The PennAEYC Voice for Children Celebration
PennAEYC recognizes the critical role advocacy plays in access to high-quality early care and education settings and celebrates those who speak on behalf of Pennsylvania’s children. Community advocates are critical to ensuring all Pennsylvania children get the start that they deserve in school and in 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.
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.
2026 Voice for Children Celebration
Friday April 10, 2026 for 5:30pm to 8:30pm Hershey Lodge, 325 University Drive, Hershey PA 17033
Event Fees:
$160.00–Early Bird: January 26-February 28, 2026
$175.00–Regular Registration: March 1-March 31, 2026
Event Schedule:
Friday, April 10, 2026
- 5:30 Doors Open, Basket raffle begins
- 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
Overnight Accommodations
Book you hotel room now for the Voice celebration event!
We have added an additional 10 rooms to the current room block! If you tried to book your room previously and were told it was sold out please try again!
- Please contact a Reservation Agent at the Hershey Lodge Reservation office at 855-729-3108, and ask for the room block for the PA Assn for the Education of Young Children April 10 – 11, 2026. Attendees will identify themselves as part of PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN’s group and must provide their name, type of room, check-in and check-out dates and special accommodation requests.
- Please make your reservations prior to Thursday, March 12, 2026. After this date, room prices may increase and/or rooms may not be available. The room block is limited.
- Cost: $229.00 per room per night plus 11% taxes **Credit cards are charged a one night’s advance deposit including tax at time of booking a room reservation.
PennAEYC is pleased to announce the 2026 Voice for Children Recipients
PennAEYC is proud to congratulate the 2026 VOICE for Children Award Honorees
Charles J. Coe, MSW, MPH, MSN, CPNP, LCSW, C-ACYFSW
VOICE for Children Honoree
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Incredible Kids Learning Center
Philadelphia
Nicole Fetherman, M.Ed.
VOICE for Children Honoree
Executive Director, LifeSpan School & Daycare
Quakertown
Meghan Strawcutter, M.Ed.
VOICE for Children Honoree
Executive Director, LOLA’s Early Care and Education Center
Homer City
PennAEYC is proud to congratulate the 2026 VOICE for Children Distinguished Career Award Honorees
Sue Polojac, M.Ed.
Distinguished Career Honoree
Director, Rae Ann Hirsh Apprenticeship Program for Early Childhood Education,
Carlow University
Pittsburgh
Anu Sachdev, Ph.D
Distinguished Career Honoree
Faculty, East East Stroudsburg University
East Stroudsburg
Program Appreciation Message Ad Opportunities
Do you want to honor an awardee with a personal message? Maybe you want to thank someone for their dedication to advocating for young children? Share your personal congratulations or thank you messages in the 2026 Voice for Children event program.
$75.00 Business Card: 3.5w x 2h
$150.00 Quarter Page: 3.5w x 5.5h
$300.00 Half Page: 8w x 5.5h
Interested in a 2026 VOICE for Children Celebration Sponsorship?
Check out our 2026 Sponsor Opportunities
For information on how your company can support and sponsor PennAEYC events please contact Rose Snyder rsnyder@pennaeyc.org or call 717-635-9026 ext. 300
Download the 2026 Voice Sponsor information here.
Voice for Children Celebration Sponsors
2026 VOICE for Children Premier Sponsors
2026 VOICE for Children Platinum Sponsors
2026 VOICE for Children Gold Sponsors
2026 VOICE for Children Silver Sponsors
2026 VOICE for Children Bronze Sponsors
2026 VOICE for Children Hero Sponsors
2026 VOICE for Children Supporters
Bucks County Chapter of PennAEYC
Capital Area Chapter of PennAEYC
C & G Strategies
First Start Partnerships
First Up
Kaplan Early Learning Company
Lehigh-Northampton Chapter of PennAEYC
LifeSpan
Sachdev Family
Schreckengaust Associates
The Learning Lamp, Johnstown PA
OCDEL & The Pennsylvania Key
The PDO at PASSHE
The PDO at PHMC
Trying Together
Join the raffle fun! Be sure to bring your ca$h
The more you buy the more you save! $2 each, $25 for 15 tickets, $40 for 25 tickets
Preview the 2026 Baskets
Springtime Refresh: Donated by the Polojac Family-This springtime basket is the perfect accent to your springtime backyard refresh. This basket includes a beautiful Hydrangea and Home Depot Gift Card for those much needed garden supplies.
Time to Relax: Donated by Leah Spangler-This relaxation basket is filled with everything you need for a quiet evening of relaxation, adult coloring book, scented candle, cozy blanket and more!
Making Morning Bright, Coffee and Tea: Donated by Meredith Matone– This basket is designed for cozy mornings and the tea lover in you. Cozy up with a cup and fill your bucket!
“Little Town” Toy Basket: Donated by the Smoyer Family-This busy basket is filled with FCS certified wooden toys your little ones will love! This basket includes busy boards, pull toys, an activity box, stacking tower and wooden puzzles!
Erie Summer Treasures Basket: Donated by the Harkins Family– A collection of wonderful items from Erie, PA’s finest small business retailers, including beach glass jewelry, sponge candy chocolates and specialty coffee.
Troegs Brew Basket: Donated by DeBell Family– A collection of items to make your next party a big hit! This basket includes a $50 Troegs gift card, ice bucket, pint glasses, can sleeves, bottle opener and a bar towel to finish it off!
Sweetest place on Earth–Hershey’s Chocolate Basket: Donated by Hershey Entertainment-The most delicious collection of Hershey Products for the candy lover in you!
Let’s Play, Family Game Night: Donated by Leah Spangler-A collection of games for all ages to enjoy!
Rao’s Pasta Lovers Basket: Donated by Ann Marie Healy-Straight from the Rao’s manufacturer a wonderful collection of pasta and sauces to spice up your Italian side!
Pampered Pup Basket: Donated by Christine Nentwig, Excelist Law-Some lucky pup is about to get very spoiled! This lovely cotton basket is loaded with plush toys, delicious treats, grooming goodies, a keepsake frame for your pup’s best pic, and everything in between — the perfect gift for your favorite dog (or dog-lover)!
Show me the MONEY!: Donated by Lori Felder– Enjoy some cool cash and PA Lottery tickets in this fun financial basket.
Teacher Resource Basket: Donated by Karen Nemeth and Language Castle LLC– This basket contains a collection of books and resources for teachers who work with multilingual learners and emerging bilingual children.
A Night at the Theater in Lehigh County: Donated by DeSales University-Expl’re the “Skakesp’rience” with this delightful opp’rtunity to attend 1 show, (2 tickets) of the PA Shakespeare Festival and attend a show at ACT1 Productions at DeSales University.
Photography
1-2 weeks after our event we will have photos available from our photography team.
Photo Archives:
2025 Awards Pictures
2024 Awards Pictures
2023 Awards Pictures
2022 Awards Pictures
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
VOICE for Children Vision Award Archives