Draft:The Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation

The Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation (November 16th, 1952) is a non-profit, charitable trust located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Founded by Russell K. Laros and Helen K. Laros on November 16, 1952, the Foundation is dedicated to supporting local community non-profit organizations. The Foundation’s mission spans various sectors including the arts, education, child and elder care, environmental conservation, health, historical preservation, and human and public services.

Over the years, the Foundation has grown its assets to over $5 million and has provided grants amounting to more than $9 million. This financial support has benefitted more than 150 local non-profit organizations. Some of the nonprofit organizations it has supported include the Bach Choir, Bethlehem Public Library, Bethlehem YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem, Charter Arts Academy of the Lehigh Valley, Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, Fountain Hill Food Pantry, Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley, Meals on Wheels, New Bethany Ministries, St.Luke’s University Health Network and Valley Youth House.

History
Russell K. Laros founded Laros Industries, a silk manufacturing company, in 1919. Based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the became one of the top silk manufacturers in the country at the time and went on to produce silk lingerie fashions of the early to mid-20th century. For nearly four decades, Laros Industries employed thousands of workers, contributing to the economic and social fabric of the region. Russell K. Laros was known for his innovative approach to silk manufacturing and his commitment to quality, which earned the company a stellar reputation both domestically and internationally.

In 1952, Russell K. Laros and his wife Helen K. Laros established the Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation. The foundation was created as a charitable trust to provide lasting support to the Bethlehem community, reflecting the Laros family’s commitment to philanthropy and community service. The foundation aimed to support a wide range of community needs, including the arts, education, child and elder care, environmental conservation, health, historical preservation, and human and public services.

Following the death of Russell K. Laros in 1955, the company continued to operate until its sale in 1957. Despite the sale of Laros Industries, the Laros Foundation remained a cornerstone of the Laros legacy, continuing to impact the Bethlehem community significantly. The foundation’s enduring presence and its ongoing philanthropic efforts have ensured that the Laros family’s dedication to community service lives on.

Leadership
The Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation is currently headed by a board of 13 trustees, two associate trustees, and Executive Director Sharon Jones Zondag. The Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation Board of Trustees is made up of Bethlehem-area community members and third- and fourth-generation Laros Family members.