Published July 11. 2023 02:12PM
by Dana Grubb Special tot he Bethlehem Press
The results are in for the 2023 Boutique at the Rink cancer fundraiser and 337 volunteers gave over 14,000 hours to raise a record amount of over $311,000.
Volunteers learned this at a luncheon following the five day sale held at the Earl E. Schaffer Municipal Ice Skating Rink. The mini-department store created with items donated from throughout the Lehigh Valley community offered clothing, housewares, jewelry, sporting goods, linens, holiday decorations, artwork and prints, designer clothing and accessories, and toys for sale to the public.
Representatives of the three organizations that benefit from the efforts, Jen Sinclair from the Cancer Support Community of the Lehigh Valley, Diane Hummel Spruill from St. Luke’s Hospice and Dr. Israel Zighelboim from St. Luke’s Cancer Center expressed their gratitude to the volunteers at the luncheon.
The 2023 Boutique was spearheaded by co-chairs Beth Braithwaite, Mel Carpino, Carol Jacoby, Barb Molseed and Barbara Vinci.
Press photos by Dana Grubb Patrons of the Boutique's premiere night wait in line for the gate to open.
Buyers visit the housewares table looking for that special purchase.
“Anything that will help me hit the ball farther,” says Bethlehem resident Chris Laird when asked what he was looking for.
Nazareth resident Ania Szufa purchased two military style helmets. “We're Polish and my husband says one looks like it's from Poland,” she explained.
Sue Tucker from Bethlehem admires a necklace while shopping. “It's my second year and we'll never pass it up again, “ she said about the Boutique.
At a volunteer luncheon, St. Luke's vice president of development Patrick Bower thanked the volunteers, saying, “This campaign has been hitting it out of the park!”
Cancer survivor and volunteer Lynne Rush said volunteering “really does feel like family.”
The Boutique's co-chairs, Mel Carpino, Beth Braithwaite, Carol Jacoby, Barb Molseed and Barbara Vinci were presented with bouquets of flowers in recognition for their commitments to the record-setting 2023 Boutique at the Rink.
