25th Anniversary "CILver Celebration"
Thursday, July 30, 2015 5:30 PM
Thursday, July 30, 2015 8:00 PM
ALLENTOWN, PA—On Thursday,
July 30, 2015, the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL) will celebrate
its 25th anniversary at the Independent Living “CILver Celebration” (ILC)
at Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown. The ILC event is presented by Easton
Coach Company and The Express Times. Each year, LVCIL commemorates its founding
as well as the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), by hosting
a banquet that commends the disability community of the Lehigh Valley and
honors local citizens, advocates and organizations. The ILC event will begin at
5:30 pm and include dinner, an awards ceremony and a silent auction fundraiser.
All proceeds from the event will benefit LVCIL’s programs and services.
This year’s
“CILver Celebration” will be an old-Hollywood themed event, reflecting the
art-deco styling and architecture of Miller Symphony Hall. Guests are
encouraged to wear silver to show their support for the 25th
anniversary of both LVCIL and the ADA. The event will highlight individuals with
disabilities who have overcome many odds to achieve independence, as well as
the advocates who have been integral to improving the lives and services for
persons with disabilities in the Lehigh Valley. This year LVCIL will present
the following five awards:
The Mark J.
Turbedsky “Torch of Independence” Award will be presented to Ken
Ryno of Kunkeltown. Ryno has been a member of LVCIL’s Freewheelers, an adaptive
sports team, for many years. Despite injuries that have sidelined him from
playing, Ryno remains a coach, mentor, and advocate for adaptive sports in the
Lehigh Valley and beyond. This award is presented to an individual with a
disability who has lived independently and demonstrates that people with
disabilities can live independent, productive lives and contribute significantly
to our community.
The Chester
“Bob” Collyer “Key to Living” Award will be presented to the
Allentown Parks & Recreation Department, which has partnered with LVCIL to
provide more recreational opportunities for people with disabilities. This
award is presented to an individual or organization which has made an
outstanding contribution toward promoting disability awareness and advancing
opportunities for people with disabilities to get involved in their community.
The Carl F.
Odhner “Perseverance” Award will be presented to Lauren Kramer of Macungie. Lauren was faced with many
obstacles in the past year, but they did not stop her from achieving her goals.
She now lives independently, has a job and regularly attends community groups
at LVCIL and events in the community. The award is given to a consumer of LVCIL
who has overcome many obstacles to live independently, and who continues to
work towards independence.
The Marilyn
Burns “Volunteer of the Year” Award will be presented to Dr.
Lisa Marie McCauley of Northampton, who served a total of sixteen years as the
organization’s Treasurer. She joined LVCIL as the VP of Finance for Northampton
Community College but quickly advanced in her career to serve as the VP of
Financial Affairs at King’s College and, currently, as the COO at Middle States
Association of Colleges and Schools. Despite her busy professional life, and
lengthy commute, Lisa Marie always devoted time to LVCIL. This award is
presented by AccessAbility and is given to an individual committed to
outstanding volunteerism and making a difference in the lives of people with
disabilities.
The “Transition” Award will be presented to two recipients: Briana Hall and Christina
Albino, both of Allentown. Briana has been a participant of LVCIL’s School to
Life (S2L) Group for several years and has been a great friend and mentor to
many of her peers. She has also become an advocate for young adults with
disabilities. Christina was one of the original participants in LVCIL’s Career
Path program, and she has made great strides toward achieving independence. She
has overcome many obstacles, but has a job and is a role model for other young
adults seeking employment. The “Transition” Award is given to young adults enrolled
in the S2L and/or Career Path programs for their growth and achievement as they
transitioned from school to adult life and/or the workforce.
In
addition to awards, the “CILver Celebration” will also include a silent auction
fundraiser. The auction includes passes to local attractions, including Steel
Ice Center, Pines Dinner Theatre, Allentown Art Museum, Civic Theatre,
Allentown Symphony Orchestra, America on Wheels Museum, and H20ooohh! Waterpark
at Split Rock. Other great prizes include gift cards to Youell’s Oyster House
and Applebee’s, a Jonathan Pappelbon autographed Phillies cap, Six Flags theme
park tickets, tickets to the Reading FightinPhils, a free night stay at Yotel
New York, and much more. All proceeds from the silent auction directly benefit
LVCIL’s programs and services for persons with disabilities.
Doors open
for LVCIL’s “CILver Celebration” at 5:30 pm with hors d’oeuvres and the silent
auction kicking off the event. Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm. Registration
for the 25th anniversary celebration is $45 and guests can register
online at www.lvcil.org/ilc or pay at
the door.
LVCIL was
founded in June 1990, about a month before the signing of the ADA- the
groundbreaking Civil Rights law that protects people with disabilities from
discrimination in areas such as public services and employment. In 1991, Carl
Odhner, then Executive Director of LVCIL, wanted to hold a one year anniversary
celebration for the ADA. Odhner, founder of the Lehigh Valley disability rights
advocacy group Operation Overcome, had attended the signing of the
groundbreaking law in Washington, DC and recognized the importance of the local
disability community banding together to celebrate this achievement. The
tradition continued each year following the signing of the ADA, and the event
has grown into not just a celebration of the ADA, but of the disability
community as a whole.
For questions about the event or more
information about LVCIL, please contact Greg Bott, LVCIL Director of
Development, at 610-770-9781 ext. 120 or email gregbott@lvcil.org.