'Beach Bash & Splash at Cabaret & Cuisine' to Benefit Local Red Cross

Tired of the cold, wintry weather? Well, not to worry. This year summer is coming early as the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley hosts "Beach Bash & Splash at Cabaret & Cuisine 2009" on Friday, April 17, from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Fogelsville.

Attendees will be swept into a tropical paradise as they dine on foods specially prepared and served by some of the valley's best caterers and restaurants: Armetta's; Catering by Karen Hunter; Cathy's Creative Catering; Dolce Patisserie; Granny Schmidt's Bake Shop & Cafe; Kiffle Kitchen; Louie's; Meritage Catering; My Boy's Baking; Northampton Community College Culinary Arts students; and Royal Gourmet Foods. Margaritas, beer, wine, soft drinks and a cash bar will be available.

DJ Freddy Frederick Jr. will keep the conga line going throughout the night with everyone's favorite beach tunes. The fun doesn't stop there. Contests include the craziest sunglasses, Hula-Hoop, the Twist and "pass the beach ball." Enjoy games of bottle ring toss, dart balloons, fish bowl toss (win a fish!) and spin the wheel for some fun prizes!

Joe Brake, vice president and general manager of Coca-Cola Bottling Company of the Lehigh Valley and Coca-Cola Bottling Works, Coatesville, and wife Mary Pat are this year's honorary chairs. "When disaster strikes and people are left with nothing, the Red Cross is there to do anything and everything they can to help," the couple said. "The Red Cross provides hope and comfort to those who need it the most. Our community has benefited significantly from their services and we are proud to support this organization."

"Fund-raising events such as this one support our work in providing disaster relief such as food, clothing and shelter; serving as the link between military personnel and their loved ones during emergencies; and educating people on how to save a life through CPR and automated external defibrillator training," said Sandy Gaspar, director of development and community affairs at the Red Cross.

Unique silent and live auction items will be available for bid. Guests will also be able to make a donation to "purchase" various Red Cross products and services such as blankets or hygiene 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.

Desty Bonstein, vice president of Embassy Bank and Red Cross board member, serves as committee chairwoman. Committee members include: Mary Pat Brake, community volunteer; 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, Holiday Inn Lehigh Valley; Jane Stone, Highmark Blue Shield; Betsy Torrence, community volunteer; and Sandy Gaspar, Chris Detweiler, Ana Vega and Janice Osborne from the American Red Cross.

Sponsors (as of March 3): Coca-Cola Bottling Company (five-star sponsor); The Express-Times; Viamedia; Just Born, Inc.; PPL Electric Utilities Corp.; Crayola, Inc.; Dream Events; KNBT, A Division of National Penn Bank; Minuteman Press Lehigh Valley; Nacci Printing; 3-D Excellence; Campbell, Rappold & Yurasits LLP; Moravian College; Follett Corporation; and Ronald W. Hoke Sr.

Tickets for Beach Bash & Splash are $100 per person. Dress is casual or beach attire. 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.

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.