Volunteers Honored for Commitment and Compassion

BETHLEHEM, Pa., April 22, 2008 - They come from all walks of life. All ages. All education levels. All genders and all races. Despite their differences, their goal is the same: to help people and make a difference. Who are these selfless people? American Red Cross volunteers.

"Committed, compassionate volunteers are the heart and soul of the Red Cross. Without the more than 500 volunteers we are privileged to work with, the Red Cross could not complete its mission here in our community. There is always a need for volunteers and we welcome people of all ages and skills," said Bob Duld, director of volunteer and community services at the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross, at a luncheon today in recognition of National Volunteer Week, April 27-May 3.

Fifty-five Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross volunteers from Lehigh and Northampton counties, along with two dozen employees, gathered for lunch at Carrabba's Italian Grill in Allentown. For the ninth consecutive year, the restaurant's chefs, wait staff and management volunteered their time to prepare and serve lunch to the Red Cross.

At the event, 30 volunteers were recognized for service ranging from 5 to 40 years.

"Volunteers do work for free, but they will tell you that they are well-paid," Duld told attendees. "They contend that the reward for their work is not money, but is, instead, the satisfaction of helping others, active involvement in the community and the friendships that form through volunteer work."

Four volunteers - Marylee Zart of Orefield; Megan Maxwell of Sewell, N.J.; Brad Greenawald of Allentown; and Anne Pinczok of Bethlehem - received certificates for extraordinary volunteer service.

Red Cross Clubs at Central Catholic, Emmaus, and Parkland high schools were recognized for their community service. In total, the clubs are comprised of more than 200 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. Central Catholic participated in this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, while Emmaus embraced the Measles Initiative, a global effort to reduce measles deaths in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world where children are at risk. At Parkland, students participated in the school's Festival of the Arts and numerous other fund-raising events. The clubs have been a way for students to learn leadership positions as well as give back to the community.

Also recognized were students enrolled in Leadership Lehigh, a four-year comprehensive leadership program at Lehigh University, for their Red Cross fund-raising efforts on campus which took place from March 31 to April 6, 2008.

Robin Trexler, volunteer and youth services specialist for the Red Cross, received a plaque for her tireless efforts in growing the Red Cross youth volunteer program.

On May 9, a breakfast will be held for Carbon County Red Cross volunteers, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at the Lehighton Borough Annex. The breakfast is being sponsored by Blue Mountain Health System, their board of directors and Sodexho.

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

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.