Star of Netflix Hit 'Raising Dion' to Keynote YMCA Lehigh Valley Gala

EASTON- River Crossing YMCA will host Ja’Siah Young, star of Netflix’s hit show Raising Dion, as the keynote speaker at its annual Lehigh Valley Community Gala on Nov. 9 at the Centennial Catering & Conference Center in Center Valley.

The event, entitled Masquerade Gala, begins at 5:30PM, and includes cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, and both live and silent auctions to support River Crossing YMCA community impact programs. These include the Allentown Warming Station, which provides beds and meals for the unhoused during the cold months (November-April), and YMCA feeding programs for children, families and seniors throughout the Lehigh Valley region. River Crossing YMCA provides the community with over $12 million annually in the form of programs and financial assistance.

Young, 13, will talk about his exciting acting career, as well as what it is like to be a young star growing up in Easton. Young and his family have attended programs and swim lessons at the Easton branch of River Crossing YMCA throughout his life.

"The Y is really important to me and my family," explained Young. "I'm excited to speak at the gala and share my support for the Y with the whole community."

The Masquerade Gala program will also feature special guest Hanna O’Reilly, current social media manager for Discover Lehigh Valley and former Y camp counselor. Awards will be presented to Y Champion Award Winners the Bajan Family, the County of Lehigh, and Two Rivers Health & Wellness Foundation. 

The Presenting Sponsor of the 2024 Masquerade Gala is Lehigh Valley Health Network. Silver Sponsors are United Federal Credit Union and Wind Creek Bethlehem. Bronze level sponsors include PSECU, Capital Blue Cross, First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, Highmark Blue Shield, Barley Snyder, Attorneys at Law, Heavy & Highway Construction Workers, ServPro and North Star Construction Management Inc. A full list of sponsors can be found on the gala event page.

Tickets to the Masquerade Gala can be purchased on the gala event page. Registration for those wishing to participate in the silent auction but cannot attend the event is also available on that page. Ticket sales close Nov. 1.