Heroes Campaign Gets Under Way
News Release: March 2, 2011
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 kicked off its fourth annual "Heroes for the American Red Cross" yesterday (3/1) under the leadership of volunteer campaign chairman Martin Till, president and publisher of The Express-Times newspaper.

Heroes pledge to raise $1,000 each to the Red Cross during the grassroots fundraising and awareness campaign. As of March 2, 51 "Heroes" have signed up for the campaign. "This is the highest number of heroes we've ever had and it's just the beginning," said Director of Development Sandra A. Gaspar for the Red Cross. "Money raised benefits all programs and services of the local Red Cross."

Till has been involved with the Red Cross for more than 12 years. "My connection with the Red Cross began during my military service. Over the years I've learned more and more about the organization and how vital it is in our community," Till explained at a Heroes breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn on Airport Road. "When we hear about the Red Cross arriving at a house fire to help a family, we don't stop and think about the hour of the day or night or how cold the weather may be. Yet, the Red Cross is there.

"I recall hearing a local Bethlehem fire captain share his story about how grateful he and his crew are to the Red Cross volunteers who provide hot beverages, food and water to the firefighters and other emergency personnel at the scene of a fire. I never thought about that," Till told campaign members. "What you are doing to raise funds for all Red Cross services is invaluable for the community. There is no organization that does what the Red Cross does."

Serving as this year's campaign captains are: Anne Baum, vice president at Lehigh Valley Capital BlueCross; Jamie Connell, Connell Funeral Home; Pam Deller, associate publisher, Lehigh Valley Style; Jim Deutsch, president and CEO of Team Capital Bank; Amy Hawley, Hawley Realty; Lori Lewis, Allied Home Mortgage Capital Corp.; Robert A. Oster, CPA, chief executive officer at Concannon, Miller & Co.; and Andrea Weismiller, regional director of sales and marketing at JHG Hotel Management.

Each captain is asked to recruit at least four "heroes," who pledge to raise $1,000 for the American Red Cross. From celebrity bartender events and happy hours to dress-down days and raffles, each Hero aims to involve co-workers, neighbors, friends and the community to raise $1,000. A list of Heroes community events is on the agency's Web site at www.redcrosslv.org.

If you would like to be a Hero for the American Red Cross, please contact Sandy Gaspar at 610-865-4400, ext. 258, or gaspars@usa.redcross.org or sign up online at www.redcrosslv.org. You can make a secured online donation to support a Hero at www.redcrosslv.org.

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 76,500 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.