neighbors in 2022 alone. The Greater Valley YMCA serves the Lehigh Valley and consists of Branches in Allentown, Bethlehem, Catasauqua, Easton, Nazareth, and Pen Argyl. To learn more, support, or join the Y, visit gv-ymca.org.