The R.K.Laros Foundation Awards a $25,000 grant to support ArtsQuest’s current Capital Campaign on 1.17.19. The foundation grant will be part of the restoration and preservation of the historic Bethlehem Steel Turn and Grind Shop to expand venue space in providing access to art, culture and educational programs for the diverse residents of the Lehigh Valley and others who seek access to our community.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE R.K. LAROS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR 2017
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-January 22,2019
The Bethlehem based, R.K.Laros Foundation, established in 1952 by Laros Silk Mill Founder and Owner R.K.Laros and his wife Helen, announces the annual award of grants to 8 local non-profit organizations.
Grants were awarded to the following nonprofit organizations: ArtsQuest, $25,000 to support their current capital campaign and specifically the restoration of the Turn and Grind Shop honoring ArtsQuest founder and visionary Jeff Parks; Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, $15,000 for outside repair of the Forte Building on Southside Bethlehem; Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley, $20,000 to install an ADA compliant handicapped ramp at the Senior Center and honoring longtime Hispanic Center leader and SLUHN Physician Dr. Bonnie Coyle; Northampton Community College, $30,000 for the current capital campaign renovations to the Fowler Campus to establish and develop a resource center where prospective and current students and visitors can learn about the college’s diverse educational offerings, career assessment tools and financial aid resources; Northeast Ministries, $35,000 for the installation of a comprehensive security system; St. Luke’s University Health Network, $20,000 for the addition of an anatomage table; Touchstone Theatre, $2,500 for the replacement of an HVAC system; Lehigh University, $35,000 to support the current preservation and renovations of University Center and the establishment of an annual Entrepreneurship Award honoring R.K.Laros. Foundation Trustees will present the grants throughout January 2018.
The R.K. Laros Foundation provides grant support with a focus on enduring capital projects with community impact in the Bethlehem Area. Grant proposals will be accepted September 10 - September 24th in 2019. Grant applications are available on the foundation website http://www.larosfoundation.org
For more information about grant opportunities or the R.K. Laros Foundation contact Executive Director Sharon Jones Zondag at larosfoundation.org
Touchstone Theatre Grant Presentation by Trustees Elizabeth Shimer Bowrers, Ron Donchez and Laurie Hackett to Artistic Director Lisa Jordan and Bill George Touchstone Co Founder on 1.17.19 to replace an aging HVAC.
Trustees Elizabeth Shimer Bowers, Diane Donaher and Ron Donchez present a grant on 1.17.19 to Past Director Northeast Ministries Ann Gibson and Executive Director Paula Johnson to install a comprehensive security system at the site.
Trustee George Mowrer and Vice Chair Laura Bennett Shelton on 1.24.19 present the grant to CACLV Executive Director Alan Jennings to support outside repairs to the Forte Building.
Trustee George Mowrer and Executive Director Sharon Zondag present the Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley Grant at the Senior Center on January 18th, 2019 a grant to install an ADA compliant handicapped access ramp at the center.
Foundation Vice Chair Laura Bennett Shelton and Trustees Diane Donaher and Robert Bilheimer on 1.18.19 present the grant to Northampton Community College President Mark Erickson and Vice President Workforce Development Lauren Loeffler to support the establishment of a Resource Center at the Fowler Campus..
R.K.Laros’ great granddaughter Elizabeth Shimer Bowers with Trustees Laurie Gostley Hackett and Dr. Michael Abgott presents the 2018 grant to Carla Arbushites Asst VP Development and Megan Augustine Network Simulation Director SLUHN on January 17th, 2019 in support of the purchase of a virtual anatomy table..
