News Release: March 3, 2003
Contact: Janice Osborne, Manager-Media & Community Affairs
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
Cabaret & Cuisine 2003 -- an eclectic event of dancing, dining, music and more to benefit the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley -- will be held on Friday,
March 28. Proceeds and contributions will support programs and services offered by the
Red Cross, some of which include disaster relief services, health and safety prevention, and education programs.
"The Red Cross relies on financial gifts from donors to enable the chapter to provide food, shelter, clothing, counseling and other assistance to those in need following a disaster," said Mel Carpino, director of development and community affairs at the local chapter.
"This is especially important due to the increase in incidents that the Red Cross has
responded to in the last few months," said Carpino. During the first seven months of the chapter's fiscal year, the Red Cross has responded to 48 percent more disasters compared to the
same time last year. The chapter has also assisted 516 individuals, which is a 54 percent increase when compared to last year at the same time.
The business-casual event will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in two heated tents at the American Red Cross, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem.
Victoria Penske Aitchison is chairing this event. Committee members include: Laura Azzalina, Desty Bonstein, Jennifer Castellano, Helle Jepsen, Janice Osborne, Cathy Perna, Crislyn Penske Sheeler, Jane Stone, Kim Till, Pamela Varkony, and Tamantha Yanders.
Wegmans' gourmet chefs will provide an assortment of dinner delicacies in the main tent. Dessert and coffee will be provided by The Gateway Conference Center. The musical stylings of Cover Story & the Bourbon Street Horns will provide a variety of music for attendees’ listening and dancing pleasure following dinner. A cabaret-style lounge with soft music also will be available for more intimate conversation.
Attendees can try their luck at winning one of several raffle prizes ranging from $250 to $500, including an elegant gold bracelet from Bixler's Jewelers plus a $250 Bixler's gift certificate; a full-day guided fly fishing tour for two from Old Lehigh Outfitters; or a photography package from Wilson Black Photography, and more.
On loan from the American Red Cross Museum is "Images of Hope," an exhibit depicting the critical role American Red Cross volunteers play in humanitarian relief. This
12-panel exhibit, depicts Red Cross Relief efforts across the nation and around the world.
This year for the first time, the Red Cross is offering two individual ticket price levels.
At the Band Leader level, which is $150 per person, individuals can champion the cause for the local American Red Cross and receive special recognition at this event. The second ticket option is Band Member at $100 per person. Corporate sponsorship packages are welcome. For reservations, call the Red Cross at (610) 865-4400, ext. 259.
Sponsors of the event include: Five-Flag Sponsors: BEF Corporation; Cousins Rental; Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal; The Express-Times/The Allentown Times; Mack Trucks Inc.; and Wegmans Food Markets; Four-Flag Sponsors: Agway Energy Products; Pennsylvania Blue Shield: A Highmark Company; Sovereign Bank; and UnitedTrust Bank; Triple-Flag Sponsors: Binney & Smith, Inc.; Christmas City Printing; Clarke Systems; Harleysville Wealth Management & Citizen's National Bank; Lafayette Ambassador Bank; Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, MHD; Liberty Property Trust; Nazareth National Bank; PPL Corporation and its Affiliates; and Victaulic Company of America; Double-Flag Sponsors: Alphagraphics; Alvin H. Butz, Inc.; Cassidy Communications, Inc.; Cover Story & the Bourbon Street Horns; Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley; Essroc Cement Corporation; Hartford Customer Services Group; Hospital Central Services, Inc. & Affiliates; The Jaindl Companies; Leber Financial Group Inc.; Moravian College; Premier Bank; Saucon Valley Mortgage; UGI Utilities Inc.; and Wilmer R. Schultz; and Single-Flag Sponsors: Hawley Realty, Inc.; Phoebe Floral Shop; PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; and Special Events by Merry Maid.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more then 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 then 20,000 Greater Lehigh
Valley residents.
For more information about your local Red Cross, visit www.redcrosslv.org.
