The Greater Valley YMCA honored its Champion Award recipients during the inaugural Community Gala Nov. 13, presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network.

The virtual celebration acknowledged community leaders’ contributions to the YMCA’s mission throughout the years.

The 2021 Greater Valley YMCA Champion Award recipients who have contributed to the betterment of the communities the YMCA serves includes the borough of Catasauqua for supporting the YMCA summer enrichment program; Lehigh Township for supporting the YMCA summer day camp; the city of Allentown for supporting YMCA essential service programs; State Sen. Mario Scavello for supporting YMCA expansion projects, local families and youth education programs; Kathy Heller for volunteering and community service in Nazareth; the R.K. Laros Foundation for supporting the YMCA early childhood education program in Bethlehem; and Tucker Silk Mill for supporting the YMCA free community meal programs in Easton and Phillipsburg.

The gala fundraiser also featured a live and online auction.

Funds raised during the gala will directly benefit the Greater Valley YMCA free community programming, financial assistance program and mission-based work like the free community meals program, which served more than 120,000 meals in 2020 and more than 78,000 meals to date in 2021; the Allentown warming station for neighbors experiencing homelessness, which supported 229 unique individuals during the 2020-21 season; and financial assistance and subsidy programs for children, families and active older adults in programs like quality child care, the Silver Sneakers fitness program and more.

The Greater Valley YMCA provided more than $580,000 in financial assistance and subsidies throughout 2020.