The PennZone

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - PennZone -- Grace Montessori School (GMS), a nonprofit school and childcare center serving children ages 12 months to 12 years, will host its annual benefit, Legacy of Learning, on Thursday, May 15, at 5:30 p.m., at the Americus Hotel in Center City. GMS is dedicating a portion of the night to honoring Lin Erickson and Ashley Russo, who will receive the Grace Montessori Mission Award and Grace Montessori Lifetime Learning Award, respectively.

"We are proud to honor individuals like Lin Erickson and Ashley Russo, whose dedication to education and community impact aligns so deeply with our mission," said GMS Director Radhika Hoshing. "This event is not just a fundraiser; it's a celebration of our community's unwavering commitment to providing a nurturing, inclusive, and enriching environment for children."

More on The PennZone

• Bank Statement Loans Up to $30 Million: Lendmire Announces High-Net-Worth Financing
• NYC Big Book Award Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Announcement of 2026 Winners
• Birch Run Psychological Services Launches Updated Online Therapy Website
• Perfexion Inc. Recognized in the Philadelphia Business Journal's 2026 Branding, Marketing and Media Services List
• Regional Magazines Shine at IRMA Awards

Ruth and Charles Marcon and Borko Milosev, principal at Post Road Management, will serve as the event's honorary co-chairs. The City of Allentown's Communications Manager Genesis Ortega will serve as the event's M.C.

The event will support the mission of GMS's Closing the Achievement Gap scholarship program, which assists over 40 families annually. Funds raised will also help sustain programs, including STEAM curriculum, yoga, music, art, Spanish, and remedial reading.

As the executive director and CEO of Da Vinci Science Center, Erickson is dedicated to creating opportunities for all individuals to engage in STEAM programs, focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Her commitment to collaboration with schools and the community forms the foundation of the Center's vision to serve as a community-based resource and regional hub.

Russo is a seven-time Emmy® award-winning executive producer and 25-year media veteran. She has long engaged in philanthropic work to support GMS's mission through her position as owner of ASR Media, publisher of Fig Lehigh Valley and CEO at Magnaplate. She serves on various boards, actively supports committees, co-chairs community fundraisers, and is a member of professional and philanthropic organizations.

More on The PennZone

• Matt Zavala of Zavala Law, PC Selected to the 2027 Super Lawyers List
• Sawgrass Ford President Attributes Dealerships Success to Long-Term Employees
• New Children's Book "Frolly Found a Dolly in the Park" Celebrates Empathy and the Joy of Help
• Ragin' Cajun Announces New Cheeseburger Seasoning on National Cheeseburger Day
• Warrant Activity, AVERSA™ Progress and a Potentially Transformative Fall Take Center Stage: Nutriband Inc. (N A S D A Q: NTRB)

Both will be recognized for this partnership with GMS and their commitment and dedication to improving the lives of families in Allentown and throughout the Lehigh Valley.

GMS reserves 30 percent of its annual enrollment for students who need scholarships. Giving a child a full year of education at GMS means nurturing that child's spirit through care for the whole child, fostering cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. Over the last 30 years, over $2 million in scholarship assistance has been awarded to GMS students.

Event committee members include Hoshing, Libby House, Andrea Langkamer-Smith, Karen Turek and Yuli Vangas.

Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels. Contact Diane Cimorelli at dcimorelli@gracemontessori.org or 610-435-4060 for more information.