Red Cross Spotlights Its 'Heroes'
at Appreciation Luncheon
News Release: April 18, 2006
Contact: Janice Osborne, director-Communications and Marketing; (610) 865-4400, ext. 262

“It’s a great place to work.”

“I feel like a valued member of the organization.”

“It’s an opportunity to make a difference.”

These are just some of the reasons why more than 1,000 residents in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties volunteer for the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Today (4/18), 100 Red Cross volunteers attended a luncheon hosted by the local Red Cross in appreciation for their time and commitment to the organization. The luncheon was sponsored by Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Allentown.

“Red Cross volunteers are heroes. They serve 24/7, in the field and behind the desk. They train others in lifesaving skills, respond to disasters, raise funds, register blood donors, and govern the organization. They are the lifeblood of our organization,” Bob Duld, director of volunteer and community services, told the group. “Volunteers devoted more than 16,000 hours to our community last year. Their hearts are big. Many hold full-time jobs. Some are retirees or students. Yet every one of them finds the time to help a child, adult or family in some way. The Red Cross is fortunate to have such an outstanding group of volunteers.”

At the event, 29 volunteers were recognized for service ranging from 5 to 35 years.

Six volunteers – George Hlavac of Orefield; Janice and Jim Rabenold of Pen Argyl; and Elizabeth Fracas, Lynn Nagel and Jennifer Andrews of Allentown – received certificates for extraordinary volunteer service.

Andrews, a registered nurse, also received the Red Cross Nursing Pin for her service to the organization. Registered nurses who are graduates of an accredited school or college of nursing, currently licensed as a registered nurse in the state in which he or she volunteers and have given at least 20 hours of volunteer service to the American Red Cross may enroll in the American Red Cross Nurse Enrollment Program and be issued a pin that bears an individualized, engraved number on the back.

Also, the Red Cross Youth Committee – comprised of 13 students from Parkland High School, Orefield Middle School, Northwestern Middle School, Allentown Central Catholic High School, Penn State University, Emmaus High School, Our Lady of Hungary School, Phillipsburg High School and Freedom High School – were lauded for their efforts in supporting the Red Cross community.

“These young adults have formed an incredible bond in just one year and assisted the Red Cross community in so many ways,” Duld said. “We give our youth volunteers the freedom to choose the activities or projects they want to do. From assisting seniors at a bingo night to teaching preschoolers the significance of Martin Luther King Day to raising funds through bake sales, our youth volunteers are Red Cross leaders of today.”

“Being a part of the Red Cross gives you opportunities to experience new things that you may never have imagined doing,” said Jennifer Lee, a volunteer from Emmaus High School. “It’s a wonderful way to spend your time. You get this feeling inside of you that you are helping out.”

The Parkland High School Red Cross Club, the only high school Red Cross club in the greater Lehigh Valley, received praise for its exceptional support. Assistant principal Donna Steckel and students Julia Li, Vivek Ananthan and Ravi Shah accepted a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the club’s 35 active student members and sponsoring teacher Amy Moyer. “Volunteering with the Red Cross has been a wonderful experience for me. Being a part of an organization devoted to aiding those in need is immensely rewarding. If students want to have a good time while giving back to their community, this is how to do it,” Ananthan said.

Each year, the local American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley honors its volunteers at two recognition events: one for volunteers in Lehigh and Northampton counties, and one for volunteers in Carbon County.

This is the seventh year that Carrabba's has hosted the Red Cross recognition event for volunteers in Lehigh and Northampton counties.

“The Carrabba family of restaurants nationwide has a deep respect for the American Red Cross,” said Gregg Johnson, proprietor of the restaurant. “Each year, the chefs and wait staff volunteer their time to prepare and serve lunch. It’s our pleasure to recognize the dedication of local Red Cross volunteers. It’s a wonderful tribute.”

A similar luncheon will be held on May 3 at 11:30 a.m. at the Lehighton Borough Annex for Carbon County Red Cross volunteers.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross, call Bob Duld at (610) 865-4400, ext. 229, or visit www.redcrosslv.org.

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.