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Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Good Neighbor Awards. It was truly special to  celebrate the people and missions that make the Lehigh Valley such a vibrant, connected community.

We were honored to recognize Ilene Hochberg Wood, Darian and Yolanda Colbert, and Judith A. Harris for their unwavering commitment to our great Lehigh Valley community.
 

The evening began with reflections on our honorees’ impact, moving testimonials from our community partners, and a preview of Lehigh Valley Public Media’s new strategic direction: a vision rooted in connection, service, and community storytelling.
 

We were also excited to share a preview of the 50th anniversary of Scholastic Scrimmage, the longest-running educational quiz show in Pennsylvania.
Learn more about the 50th Anniversary Weekend on June 20 and 21!

Special guest Dr. Scott Garrigan, retired educator and Founder & Trustee of the Garrigan Foundation, spoke about the power and privilege of giving, saying "giving is way more satisfying than receiving." The Garrigan Foundation made a timely donation to support our Ready to Learn program, which recently lost federal funding. Thanks to their support, the program will continue to serve area children and families throughout the summer.
 

After the awards, the Patrick Kerssen Trio set the tone with a jazzy rendition of "Sunny Days, The Sesame Street Theme" as we moved into the open house portion of the night. It was a joy to spend time together throughout the studios, newsroom, and community spaces, and share how public media comes to life with you.
 

Our deepest thanks goes to the 2025 honorees, our Board of Directors, the Good Neighbor Awards Committee, our supporters, incredible volunteers, and most of all YOU, our neighbors. Your presence and energy made the evening unforgettable.

2025 GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD RECIPIENT VIDEOS

PBS39
Good Neighbor Award Recipient Judy Harris

Judy Harris is among the four community supporters being honored for their roles in making the Lehigh Valley region a better place to live, work, and visit at the annual Good Neighbor Awards, hosted by Lehigh Valley Public Media. 
Judy Harris is an attorney with Norris McLaughlin, P.A. Born and raised in Allentown, she has been a steadfast PBS39 neighbor since 1977 as a contestant on Scholastic Scrimmage. Her consistent support of education and the arts has lifted many over the course of her life.

PBS39
2025 Good Neighbor Award Recipient Ilene Hochberg Wood

Ilene Hochberg Wood is among the four community supporters being honored for their roles in making the Lehigh Valley region a better place to live, work, and visit at the annual Good Neighbor Awards, hosted by Lehigh Valley Public Media. 
Wood is an accomplished designer and author, is committed to making the Lehigh Valley a destination and a thriving artistic environment. Her service on numerous charitable boards and committees is matched only by her extensive collection of designer handbags!

PBS39
2025 Good Neighbor Award Recipients Darian and Yolanda Colbert

Darian and Yolanda Colber are among the four community supporters being honored for their roles in making the Lehigh Valley region a better place to live, work, and visit at the annual Good Neighbor Awards, hosted by Lehigh Valley Public Media. 
The couple use Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood as a founding principle for the Cohesion Network, a nonprofit rooted in Allentown's 1st & 6th Wards and Franklin Park neighborhoods that is centered on the belief that "people in marginalized communities in the Lehigh Valley have the capacity to thrive socially, educationally, and economically."

2025 GNA PHOTO GALLERY

2025 GNA PHOTO GALLERY

WATCH THE 2025 GNA VIDEO

PBS39
Good Neighbor Awards - Full Show - 2025

Four community supporters were honored as 2025 Good Neighbors for their roles in making the Lehigh Valley region a better place to live, work, and visit at the annual Good Neighbor Awards, hosted by Lehigh Valley Public Media. 

Ilene Hochberg Wood, Judy Harris, and Darian and Yolanda Colbert were celebrated on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the Univest Public Media Center in Southside Bethlehem on the SteelStacks Campus. Lehigh Valley Public Media (LVPM) is the nonprofit public media parent organization of PBS39, 91.3 WLVR, and LehighValleyNews.com. 

The organization solicited public nominations for the Award through its website and received over 20 entries; the honorees were selected in collaboration with LVPM Board members, stakeholders, and past recipients.

Good Neighbor Awards Committee

Joseph and Karen Walton, Chairs

Philip Jackson, Univest (retired)

Dolores Laputka, Norris McLaughlin, P.A.

Allison Longenhagen, B.Braun Medical, Inc.

Christine Martin, PPL Electric Utilities

J. Marc Rittle, New Bethany Ministries

Lissette Santana, PPL Corporation

Karen Smith, Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley

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PAST GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARDS

2025

Judith A. Harris
Ilene Hochberg Wood
Darian and Yolanda Colbert

 

2024

Jamie Musselman
Grover Silcox
Philip Jackson

 

2023

The Honorable Pat Browne

Steven Thompson

Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley

 

2022

Lee A. Butz

Just Born Quality Confections

Esther M. Lee

Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley
 

2021

Lehigh Valley Health Network

Cate Reifnsyder

St. Luke’s University Health Network 

Second Harvest Food Bank

2019

David Jaindl

Alan Jennings

Beverly Bradley

 

2018

Daniel G. Gambet, OSFS

Marci Ronald-Lesko

Joseph J. Roy, Ed.D.

 

2017 (50th Anniversary)

Dr. Karen Walton

Maxwell Davison

Kassie Hilgert

Jessica L. Lee

 

2016

PPL

Air Products

Nancy Dischinat

Barry Dobil

Joseph Martocci