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

• Igniting High-Growth Transformation With Launch of XMax AI Subsidiary, Leveraging Global Furniture Dominance to Enter Explosive AI Markets: XMax Inc
• Acuvance Earns 2026 Great Place to Work® Certification
• As Global Tensions Rise, Demand Grows for Private Spaces to Process Thoughts and Speak Freely Online
• Cryptsoft demonstrates Hybrid-PQC Authentication Token use for quantum-safe systems and infrastructure
• Expert Law Attorneys' Top Law Firms to Know: March 2026

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

• Green Office Partner Strengthens Global Operations with Mexico-Based DigitalVAAR Partnership
• P-Wave Classics Announces the Publication of The Female Quixote, Volume I, by Charlotte Lennox
• Everwild Music Festival Unveils 2026 Schedule: No Overlapping Sets, Longer Performances, and Epic Late-Night Sets!
• 300 Episodes. One Mission: Brother Marcus Ignites a Global Movement of Inspiration
• Riggo Production Studio Launches Monthly Content Package for Growing Brands

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.