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Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber Presents:
29th Annual Spirit Awards
June 18th, 2022 | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Event Information: The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber, proud partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce presents the 29th Annual Spirit Award!
The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce (GNLCC), proud partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber, is pleased to announce that the honorees of the 29th Annual Spirit Awards. The event and award ceremony will be hosted on Saturday, June 18th, 2022, at Ontelaunee Park Pavilion in New Tripoli, PA, beginning at 9:30 AM. The morning brunch will be held in this historic park, as we honor our awardees that have impacted the past, present and future of the Greater Northern Lehigh region.
This years awardees include Walter Niedermeyer (Spirit Award), former mayor of Slatington, local volunteer and veteran; Heintzelman Funeral Home – Schnecksville (Business of the Year); and Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund (Nonprofit of the Year).
The morning will consist of an outdoor event nestled in the hills of Ontelaunee Park and will provide ample opportunity for mingling and networking prior to the awards presentation. Brunch will be catered by the coveted Curious Goods at The Bake Oven Inn, who sources their ingredients from local farmers and suppliers throughout the region. The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber will also hold a basket raffle to benefit the GNLCC Scholarship fund and the 2022 Non-Profit of the Year
“Our nominations were lengthy this year and all were extraordinarily deserving of being in the running” said Andy Gildner, Chair of the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce and Owner of Keystone Technology LLC. “Our honorees, Walter Niedermeyer, Heintzelman Funeral Home and Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund were selected because of their dedication to the Greater Northern Lehigh region and the work they do to make our community a great place to live and work.”
The Spirit Award, established in 1993 by the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber, has been a long-held tradition that honors a local individual who embodies community and volunteerism. This year’s honoree, Walter Niedermeyer, is a long-time resident of Slatington, where he served as Mayor for 20 years and was named the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s “Mayor of the Year” in 2009. Niedermeyer also worked as a firefighter for the city of Allentown for 33 years, 12 of which he served as a lieutenant. He is heavily involved in the Slatington Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Venture Group; he also served in the US Navy.
“I’ve done a lot for the community, and that’s all I intend to keep doing,” said Niedermeyer. “I’m honored to be receiving the award and intend to keep serving my community in years to come.”
Additionally, Heintzelman Funeral Home and Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund will be honored as the Business of the Year and Nonprofit of the Year, respectively.
Jessica O’Donnell, Executive Vice President of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce, stated, “Both Heintzelman Funeral Home and Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund have continued to be incredible community partners over the years, advocating for both businesses and the community alike. We’re excited to honor both organizations, as they continue to be great Chamber partners!”
Heintzelman Funeral Homes is located in Schnecksville and is family-owned and operated; the Schnecksville location has been operating since 1938, which was founded by the late Walter and Florence Bard. It was founded by the late Walter and Florence Bard. The business was passed to their nephew, the late Richard A. Heintzelman. Richard attended the former Eckels School of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia. After becoming licensed he became sole owner and operator of the business in 1953. Richard, with his wife Jean, continued to grow the business as well as the physical structure adding major additions in 1989. Richard’s sons, Robert B. Heintzelman and David J. Heintzelman, became licensed funeral directors in 1980 and 1981 respectively. Both attended the Funeral Service Program at Northampton Community College, Bethlehem. Richard A. Heintzelman, their father, died November 13, 2011. His legacy of dedication and service will never be forgotten. His loving wife, Jean, continues to actively participate in the everyday operations of the business. Robert B. Heintzelman was appointed Supervisor prior to his father’s passing, and continues to provide care for Schnecksville and surrounding communities to this day.
The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund was founded in 2007 in loving memory of twenty-two year old Krysta Hankee. The Fund has three missions: to maintain & support the “Krysta Cares (KC) Flight Club” initiative for the purpose of identifying needs within the community, partnering with service providers & awarding Giant Gas gift cards for specific purposes identified & supported by the Board; to provide leadership and community service scholarships to worthy students in Northwestern Lehigh School District and Lehigh Carbon Community College; and to increase organ donation awareness and registration, as Krysta was a donor and, in her passing, saved the lives of five others.
“We are fortunate to have a Chamber that takes the time and effort to recognize the individuals, businesses and non-profits who work hard to build a better community,” said Bill and Chris Hankee of the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund.
“All three of our awardees hold the spirit of community close to their hearts and have family legacy that ties them to our community at their core,” said Kylie Adams-Weiss, Assistant Vice President of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce. “The Greater Northern Lehigh region is one that echoes these sentiments – it’s a place that our families invest in, work in, grow in, and do business in. We’re excited to be able to shine a spotlight on the businesses and individuals who embody the spirit of our community in such genuine ways.”
For 29 years, the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit Awards have celebrated individuals and organizations that have created a lasting impact within our community; the award looks for organizations that commit to making the area a great place to work and live.
For more information about Greater Northern Lehigh’s Spirit Awards or to purchase tickets, please visit the Greater Northern Lehigh’s website at: https://web.lehighvalleychamber.org/events/2022-Spirit-Awards-GNLCC–838469/details
Please note: An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending a Chamber event or meeting, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce including partnerships; the event venue; or other parties such as caterer or production company; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers liable for any illness or injury.
When: June 18, 2022 from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Pricing Information: $40 Individual Member Rate/$75 Couple Member Rate; $50 Individual Future-Member Rate/$90 Couple Future-Member Rate.
Sponsors (as of 5/19/2022):
Premier Sponsor: Ironton Telephone
Music Sponsor: Heintzelman Funeral Homes (Schnecksville), Extraordinary Smiles
Gold Sponsor: Neffs National Bank, Keystone Technology LLC
Cocktail Sponsor: Eight Oaks Farm Distillery, Service Electric
Bronze Sponsor: Rentschler’s Auto, Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund
Photography Sponsor: Mike Robinson Productions
Printing Sponsor: EBC Printing
About the Chamber: The mission of The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce is to improve the economy and quality of life in the Lehigh Valley Metropolitan Area. We accomplish this through business-to-business networking events and marketing products, affinity programs and exclusive, money saving member benefits, training programs, government affairs initiatives and public policy advocacy, and community development enterprises. With nearly 5,000 members who employ more than 200,000, the Chamber is the largest in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in the top ten nationwide.
Information provided to TVL by:
Kylie Adams-Weiss
AVP, Director of Marketing & Design (Affiliated Chambers)
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/
