Bethlehem Educational Scholastic Trust (B.E.S.T.) Fund
In the 1980s, a group of Bethlehem business and civic leaders, led by the late Bernard Cohen, met to discuss ways of honoring the impact of Bethlehem Area School District teachers in the lives of their students. A charitable fund was begun. In the 1990s, a significant bequest to the funds by the late Anthony Ruggiero, a former principal of Liberty High School, increased the size of the fund. In 1998, the fund was transferred to the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation which has since overseen the annual awards process.
In a partnership with the Bethlehem Area School District, the nominations for the awards are distributed throughout the district. Nominations are collected in spring and the selection committee chooses the awardees. Awards are given to teachers in elementary, middle and high schools in the Bethlehem Area School District. The awards are presented at the opening convocation of the school year. (see past recipients)
Gifts to the Fund can be made by submitting a check, payable to the Bethlehem Educational Scholastic Trust (B.E.S.T.) Fund, to the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, 840 West Hamilton Street, Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18101. Gifts can also be made via credit card by clicking the link below.
Make a gift to the Bethlehem Educational Scholastic Trust (B.E.S.T.) Fund
