That’s a wrap on the… 2025 VOICE for Children Celebration!
Watch for the save the date for 2026 Friday April 10, 2026 – 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

PennAEYC recognizes the critical role advocacy plays in high-quality early care and education settings and celebrates those who speak on behalf of Pennsylvania’s children and the early childhood profession. Community advocates are critical to ensuring all Pennsylvania children get the start that they deserve in school and in life. As the voice for early care and learning, community advocates are an invaluable component to assuring all Pennsylvania’s children get the start they deserve in school and life

The VOICE for Children Award is the only statewide award in Pennsylvania recognizing early care and education professionals, who are not paid advocates, that go above and beyond their daily work in the field by being grassroots leaders through advocacy and public policy efforts, The VOICE Award celebrates not only individual award recipients, but the early childhood profession. 

The winners will be honored at the VOICE for Children Award Reception and Dinner on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Hershey Lodge, 325 University Drive, Hershey PA.

Registration is now closed.
Save the date!
Join us in 2026

Early Bird: Coming in January 2026

Regular Registration: Coming in January 2026

Friday, April 10, 2026 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

  • 5:30 PM to 6:30 pm Reception with a selection of light hors d’oeuvres and a cash beverage bar will be available
  • 6:30 PM to 8:30 pm VOICE for Children Awards Dinner and Program

We are honored to celebrate the accomplishments of professionals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to advocating for high quality early learning opportunities in Pennsylvania.

Congratulations to the 2025 VOICE for Children Award Honorees

Mrs. Lesely Crawford

Executive Director and Educator, ABK Learning and Development Center Pittsburgh

Read Mrs. Lesely Crawford’s Bio

Sonya Geisinger

VOICE for Children Student Honoree

Owner/Operator Sonya Sue Geisinger’s Family Daycare Coopersburg

Read Sonya Geisinger’s Bio

Eva Wood

VOICE for Children Honoree

Executive Director Ligonier Valley Learning Center, Inc Latrobe

Read Eva Wood’s Bio

Congratulations to the 2025 VOICE for Children Distinguished Career Award Honoree

Distinguished Career Awardee

Gail Nourse, MSW Consultant and First Director of the Pennsylvania Key

Read Gail Nourse’s Bio

Congratulations to the  2025 VOICE for Children Vision Award Honoree

Read Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce Bio

Robert S. Carl, Jr

President and CEO

Samantha M. Chivinski

Executive Vice President



Basket Raffle Fun in 2025! Congratulations to our basket winners! $1031.00 was raised to support PennAEYC

$2 each, $25 for 15 tickets, $40 for 25 tickets

We raised over $1,030 in our 2025 basket raffle! Thank you for your support!


Interested in a 2026 VOICE for Children Celebration Sponsorship?

For information on how your company can support and sponsor PennAEYC events please contact Rose Snyder rsnyder@pennaeyc.org or call 717-635-9026 ext. 300

Voice for Children Celebration Sponsors


2025 VOICE for Children Platinum Sponsors


2025 VOICE for Children Gold Sponsors


2025 VOICE for Children Silver Sponsors


2025 VOICE for Children Bronze Sponsors


2025 VOICE for Children Hero Sponsors



2025 VOICE for Children Supporters

For information on how your company can support and sponsor PennAEYC events please contact Rose Snyder at rsnyder@pennaeyc.org or call 717-635-9026.

Visit our Archives for Past Awards