The Bethlehem based Helen & R.K.Laros Foundation, established in 1952 by Laros Silk Company Founder and Owner R.K.Laros and his wife Helen, announces the Annual Founders Award recognizing Bob Rapp, Executive Director of Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering.
The Foundation Chair R.K.Laros III, and Vice Chair Laura Bennett Shelton and Foundation Trustees gathered with this year’s recipients at a virtual event on 1.17.23 to recognize this year’s recipients and to announce the 2024 Founders Award honoree.
The Founders Award recognizes the Founders, Helen & R.K.Laros as faithful nd continuous supporters of their community and is only awarded when the board sees an example of the Founders’ commitment in Bethlehem. Past recipients of the Founders Award include Jeff Parks, ArtsQuest Visionary & Founder, Bonnie Coyle Board Member and tireless leader for the Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley, & Diane LaBelle innovative Executive Director Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts.
The Trustees are glad to recognize Bob Rapp, Executive Director of Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering of Bethlehem who has consistently demonstrated a deep and unwavering commitment to the Bethlehem community and especially to those among us who most need our support. Bob has been an untiring and vocal advocate for the homeless and he makes a difference each and every day in their lives and to their future. Bob Bapp unequivocally invests himself in making Bethlehem a stronger community for us all.
Since 1952 the Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation has provided grant support with a focus on enduring capital projects that will have significant community impact in the Bethlehem Area. The Foundation has distributed $9 million in support to over 150 organizations. For more information about grant opportunities or the Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation contact Executive Director Sharon Jones Zondag at larosfoundation.org
Bob Rapp, Executive Director of Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering
