2007 Clara Barton Society Campaign Kicks Off
News Release: February 8, 2007
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing; American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley (610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 508-4378

Co-chairs Wenda and Geoff Boyer, as well as a team of seven Cabinet members, have officially kicked off the 2007 Clara Barton Society Campaign to benefit the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross chapter.

The Clara Barton Society recognizes individuals who make an annual financial gift of $1,000 or more to the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. Contributions donated through the Society stay in the greater Lehigh Valley. The 2007 campaign runs January 2007 through April 2007 with a goal of raising $175,000.

“We see the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross uniquely qualified to assist Lehigh Valley residents in times of disaster,” the Emmaus couple said. “We are proud to be Clara Barton Society members.

“This fiscal year, in particular, is shaping up to be a particularly challenging one as far as disaster response in the greater Lehigh Valley. With nearly a 40 percent increase in disasters compared to last year, the Red Cross is working extremely hard to meet the immediate emergency needs of families forced from their homes by fire or other emergencies. At any hour, day or night, the Red Cross is there to provide housing, food, clothing, shoes and emotional counseling to hundreds of men, women and children in our community who have lost their homes to a fire or other disaster.”

This year’s Cabinet members include: Mike Dowd, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce; Beth Ann Kowalski, Integrated Asset; Dave and Kathy Leber, Leber Financial Group, Inc.; Joe Lennert, Caruso Benefits Group; Wayne Mitchell, Air Products & Chemicals, Inc; and Terry Stecker, Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley.

Wenda is a coordinator and volunteer for the No One Dies Alone program at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. A graduate of Leadership Lehigh Valley, her community involvement has included The Great Valley Girl Scout Council, Junior Achievement of Lehigh Valley, Liberty Bell Rotary Club, the Penn State Master Gardener program and Macungie Elementary School PTC.

Geoff is president of Boyer Financial Group with more than 35 years of experience in financial planning, investment, insurance and banking. He serves as master gardener through the Penn State Cooperative Extension and is a member of the Emmaus Rotary Club. He also serves as an officer or director of several local small businesses and charitable endeavors.

The couple live in Emmaus and have four children.

For more information about the Clara Barton Society, call Sandra Gaspar, director of development at the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross, (610) 865-4400, ext. 258.

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 23,000 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.