Allentown, Pa., June 10, 2024—The George T. Walker Charitable Fund at Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) recently issued more than $416,200 in grants to support seven organizations that were important to the late George T. Walker of Monroe County in Pennsylvania. A donor designated fund at the Community Foundation, the George T. Walker Charitable Fund provides annual grants to organizations designated through the estate of George T. Walker in perpetuity. Grants from the Fund for 2024 included the following:
- American Red Cross – Northeastern PA Chapter
General Operating – General Operating & BioMedical Services – $46,200 - Deborah Hospital Foundation
Capital Campaign – Deborah100: The Campaign – $50,000 - Effort United Methodist Church
Capital Projects– $40,000 - Guiding Eyes for the Blind
General Operating – $80,000 - Mount Pocono United Methodist Church
General Operating – $40,000 - Salvation Army East Stroudsburg Corps
Emergency Shelter/Housing Programs serving Monroe County, Pa. – $85,000 - St.Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Named Space at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – $75,000
The late George T. Walker of Monroe County in Pennsylvania discussed his charitable goals with his professional advisors in 2005, creating the parameters for a charitable fund at the Foundation which was funded by bequest upon his passing. The George T. Walker Charitable Fund was established with his bequest in 2011. “Mr. Walker specified that the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has complete discretion, each year, regarding the amounts to be granted to each of these charitable organizations as well as the specific programs to be funded by grants from the Fund,” said Carrie Krug Nedick, LVCF Director of Donor Services. “We are pleased to make these grants to the organizations Mr. Walker held dear as the Foundation fulfills his charitable legacy.”
About George T. Walker
George T. Walker lived a humble life in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. He was very generous, and he was especially careful to support organizations doing so much for their communities without asking for reimbursement or charging fees. He wished to continue this legacy of “helping those who help others” after his lifetime. He sought guidance from his financial advisor and estate planning attorney on how to incorporate his charitable wishes into his estate plans. The legacy gifts resulting from his considerable estate had the potential for significant impact. His professional advisors recommended a charitable fund at Lehigh Valley Community Foundation to give to organizations in perpetuity. Grants from the Fund are made to Mt. Pocono United Methodist Church, Effort United Methodist Church, the Salvation Army of East Stroudsburg, the American Red Cross of East Stroudsburg, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
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