THE R.K. LAROS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR 2019
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-April 15, 2020
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 its response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has deeply challenged our Bethlehem nonprofits.
25 Grants to support operating expenses during the COVID-19 crisis were awarded this week to the following organizations:
ArtsQuest, Bach Choir of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Public Library, Bethlehem YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem, CACLV, Historic Bethlehem Partnership, Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Valley Children's Centers, Meals on Wheels, Miller-Keystone Blood Bank, Moravian College, NCC, New Bethany Ministries, NMIH, Northeast Community Center, Rosemont Lutheran, SLUHN, Stephen’s Place, Touchstone Theatre, Truth for Women, Valley Youth House, VAST, Via of the Lehigh Valley and Victory House.
The leadership and trustees of the Laros Foundation believe these organizations, among many others, are on the front lines of this global pandemic. Every day they are meeting the existing and newly emergent needs in our community by providing emergency support for health care, food, housing, and ongoing education needs. In some cases, our nonprofits are continuing to nourish our souls with music, performances and websites providing teaching and learning support for children and youth working to complete their school year from home. The Foundation is grateful for the heroic work of our Bethlehem nonprofits and for the ingenuity and collaboration they are bringing to this crisis.
“We take great inspiration for this emergency effort from our founder, my grandfather, Russell K. Laros,” said R. K. Laros Foundation III, Foundation Chair. “R. K. Laros was an extraordinarily compassionate man who cared deeply for his employees and his community, even amidst the Great Depression. I am confident that if he were with us today, he would be first in line to do whatever he could for the community during this present crisis.”
The R.K. Laros Foundation traditionally provides grant support with a focus on enduring capital projects for community impact in the Bethlehem Area. Grant proposals will be accepted September 8 - September 22 in 2020. 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
