Honoring the Arc for their years of service and volunteering (Allentown, PA)—The Allentown Rescue Mission held their first ever “I AM” award ceremony on Thursday, January 16th at the Allentown Rescue Mission. The recipients of the award were members of the Arc of Lehigh & Northampton Counties and it was given to this organization because of their almost 30 year partnership with the Allentown Rescue Mission.
The Allentown Rescue Mission’s chapel was packed with loving family members and other Arc staff and employees who were excited to see their loved ones receive their “I AM” award. The Arc has been partnering with the Allentown Rescue Mission for almost three decades. They have done activities such as make, pack and serve lunches to our men, organize the food pantry and so much more. The award ceremony started with a welcome from Development Manager, Rosaria Stoops, followed by a prayer from Program Director, Rob Romig. Imogene Kresge, Arc Program Specialist, then gave the history on the Arc program and their partnership with the Allentown Rescue Mission.
After the history of the partnership with Arc, the Allentown Rescue Mission presented the “I AM” award certificate and trophy to the recipients: Robin Sweeney, who has volunteered with the Allentown Rescue Mission for 12 years, Wael Oweis, who has volunteered with the Allentown Rescue Mission for 11 years, Jessica Eden, who has volunteered with the Allentown Rescue Mission for 2 years, and Nicole Kutafik, who has volunteered with the Allentown Rescue Mission for 2 years.
The award ceremony ended with an interpreted song, “What a Wonderful World” done by Lynette Zulli, a volunteer sign language interpreter. After the ceremony ended, the award recipients and their friends and family enjoyed refreshments to celebrate all of their accomplishments. We thank all who attended the event and showed their support for Arc and the Allentown Rescue Mission. We would like to thank the Arc of Lehigh & Northampton Counties for all of their support and service over the past 30 years. Since 1900, the Allentown Rescue Mission has fed multitudes of hungry and hurting men.
Today we embrace, with the compassion of Jesus Christ, all those experiencing homelessness We believe He has given us a second chance in life-we’ve been saved, rescued, and now get to provide that same hope and renewal to others here in the Lehigh Valley and the surrounding communities
