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March 22, 2021 (BETHLEHEM, PA) \u2013 Via announced today that the 2021 St. Luke\u2019s Via Marathon will not take place this fall due to the uncertainty surrounding the possibility of safely holding a large event that takes more than a year of planning and significant resources to execute.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic has led us to take make difficult decisions important in allowing us to continue to fulfill our mission of helping people with developmental and intellectual disabilities reach their full potential within new financial and safety constraints,\u201d said Lisa Walkiewicz, President and CEO of Via of the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the last 12 months, we have worked diligently to ensure that the essential services Via provides for individuals with disabilities and their families remain in place.\u00a0 It is vital that Via concentrates on its core mission and focus on continuing to support the most vulnerable members of our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe planning for the St. Luke\u2019s Via Marathon is a year-long endeavor.\u00a0 With the uncertainty of the past year, we simply could not dedicate our limited resources to planning an event that could be canceled by factors outside of our control at any time.\u00a0 Therefore, we have made the difficult decision not to hold the St. Luke\u2019s Via Marathon this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand why the St. Luke\u2019s Via Marathon cannot take place this year,\u201d said Ken Szydlow, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network. \u00a0\u201cWe are proud to partner with Via of the Lehigh Valley to ensure that people with developmental and intellectual disabilities live fulfilling lives as vital members of our community.\u00a0 We will continue to support this mission and hope other sponsors of the Marathon join us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are so thankful to all of our community partners who have stepped up to directly fund our services during this crisis,\u201d Walkiewicz said. \u201cThis financial support has helped us weather this storm and we know we will come out of this stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n
Participants who have deferred from 2020 to 2021 will have the option to convert their registration fee to a 100% tax deductible donation to Via of the Lehigh Valley or request a refund.\u00a0 Runners who have deferred to 2021 or signed up for the Double Half Challenge will receive an email with further information.<\/p>\n
About Via of the Lehigh Valley<\/strong><\/p>\n Serving our community since 1952, Via helps people reach their full potential.\u00a0 Via provides services to 1,250 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, Bucks and Berks counties.\u00a0 These services include vocational exploration, community employment, educational activities, volunteer and recreational opportunities for teens and adults, and early intervention therapies and inclusive education for young children.\u00a0 Visit www.ViaNet.org<\/a> to learn more about Via\u2019s services and how you can help.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" March 22, 2021 (BETHLEHEM, PA) \u2013 Via announced today that the 2021 St. Luke\u2019s Via Marathon will not take place this fall due to the uncertainty surrounding the possibility … Continue reading 2021 St. Luke\u2019s Via Marathon Will Not Take Place<\/span>
\nInformation provided to TVL by:
\nMichele Grasso, MPA
\nVice President of Development & Communications
\nVia of the Lehigh Valley
\nhttp:\/\/www.ViaNet.org\/<\/a>
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