Helen & R.K.Laros Trustees visit the historic Bethlehem Traditional Christmas Putz
The Trustees visited the traditional Moravian Putz at Moravian Central’s Education Building on 12.1.23 and were able to enjoy the presentation thousands of visitors see each year.
Site Visit 11.30.22 to the Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem
The Laros Trustees met with Executive Director Winston Alozie to review the HVAC project funded in part with 2021 Helen & R.K.Laros Foundation support.
The Helen & R.K.Laros Foundation Trustees Visit the Bethlehem Food Co-op Construction Site
On a rainy November 2022 morning Laros Trustees were joined on a site visit by Bethlehem Food Coop Chair Carol Ritter, current Bethlehem Mayor Willie Reynolds & past Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan
Trustees hearing an update on the construction of the Bethlehem Food Co-op. The Co-op continues to add new members and now exceeds over 1000 paid memberships.
R.K.Laros III in Bethlehem 2022
R.K.Laros III & Wendy Laros Visit the Laros Lofts on Broad Street on November 30, 2023
Laros Lofts Bethlehem 11.30.23. R.K.III and Wendy at the original Executive entrance. The Laros Silk Mill was built in 1919 by R.K.Laros
Laros Lofts R.K.Laros III Chair Helen & R.K.Laros Foundation, Laros Foundation Executive Director Sharon Zondag and Wendy Laros
Helen & R.K.Laros Trustees Announce t2022 Grants
The Trustees of the Helen & R.K.Laros Foundation in front of the 1919 Laros Silk Company on December 2, 2022, after their annual board meeting. The meeting was held at the Bethlehem YMCA.
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, announced today the annual award of grants for the grant year 2022 to 15 local non-profit organizations.
The Foundation Chair R.K.Laros III and Vice Chair Laura Bennett Shelton & Foundation Trustees gathered with this year’s recipients at a virtual event on 1.25.23 to recognize this year’s recipients and the 2023 Founders Award.
Grants totaling $185,500 were approved by the Board of Trustees of the Helen & R.K.Laros Foundation at their annual board meeting on December 2, 2022, and were awarded in January 2023 to the following nonprofit organizations:
ArtsQuest a $20,000 grant supporting the new Cultural Arts Center, Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering $5,500 for 2022-2023 operating support, Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem $11,000 to complete a comprehensive HVAC overhaul and honoring Executive Director Winston Alozie with the Foundation’s Founders Award, Central Moravian Church $7,500 to support the replacement of aging infrastructure for the annual Community Putz, Community Action Lehigh Valley $12,000 to make updates to the Forte Building including energy efficiency lighting, Godfrey Daniels $6,000 for the replacement of aged flooring, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network $15,000 for the new Center Valley Hospital, Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley $8,000 for increased costs to HVAC repairs & replacement, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites $15,000 to sponsor the upcoming exhibit, The Story of Silk, Kindness Project $1,000 honoring Trustee George Mowrer for his 20 years of service to the foundation, Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, Inc. $15,000 to support for the renovations to the playground at the Fountain Hill Children’s Center, Miller-Keystone Blood Center $10,000 for the Trima Accel Automated Blood Collection, Northampton Community College $25,000 to expand the Dental Hygeine Clinic at the Fowler Family Southside Center, Northeast Community Center $34,000 to repurpose the foyer at the Miller Heights facility, YMCA $500 in gratitude for hosting the foundation’s 2022 annual meeting.
The Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation provides grant support with a focus on enduring capital projects that will have significant community impact in the Bethlehem Area. The grant application for 2023 and additional details are available on the foundation website http://www.larosfoundation.org
For more information about grant opportunities or the Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation contact Executive Director Sharon Jones Zondag at larosfoundation.org
As part of our 70th anniversary year, the Laros Foundation announces an historic name change
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE R.K. LAROS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NAME CHANGE
as part of our 70th Anniversary Year
June 15, 2022
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania - R.K.Laros III, Chair and the Trustees of the Bethlehem-based R.K.Laros Foundation, established in 1952 by Laros Silk Company founder and owner R.K.Laros and his wife Helen, announces a name change. The name change comes during the Foundation’s 70th anniversary year and recognizes the significant contributions of Helen Laros to the development of the foundation and its philanthropic mission in the community.
The Foundation’s name effective 3.31.22 is
Helen & R.K.Laros Foundation
The Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation provides grant support with a focus on enduring capital projects with significant community impact in the Bethlehem Area. Since 1952 the foundation has supported 150 nonprofit organizations, primarily in Bethlehem Pennsylvania distributing $8.5 million in support.
The grant application for the 2022 cycle and additional details are available on the Foundation website http://www.larosfoundation.org
For more information about grant opportunities or the Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation contact Executive Director Sharon Jones Zondag at larosfoundation.org
Helen & R.K.Laros Trustees at Sunset Acres in Bethlehem, Pa., the Laros Estate owned by Vice-Chair Laura Bennett Shelton on 12.3.21. Laura is the Granddaughter in-law of Helen & R.K. Laros.
The R.K.Laros Foundation Begins 70th Anniversary Year
The R.K.Laros Foundation hosted a virtual event attended by Trustees and nonprofits receiving grants to award the 2021 grants to the community and announce their momentous name change. The Board of Trustees has approved the change to the Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation to honor the contributions of Helen Laros both to the foundations’ origins and to its enduring commitments to the community over 70 years. 19 grants were awarded at the January 26th, 2022 event.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE R.K. LAROS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 70th Anniversary Year
and 2021 GRANTS
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-January 13, 2022
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 recognition and celebration of their 70th anniversary year and the annual award of grants this year to 19 local non-profit organizations.
The Foundation Chair R.K.Laros III, and Vice Chair Laura Bennett Shelton & Foundation Trustees will gather with this year’s recipients at a virtual event on 1.26.22 to launch the 70th anniversary year.
Grants totaling $232,900 approved by the Board of Trustees of the R.K.Laros Foundation at their annual board meeting on December 3, 2021, will be awarded in January 2022 to the following nonprofit organizations:
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem a $10,000 contribution to the Giving Bach Campaign in support of the Artistic Director & Conductor Endowment Fund honoring retiring Artistic Director, Greg Funfgeld, Bethlehem Area Public Library $10,000 to support the costs to upgrade the audio/visual capabilities in its meeting rooms at the Main Library, Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering, Inc. $10,000 to support the operating costs of the shelter during the 2021-2022 winter months, Bethlehem Food Co-Op $10,000 to support the costs of the Community Room at the new 250 East Broad Street location, Bloom, formerly known as Truth for Women $10,000 to support the costs of replacing windows & doors at two of Bloom’s residences, Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem $20,000 to support the costs of system upgrades for heating and lighting in their program spaces at the 52-year-old clubhouse, the Bethlehem Branch of the Greater Lehigh Valley YMCA, $20,000 to support the costs of Phase II of the Bethlehem Branch Child Care Center, Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley $10,000 to support the costs of installing a new air conditioning unit at Basilio Huertas Senior Center at HCLV, Kellyn Foundation $10,000 to support the costs of purchasing two cooler units to support the strategy of providing fresh, local, non-local produce & healthy Lifestyle Medicine Meals, Lehigh University $20,000 as part of the Foundation’s Associate next generation Trustee program supporting Outfit supporting the establishment of the brand new food pantry at Fountain Hill Elementary School, the R.K.Laros Foundation Endowed Prize for Entrepreneurship, Creativity & Innovation & Sponsorship of the the Lehigh University Community Service Office’s Livin LaVida Lehigh for 50 Broughal Middle School students to experience what it is like to be a college student for a day at Lehigh, Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley $10,000 to endow in perpetuity the Laros Family Volunteer Award, National Museum of Industrial History, $15,000 to support the costs of vertical access to the second floor by installing two elevators, shaft walls, door frames & metal pan stairs on either end of the facility, New Bethany Ministries $20,000 to support the costs of replacing the flooring in the Transitional Housing Program, Rosemont Lutheran Church $15,000 to support the costs of replacing the existing windows in Laros Hall with more energy-efficient windows and installing french drains on the lower level, St. Luke’s University Network Hospital $10,000 to support the costs of purchasing a new dental van to serve students in the Bethlehem School District to positively impact overall health with accessible dental care, Stephen’s Place $10,000 to support the costs of remodeling the residents’ second-floor bathroom, Touchstone Theatre $2,900 to support the costs of the installation of a recovery ventilator with fresh air exchanges to the recently installed HVAC unit (also R.K.Laros Foundation supported) that heats & cools the theatre, United Way of the Lehigh Valley a $10,000 contribution to the 2021 Campaign chaired by long-serving Laros Foundation Trustee, Laurie Gostley Hackett, honoring her commitment, dedication and service to the R.K.Laros Foundation, Valley Youth House $10,000 to support the costs of adding wood decking to the base of the Archery Range pavilion.
The R.K. Laros Foundation provides grant support with a focus on enduring capital projects with significant community impact in the Bethlehem Area. The grant application for 2022 and additional details 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
The R.K.Laros Foundation Annual Meeting 2021
The annual R.K.Laros Foundation was hosted by the Friends of the Bethlehem Mounted Police on December 3, 2021 for their Annual Meeting.
Top Row (L-R) Wendy Laros, Vice Chair Laura Bennett Shelton & Chair R.K.Laros III Second Row (L-R) Trustee Scott Mardis, R.K.Laros Great Grandson, Philadelphia Trust Founder & CEO Michael Crofton, Diane Mack Board Chair FOBMP, Tom Tenges, Retired FOBMP Chair & FOMBP Board Member Marissa Zondag, Marissa & Executive Director Sharon Zondag Third Row (L-R) Board meeting, Trustee Ron Madison and Trustees George Mowrer & Diane Donaher
Kolbe Academy Commencement for the Academy’s 2nd Graduating Class on June 7th, 2021
R.K.Laros Foundation Trustee, Ron Madison, attended the Kolbe Academy Graduation on June 7th, 2021.
Principal John Petruzzelli presenting diploma to graduating senior Gabriel Shellock of the Class of 2021.
R.K.Laros Foundation Honors Alan Jennings Retirement & 41 years of service to CACLV
The R.K.Laros Foundation presented Alan Jennings and his soon to be successor, Dawn Godshall, with a $25,000 unrestricted grant at a gathering of trustees at the Laros Estate on May 25th, 2021. The grant honors Alan’s service and commitment and the inestimable legacy he leaves behind to a grateful Lehigh Valley. Foundation Chair R. Keller Laros III and Vice Chair Laura Bennett Shelton presented the grant and an unexpected gift of a Grateful Dead concert tee. Alan’s love for the Grateful Dead, and his community, endures.
L-R Associate Trustees Truman Shelton & Janelle Laros, Vice Chair Laura Bennett Shelton, Trustees Diane Donaher, George Mowrer, Elizabeth Shimer Bowers, CACLV Executive Director Alan Jennings, Laros Foundation Chair R .Keller Laros III, CACLV successor to Alan Jennings, Dawn Godshall, Laros Trustee Robert Bilheimer, Wendy Laros and Trustee Ron Madison
R.K.Laros III makes visit to Bethlehem 2021
While in town for Associate Trustees Janelle Laros’ and Truman Shelton Lehigh University graduations, R.Keller Laros III had time for a stop in downtown Bethlehem.
Hotel Bethlehem and R.Keller Laros III with Jeff Parks book on the dynamic reimagination of Bethlehem, PA after Bethlehem Steel, “Stronger than Steel”
R.K.Laros Trustees Make Site Visits on May 25th, 2021
Laros Chair, R. Keller Laros III, Wendy Laros, Associate Trustee Janelle Laros, Trustees Elizabeth Shimer Bowers, Ron Donchez, Ron Madison and George Mower visited projects that received grant support for capital projects in 2019 and 2020 from the Laros Foundation. Visits included the YMCA Greater Lehigh Valley Bethlehem to the entirely re-envisioned childcare center (in progress), Meals on Wheels Greater Lehigh Valley at their new Lehigh Valley hub (in progress) and the Bethlehem Mounted Police to see their recently completed annex to store equipment and provide space for community events.
YMCA Greater Lehigh Valley Visit 430 East Broad Street Bethlehem
L-R Top Image YMCA Greater LV CEO David Fagerstrom, Philadelphia Trust Founder Michael Crofton, Trustees Ron Madison, Elizabeth Shimer Bowers, Laros Foundation Chair R.Keller Laros, Wendy Laros, Laros Trustee George Mowrer, YMCA Site Bethlehem Manager Tiffany Henning. R.K.Laros, the Founder of the R.K.Laros Foundation in painting behind. Laros was a founder and key fundraiser for the Bethlehem site dedicated in 1951.
Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley 1302 Sherman Street Allentown
CEO Vicki Coyle, Director of Development Cori Rolon led the tour of the new Greater LV facility for Meals on Wheels. Trustees on the visit, Chair R.K.Laros III, and Trustees Elizabeth Shimer Bowers, Ron Madison, George Mowrer. Joining the visit were Wendy Laros and Philadelphia Trust Founder Michael Crofton.
R.K.Laros III, after the site visit May 27th, writes, “For decades Meals on Wheels has served the Greater Lehigh Valley. The R.K. Laros Foundation is very happy to help Meals on Wheels create this new state-of-the-art location that will allow volunteers, employees and management to increase efficiency in a more comfortable and convenient location and thereby better serve the thousands of people who depend of Meals on Wheels for food and so much more.”
Bethlehem Mounted Police Visit with L-R top image Trustees George Mowrer, Ron Madison, Officer Albert Strydesky leading the tour, Chair R.Keller Laros and Wendy Laros. But, we all know, the horses were the stars. Asa, the horse donated by Lehigh University, received special attention.
Bethlehem Mounted Police 615 E. Langhorne, Bethlehem
R.K.Laros Associate Trustees Janelle Laros and Truman Shelton Lehigh Grads 2021
Associate Trustees and great grandchildren of R.K. and Helen Laros graduated from Lehigh University on May 24, 2021. Janelle Laros ‘21 has graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture. Truman Shelton has graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Finance. Congratulations to our Associates!
Lehigh University
Laura Bennett Shelton and Truman Shelton, Lehigh Class of ‘21.
Class of 2021
Wendy Laros, Janelle Laros ‘21 and R.Keller Laros III
Lehigh University Class of ‘21 Truman Shelton & Janelle Laros and Class of ‘18 Peik Shelton
R.K.Laros Associate Trustee, Janelle Laros, joins Lehigh Architecture Students in Lehigh Pizza Redesign & Renovation Efforts
Lehigh Pizza, a cornerstone of the South Bethlehem community since 1975, has borne witness firsthand to the transformation of the South Side.
Since adopting its current location in 1996, on the corner of 3rd and New Street, Lehigh Pizza has remained unchanged. Now, however, the restaurant has plans to renovate with the assistance of Lehigh students.
Seven Lehigh students initiated a project to renovate Lehigh Pizza. Janelle Laros, ‘21, an architecture major, started working at Lehigh Pizza last summer as a cashier.
One day during her shift, Laros was approached by one of the owners who asked if she would be willing to aid in the pizzeria’s renovation, knowing she was an architecture major. Eager at the opportunity, Laros agreed.
“I was enthralled with the experience of working there and it is also a very historic building, so I immediately noticed that there is a lot that could be done redesign-wise,” Laros said.
Together, with fellow architecture student Ella Fabozzi, ‘22, the two began writing a proposal to earn academic credit from Lehigh for the project and coordinated with other interested peers.
Seven total students—five architecture and design students, and two business students—have been working throughout the spring semester on this interdisciplinary project to improve the South Bethlehem businesses.
Lehigh Pizza’s owners presented the group with some preliminary requests and a budget of $50,000.
“The goal of the project is to renovate the building and modernize the place, but without losing the South Side feel of it so as to attract more Lehigh students and maintain the South Side community customers,” said architecture major Mika Kossir, ‘21.
The team’s design goals consisted of opening up the interior lobby space, painting the building’s exterior, redesigning new awnings, attempting to buy the adjacent parking lot from the city, creating outdoor dining spaces and recreating the pizza box logo.
Fabozzi said the project posed as a great opportunity for architecture majors to not only get real-life experience, but also to have access to a studio in person, which was an anomaly the past year as most architecture classes were taught remotely due to COVID-19.
The pandemic took an even bigger toll on the group as nearly every member of the group contracted the virus at the beginning of the semester, halting the project’s initial progression.
Fabozzi, Kossir and Laros all agreed that working remotely slowed the team significantly. The team was eventually able to meet on Mountaintop Campus to review critiques and coordinate designs together in a more efficient way.
“If COVID weren’t a thing, then we could all be on Mountaintop Campus in Building C together every day, pulling all-nighters and designing together,” Kossir said.
Progressively throughout the semester the team has coordinated renovation outlines, with the guidance of Fabozzi, who serves as the project’s director of design management, and improved designs with critique from class supervisor, Professor Nik Nikolov, and other Art, Architecture and Design faculty members.
Laros said the team had many design trials and errors within their process, but she said they collectively adopted the mindset of “every no is one step closer to yes.”
“This was a shot in the dark,” Laros said. “We had no idea how this was going to turn out, we are totally admitting to not knowing everything, but we are completely committed to problem solving.”
The project is nearing its end-of-semester presentation, but Laros plans to continue finalizing the designs over the coming summer and into next semester.
She said many people who are interested in helping with the project have reached out to the team.
Fusion, Lehigh’s student-led graphic design agency, also has made a connection with the team and plans to coordinate future efforts to finalize the Lehigh Pizza redesign.
“I am hoping that this is the beginning of more South Side businesses using the resources that Lehigh can offer to them,” Fabozzi said.
Laros, who still works at Lehigh Pizza on the weekends, said the project made her realize how interdisciplinary life is.
She said the project has made her time working at Lehigh Pizza more fun and her time at Lehigh more worthwhile.
“Lehigh has the resources to improve the South Side community,” Laros said. “We must support each other and improve together.”
The Brown and White
Lehigh University
Lehigh Pizza 3rd Street Bethlehem
R.K.Laros Foundation Announces End of Year 2020 Grants
The R.K.Laros Board continues almost 70 years of the commitment of the Foundation Founders in 1952 to support the Bethlehem community with grants that will have a lasting impact to build a stronger, more resilient society.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE R.K. LAROS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GRANTS
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-February 2, 2021
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 9 local non-profit organizations.
Grants approved by the Board of Trustees of the R.K.Laros Foundation at their annual board meeting on November 10th, 2020 were awarded in December 2020 and January 2021 to the following nonprofit organizations: ArtsQuest, $7,000 in support of the HVAC updates in the ArtsQuest center to better control fresh air content, Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley, $3,500 for flooring to extend dance space and a portable barre to meet COVID-19 social distancing requirements and a laptop for virtual learning, Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering, Inc., $10,000, for sheltering operating support for winter 2020-2021 , Kolbe Academy, $4,000 for a packaged air conditioning unit for the Bethlehem Campus, Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, $23,000 to provide support for playground renovations necessitated by COVID-19 requirements at the Fowler Center, Meals on Wheels, $25,000 to contribute to the renovations of the new Lehigh Valley facility , Monocacy Farm Project, $19,000 for the construction of a garage annex for storage of farming equipment, Touchstone Theatre, $5,000 for HVAC replacement for the public spaces at the theatre, Valley Youth House, $10,000 grant for the replacement of a 5 ton cooling shelter at the Bethlehem Shelter.
The R.K. Laros Foundation provides grant support with a focus on enduring capital projects with significant community impact in the Bethlehem Area. The grant application for 2021 and additional details 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
The Bethlehem Mounted Police Break Ground on a New Annex to Store Equipment and Offer Education Opportunities
On Wednesday November 25th, 2020 the Friends of the Bethlehem Mounted Police invited the R.K.Laros Foundation to a groundbreaking for their new annex building that will store necessary farm equipment and include a Community Room. The project was, in part, supported by a grant from the R.K.Laros Foundation. The Friends of Bethlehem Mounted Police expect the building to be completed in time for for a Fall 2021 dedication. Laros Foundation Executive Director joined the mounted unit and leadership for the groundbreaking ceremony.
Friends of Bethlehem Mounted Police Board President Diane Mack, Bethlehem Police Officer Lieutenant Mike Leaser and Laros Foundation Executive Director Sharon Jones Zondag join the Mounted unit to break ground on 11.25.20 for the Barn annex building. Photo by Dana Grubb of the Bethlehem Press. Masks were removed briefly for the photo.
Laros Foundation says goodbye to long time Silk Mill employee Marge Tarola
Marge Tarola, 1928-2020, worked for the Laros Silk Mill on Broad Street in Bethlehem for 20 years. Marge participated last year in the Foundation’s oral history project in partnership with the Industrial Archives. Her stories were full of rich details and vivid memories. Marge’s interview will be preserved in perpetuity at the IAL. Marge was full of life and joy and we are very grateful we had a chance to meet; to hear her stories, to share in her joie de vivre and the bounty of her life’s wisdom. Marge will be very missed by many. Her like will not soon pass this way again.
Marge Tarola at NMIH in 2019 holding her photo of the Laros sewing machine operators from early in the 1950’s. Standing with her are her daughter Marjorie to her far right and the children of Laros colleagues at a reception in 2019.
The R.K.Laros Foundation Announces $50,000 in Grant Distributions to the Bethlehem Community in Response to COVID-19
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
Bethlehem Public Library Unveils Portrait of Bethlehem Poet and Author H.D. (Hilda Doolittle)
R.K.Laros Trustees Diane Donaher and Elizabeth Shimer Bowers attended the Bethlehem Public Library unveiling of the commissioned portrait of local poet, novelist and memoirist Hilda Doolittle, who published under the name “HD”. HD’s home once stood on the site of the current Bethlehem City Hall, neighboring BAPL. She is renowned for her writing including the memoir The Gift. The portrait was painted by Moravian College Professor and Artist Angeles Fraleigh. The R.K.Laros Foundation is proud to have been a supporter of this inspired initiative. The portrait of H.D. is now hanging in the lobby of the library.
Portrait of H.D.. Born 1886 in Bethlehem, PA and in 1961 died in Zurich, Switzerland
