Red Cross Haiti Volunteer to Share Her Experiences at June 22 Awards Celebration and Annual Meeting
News Release: June 5, 2010
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 830-9771


Winnie Romeril, one of the first American Red Cross volunteers to go to Haiti following the January earthquake, will be the keynote speaker at the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross Awards Celebration and Annual Meeting on June 22. The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lehigh Country Club in Allentown.

Romeril, a bilingual communicator with the American Red Cross and the International Federation, will share her personal two-week experience in Port-au-Prince, Haiti just days after the devastating earthquake. Romeril is a native of Bethlehem and now lives in New York state.

"Winnie's vast experience on international and national Red Cross relief efforts is legendary. We are extremely honored to have her return to the Lehigh Valley to share the many stories that unfolded before her in Haiti," said Executive Director John R. Hughes.

Romeril, along with local chapter officials, will present PPL Corporation with the Circle of Humanitarians Award for its donation to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Efforts. The Circle of Humanitarians award is designed to recognize corporate partners for annual gifts to the American Red Cross of $50,000 or more.

Three local individuals and one company's first aid response team will receive national lifesaving awards for saving or sustaining the life of another person or persons. Receiving national lifesaving awards are:

  • Jason Weigold of Danielsville for saving the life of a choking victim;
  • Lisa Politi of Northampton for saving the life of a choking victim;
  • Christopher Williams of Emmaus for using CPR to save an unconscious victim;
  • Majestic Athletic First Aid Response Team for using CPR to sustain the life of a co-worker.

    Other award winners include:

    Good Neighbor Award - Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; Muhlenberg College; Walmart

    Exceptional Partnership Award - Lehigh Valley Safety Council; Because We Care

    The Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership and the Special Citation for Exceptional Volunteer Service award will also be presented that evening.

    Cost to attend is $25 per person, or $250 for a table of eight with signage. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be available from 5 to 5:45 p.m., followed by the annual meeting and awards presentation. Reservation deadline is June 14. For an invitation or more information, contact Ana Vega at 610-865-4400, ext. 261 or vegaa@usa.redcross.org

    winnieromeril

    PHOTO CAPTION

    Winnie Romeril, American Red Cross, International Disaster Response Volunteer, carries Estphane Shan in Croix Desprez. (Jan. 19, 2010)
    Photo credit: American Red Cross/Talia Frankel.



    The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross helped more than 70,000 people through preparedness and training, military personnel support, senior lifesaving programs and services, emergency relief and information and referral. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. 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.