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February 17, 2006
Trexler Trust Receives Good Shepherd Raker Memorial Award

Allentown—In celebration of the anniversary of its founding in February of 1908, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network yesterday held its 21st Raker Memorial Award ceremony at Grace Lutheran Church, Hall and St. John Streets, Allentown.

This year’s Raker Memorial Award recipient was the Trexler Trust, an organization that in its 71 years of operation has provided more than $92.5 million to numerous Lehigh County charities, non-profit organizations, libraries, schools, churches and cultural institutions.

Over the past five years, the Trexler Trust has given nearly $1 million to Good Shepherd, much of which will be used to establish the Harry C. Trexler Center for Rehabilitation Technology, a specialized technology laboratory and treatment facility to be located in the new Good Shepherd Health and Technology Center that will open this summer.

“Because of the Trexler Trust’s amazing generosity and wise stewardship, the Harry C. Trexler Center for Rehabilitation Technology will become a reality,” says Sally Gammon, president and CEO of Good Shepherd. “The center will truly be a place where disabled men, women and children can maximize their health and independence, and improve their quality of life.”

The Trexler Trust is one of the legacies of General Harry C. Trexler, the first president of the Lehigh Portland Cement Company. During his lifetime, Trexler was known as a military man, a businessman, a lover of agriculture, a philanthropist and more. He was a visionary who incurred considerable expense to conserve and develop an extensive park system in Allentown. Trexler was a philanthropic pioneer, contributing to many of Lehigh County’s colleges, hospitals and public welfare organizations.

Since its inception in 1986, the annual Raker Memorial Award has recognized members of the community who, through philanthropy and volunteerism, honor the legacy of Good Shepherd’s founders, Dr. John H. and D. Estella Raker. In 1908, the Rakers founded Good Shepherd by inviting an orphan named Viola Hunt into their home. Good Shepherd is now a regional leader in rehabilitation, serving more than 36,000 men, women and children with physical or mental disabilities each year.

The Trexler Trust is the 67th recipient of the Raker Memorial Award. Last year’s honorees were W. Beall and Marlene (Linny) Fowler and Elmer D. Gates.

Also at Thursday’s ceremony, Mimi Lang, of Bethlehem, Good Shepherd’s urodynamics and R.N. Supervisor, was awarded the Raker Spirit Award. The award recognizes the Good Shepherd employee who most exemplifies in their day-to-day living the spiritual values that have come to be known as the Raker legacy. Lang has worked at Good Shepherd for 16 years. During that time, she has distinguished herself for her compassionate care and dedication to community service.