Volunteers Recognized for Their Spirit, Years of Service
News Release: April 29, 2003
Contact: Janice Osborne, Manager-Media & Community Affairs
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
Just who are your local Red Cross volunteers? The answer just might surprise you.
A retired dentist. A pilot. A former member of the Peace Corps who was featured in National Geographic for her work in South Africa. A Liberty High School student. An 85-year-old grandmother. A Kutztown University senior. A full-time homemaker. A psychiatrist. And the list goes on.
Their backgrounds couldn’t be more varied. But, they have one thing in common: their volunteer work enables the Red Cross to save lives.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley paid special tribute to its nearly 400 volunteers at a luncheon today (4/29) hosted by Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Allentown. This is the fourth year that the restaurant has volunteered its time and talent to prepare and serve a full-course meal free of charge to the Red Cross.
“Red Cross volunteers in the Greater Lehigh Valley devoted 20,261 hours of service to our community last year,” said Deb Evans, board member and chairwoman of the volunteer advisory committee for the Red Cross. “We are grateful for their unwavering support and are pleased to recognize their efforts during National Volunteer Week.”
Twenty volunteers received service anniversary pins ranging from 5 years to 35 years. Two volunteers, Mary Rarich of Macungie, and Shirley Derr of Alburtis, received a 35-year and 30-year service pin, respectively, for their work as Red Cross volunteers at Phoebe Home in Allentown.
Three volunteers received the Extraordinary Volunteer Award: Chris Andrews of Allentown; Don Friedhoff of Bethlehem; and Patti Gates Smith of Fogelsville.
Andrews, a disaster services and health and safety services volunteer, was recognized for his “willingness to take charge whenever the need arises,” his leadership role as a disaster response coordinator and mentor to new disaster services volunteers. He has been a volunteer since 2001.
For Friedhoff, “ ‘no’ is not in his vocabulary when it comes to helping Red Cross” wrote Red Cross health and safety representatives in a written nomination. Friedhoff teaches CPR and first aid and was instrumental in providing automated external defibrillator (AED) training during the chapter’s Project Lifesaver pilot program to increase the community’s awareness of AEDs.
Smith was recognized for her volunteer support as a valued member of the Red Cross board for nearly six years. During that time she served as chairwoman of the agency’s annual golf tournament for two years and as chairwoman of this year’s March is Red Cross Month activities. She serves as a member of the chapter’s health and safety advisory committee and the strategic planning committee.
Also recognized were Geraldine Bodnar of Macungie, Marygrace Gonzalez of Bethlehem, Kathie Hennessey of Allentown, Cathleen O’Connor of Macungie and Nancy Stott of Walnutport, who received Red Cross nursing pins for their volunteer service during the past year.
A plaque was presented to John Ross, proprietor of Carrabba’s, for the restaurant’s free hosting of the event for the past four years. “The Carrabba family of restaurants nationwide has a deep respect for the American Red Cross. It’s our pleasure to recognize the dedication of the Red Cross volunteers,” said Ross. “And, I’m proud of our chefs and wait staff who have volunteered to give their time to prepare and serve lunch. I think it’s a wonderful tribute.”
Today’s luncheon is one of two events being held. Another recognition event will be held on May 5 at Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital Community Center in Lehighton for Red Cross volunteers in the Carbon County area.
National Volunteer Week began in 1974, when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteerism. Every President since has signed a Proclamation in support of the week. Sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation and the national network of Volunteer Centers, National Volunteer Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the efforts of volunteers at the local, state and national levels.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.
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 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.
