Annual Fund-Raiser Celebrates the Spirit of the American Red Cross in the Greater Lehigh Valley
News Release: February 26, 2002
Contact: Janice Osborne, Manager-Media & Community Affairs
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
Red and White & Blue too! is the theme of this year's American Red Cross Affair 2002 fund-raiser to be held Friday, March 22, in Bethlehem. Proceeds from the event will help the Red Cross provide relief services for area families affected by disaster.
"Our all-American theme is a natural one in light of recent national events," said Mel Carpino, director of Development and Community Affairs at the local chapter. "It's through fund-raisers such as this one that we are able to help people locally who suffer through personal tragedies most people never hear about.
"For example, in our community alone, our chapter has responded to 67 disasters -- and counting -- since last July, helping individuals and families rebound from unpredictable circumstances. To date, we have provided nearly 900 individuals with food, shelter, clothing and grief counseling because of house fires -- our community's most frequent disaster."
The business-casual event will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the JBN Building, site of the Dinosaurs Alive II: They're Back! exhibit, 2550 Brodhead Road in Bethlehem.
Bill Hecht, chairman, president and CEO of PPL Corp., and his wife Peggy are honorary chairpersons for the Affair. Coordinating the event are: Victoria Penske Aitchison; Barrie Borger; Lori Diehl; Anne Episcopo; Deborah Evans; Jennifer Fry; Helle Jepsen; Lisa Tieser; and Kim Till.
Wegmans' gourmet chefs will present an American Bistro: Tastes of America cuisine. Live entertainment will be provided by CoverStory, an eclectic mix of musicians and backgrounds that produce a wide range of musical styles extending from the 50s through the 90s, including Blues, R&B, Rock-n-Roll and Oldies.
On loan from the American Red Cross Museum is an exhibit depicting celebrity volunteerism. The display captures the images of actors and actresses from the worlds of television, film and radio; renowned artists and authors; U.S. presidents; musicians, and humorists, all of whom urged Americans to support their Red Cross. Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart, Nancy O'Dell, Bill Cosby, Clark Gable, Minnie Pearl and many others are featured.
Attendees can try their luck at winning one of three raffle prizes valued at more than $500: an original watercolor by local artist Lois Daday; a dinner party for eight at "The Edge" restaurant in Bethlehem; or a piece of exquisite jewelry.
Wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages will be served.
Cost is $75 per person. Corporate sponsorship packages are welcome. Dress is business casual. For reservations, call the Red Cross at (610) 865-4400.
Sponsors of the event include - Five-Flags Sponsors: Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal; The Express-Times; Mack Trucks, Inc.; PPL Corp. and its affiliate H. T. Lyons; and Wegmans Food Markets; Four-Flags Sponsors: St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network; and Vista Bank; Triple-Flag Sponsors: CoverStory; First Union National Bank; Hartford Customer Services Groups; Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network; Liberty Property Trust; and Victaulic Company of America; Double-Flag Sponsors: Alphagraphics; Alvin H. Butz, Inc.; Leber Financial Group, Inc.; Moravian College; Nazareth National Bank; Premier Bank; The Morning Call; and UGI Utilities, Inc.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 15,700 greater Lehigh Valley residents.
For more information about your local Red Cross, visit www.redcrosslv.org.
