2023 One Step Forward Celebration

The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties is proud to announce the 2023 One Step Forward Celebration, presented by Air Products!

The One Step Forward Celebration is the Lehigh Valley's signature awards ceremony and recognition event for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  This year's event will take place on May 18, 2023 at DeSales University! 

This event celebrates the accomplishments, triumphs, and victories of local children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), their families, and inclusive local businesses that support people with IDD in the Lehigh Valley. Awards are given in the following categories: Allen D. Advocacy Award, One Step Forward Award, Dedicated Family Award, Distinguished Family Award, Distinguished Service Award, and Business Recognition Award. 

2023 One Step Forward Celebration Honorees

Allen D. Deibler Advocacy Award

Richard J. Smith, Posthumously

Business Recognition Award

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Dedicated Family Award

The Maychuk Family

Distinguished Service Award

Kathy Purcell, MT-BC & Therapeutic Arts Group

One Step Forward Award

Logan Wismer

Staff Service Awards for 5 Years

Whitley Aldarondo, SPARC Direct Support Professional

Dayna Allinson, Director of SPARC

Joanne Burley, SPARC Direct Support Professional

Angel Castillo, SPARC Direct Support Professional

David Greggo, SPARC Direct Support Professional

Linda Keller, SPARC Direct Support Professional

Jessica McKenty-Nuttall, Director of Advocacy

Staff Service Awards for 25 Years

Dean Velazquez, SPARC Direct Support Professional

The 2023 One Step Forward Celebration is Proudly Presented By:

Thank you Air Products for your support of The Arc and The 2023 One Step Forward Celebration!

Air Products touches the lives of consumers around the globe in positive ways every day. Focused on serving energy, environment and emerging markets, they provide essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemical, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food and beverage. They are also the global leader in the supply of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment. Air Products develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world's largest industrial gas projects, including gasification projects that sustainably convert abundant natural resources into syngas for the production of high-value power, fuels and chemicals. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built a reputation for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. Their passionate, talented and committed employees from diverse backgrounds are driven by Air Products' higher purpose to create innovative solutions that benefit the environment, enhance sustainability and address the challenges facing customers, communities and the world.

The Air Products Foundation serves to build meaningful relationships with charitable organizations that share the values inherent in our higher purpose and to enhance positive relationships with Air Products' employees, communities, customers, and shareholders. Using its mission as a guide, the Air Products Foundation supports programs in their host communities throughout the U.S., in global locations where they have employees and operations, at colleges and universities where they are strategically engaged, in national organizations committed to diversity and inclusion, and through employee- and retiree-directed matching gifts programs.  

The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties is truly grateful to be a recipient of Air Products' generosity.  For over 55 years, The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties has worked to ensure all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are valued, respected, and fully included members of the Lehigh Valley, and we sincerely appreciate Air Products for their unwavering support of The Arc and our mission to build a more inclusive, equitable and opportunity filled community! 

To learn more about Air Products, please visit www.airproducts.com.

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