A local Philanthropist and a Team that gives \u201ca hand up, not a hand out\u201c were honored today for their work in the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n
Friends of the Allentown Parks, a non-profit that supports programs in Allentown\u2019s parks, held its inaugural Awards Luncheon Thursday at Cedar Crest College.<\/p>\n
They celebrated green spaces that have been transformed into gathering places: areas where families create memories, neighbors connect, and nature thrives in the heart of our city.<\/p>\n
Philanthropist\u00a0Barbara Bigelow<\/a>\u00a0was honored for her dedication to promoting the parks.\u00a0 Bigelow moved from Alaska to the Lehigh Valley in 1990 to become the first female Finance Director for the City of Allentown.\u00a0 She also served as the first female Finance Director for the County of Northampton and a Vice President at Easton Hospital.<\/p>\n Along with an illustrious career breaking glass ceilings, Barbara made a difference in her community with her philanthropic work. She became involved in the Sinfonia Orchestra, Girls Scouts, Red Cross, YWCA, Rotary Club and Meals on Wheels and many more.<\/p>\n Barbara was married to Leon Peters prior to his passing.\u00a0 Now she and her German Shepherd, Ziva David, walk Cedar Creek Park at least twice a day.\u00a0 She is known to many of the dog walkers there as she always carries treats for every pup she meets. Barbara\u2019s heart of gold and generous spirit are the reasons she\u2019s this year\u2019s Growing Together Awards Recipient.<\/p>\n Also honored Thursday was the\u00a0Allentown Rescue Mission\u2019s Clean Team Workforce, LLC<\/a>.\u00a0 The Clean Team Workforce, LLC is a workforce development program that is offered to graduates of the mission\u2019s Transformation Program. Participants are paid above the minimum wage and work in the community while learning valuable life skills and workplace values.<\/p>\n Money earned by Clean Team Workforce, LLC members is saved in an Allentown Rescue Mission supervised custodial account until the men earn enough savings to fund the first and last month\u2019s rent for an apartment in the community to complete the transformation from unemployed and homeless to employed and living independently.<\/p>\n About Friends of the Allentown Parks<\/strong><\/p>\n The Friends of the Allentown Parks is a 501c3 Nonprofit organization that works to preserve, protect and enhance the Allentown Parks. In 2025 we started Science in the Park partnering with Da Vinci Science Center as well as a Yoga in the Park program.\u00a0 Money raised at the luncheon will go towards continuing and expanding both of these programs and more.<\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A local Philanthropist and a Team that gives \u201ca hand up, not a hand out\u201c were honored today for their work in the Lehigh Valley. Friends of the Allentown Parks, … Continue reading Friends of the Allentown Parks celebrates those who keep our parks vibrant, beautiful and welcoming for all<\/span>
\nJamie Snyder<\/p>\n