Red Cross to Present 2 National Lifesaving Awards at Annual Meeting and Awards Recognition
News Release: September 1, 2006
Contact: Janice Osborne, director-Communications and Marketing; (610) 865-4400, ext. 262

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley will hold its annual meeting and awards recognition on Thursday, Sept. 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Rodale Community Room of Allentown Symphony Hall.

Gretchen Stoudt of Nazareth will receive the Certificate of Merit Award, and Michelle Adams of Allentown will receive the Lifesaving Award for the Professional Responder. Both awards are the highest national American Red Cross honor given to an individual who saves or sustains a life by using Red Cross training. Stoudt helped save the life of her mother by applying abdominal thrusts to save her from choking during a Thanksgiving dinner. Adams, program assistant at LifePath in Bethlehem, is credited for saving the life of a day-program resident who was choking on a piece of candy.

Other awards include the Clara Barton Honor Award, the highest award the American Red Cross bestows on a volunteer in recognition of meritorious service in volunteer leadership positions held over a period of years; The Good Neighbor Award in recognition of local businesses or corporations that have provided significant, ongoing support to Red Cross over a number of years; the Workplace Recognition Award in recognition for an organization’s or company’s commitment to provide Red Cross training in lifesaving skills to their employees; and the Tiffany Award for Employee Excellence in recognition of superior job performance demonstrated by an employee of the American Red Cross.

In addition, Betsy and Sam Torrence, co-chairs of the 2006 Clara Barton Society Campaign, will be recognized for their efforts in raising nearly $150,000 for the local Red Cross.

The annual meeting will include comments by Chairman Bob McGovern, a recap of the 2005-2006 year-end fiscal report, and recognition of outgoing and incoming board members.

The public is invited. Cost is $20 per person and includes refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. Call Beth McKinney at (610) 865-4400, ext. 261, by Sept. 14, to make a reservation.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief 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.