8th Annual "Dinner by Starlight"
Fundraiser Honors Local Shining Stars, Benefits New Beginnings Family Birth Center
One of the rooms in the New Beginnings
Family Birth Center at St. Luke's Hospital -
Allentown Campus
Allentown, PA (11/19/2009) - For eight years, St. Luke's Hospital – Allentown Campus has been honoring Shining Stars, people and organizations recognized for their contributions to the community.
This year the Dinner by Starlight dinner, which honored the Shining Stars, was held on Thursday, November 19 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Fogelsville to benefit the St. Luke's Hospital - Allentown Campus New Beginnings Family Birth Center.
St. Luke's Birthing Centers deliver more babies than any other hospital system in the Lehigh Valley. The Allentown location hosts more than 1,400 births annually.
"The New Beginnings Family Birth Center has recently undergone extensive renovations that helps make the birth experience even more family oriented than ever before," said Frank Ford, president, St. Luke's Hospital - Allentown Campus. "With the addition of 13 private rooms and future renovations to the seven existing suites, the updated birth center offers new parents comfortable, spacious and beautiful surroundings to welcome new babies in a quiet, intimate setting. The new suites allow parents to room in with baby and to provide a guest bed for partners."
Honorary stars Gene Miller, DO and John Stevens, DO greeted more than 350 guests who attended the celebratory event.
St. Luke's Hospital – Allentown Campus honored four adults and three children from the greater Lehigh Valley area this year. Nominations were solicited from the community and from local not-for-profit organizations.
The 2009 Shining Stars are Nilaya, Deviksa and Pasha Knafo; Russel Schantz; Barry Bickel; Helen Heisler and Maryanne Fegley.
Nilaya, Devika, and Pasha Knafo
The Maurice Mitzvah Fund (nominated by Phoebe Ministries) – A "mitzvah" is a good deed, and these three siblings have committed themselves to doing good deeds in honor of their grandfather, Maurice. On November 15, 2008, Grandfather Maurice passed on at the age of 92. He was an incredible man that was surrounded by loved ones during the last years of his life. In honor of Maurice, the Knafo children wanted all of the other seniors at The Phoebe Home to know they are loved, particularly the ones who do not have regular visitors. They created gift baskets of necessities, and delivered them providing friendship and comfort to their many new friends. They are now organizing the "Grand-Buddies" program, pairing up kids with seniors for friendship, pen pals and visits.
Russel Schantz (nominated by the Macungie Minstrelaires)
In many cases, volunteering can be rewarding for the good works that you do for people in the community, but in Russel's case, he found an extended family. He began as one of the original Macungie Minstrelaires in 1957 and has been performing with them for 52 years. He has also spent countless hours constructing sets, scenary, donating his tractors and wagons for use in local parades, selling program ads and so many other things. Although while Russel and his family love to perform, the organization donates the funds they make to local charities. Every year, the leaders of the Minstrelaires research and select a charity to support. In 52 years, they've supported a wide variety of non profits around the Lehigh Valley. When not on stage or building sets, Russel is a full time farmer, father and grandfather. He credits the Minstrelaires for helping to keep his family together by providing something for them to share.
Barry Bickel (nominated by Cetronia Ambulance Corp.)
When Barry commits to an organization, he takes it very seriously. He began volunteering for the Cetronia Ambulance Corp. in 1967. Since then he served many different roles there including Communications Officer, EMT and many other committees, he's been with them ever since. Through his association with Cetronia, he became a founding member of the Eastern PA EMS Council. Barry has also been active in his church serving as Head Sound Engineer for more than 30 years, and more currently as a Deacon. He also was a Boy Scout Leader for 27 years. All this while working as a sound engineer at WKRP radio from 1962-1972, and then at Tu-Way Communications from 1973 until his retirement in 1999.
Helen Heisler (nominated by Meals of Wheels of Lehigh County)
Helen has a love of both animals and people. After getting married in 1962 and moving to Orefield, she began a kennel business at her home in 1969. Between her business taking care of dogs and her hobby of owning and raising Appaloosa horses, she focused on working with animals until her retirement in 1999. Since then, Helen has taken up the cause at Meals on Wheels and for ten years has delivered hot meals to people in need. In that time, Helen has donated more than 2,000 hours and has driven a remarkable 12,460 miles. She has also helped with numerous administrative projects.
Maryanne Fegley (nominated by the YWCA/YMCA)
Maryanne has been a resident of Allentown her entire life, and is completely dedicated to making it a wonderful place. Her volunteer work began with the American Red Cross in 1993 serving three years on their Executive Committee and having taken 5 national assignments, including Manhattan during the aftermath of 9/11. She has been a tireless volunteer at the Allentown YMCA/YWCA for the last 15 years. She leads a team of volunteers annually that give more than 100 area families a tremendous Christmas Dinner at the "Y", including a visit from Santa. She also runs the Annual Senior Prom, with 100 seniors dressing in gowns and tuxedos, enjoying a day of good food, good friends, fun and exercise. But that's not all - she coordinates the collection of clothing and the volunteers for the Clothing Giveaway at the Allentown Y. She was even instrumental in sprucing up the entranceway into the Y with gardens and hanging baskets, allowing the "Y" to receive a prestigious "Properties of Merit" award. She works on countless other activities for seniors and children, and her efforts are felt throughout the community.
