BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Several Lehigh Valley projects are on the receiving end of nearly $1 million in grants from Capital Blue Cross.
Eighty Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Live Healthy school grants are being handed out by the insurance company.
“These engaging programs benefit our children, which in turn helps build our communities. We’re proud to go the extra mile to help expand our children’s educational paths.”Todd Shamash, President and CEO, Capital Blue Cross
“Our support of these creative initiatives is another example of Capital’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” Capital Blue Cross President Todd Shamash said.
“These engaging programs benefit our children, which in turn helps build our communities. We’re proud to go the extra mile to help expand our children’s educational paths.”
EITC grants use state business-tax credits to fund scholarships and educational initiatives through donations.
Live Healthy grants support innovative school programs that strive to increase physical activity, enhance nutrition, and encourage healthier life habits.
Capital Blue Cross also awarded money to the Healthy Eating Taste Testing in the Allentown School District, among other programs in central Pennsylvania.
'Where the money is going'
Gregg Potter works for Capital Blue Cross and is part of the team who decides where the money goes.
One of the projects is helping a local Boy Scout to become an Eagle scout.
“Once we approved the grant, we told him — because this was early on in his project — we said, ‘Go out and raise more money, come back to us, and we'll give you more,’ said Potter, who is part of the United Way of the Lehigh Valley’s TeenWorks, a program that supports young people in community projects.
"So we got him $500 more.”
Potter said he was extremely impressed by Brody Muthard, of Bethlehem, who is working on his Eagle Scout presentation to upgrade the playground at Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 in Northampton County.
“I chose this project to benefit children of the IU20 Early Intervention Program and help them have an outdoor play area that connects right to the Autistic Support Classrooms,” Muthard said.
“The children should have a safe space to release some excess energy with their needs in mind, being a sensory friendly play space.
"The project will include a Lifetime Playset, a custom-built wooden train feature, benches, safe rubber mulch under all play areas, and sensory walkways.”
The current space at the Bethlehem location only has a picnic table and a small storage shed. Muthard is working to change that.
"He was driven more than any adult I've ever seen and where, you know, we were looking at give him 1000 bucks, his overall project surpassed $12,000 I believe, so he had a lot of work to do,” Potter said.
Potter said the Scout was able to get the funding he needed in addition to the Capital grant. The project is underway and is expected to be completed this fall.
“I think that the children at the Early Intervention Program will be able to enjoy outdoor activities more easily," Muthard said of his project.
"There is something very calming about nature and being outside.”
