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February 20, 2007
BETHLEHEM, PA – On Friday, February
23, 2007, Via of the Lehigh Valley, Inc., celebrated its annual
Employee & Employer Recognition Awards at the Banana Factory
in Bethlehem. This year’s event was sponsored by the
Harold S. Campbell Foundation.
“We are excited to be here today to honor local businesses,
supporters of Via’s employment programs and Via’s
consumers who are receiving recognition awards today,”
said Chuck Stehly, Vi of the Lehigh Valley Board Chairman.
“Via of the Lehigh Valley strives to provide leadership,
support, opportunities and resources for people with disabilities
so that they may be independent, productive and enjoy full
lives within the community. Ensuring that employment is available
for all people is one step in that direction.”
Congressman Charlie Dent of the 15th Congressional District,
delivered the keynote address focusing on support in hiring
people with disabilities and recognizing the employment partnerships
of Lehigh Valley businesses and the outstanding workforce
contributions of employees. Congressman Charlie Dent and representatives
from Senator Lisa Boscola, Senator Pat Browne, Senator Robert
Wonderling and Senator Jane Rhoades presented citations to
the honorees.
“We have a unique situation this year,” said Via
of the Lehigh Valley President & CEO, Ronald Rucker. “Nearly
all the employers being recognized today also have employees
who are receiving awards.”
“The Via Employer Recognition Award is given to companies
who show high levels of leadership and partnership ensuring
that employment is available for all people who want to work,”
said Rucker.
Recipients of this year’s award were TGI Friday's in
Easton, the Olive Garden in Whitehall, Ollie's Bargain Outlet
in Allentown, Unclaimed Freight in Allentown, and DELTA Industries
in Allentown.
“ The Via Employee Recognition Award is given to Via
consumers who have demonstrated a high level of dedication
to employment and serve as role models for all people who
want to work,” said Rucker. Awards were presented to
Andy Klusaritz, Donna Benner, Larry Ehrie, Lillie Lewis and
Mark Van Dyke.
The Via Community Partner Award was presented to Pat Schantzenbach,
Northampton County Mental Retardation Services, and Sandy
Magill, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, for showing a
high level of leadership and innovation in ensuring employment
is available. The Via Educational Leadership Award for educators
who show a high level of leadership and innovation in preparing
students for employment was given to Dr. Gail Vogel, Colonial
Intermediate School District 20.
“Via has enjoyed a very fruitful relationship with the
staff, students and families associated with Colonial Intermediate
School District 20,” said Rucker. “We find more
students graduating each year well prepared for employment
and often already successfully working.”
Via also presented the Via Team Work Award given to Via consumers’
team members who show a high level of commitment, resourcefulness
and innovation. This was presented to Andy Klusaritz’s
Team: Brooke Snyder, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation,
Dyanne Podwika, Lehigh County Office of Mental Health &
Retardation and Dennis Klusaritz, Andy’s brother.
“A lot of work has gone into helping Andy maintain his
job over the last two and a half years,” said Rucker.
“During this time, his family has provided an incredible
amount of support and his brother, Dennis, has been his biggest
cheerleader. Dennis works with family, neighbors and friends
to coordinate transportation so Andy is able to get to work.”
Via of the Lehigh Valley is a non-profit human service agency
that provides support services to children and adults with
developmental and physical disabilities, such as cerebral
palsy, autism, spina bifida, down syndrome, traumatic brain
injury and mental retardation. Via provides Children’s
Services, Employment Programs, Community Based Services and
Residential Programs.
¨ Via Community Employee Recognition Award
ð Awarded to Via consumers who have demonstrated a high
level of dedication to employment and serve as role models
for all people who want to work.
¦ Andy Klusaritz from Slatington
· Employer: Weiss King’s on Macarthur Road in
Whitehall
¦ Donna Benner from Allentown
· Employer: Olive Garden on Grape Street in Whitehall
¦ Larry Ehrie from Easton
· Employer: Ollie’s Bargain Outlet on Catasauqua
Road in Allentown
¦ Lillie Lewis from Easton
· Employer: TGI Friday’s on Southmont Way in
Easton
¨ ViaWorks Community Employee Recognition Award
ð Awarded to Via consumers who have demonstrated a high
level of dedication to employment and serve as role models
for all people who want to work.
¦ Mark Van Dyke from Easton, Delta Industries on Ruppsville
Road in Allentown
¨ Via Employer Award
ð Awarded to companies who show high levels of leadership
and partnership ensuring that employment is available for
all people who want to work.
¦ TGI Friday's
· Southmont Way in Easton, represented by Jim Davis,
manager
¦ Olive Garden
· Grape Street in Whitehall, represented by Steven
Klopp, manager
¦ Ollie's Bargain Outlet
· Catasauqua Road in Allentown, represented by Pat
Bower, manager
¦ Unclaimed Freight
· Industrial Drive in Allentown, represented by Fiona
Eskow, human resources
¨ Via Works Employer Award
ð Awarded to companies who show high levels of leadership
and partnership ensuring that employment is available for
all people who want to work.
¦ DELTA Industries
· Ruppsville Road in Allentown, represented by Ivan
Castro, production manager
¨ Via Educational Leadership Award
ð Awarded to educators who show a high level of leadership
and innovation in preparing students for employment and ensuring
employment is available for all people who want to work.
¦ Dr. Gail Vogel, Colonial Intermediate School District
20
¨ Via Community Partners Award
ð Awarded to community partners who show a high level
of leadership and innovation in ensuring employment is available
for all people who want to work.
¦ Pat Schantzenbach, Northampton County Mental Retardation
Services
¦ Sandy Magill, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
¨ Via Employment Team Work Award
ð Awarded to Via consumers’ Team Members who show
a high level of commitment, resourcefulness and innovation
in ensuring employment is available for all people who want
to work.
ð Andy Klusaritz Team:
¦ Brooke Snyder, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
¦ Dyanne Podwika, Lehigh County Office of Mental Health
& Retardation
¦ Dennis Klusaritz, Andy’s brother
Lisa Walkiewicz
Communications Director
484-893-5390
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