Lehighton Red Cross Office to Close June 30; Closing Will Not Impact Delivery of Services
News Release: June 10, 2009
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing; American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley (610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 830-9771

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley will continue to serve Carbon County residents as usual with area blood drives, disaster relief response, training classes and other lifesaving programs, despite the move from its current location at 129 N. First Street in Lehighton, effective July 1.

“The decision to move out of the First Street location is two-fold. First, the current economic situation has caused a loss of funding for the chapter, and we need to cut expenses without impacting our ability to deliver services,” said Red Cross Executive Director John Hughes. “The rent, utility bills and general expenses associated with the upkeep of the office are far greater than the return. When we opened the office in 2001, our expectation was that there would be more foot traffic and activity at the office, but that has not been the case. Second, the space is not large enough to comfortably hold training classes.”

Red Cross programs and services will continue as normal, Hughes emphasized. Carbon County Red Cross Branch Manager Sharon Kendig will continue to oversee Red Cross activities in the county and can be contacted at the same phone number — (610) 377-2100 — or by e-mail at kendigs@usa.redcross.org. Correspondence may be sent to the Red Cross Carbon Branch Office at P.O. Box 118, Palmerton, PA 18071.

Persons can also contact the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross at its main office: 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem, PA 18017; (610) 865-4400; lvarc@usa.redcross.org.

Carbon County Red Cross training classes such as first aid, CPR, AED, and Babysitter’s Training will be held at the Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 397 Hemlock Drive, Lehighton, Pa.

“We are indebted to President and CEO Michael A. Mickey for generously opening his facility to the Red Cross,” Hughes said. “Individuals will be able to take advantage of an expanded number of Red Cross training classes in a more spacious and learning-conducive environment.”

This is the second time that Mr. Mickey, a Red Cross board member since 2008, has offered building space to the agency. The Red Cross currently stores disaster relief supplies there, such as cots and blankets to assist Carbon residents in times of emergency.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves nearly 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 24,000 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.