Chapter Presents Lifesaving Awards to 7; Bestows Community Awards to 8
News Release: June 30,2010
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 830-9771


More than 100 people attended the American Red Cross Awards Celebration and Annual Meeting on June 22 at which Winnie Romeril, Red Cross Haiti volunteer, spoke of her experiences days after the earthquake; and seven local residents were recognized for saving or sustaining four human lives. Eight other individuals or companies were also recognized with awards for their support of the Red Cross at the event held at Lehigh Country Club in Allentown.

Romeril, formerly of Bethlehem and now living in New York state, is a bilingual communicator with the American Red Cross and the International Federation, serving nationally and internationally since 2001. She served in Haiti as the press officer for the American Red Cross the first two weeks after the catastrophic earthquake.

"I was amazed at how resilient the people of Haiti are," Romeril told the audience. "Out of this horrible disaster comes a re-birth. Haitians are leading the way to help themselves and their country. Everything that the Red Cross does in Haiti, we do with our Haitian counterparts. We are using creative and appropriate programs to help Haitians, focusing on key areas like water, sanitation and shelter."

Following her remarks, Romeril and local Red Cross Chairman of the Board Joe Lennert presented PPL Corporation with the chapter's first-ever Circle of Humanitarians award designed to recognize corporate partners for annual gifts to the American Red Cross of $50,000 or more.

"Employees across the PPL family of companies have a history of giving back to the communities in which they live and work, but also to the wider world community. When tragedy struck Haiti and Chile, they responded and the corporation was proud to match that response," said Donald M. Bernhard, manager of Community and Economic Development for PPL. "Organizations like the American Red Cross are vital lifelines when disaster strikes. We are pleased to be partners with them."

Seven greater Lehigh Valley residents were recognized for their lifesaving efforts (following are the individuals, their stories and information about the awards):

Certificate of Merit

Lisa Politi of Northampton

On Oct. 15, 2009, Lisa Politi, special education teacher at Centennial School of Lehigh University's College of Education in Bethlehem, helped save the life of a 12-year-old student. The boy was eating lunch at his desk when he began to choke on his food and to turn blue. Lisa noticed that he was having difficulty breathing and took immediate action to clear the student's airway by administering back blows that were successful in dislodging the food. The student suffered no injuries. Lisa's Red Cross training in First Aid, CPR and AED contributed to saving the student's life.

About the award: The Certificate of Merit is awarded to a nominated individual(s) who saves or sustains a human life and successfully completes a Red Cross course in first aid, CPR, AED or aquatics prior to the performance of the lifesaving or life-sustaining act. The award is signed by the President of the United States.

Lifesaving Award for the Professional Responder

Jason Weigold of Danielsville

On Oct. 27, 2009, Jason Weigold, trained in American Red Cross CPR, helped save the life of a woman at LifePath. Sandra was eating dinner when she began to choke on her food. Jason was on duty and was alerted to the commotion in the kitchen area of the house. When Jason entered, he noticed Sandra was having difficulty breathing and was signaling that she was choking. Jason first administered back blows and then administered abdominal thrusts which were successful in dislodging the food. The skills learned in the American Red Cross Health and Safety Services course and used by Jason Weigold contributed to saving Sandra's life.

Majestic Athletic First Aid Response Team of Easton

At about 3:30 p.m. on March 23, 2010, a female colleague at Majestic Athletic in Easton collapsed after complaining of shortness of breath. The Majestic Athletic First Aid Response Team (Stephanie Hartzell, Fatme Hodzhova, Andy Schneck, and Tom Schupper) responded to the scene and assessed the victim. After establishing the victim did not have any signs of life, CPR was initiated and continued until care was transferred to an EMS crew. Enroute to the hospital the victim regained a pulse and blood pressure. The EMS crew and hospital staff commended the Majestic Athletic First Aid Response Team for their immediate response and care which greatly improved the chance of survival for the victim.

About the award: The Lifesaving Award for the Professional Responder is one of the highest awards given by the Red Cross to an individual or team of individuals who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Health and Safety Services course.

Certificate of Recognition for Extraordinary Personal Action

Chris Williams of Emmaus

On Jan. 9, 2010, Chris Williams of Emmaus, his girlfriend and his mom came home to find his older brother unconscious and in respiratory distress. Chris, the first person to find his brother, alerted his mother to call 911 and took control of the situation.

While his mother was on the phone with 911 awaiting the ambulance, 911 instructed Chris to start CPR. Chris began chest compressions until the ambulance arrived. Chris helped instruct his girlfriend and mother on properly positioning his brother's head and giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Through Chris' efforts he was able to keep his brother alive until the ambulance arrived.

About the award: The Certificate of Recognition for Extraordinary Personal Action is a local Red Cross award given to individuals for using American Red Cross lifesaving skills that saved a human life.

The Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership, which recognizes meritorious service in volunteer leadership positions held over a period of years, was presented to Ed Lenny of Allentown.

The Special Citation for Exceptional Volunteer Service, which honors a volunteer whose performance over a period of several years, has substantially exceeded the volunteer's original commitment to the American Red Cross, as presented to Ray Skotek of Coplay.

Other awards included: The Good Neighbor Award, given to local businesses, corporations and agencies that have provided significant, ongoing support to the Red Cross. This year's recipients are: Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Muhlenberg College and Walmart.

Receiving The Exceptional Partnership Award in recognition of the outstanding partnership with the American Red Cross were Because We Care and Lehigh Valley Safety Council.

During the business meeting, Chairman Joe Lennert spoke of the tough economy and the challenges it is presenting for the American Red Cross at the national and local levels. "In the face of these challenges," Lennert said, "the Red Cross is making changes similar to those that many other employers have already taken to streamline operations while continuing to keep a steady focus on our mission." He went on to thank the individual donors, companies and foundations for their generosity this past year to support Red Cross services during these times.

In other business, four individuals were nominated for either re-election or election to the board in July: Robin Wolak of Lehigh Financial Group, for re-election to a third, three-year term; David M. Leber, chief executive officer at Leber-Andesa Advisors, Inc.; and Robert F. Rothacker Jr., vice president of circulation and operations at The Express-Times nominated for a three-year term; and Abbi Walsh, sophomore at Parkland High School, was nominated for a one-year term as youth board representative.

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.