The Blood Center’s 16th annual signature fundraiser, the “Cruise to Africa Aboard the LifeLine” took place on Friday, May 14. More than 450 passengers boarded at the Lehigh Valley Grand Prix, which was magically transformed into an exotic sea vessel, traveling to various ports of call including Egypt, Madagascar, Morocco , Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Sahara Desert!
Once aboard, an evening of great food, fun and live entertainment was enjoyed by all, as passengers were treated to specially prepared Cruise delicacies, action-packed casino games and an exciting live auction, in addition to a silent auction and raffle. Entertainment was provided by Jamani Dancers and DJ Joe Reybitz.
Honorary captain of the 2010 Cruise was David Lobach of Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley, and guest emcee for the evening was Gary Laubach of RCN. In addition to the tireless efforts of this year’s Cruise committee, more than 100 volunteers supported the event, serving in a variety of roles.
Offering up specialized Cruise cuisine this year were: The Allentown Goose, Best Western Lehigh Valley Conference Center, Cactus Blue Mexican Restaurant, Catering by Karen Hunter, Cathy's Creative Catering, Chocolate Fantasy Fountains, Granny Schmidt's Bake Shop, Kyms Creations Bakery, Marblehead Grille & Chowderhouse, Piece a Cake, Royal Gourmet Foods, Susan's Gourmet Shop and Catering, Tombler's Bakery, and Zoup! Signature Cocktail was provided courtesy of: Barolo Restaurant featuring Three Olives Vodka.
In addition to our Navigator sponsor, Viamedia, premiere sponsors included Deck Masters: Adams Outdoor Advertising,, Citadel - WCTO & WLEV, Hospital Central Services, Lehigh Valley Grand Prix, PenTeleData, PrintForce, Secure Technologies Inc, and The Morning Call; Engineers: Clear Channel Radio, Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Nassau Broadcasting Partners, Neusse Photography and Novartis Diagnostics; Officers: Air Products, Baltic Linen Company, Crayola, J. Michael & Mary Lee, Klunk & Millan, Lafayette Ambassador Bank, Lehigh Valley Magazine, Lehigh Valley Style, Masonic Blood Donor Group of PA, People's First Federal Credit Union, St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network, and Westgate Jewelers; Port-of-Call Guides: Leber-Andesa Advisors, Capital BlueCross, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of the LV; Concannon, Miller & Associates; Dream Events, Easton Hospital, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, Greater Hazleton Health Alliance, HBD Inc., Patti’s Petals, RichMar Florist, Ritter & Bried PD, ServiceMaster, and TD Bank; and Mates: Frank Banko; Abraham, Borda, Covino, Butz, LaValva & Co.; Aramark Refreshment Services, Arbor Insurance Group, Beverly Palm Jewelers; Campbell, Rappold & Yurasits LLC; Chrin Hauling, Coordinated Health, CSI Enterprises, DJ Joe Reybitz, Gurtler Industries, iloveputtle.com, Jackpot Casino Events, Kutztown Optimist Club, Lehigh Valley Zoo, Limo Van Express, Northampton Regional EMS, Penn Jersey Paper, Penske Truck Rental, PPL Corporation, Sacred Heart Hospital, Scherline and Associates, Snyder Hoffman Associates, Terumo Medical Corporation, Wachovia Bank, West Side Hammer Electric and Western Textile Healthcare.
“Financial contributors, as well as blood donors, are the backbone of our community’s blood program,” says Sandra D. Thomas, Director of Development. “It is only through their ongoing cooperation that we can continue in our mission to provide a safe, stable and constant blood supply in our region. We are grateful to all of the sponsors, raffle/auction contributors, and attendants of this year’s Cruise event for their support!”
Planning will soon be underway for the 2011 “Cruise Aboard the LifeLine,” which is scheduled for May 13, 2011. For more information, contact Thomas at 800-223-6667, ext. 1292, or develop@hcsc.org!
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