Grace Montessori School (GMS), a nonprofit school and childcare center serving children ages 12 months to 12 years, will host its annual benefit, Legacy of Learning, on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 5 p.m., at the Americus Hotel in Center City. School parents, alumni, staff, and community supporters of GMS will enjoy an evening of heavy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and live entertainment by The Flynn Brothers.
The event will support the mission of GMS’s Closing the Achievement Gap scholarship program, which assists close to 30 families annually. Funds raised will also help secure improved classroom technology and finalize GMS’s outdoor playground rebuilding project in time for the 2024-25 school year.
A portion of the night will be dedicated to honoring loyal supporters of GMS. Alvin H. Butz, Inc. (Butz Construction) will receive the Grace Montessori Mission Award and Charles and Ruth Marcon will receive the Grace Montessori Lifetime Learning Award. Both parties will be recognized for their partnership with GMS and their commitment and dedication to improving the lives of families in Allentown and throughout the Lehigh Valley. Butz Construction has been a strong ally of GMS over the past few years, from the groundbreaking through the construction of the new DaVinci Science Center, GMS’s neighbor. The Marcons began supporting GMS after their grandchildren attended the school and have remained ardently dedicated. Both honorees have longevity in the Lehigh Valley region, with philanthropic ties to several educational and community services.
“We are honored to celebrate the unwavering commitment and generosity of the Marcons and Butz Construction, who champion our mission of providing access to quality education through their support and generosity,” said GMS Director Radhika Hoshing. “This event is not only a testament to our collective dedication to nurturing the potential of every child but also a moment to express our deepest gratitude to those who uplift our community. We are thrilled to recognize Butz Construction, Charlie, and Ruth Marcon for their selfless contributions, enabling our students to thrive. Together, we are making a profound difference in the lives of children and families in the Allentown area, and we look forward to continuing this transformative journey.”
Last year’s benefit honorees remain heavily involved in 2024. Jennifer Mann, founder and president of JL Mann Consulting, LLC., and Borko Milosev, principal atPost Road Management, will serve as the event’s co-chairs. In 2023, Mann and Milosev were honored with GMS’s Lifelong Learning Award and Mission Award, respectively. The City of Allentown’s Communications Manager, Genesis Ortega, will serve as the event’s emcee again this year.
GMS reserves 30 percent of its annual enrollment for students who need scholarships. Giving a child a full year of education at GMS means nurturing that child’s spirit through care for the whole child, fostering cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. Over the last 30 years, over $2 million in scholarship assistance has been awarded to GMS students.
For more information on GMS’s Legacy of Learning annual benefit, visit www.gracemontessori.org/2024-event/.
