ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Friends of the Allentown Parks recognized community members and organizations for their contributions to local green spaces during their inaugural awards luncheon last week at Cedar Crest College.
The nonprofit organization, which supports programs and initiatives in Allentown’s parks, highlighted efforts that have helped transform parks into gathering places for residents, families, and neighborhoods throughout the city.
Philanthropist Barbara Bigelow received the organization’s Growing Together Award for her longstanding support of Allentown’s parks.
Recognized were volunteer Barbara Bigelow and Allentown Rescue Mission's Clean Team Workforce.
Bigelow moved to the Lehigh Valley from Alaska in 1990 and became Allentown’s first woman finance director.
She later was the first female finance director for Northampton County and was a vice president at the former Easton Hospital.
In addition to her professional career, Bigelow has been involved with numerous community organizations, including the Sinfonia Orchestra, Girl Scouts, the American Red Cross, the YWCA, Rotary Club, and Meals on Wheels.
She also is a regular visitor to Cedar Creek Park, where she is known among fellow park users for her daily walks and interactions with other visitors, handing out dog treats.
Rescue Mission's Clean Team workforce
Also honored at the luncheon was the Allentown Rescue Mission’s Clean Team Workforce, a workforce development program for graduates of the mission’s transformation program.
The Clean Team provides paid employment while participants gain job skills and workplace experience through community-based work.
Earnings from the program are placed into supervised custodial accounts and saved until participants accumulate enough funds to secure housing, supporting their transition from homelessness to independent living.
Friends of the Allentown Parks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing Allentown’s park system through advocacy, partnerships and community engagement.