LVCF Honors Attorney Edward J. Lentz and the Torrey Family Fund with Philanthropy Awards
Allentown, PA, June 3, 2026 — The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation honored Edward J. Lentz, Esq. and the David Torrey and the Torrey Family Fund during its Board of Associates 2026 Spring Meeting and Awards Program, held Thursday, May 28, at Saucon Valley Country Club. The annual program brought together more than 80 members of LVCF’s Board of Associates, donors, professional advisors, nonprofit leaders, corporate executives, community volunteers, and friends of the Foundation to celebrate philanthropy and the people who help strengthen charitable giving across the Lehigh Valley.
Edward J. Lentz, an attorney with Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C., received the 2026 Service to Philanthropy Award, which recognizes a professional advisor who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to philanthropy by helping individuals, families, and businesses use charitable giving to make a lasting difference.
The 2026 Vision in Philanthropy Award was presented to David Torrey and the Torrey Family Fund in recognition of the fund’s sustained commitment to supporting nonprofit organizations through the Community Foundation.
“Tonight is a celebration of philanthropy — not just as an act of generosity, but as a reflection of trust, partnership, and love for this community,” said Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP, President and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation.
Erika shared that LVCF is experiencing a remarkable period of growth and impact. The Foundation is on track for another record year of contributions, approaching $30 million, while grants are on track to exceed $10 million for the first time in its history. LVCF’s assets have grown to almost $140 million, more than 80 percent of which is endowed. “Those numbers matter,” Petrozelli said. “But what they really represent is something much deeper. They represent the generosity of this region and the people who believe that there should be a permanent source of support to meet the changing needs of our community, today and tomorrow.”
David Torrey | Vision in Philanthropy Award
David Torrey first came to LVCF through his financial advisor after maintaining a donor-advised fund on a national platform. Seeking a more personal connection to local needs, he transferred his charitable fund to LVCF and established the Torrey Family Fund. His philanthropy has supported organizations addressing homelessness, food insecurity, emergency needs, veterans, foster youth, housing, and disaster relief. “David is a proud servant of the community,” Petrozelli said. “His philanthropy is thoughtful, consistent, and deeply compassionate. He gives where help is most needed, and he does so with care.”
In accepting the award, Torrey spoke about his appreciation for LVCF’s local knowledge and its ability to help donors respond to needs both locally and beyond the region. “I find that the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has a good knowledge of local charities,” Torrey said. “What I like about the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation is that you can give locally, as well as internationally.”
Torrey also used his remarks to highlight causes close to his heart, including housing, disaster relief, homelessness, and foster youth. He encouraged attendees to consider practical ways to help young people in foster care, including donating suitcases and backpacks so children do not have to carry belongings in trash bags.
Edward J. Lentz, Esq. | Service to Philanthropy Award
Edward J. Lentz, Esq. was recognized for his longstanding leadership as a professional advisor and his partnership with LVCF. A former member of LVCF’s Board of Governors, Lentz has helped clients incorporate charitable giving into estate, retirement, and wealth management planning, creating opportunities for meaningful charitable impact throughout the region.
“We at LVCF have been so fortunate to work with Ed over the years,” Petrozelli said. “He has been both an advisor to his clients and a trusted partner to LVCF.”
Joseph Bubba, Esq., Lentz’s colleague and partner at Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, introduced Lentz and praised his professional excellence, attention to detail, and nearly 50 years of service to clients and the community. “Ed has a simple mantra that he passes on to all attorneys, both old and new,” Buba said. “If you want to be good at what you do, you do not need to have an exotic model for success. You simply need to do the basic things in the right way.”
In accepting the award, Lentz thanked his colleagues, family, and the Community Foundation, noting the significance of receiving the recognition at this point in his career. “To receive this award at this time means a lot to me,” Lentz said. “It especially means a lot because I’ve seen the Foundation grow from kind of a sleepy Bethlehem foundation to a dynamic organization with $140 million of assets under management.”
The event was sponsored by PNC Bank, Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, Charlie and Ruth Marcon, and David and Carol Osborn.
About the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
At the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, we connect donors who care with causes that matter. A leader in charitable giving in the Lehigh Valley for more than 50 years, LVCF receives support from donors, manages funds to grow over time, and makes high-impact grants to strengthen local nonprofits. To learn more, visit www.lvcfoundation.org.
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Contact:
Michael Wilson, Director of Communications
Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
840 West Hamilton Street, Suite 310
Allentown, PA 18101
Cell: 484-695-3277
michael@lvcfoundation.org