Volunteers Lauded at Recognition Luncheon
News Release: April 26, 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

Volunteering with the Red Cross has been an amazing experience. I have realized in just a short amount of time that every little bit helps, and that even I can make a difference.”

This is just one sentiment shared by more than 1,000 residents in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties who volunteer for the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Today (4/26), 85 Red Cross volunteers in Lehigh and Northampton counties 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.

“We are so grateful for every one of our volunteers,” Bob Duld, director of volunteer and community services, told the group. “Volunteers devoted more than 16,000 hours to our community last year. Without them, this chapter would literally not be able to function. The Red Cross is fortunate to have such an outstanding group of volunteers.”

Red Cross volunteer Sharon Christian of Bethlehem spoke highly of her experience. “I wanted to be part of something bigger and I found my place at the Red Cross. The staff and other volunteers are dedicated and professional. Working along side of them is a privilege.”

Andrew Block, community outreach coordinator from U.S. Congressman Charles Dent’s office, presented a Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition to the chapter’s disaster services volunteers. The certificate recognized the extraordinary work Red Cross volunteers did during a particularly difficult period of disaster response over the last 10 months.

At the event, 21 volunteers were recognized for service ranging from 5 to 40 years.

Six volunteers – Sharon Christian, Scott Friedman, Jack Penrose and Judy Smullen of Bethlehem; and Vivek Ananthan and Susan Danish of Allentown – received certificates for extraordinary volunteer service.

Suzanne Perry Bachman, a registered nurse from Bethlehem, 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 recognized were the three local schools that now have Red Cross clubs. These schools include Allentown Central Catholic, Emmaus, and Parkland high schools. In total, the clubs are comprised of about 100 students and are student-run with the supervision of a faculty sponsor, who plays an integral role in the success of each of the clubs.

Each club has done something different to help the community. Allentown Central Catholic held a Community Day, while Emmaus collected more than 2,000 books for Mosser Elementary School in Allentown. Parkland’s Red Cross Club, the first club in the chapter’s history, recently worked during the Festival of the Arts to promote volunteerism and raise money with a cookie decorating station. The clubs have been a way for students to learn leadership positions as well as give back to the community.

“The young adults in the Red Cross clubs have truly assisted the community in so many ways,” Duld said. “These students never cease to amaze me with their successes. They are able to choose any activities or projects they wish and have helped in every area from collecting books for children, serving in soup kitchens, and spending time with seniors during social activities. Our youth volunteers are Red Cross leaders of today.”

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 eighth 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 breakfast will be held on May 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 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 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.