In early December, the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® (GLVR) donated $1,500 in new coats for children in need at the Panther Valley Elementary School. This annual donation continues a tradition started by the Carbon County Association of REALTORS®.

Learning of a similar need in nearby Schuylkill County, 2022-2023 GLVR President Howard Schaeffer personally donated $1,500 in new winter coats for children in need at Tamaqua Elementary School.

“After delivering coats to Panther Valley, Howard was surprised to learn from a reporter covering the donation drop off that a similar need existed at a nearby elementary school,” said GLVR CEO Justin Porembo. “In response, Howard, through a thoughtful dialogue on our ride home, decided not to strain the association’s budget. Instead, he personally committed to replicating the donation and extending the act of compassion.”

The coats for Tamaqua students were delivered on January 18, 2024. With snow on the ground and temperatures reaching single digits, the coats could not have come soon enough for some students.

GLVR’s footprint includes Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties. Outgoing president Schaeffer hails from the Coal Region (as does 2024 President-elect Michael Bernadyn), and he has remained mindful of the economic challenges experienced by individuals and families in his hometown.

“I strongly believe that no child should go without a coat, especially during the winter months here in Pennsylvania,” Schaeffer said. “Reflecting on the mission of GLVR and its leaders, our aim is to demonstrate that REALTORS® are dedicated to building our community. We are more than a transaction. I’m proud to say my personal donation to Tamaqua, along with GLVR’s support for Panther Valley, resulted in approximately 160 coats being delivered to students in need.”

The tradition of donating winter coats, in addition to focusing on the needs of the Carbon-Schuylkill area, will continue with 2024 President Lori Campbell and with Bernadyn.