The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce will present its annual awards reception May 26 at Historic Hotel Bethlehem. From 5 p.m., enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment followed by the awards reception at 6 p.m. This year’s reception will recognize members of the community, organizations and businesses that have stood out and have supported Bethlehem over the past year.

The Priscilla Payne Hurd award, presented to an individual who has impacted and influenced the enhancement of life in the Bethlehem community through the arts, education or health care, will go to Deborah Sacarakis, who is a lifelong resident of the City of Bethlehem. She attended Bethlehem Area public schools and graduated with a B.A. in theater from Lambuth University in Jackson, TN, now Memphis State.

Returning to Bethlehem in 1974, she accepted a position with the Chaplain’s Office at Lehigh University. While at Lehigh she also served as the Cultural Affairs Coordinator, developing an annual presenting series for the university, and as the advisor for the Visiting Lecturers Committee. She accepted the leadership role in the dedicatory and inaugural seasons of the Zoellner Arts Center. Deborah continued serving the university and Zoellner Arts Center as Artistic Director until her retirement in 2019.

Sacarakis has served on the board of directors for the Mayfair Festival in Allentown and for Pennsylvania Presenters, a statewide service organization. She served terms on Pennsylvania Presenters executive board as president and vice president. She has served on grant adjudication panels for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the New Jersey Council on the Arts, Dance Advance of Philadelphia and the Berks County Arts Council. Sacarakis currently serves on the Board of ArtsQuest as a member of the programming committee and on The Fine Arts Commission of the City of Bethlehem.

The other award recipients this year are:

Strategic Partner Award

This award is given to a business or an organization that has enhanced the Bethlehem Community and/or The Bethlehem Chamber with a spirit of volunteerism and/or support in multiple arenas.

Award Recipient: City of Bethlehem Health Bureau

Milestone Award

This award is given to a Chamber member business celebrating a significant anniversary.

Award Recipients: Historic Hotel Bethlehem – 100 years and Cantelmi Hardware – 100 years.

Downtown Vision Award

This award is given to those who have a clear goal for how they see the future of their downtown and they don’t just talk about it, they make it happen.

Award Recipient: Lehigh Valley With Love Media

Community Partner Award

This award is given to an organization whose work directly impacts the wellbeing of the business community, in addition to having a clear mission to give back.

Award Recipient: David Shaffer, Just Born Quality Confections

Contributed article

This article has been updated July 15 since the printing of the article.