From left: Mike Brady, Tim Reppert Jr, Emily Conners, Chris Kelly, Mike Starner, Matt Galle, Christina Schoemaker and Max Paine
in front of one of the newly remodeled cabins at Valley Youth House’s Camp Fowler.

 

Lehigh Valley, PA – March 21, 2022 – Service Electric Cable TV & Communications continues to strengthen its relationship with Valley Youth House through a $50,000 donation of services and equipment to enable internet in the cabins at Camp Fowler. This is part of an ongoing alliance between the two organizations aimed at providing support to youth served by Valley Youth House experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, and loss of family connections.

The relationship began almost two decades ago, and has continued to grow, with Service Electric providing more than three million dollars through charity events, donated services, equipment and monetary gifts. This project involved installing high-speed internet via point-to-multipoint wireless connections where traditional wired connections would have been less prudent. This connects Trexler Hall Conference Center and seven sleeping cabins on the 43 acre campus of open and wooded spaces that make up Camp Fowler in Orefield, PA.

“It was a pleasure to be involved in helping to modernize Camp Fowler,” noted Phil Carpenter, Commercial Sales Manager for Service Electric. “We are truly a part of the Greater Lehigh Valley – much more than just a cable and Internet provider. One of our core values is to support our community, and we can do this by effecting positive change in young people and giving them a brighter future. Our relationship with Valley Youth House helps us to achieve that goal.”

In addition to projects like this one, Service Electric is also the presenting sponsor for The John E. Walson, Jr. Memorial Golf & Pickleball Tournament, benefiting Valley Youth House. The annual event, named in memory of the former President of Service Electric, will take place on June 6, 2022 at Lehigh Country Club.

“Valley Youth House greatly appreciates the long-standing partnership and continued contributions of Service Electric and their team of talented professionals,” said Christina J. Schoemaker, SVP, Development, Grants, & Marketing at Valley Youth House. “The WiFi installed by Service Electric will help our master’s-level therapists and coordinators facilitate STEM, Arts, and Leadership Camps for thousands of campers in the years to come.  At Valley Youth House, we envision a world in which every young person belongs to a nurturing community.  We are so thankful for Service Electric’s commitment to youth and families in our community and their partnership in our vision for the future of Camp Fowler.”

Service Electric will continue supporting Valley Youth House and other nonprofit organizations throughout the region as part of their mission to give back to the community.

 

About Service Electric Cable TV and Communications

In 1948, John Walson ran a cable to connect his appliance store in Mahanoy City, PA to an antenna tower on top of a nearby mountain, eventually connecting homes in the community. As a result, the cable television industry was started in America. This model was copied throughout the country in areas where TV reception was difficult or impossible. Service Electric is also the birthplace of Home Box Office (HBO), launching the country’s first premium subscription service in the Wilkes-Barre market in 1972. Mr. Walson was guided by one fundamental principle;  people wanted quality access to television and his duty was to provide it. Still family owned, Service Electric continues to build its positive reputation in the community and the cable industry, offering a variety of TV, Internet, telephone and telecommunication services. www.sectv.com

 

About Valley Youth House

Valley Youth House does more than just provide homes for Pennsylvania’s vulnerable, abused, and homeless youth. They partner with thousands of individuals each year to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. With dedicated street outreach, housing, counseling, skills training, health, prevention, and intervention services, Valley Youth House empowers resilient young people in establishing promising futures.
valleyyouthhouse.org

 

About Camp Fowler

Valley Youth House owns and operates Camp Fowler, a 43-acre property located in Orefield, PA. Camp programming provides outdoor therapeutic recreation and promotes healing and growth through adventure-based activities and experiential learning. Campers experience breakthroughs and healing, resulting in behavioral changes that lead to their future growth. The camp serves youth of all ages with a focus on those who would otherwise not have access to camp experiences. This population includes low-income children and youth, youth in foster care, and homeless youth, many of which have experienced significant trauma in their lives.

To learn more about Camp Fowler and Valley Youth House, please contact Christina Schoemaker at 610-820-0166 or cschoemaker@valleyyouthhouse.org