April 2 Fund-Raising Event to Salute Celebrity Volunteers

April 2 Fund-Raising Event
to Salute Celebrity Volunteers

News Release: January 26, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing (610) 865-4400, ext. 262

Bob Hope. Shirley Temple. Al Roker. Tim McGraw. Jane Seymour. Kurt Warner. What do these well-known television, musical and professional athlete celebrities have in common? A passion for promoting the lifesaving, humanitarian services of the American Red Cross.

“Historically, celebrities have played a key role in promoting community awareness of the American Red Cross,” said Mel Carpino, director of development and community affairs at the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. “From annual membership campaign radio broadcasts in 1939 by legends Bob Hope and Edgar Bergen to this year’s national disaster relief fund-raising efforts by Randy Travis, celebrities have embraced the work of the Red Cross.

“We’re delighted to pay tribute to these wonderful personalities at this year’s Cabaret & Cuisine fund-raising event,” Carpino said. “We’re particularly excited that Al Roker, weather and feature reporter on NBC News' TODAY Show and a member of the National Celebrity Cabinet, has taken the time to do a Public Service Announcement to promote our event on local radio stations.”

Proceeds from the event will help Red Cross provide lifesaving programs and services to residents of the Greater Lehigh Valley. The needs of our community continue to increase as we face another year of increased residential fires and an increased demand in lifesaving programs and services.

Cabaret & Cuisine 2004 will be held Friday, April 2, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., under two heated tents at the Red Cross, 2200 Avenue A in Bethlehem. Community volunteers Mark and Patti Gates Smith are honorary chairpersons; Jane Stone of Highmark Blue Shield, is chairwoman.

Guests will begin with hors d’oeuvres and beverages in “the lounge,” while listening to the soulful music of KATO -- Patty and Craig Kastelnik; view the many displays of Red Cross celebrities both past and present; or have their caricature drawn. For the sixth year, Wegman’s chefs will prepare and serve the evening’s main fare. Following dinner, guests are invited to Take to the dance floor or relax in the lounge tent.

“Thanks to an outstanding volunteer committee, this year’s event will be sparkling with fun,” said Jane Stone. “We’re definitely going Hollywood! From luminaries to a red carpet walkway to top hat centerpieces, and balloons, we’ve set the stage for a star-studded event. It is going to be a lot of fun.”

Attendees will have an opportunity to try their luck at winning a number of dazzling raffle prizes, including: a 14 karat gold florentine ladies bracelet from Bixler’s Jewelers; two tickets to a Sovereign Center show with transportation provided by A&A Limo; a dining gift certificate to Edge plus a designer ice server with wine; a Home Depot gas grill and Al Roker-autographed cookbook; a golf foursome and lunch at Berkleigh Country Club; an oil painting by artist Helen Bachman Hodges; and portrait packages from Wilson Black Photography.

Individual ticket prices for the business-casual event are: $150 per person at the Super Star level, which includes special recognition at the event; and $100 per person at the Shining Star level. Corporate sponsorships are also available at various levels. For an invitation or more information, call the Red Cross at (610) 865-4400, ext. 259, or visit www.redcrosslv.org and click on calendar of events.

Serving on the committee are: Victoria Penske Aitchison, community volunteer; Laura Azzalina, Sovereign Bank; Nancy Billiard, Keystone Nazareth Bank & Trust; Desty Bonstein, Embassy Bank; Mel Carpino, American Red Cross; Jennifer Castellano, The Express-Times; Helle Jepsen, community volunteer; Paula Marinkovits, American Red Cross; Winnie DiLeo Melinsky, Highmark Blue Shield; Karen Mesch, community volunteer; Janice Osborne, American Red Cross; Cathy Perna, Saucon Valley Mortgage Company; and Pamela Varkony, Spectrum Global.

Major sponsors as of Jan. 26 include: BEF Corporation; Mack Trucks, Inc.; Sovereign Bank; The Express-Times; Cousins Rental; Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal; Wegmans Food Markets; Highmark Blue Shield; Keystone Nazareth Bank & Trust; American Express Financial Advisors; Capital Blue Cross; Lafayette Ambassador Bank; Saucon Valley Mortgage Company; Workhorse Design; Kent and Tori Penske Aitchison; Allegra Print and Imaging; Bixler’s Jewelers; Embassy Bank; Hospital Central Services; Moravian College; and Mark and Patti Gates Smith.

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 about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.