A Godbolt to Build Strong Children

A Godbolt evokes images of fiery power and thundering omnipotence. But it's also fleeting. Gone almost as soon as you've noticed it was there. A human Godbolt was honored over the weekend when nearly 150 people gathered in the Marvine Village to see the playing fields behind the Marjorie B Fink Building dedicated to the late Steve Godbolt, who passed away last September. He was the Executive Director of the Northeast Ministry.

Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan called him a "special person" who "threw himself into the service of others." In the heart of the Marvine-Pembroke community, Godbolt dedicated his adult life, thirty years, to the needs of disadvantaged youth and families. He started "homework clubs" for the kids, and then recruited adult volunteers to act as mentors.

Steve's brother, Michael, and his niece, Natalie

Hundreds of kids benefited and were able to crawl out of their surroundings. At Godbolt's Memorial service in September, they could be seen, both in business suits and working clothes.

Callahan noted that Godbolt's name was not one you'd see in the paper every day, but it is people like him that make any community a success. Then the Mayor, a former Head Start kid with a speech impediment, uncharacteristically broke down in tears, apologizing to everyone. But The Bethlehem Housing Authority's (BHA) Mark Iampietro refused to accept it, stating that Callahan's heartfelt emotion was perhaps the finest tribute that Godbolt could receive.

Godbolt's niece, the petite Natalie Seier, was in his office shortly aftyer his death, and noticed a saying her uncle had written down. "The purest joy in life comes from trying to help others," was inscribed among his papers. Clara Kendy, Executive Director of the BHA, noticed the words of Frederick Douglas, hanging on Godbolt's wall. "It's easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”