Cabaret & Cuisine Event Celebrates 125th Anniversary of the American Red Cross

Frances Hesselbein, founding president and chairman of the board of governors of the Leader to Leader Institute, and Presidential Medal of Freedom Award recipient, is this year's honorary chairman for the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross Chapter's largest annual fund-raiser.

Hesselbein will host "Cabaret & Cuisine 2006" on Friday, April 7, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Red Cross office located at 2200 Avenue A in Bethlehem. All proceeds from the event are used to support Red Cross disaster relief and lifesaving programs and services in the Lehigh Valley.

Frances Hesselbein

"Frances Hesselbein has devoted much of her life to instill nonprofit groups with the characteristics of true leadership. She is known throughout the country, if not the world, for bringing together leaders from the public, private and nonprofit sectors to share the best of leadership practices," said John Hughes, executive director of the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross. "We are extremely honored to have Mrs. Hesselbein dignify our event with her presence. Her compassion for volunteerism and the nonprofit sector is legendary.

"In our community, the American Red Cross is the human response to the needs of our friends, families and neighbors during emergencies. Every three days, the Red Cross responds to a disaster in our community. The majority of these are residential fires," Hughes said. "Last year, $182,900 was spent to provide local disaster assistance to more than 700 Lehigh Valley residents. Fund-raising events such as this one enable the Red Cross to continue to be there for those in need."

The evening will begin with a pre-event VIP reception with Hesselbein, from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and will include a book signing and photo opportunity. Copies of her book, Hesselbein on Leadership, will be available for purchase. Karen Mesch Event Planner & Caterer and Franklin Hill Vineyards are providing hors d'oeuvres, wine and champagne for reception guests. Cost for the reception is $25.

The main event will begin at 6 p.m. Its theme, "Celebrating a Legacy 125 Years Strong - Then. Now. And Always," recognizes the 125th anniversary of the national American Red Cross.

The business-casual evening will include an array of foods prepared by chefs from a variety of caterers and establishments around the Lehigh Valley. Cathy's Creative Catering, Ragona's Lighthouse, Simply Smooth, Catering by Karen Hunter, Alexander's Restaurant & Café, Looper's Grille & Bar, Starters Pub and The Buckeye Tavern are a sampling of the food sponsors. Wegmans Patisserie is providing its signature desserts.

An exhibit illustrating the critical role American Red Cross volunteers play in the face of over 65,000 large- and small-scale disasters each year will be on display that evening. Drawn from the national Red Cross museum's collection of objects and documents, the exhibit chronicles the long history of humanitarian relief, from the Johnstown Flood of 1889 to contemporary disasters like the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995. The Express-Times is hosting a visual display as well, with archived photos from Lehigh Valley disasters.

The Difference

"The Difference," the corporate band from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., will perform. "The Difference," won the First Annual Battle of the Corporate Bands sponsored by Fortune magazine at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2001.

Since the band's inception, members have volunteered their time to provide entertainment at more than 150 company and charitable events. Band members include Sal Nicrone, band leader, drums and vocals; Steve Eck, acoustic guitar and vocals; Joe Hilgar, bass guitar, vocals and keyboards; Ed McKendry, lead guitar and vocals; Jim Meyer, lead guitar and vocals; and Terry Wetzel, sound technician.

Patrons of Cabaret & Cuisine will also have a chance to bid on items at a silent auction. Proceeds from donated overnight getaways, luggage, ski lift vouchers, artwork, golf packages, concert tickets, theatre subscriptions, and a variety of gift baskets and gift certificates will all go toward supporting the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross.

Cost is $100 per person for Cabaret & Cuisine; tickets to attend the VIP Reception and Cabaret & Cuisine are $125 per person. Corporate sponsorships are available. For an invitation or more information, call (610) 865-4400, ext. 259, or visit www.redcrosslv.org.

Committee members are: Chairwoman Jane Stone, Highmark Blue Shield; Victoria Penske Aitchison, community volunteer; Laura Azzalina, Sovereign Bank; Nancy Billiard, Keystone Nazareth Bank & Trust; Desty Bonstein, Embassy Bank; Jennifer Castellano, The Express-Times; Matt Deibert, Northwood Surgery Center; Helle Jepsen, community volunteer; Winnie DiLeo Melinsky, Highmark Blue Shield; Karen Mesch, Karen Mesch Event Planner & Caterer; Linda Nabb, Dream Events; Cathy Perna, Perna Associates - Mortgage Solutions; Patti Gates Smith, community volunteer; Betsy Torrence, community volunteer; Robin Wolak, Lehigh Valley Financial Group; and Paula Ream, Linda Zulli-Trumbauer, Marci Wehr and Janice Osborne of the American Red Cross.

Sponsors (as of March 3): Astro Tent Rental; Mack Trucks; Highmark Blue Shield; Keystone Nazareth Bank & Trust; Sovereign Bank; Suburban Energy Services; The Express-Times; Allegra Print & Imaging; Binney & Smith; Capital BlueCross; Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal; Kraft Foods, Inc; Lafayette Ambassador Bank; PPL Corp. & its affiliates; St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network; Tuskes Homes; Perna Associates - Mortgage Solutions; Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley; The Morning Call; Target Select Cable Advertising; Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network; Hawley Realty; Hospital Central Services, Inc. and affiliates; Dream Events; Scherline & Associates; Campbell, Rappold & Yurasits, LLP; Klunk & Millan Advertising; Ashley Development Corp.; Keystone Consulting Engineers; Elysian Fields; Coca-Cola Bottling Company of the Lehigh Valley; and Workhorse Design.

About Frances Hesselbein:

Frances Hesselbein is founding president and chairman of the board of governors of the Leader to Leader Institute (formerly the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management), national chairman of Volunteers of America, board member of the Points of Light Foundation, and the former CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Hesselbein was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor, by former President Clinton in 1998. The award recognized her leadership with the Girl Scouts and her role in leading social sector organizations toward excellence in performance through her work at the Institute. In 2002, Hesselbein was the first recipient of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Security Series Award for her service with the U.S. Army. She is the author of Hesselbein on Leadership, published in 2002.

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.