Carbon County Volunteers
Recognized for Their Dedication
News Release: May 9, 2008
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing; American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley (610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 508-4378

Today’s rainy weather didn’t stand a chance of putting a damper on the Red Cross Volunteer Appreciation and Recognition Breakfast at Lehighton Borough Annex. Nearly 60 volunteers, employees and dignitaries attended the breakfast in recognition of National Volunteer Week.

“Not everyone has the ability to change peoples’ lives … to really make a difference in the world. But each of you do, every day,” George Hlavac, chairman of the board, told the group. “I would like to ask you to spread the word. Tell your family and your friends about volunteering for this great organization. The more people that join us, the more good we can do in our community.”

Regina Semanchick of Albrightsville received the Extraordinary Volunteer Award in recognition of her time providing administrative support and assistance in promoting Red Cross blood drives through her internship. Semanchick split her internship hours at the Lehighton branch office and the Bethlehem main office, where she worked in Valley Wide Help, an information and referral program of the Red Cross.

William Perbetsky of Nesquehoning was recognized for 10 years of Red Cross volunteer service.

“We are so grateful for every one of our volunteers,” said Bob Duld, director of volunteer and community services. “Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross volunteers devoted more than 15,000 hours to our community last year. That’s a value of $300,000. Without our volunteers, this chapter would literally not be able to function.

“From disaster response to health and safety classes to lifesaving blood drives, Red Cross volunteers and our local partners make Carbon County a safer community.”

Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to:

• Blue Mountain Health System for use of their conference center for Red Cross blood drives; and, along with Sodexho, for supplying the breakfast buffet;

• The Borough of Lehighton for use of the borough annex for today’s event, as well as designating the facility as a shelter site in the case of an emergency and allowing Red Cross to store emergency response supplies there year-round. The supplies were acquired through a grant from the First Federal Charitable Foundation;

• CONCERN Treatment Unit for Boys for their continued support in setting up equipment and supplies in preparation for Red Cross blood drives; and

• Lehighton Middle School for providing musical entertainment at the event. Music teacher Laura Welkey directed the flute ensemble of Kaitlyn Bandholz, Laura Cressley, Taylor Gandy, Shyanne Kleintop, Meghan Mausteller and Kaitlin Smith.

For more information on how you can volunteer, make a financial donation or donate blood, call 610-865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 690,000 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.