Red Cross Pays Tribute to Most Valuable Resource -- Its Volunteers
News Release: April 20, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
Today (4/20), the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley honored its more than 300 volunteers in Lehigh and Northampton counties at a luncheon sponsored for the fifth year by Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Allentown.
“We value our volunteers and reply upon each and every one of you for the important work that you do day in and day out,” John Hughes, executive director, told the group of more than 70 at the volunteer appreciation and recognition luncheon. “You are generously giving of your time and of yourselves to serve the Red Cross and to improve the circumstance of others. And for that, we thank you.”
Twenty-seven volunteers received service anniversary pins in recognition of their five to 30 years of service. In addition, four volunteers received Extraordinary Volunteer Awards for their contributions to the Red Cross during the past year. Receiving awards were: Jon Conrad of
Bethlehem, board member and chairperson of the Human Resources Committee; Paul Veneskey
of Emmaus, for his work on the Chapter’s inventory management processes; and Ed Lenny and Isabel Lenny of Allentown, for their involvement with local disaster response, special fund-raising events and services to military personnel and their families.
In addition, Moravian College senior Brynn Saltzer and Kutztown University senior Stephanie Bush were recognized for their internship work at the Red Cross.
Nurse volunteers Marygrace Gonzalez of Bethlehem and Kathie Hennessey of Allentown were recognized for receiving Red Cross nurses pins last year. Each pin is uniquely numbered and is granted to those nurse volunteers who have contributed at least 20 hours of volunteer service to the Red Cross.
Red Cross presented a plaque to Carrabba’s manager Gregg Johnson and his staff in appreciation for their fifth year sponsoring the Red Cross volunteer appreciation and recognition luncheon.
Red Cross will host a volunteer appreciation and recognition reception for its Carbon County volunteers on Friday, April 23, at Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital Conference Center in Lehighton. The breakfast is sponsored by the hospital and Sodexho, the food services company for the hospital.
For information about Red Cross volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400.
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.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill was founded in Houston, Texas, by Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola in December 1986. Both Carrabba and Mandola have extensive restaurant experience and belong to one of Houston’s most successful restaurant families. Many of the recipes on the menu are those of Mandola’s mother Grace and sister Rose.
A joint venture partnership was formed in January of 1993 with the Aussie-themed Outback Steakhouse, Inc. Under the joint partnership, 10 locations were opened in Houston and Florida. In January 1995, Outback Steakhouse, Inc. acquired the rights to develop Carrabba’s nationwide.
