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 the late Rt. Rev. C. Hopeton Clennon. The Trustees have chosen to recognize Rt. Rev. Hopeton Clennon, known as Hopeton, who was an integral part of the Bethlehem community and made significant contributions as Senior Pastor of the Central Moravian Church since 2013, as Chaplain of Moravian University and Moravian Theological Seminary, and as a supporter of the Bethlehem community as a whole.

The Foundation Chair R.K. Laros III, Vice Chair Laura Bennett Shelton, and Foundation Trustees will gather at a virtual event on Jan. 21 to recognize this year’s recipients and to announce Hopeton as the 2025 Founders Award honoree.

The Founders Award recognizes the Founders, Helen & R.K. Laros, as faithful and continuous supporters of their community and is only awarded when the board sees an example of the Founder’s commitment in Bethlehem. Past recipients of the Founders Award include Bob Rapp, Executive Director of Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering; Jeff Parks, ArtsQuest Visionary and 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; Sharon Jones Zondag, former Executive Director of the Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation; and Winston Alozie, steadfast Executive Director Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem.

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 nearly $10 million in support to over 150 organizations. For more information about grant opportunities or the Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation, contact Laura Bennett Shelton at larosfoundation@gmail.com.