Good Shepherd To Honor Supporters at Raker Memorial Awards Ceremony on June 14

6/12/2012

Allentown, PA – Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network will hold its 27th Raker Memorial Award ceremony on Thursday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 729 St. John Street, Allentown.  Local dignitaries, philanthropists and members of the community will be on hand to help Good Shepherd honor the members of the community who, through philanthropy and volunteerism, honor the legacy of Good Shepherd’s founders, The Rev. John H. and D. Estella Raker and their son, The Rev. Dr. Conrad W. Raker. 

This year, Raker Memorial Awards will be presented Dexter and Dorothy Baker of Allentown and Naples, FL, Ray Federici of Orefield and Rod and Madeline Fink of West Palm Beach, FL.  Jim Kwiatkowski of Mertztown, manager of Good Shepherd Physical Therapy – Kutztown, will receive the Raker Spirit Award, which pays tribute to a Good Shepherd employee who exemplifies the values and spirit of the Raker family.

The Bakers have been instrumental in providing support to Good Shepherd’s Outpatient Pediatrics program through the Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation. Their generosity has helped fund programs for children with autism and other developmental disabilities and for the purchase of assistive technology for learning, literacy and alternative communication. Dexter Baker is former chairman and CEO of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and captain in the U.S. Army, Federici first became involved with Good Shepherd in 1983 as an employee of Alvin H. Butz, Inc., when he worked on the expansion of the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital. His support of Good Shepherd includes chairing the Celebrity Tennis Classic and serving on the Board of Trustees.

The Finks have been avid supporters of Good Shepherd for more than 20 years, including the pediatric rehabilitation program, and have contributed through the Celebrity Tennis Classic, Golf & Tennis Invitational and Gala in the Garden. Rod Fink has been a Good Shepherd volunteer and member of the Board of Trustees.

Jim Kwiatkowski, a 25-year Good Shepherd employee, exemplifies the spirit of the Raker family through his dedication to his patients, staff members and the community. He has presented educational programs at local schools and community health fairs and has personally gone above and beyond for his patients by providing compassionate care and personal concern. He also has served the community through his church, helping needy families, including local flood victims, and is a supporter of his local library.