Via of the Lehigh Valley Honors Local Employees and Employers
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. Via provides Children’s Services, Employment Programs, Community Based Services and Residential Programs.

Via Community Employee Recognition Award
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.

• Andy Klusaritz Team:
  • Brooke Snyder, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Dyanne Podwika, Lehigh County Office of Mental Health & Retardation
  • Dennis Klusaritz, Andy’s brother
    

For more information, contact:
Lisa Walkiewicz, Communications Director
L.Walkiewicz@vianet.org | 484-893-5390