A Channel of Peace (ACOP), a Lehigh Valley-centered not-for-profit dedicated to creating faith-filled family entertainment while educating future filmmakers, held its inaugural fundraiser, 6 p.m. June 24, Bell Gate Farm, 7081 Bell Gate Road, Coopersburg, Lower Milford Township.

The “Art with Heart” celebration honors actor Gary Sinise and Lehigh Valley residents David Jaindl and Alice Freeh, who will receive the 2021 Channel of Peace Award for Entertainment, Community Service and Education, respectively.

“Our guests that night will be the very first people to see the first 10 minutes of ‘Lucky Louie.’ ‘Lucky Louie” is a mystery-comedy about a retired cop who’s obsessed with a 50-year-old bank robbery,” says Tammy Roebuck, ACOP producing partner.

The evening’s entertainment includes singer-songwriter Alyssa Garcia, who can be heard on the “Getting Grace” and “Lucky Louie” soundtracks; musician Dave Kaetz, and Madelyn Dundon.

ACOP co-founder Daniel Roebuck, in Budapest, Hungary, where he’s acting in a Universal Studios movie, says, “We are so very excited to honor these three individuals to shine a light on their great work while promoting peace, goodwill, service to the local community and the world beyond.

“Our fundraising committee mulled over a number of excellent candidates, many we will no doubt honor in the future,” says Daniel Roebuck.

“For this first event, we choose two local individuals who are not only exemplary people in their fields, but both have supported our efforts to create the kind of movies we want to make while giving an educational opportunity to young aspiring film-makers be on a feature film set.

“As for Gary Sinise, well, I would hope everyone in our community and beyond recognizes Gary’s ongoing efforts to assist our veterans and their families.

“I have known Gary personally for 35 years. We met when he cast me in his own feature film directorial debut, ‘Miles From Home [1988].’ No doubt his personal example proved to me that it is possible to succeed in show business.”

Sinise’s stage, film and television career spans more than four decades. Sinise played Lieutenant Dan Taylor in “Forrest Gump” (1994), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor.

Sinise appeared in the movies “The Green Mile” (1999) and “Impostor” (2002). On television, he played Detective Mac Taylor in the CBS series “CSI: NY” (2004 - 2013), and George C. Wallace in the television film “George Wallace” (1997), for which he won an Emmy.

Sinise’s advocacy on behalf of United States service members began in the early 1980s, supporting Vietnam veterans’ groups in the Chicago area, and into the ‘90s, when his portrayal of Lt. Dan formed an enduring connection with service members.

Sinise has worked on behalf of the Disabled American Veterans organization. Following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Sinise’s dedication to U.S. active-duty defenders, veterans, first-responders and their families led to his Gary Sinise Foundation.

David Jaindl, through his ownership of Jaindl Farms and The Jaindl Land Company, has supplied the Lehigh Valley with millions of turkeys, as well as properties in which to live, work and shop.

Jaindl is a trustee for the Jaindl Foundation, which benefits nonprofits in the Lehigh Valley. In 2006, he became a co-founder, officer and director of the Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley.

The Miracle League is a nonprofit that provides a state-of-the-art field where nearly 300 physically- and mentally-challenged children and young adults can play baseball.

In 2011, he and his wife, Jackie, chaired Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Children’s Emergency Room fundraising campaign.

Jaindl has served on the Board of Trustees of Cedar Crest College.

Jaindl was producer of Daniel Roebuck’s directorial debut, “Getting Grace”; is a corporate donor for “Lucky Louie,” ACOP’s first production, and is a corporate donor for “The Hail Mary.”

Alice Freeh’s history with Daniel Roebuck goes back longer than most. Roebuck was in the first class in which a young Alice Finn, a junior at Kutztown University, student-taught at St. Anne’s Catholic School, Bethlehem.

Freeh recalls, “Oh yes, I remember him very well. Let’s say, back then he was a little hyper and … precocious.”

Roebuck says, “She’s being very kind. I know I drove all of those poor nuns and lay teachers crazy when I was a kid. But without their patience and love, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

Freeh has been an educator, theater director and community volunteer. She worked for the Head Start program, Schenectady, N.Y.

The ACOP fundraising committee is chaired by Beth Clausnitzer.

“The farm’s owner, Stephanie Stephens, and her chief operations officer, Careen Mancuso, have been very gracious supporters of ACOP and its mission,” Clausnitzer says.

“We are blessed to have them sponsor this event. We are thrilled that our first fundraiser will take place on their property,” says Clausnitzer.

The fundraiser committee includes “Lucky Louie” producers Ann Knerr, Lore McFadden and Dr. Susan Bostian, as well as Donna Neff and Carla Thew.

“Good Cause” is a column about galas, benefits and fund-raisers. If you have an item for “Good Cause,” or would like to request for your event to be covered, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com