Beach Bash & Splash at Cabaret & Cuisine 2008

BETHLEHEM, Pa., March 10, 2008 -- Think it's too cold to hit the beach or too early to slip into your flip-flops and funky summer attire? Well, think again.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley will make it feel like summer at "Beach Bash & Splash at Cabaret & Cuisine 2008" on April 18, from 6 to 10 p.m., at The Eastonian, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 90 Kunkle Drive, Easton.

"Fund-raising events such as this one enable the Red Cross to continue to be there for people in need," said Sandy Gaspar, director of development and community affairs at the Red Cross. "With the recent announcement of the $224,000 funding cut by the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, it's more important than ever that events like Red Cross Cabaret & Cuisine be successful."

Joe Brake, vice president and general manager of Coca-Cola Bottling Company of the Lehigh Valley and Coca-Cola Bottling Works, Coatesville, will serve as the event's honorary chairman. "The American Red Cross is all about helping people. Every time you pick up the paper or turn on the television, you read or hear about the Red Cross helping a family who had a house fire," Brake said. "Red Cross provides vital services every day in our community … they are a symbol of hope and help. I am proud to support this great organization."

In keeping with the beach theme, The Eastonian's banquet room will be turned into a boardwalk and beach. Food cafés will be fashioned with red-and-white striped awnings and white backdrops decorated with fish netting and beach-themed items. Hurricane lanterns fashioned in a nautical motif will adorn the tables.

Attendees are welcomed to dress in beach attire or business-casual.

Complimentary frozen strawberry daiquiris, frozen margaritas, beer, wine or soda will be served and a cash bar will also be available. Food, dessert and beverage vendors include: Carrabba's Italian Grill - Easton; Catering by Karen Hunter; Cathy's Creative Catering; Cosmic Cup; Kiffle Kitchen; Looper's Grille & Bar; Meals on Wheels - Northampton County; My Boy's Baking; Northampton Community College Culinary Arts; Royal Gourmet Foods; Sagra Cooking School; STARTERS Riverport; Wegman's; Granny Schmidt's Bake Shop & Café; and Dolce Patisserie.

DJ Freddy Frederick Jr. will keep guests jumping and jiving with beach tunes that will really make it feel like Margarita Ville. Popular boardwalk games including spin the prize wheel, ring toss (with Coca-Cola bottles, of course), a putting green, fun mirror, and a picture booth will bring out the kid in everyone. Craziest sunglasses, hula, Hula-Hoop and limbo contests will add to the fun.

Guests will have a chance to bid on live and silent auction items such as an all-inclusive stay at the Sunset Waters Beach Resort in Curacao, two round-trip tickets to Florida on Allegiant Air, vintage seats from former Veterans Stadium, tickets to a Giants versus Eagles game at Giants Stadium, autographed sports memorabilia, golf outing packages, jewelry, wine baskets and gift certificates to local theaters, restaurants and other establishments.

Attendees will be able to make a donation to "purchase" Red Cross products and services such as blankets or toiletry items for disaster victims; a month's subscription to Lifeline, a 24-hour personal medical alert system for seniors and the physically challenged; or a babysitter's training class for a teen. All proceeds will benefit the chapter.

Ticket price for Beach Bash & Splash is $100 per person. Corporate sponsorships are available. For an invitation or more information, contact Sandy Gaspar at 610-865-4400, ext. 258, or gaspars@usa.redcross.org or visit www.redcrosslv.org.

Desty Bonstein, vice president of Embassy Bank and a Red Cross board member, serves as committee chairwoman. Committee members include: Nancy Billiard, KNBT; Jennifer Castellano, Penn Jersey Advance; Jackie Gilligan, Bethlehem Township Community Center; Winnie DiLeo Melinsky, Highmark Blue Shield; Karen Mesch, Karen Mesch Event Planner & Caterer; Linda Nabb, Dream Events; Cathy Perna, Perna & Associates Mortgage Solutions; Susan Roth, Northampton Community College Culinary Arts; Kathy Sanders, The Eastonian; Jane Stone, Highmark Blue Shield; Betsy Torrence, community volunteer; Sandy Gaspar, Ana Vega, Katie Newman and Janice Osborne of the American Red Cross.

Major sponsors (as of March 10): The Express-Times; Crayola, Inc.; Highmark Blue Shield; KNBT; Nacci Printing; PPL Electric Utilities Corp.; Sovereign Bank; Embassy Bank; HCSC; Lafayette Ambassador Bank; Lehigh Valley Style Magazine; Perna & Associates Mortgage Solutions; Sam's Club/Wal-Mart-Whitehall; Triumph Hospital; UGI Utilities, Inc.; Campbell, Rappold & Yurasits LLP; William Cherry, D.M.D; Gross, McGinley, LaBarre & Eaton; Klunk & Millan; Moravian College; Penn Jersey Advance, Inc.; The Garden of Easton; Valley Preferred; and William Elek LTD.

PHOTO CAPTION:
Committee members hit the beach to promote "Beach Bash & Splash at Cabaret & Cuisine 2008" to be held April 18 at The Eastonian, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Easton. The event benefits the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

(front row, l-r): Jane Stone of Highmark Blue Shield; Desty Bonstein of Embassy Bank, and committee chairwoman; Sandy Gaspar, director of development and community affairs at the Red Cross; (back row, l-r): John Hughes, executive director of the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley; Joe Brake, vice president and general manager of Coca-Cola Bottling Company of the Lehigh Valley, and honorary event chairman; and Linda Nabb of Dream Events.

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.