STUART, Florida/January 29, 2008 - Nearly 50 members of the Clara Barton Society attended the annual Clara Barton Soiree on Sailfish Point in the home of Pres and Helen Blake. The January event included a fantastic pool-side reception where Jocelyn Lane, Executive Vice President, Gulfstream Business Bank and the Chair of the American Red Cross Chapter, personally greeted each honored attendee.

The Clara Barton Society is named for the founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton, and honors individuals and couples who make an annual contribution of at least $1,000 of more to support the work of the Martin County Chapter.

Lane also recognized three members of the Chapter's Legacy Society who attended and have made the Chapter a part of their estate plans.

"I want to tell you how much your support means to the Chapter," she said. "Members of the Society provide more than 25% of the Chapter's total annual revenue," added Lane. Financial support from the Society is always cherished and greatly appreciated.

Also making brief comments, Lisa Fricke, a member of the Society, a member of the Chapter's Board of Director, and Vice President of Wilmington Trust, the corporate sponsor of the Soiree.

Three new members were also inducted into the Chapter's Henry Dunant Society by the Chapter's Executive Director, Mary Sawyer. The Society is named for Swiss businessman, Henry Dunant, whose eye-witness account of the bloody Battle of Solferino in 1859 led to the founding of the International Red Cross movement. His compassion and philanthropy led to him being named the recipient of the first Nobel Prize for Peace. The Society recognizes the generosity of those individuals, couples, and organizations that have contributed $50,000 or more in donations to support the work of the Martin County Chapter.

Those inducted included Mr. and Mrs. Howard Cook of Palm City, who have designated a portion of their Charitable Remainder Trust to the Martin County Chapter and the Frances Langford Foundation, which was represented by attorney Evans Crary Sr., a trustee of the Foundation. Other members of the Society who attended the Soirée were Mr. and Mrs. Pres Blake, who co-chair the Clara Barton Society, and Mrs. Florence Macdonald.

To find out how to become a member of the Clara Barton or Henry Dunant Society, please contact Earl Cunningham at 772-287-2002.

Your Martin County Chapter of the American Red Cross is funded by local dollars. The Chapter receives no Federal, State or local tax funding. To donate your dollars or your time, contact the American Red Cross Martin County Chapter at (772) 287-2002 or visit the Chapter headquarters at 2750 South Kanner Highway, Stuart, Florida, 34994. You may also donate online at www.martinredcross.org.

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