The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce, partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber, announces the honorees of the 29th Annual Spirit Awards.

The event and award ceremony will be hosted on June 18 at Ontelaunee Park Pavilion in New Tripoli, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The morning brunch will be held in this historic park, as we honor our awardees that have impacted the past, present and future of the Greater Northern Lehigh region.

This year’s awardees include Spirit Award to Walter Niedermeyer, former mayor of Slatington, local volunteer and veteran; Business of the Year, Heintzelman Funeral Home, Schnecksville, and Nonprofit of the Year to Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund.

The morning will consist of an outdoor event nestled in the hills of Ontelaunee Park and will provide ample opportunity for mingling and networking prior to the awards presentation. Brunch will be catered by the coveted Curious Goods at The Bake Oven Inn, which sources their ingredients from local farmers and suppliers throughout the region. The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber will also hold a basket raffle to benefit the GNLCC Scholarship fund and the 2022 Nonprofit of the Year.

Andy Gildner, chair of the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce and Owner of Keystone Technology LLC, said, “Our honorees, Walter Niedermeyer, Heintzelman Funeral Home and Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund were selected because of their dedication to the Greater Northern Lehigh region and the work they do to make our community a great place to live and work.”

Spirit Award

The Spirit Award, established in 1993 by the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber, has been a long-held tradition that honors a local individual who embodies community and volunteerism. This year’s honoree, Walter Niedermeyer, is a longtime resident of Slatington, where he served as Mayor for 20 years and was named the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s “Mayor of the Year” in 2009. Niedermeyer also worked as a firefighter for the city of Allentown for 33 years, 12 of which he served as a lieutenant. He is heavily involved in the Slatington Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Venture Group; he also served in the U.S. Navy.

“I’ve done a lot for the community, and that’s all I intend to keep doing,” said Niedermeyer. “I’m honored to be receiving the award and intend to keep serving my community in years to come.”

Heintzelman

Jessica O’Donnell, Executive Vice President of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce, stated, “Both Heintzelman Funeral Home and Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund have continued to be incredible community partners over the years, advocating for both businesses and the community alike. We’re excited to honor both organizations, as they continue to be great chamber partners!”

Heintzelman Funeral Homes is located in Schnecksville and is family-owned and operated. The Schnecksville location has been operating since 1938, which was founded by the late Walter and Florence Bard. It was founded by the late Walter and Florence Bard.

The business was passed to their nephew, the late Richard A. Heintzelman. Richard attended the former Eckels School of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia. After becoming licensed he became sole owner and operator of the business in 1953. Richard, with his wife Jean, continued to grow the business as well as the physical structure adding major additions in 1989.

Richard’s sons, Robert B. Heintzelman and David J. Heintzelman, became licensed funeral directors in 1980 and 1981 respectively. Both attended the Funeral Service Program at Northampton Community College, Bethlehem.

Richard A. Heintzelman, their father, died Nov. 13, 2011. His legacy of dedication and service will never be forgotten. His loving wife, Jean, continues to actively participate in the everyday operations of the business. Robert B. Heintzelman was appointed supervisor prior to his father’s passing, and continues to provide care for Schnecksville and surrounding communities to this day.

Krysta Hankee Fund

The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund was founded in 2007 in loving memory of 22-year-old Krysta Hankee. The fund has three missions: to maintain and support the “Krysta Cares (KC) Flight Club” initiative for the purpose of identifying needs within the community, partnering with service providers and awarding Giant Gas gift cards for specific purposes identified & supported by the Board; to provide leadership and community service scholarships to worthy students in Northwestern Lehigh School District and Lehigh Carbon Community College; and to increase organ donation awareness and registration, as Krysta was a donor and, in her passing, saved the lives of five others.

“We are fortunate to have a chamber that takes the time and effort to recognize the individuals, businesses and nonprofits who work hard to build a better community,” said Bill and Chris Hankee of the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund.

“All three of our awardees hold the spirit of community close to their hearts and have family legacy that ties them to our community at their core,” said Kylie Adams-Weiss, Assistant Vice President of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce. “The Greater Northern Lehigh region is one that echoes these sentiments - it’s a place that our families invest in, work in, grow in, and do business in. We’re excited to be able to shine a spotlight on the businesses and individuals who embody the spirit of our community in such genuine ways.”

For 29 years, the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit Awards have celebrated individuals and organizations that have created a lasting impact within our community; the award looks for organizations that commit to making the area a great place to work and live.

For more information about Greater Northern Lehigh’s Spirit Awards or to purchase tickets, visit the Greater Northern Lehigh’s website at: https://web.lehighvalleychamber.org/events/2022-Spirit-Awards-GNLCC--838469/details

Sponsors include: Ironton Telephone, Premier; Heintzelman Funeral Homes (Schnecksville), Extraordinary Smiles, music sponsors; Neffs National Bank, Keystone Technology LLC, gold sponsor;

Eight Oaks Farm Distillery, Service Electric, cocktail sponsors; Rentschler’s Auto, Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund, bronze sponsors; Mike Robinson Productions, photography sponsor; EBC Printing, printing sponsor.