Honoring Mrs. Catherine, a longtime community philanthropist and leader, the Lycoming County United States has elected Mrs. Catherine. “kay” Ertel to receive the organization’s highest honor, the Douglas C. Dickey Humanitarian Award.
According to a news release, the award will be presented at the board’s annual meeting and awards event on April 13 at the Downtown Inn, 100 Pine St.
“The award is presented annually to individuals whose dedication, commitment and leadership have contributed greatly to the benefit of Lycing County.” the news release said.
Presented annually since 1947, the award was celebrated in the Lycoming America Way Award in 1997 in memory of recent Lycoming County USA President Douglas C. Dickey, who was among those lost in the crash of TWA Flight 800.
“For past awards, I am pleased to include Ms. Ertel in the group honoring those who have dedicated their lives to service in our community and organization.” said Ron Frick, president of Lycoming County Road America, according to a news release. “Cay has been a longtime donor to State Road as well as other nonprofit organizations in our community, and she and her late husband Allen were instrumental in the renovation of the former Bethune Douglas Community Center, now Firetree Place, which offers counseling for children and families who need it before and after school. His quiet but committed philanthropy is worthy of this honor and recognition.
In addition to her decade-long support of State Road, Kay and her late husband Allen founded Firetree Place in 2015, and served on the board of directors and as its president at Firetree Place. Kay Ertel has also served in the leadership of the YWCA of Northcentral PA as a director, trustee, capital chair and campaign president. Blancha received the Smink Volunteer Award in 1988. She was an active member of the Junior League of Williamsport, chaired local March of Dimes campaigns, and was involved in the preservation of Williamsport. Kay Ertel also served as a director of the Lycoming County Democratic Women’s Club and served as its chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Women’s Club. The Ertels, the news release said, were also instrumental in establishing the Taylor J. Ertel Foster Child Scholarship Foundation in memory of their son, Taylor.
“Speaking for Firetree’s board of directors, we believe the selection of Kay Ertel as a Humanitarian Award recipient is a long overdue honor.” John Brunette, current board chair, said in a news release. “When Firetree Place opened, Kay insisted that we create children’s programs in our Before School, After School, and Summer Camp programs that help prepare kids to be successful adults.”
“We hope the community will come out and celebrate our achievements as an organization and recognize the employees, partners and volunteers who make us who we are as an organization.” Miranda Kujawa, United travel partner and chair of the trade committee, said in a news release. “We have some entertainment planned and we hope to sell out the event as we have done in previous years.”
Again this year, thanks to past Dickey recipient George Tsunis and his wife Olga and Chartwell Hotels, program partners will be giving away two free tickets to the event, and all net proceeds will support LCUW programs.
The news release said United States Road is also honored to have an award sponsored by UPMC this year.
Tickets are available by calling the Federal County Highway Service at 570-323-9448 or by email at breichenbach@lcuw.org. Checks to be made payable to Lycoming County Federal Highway. Checks and credit cards can be accepted in advance or at the door the night of the event.
