News & Events
Smith Debnam’s April Eldridge gives keynote speech at Red Cross event
March 17, 2011
On Friday, March 11, young candidates from Triangle-area high schools gathered at the Marbles Museum in Downtown Raleigh for the annual Queen of Hearts and King of Diamonds Scholarship Program Banquet, a fundraiser benefitting the American Red Cross. Students were selected and accepted into the program to raise money for those affected by disasters in our community. In total, 15 candidates raised $25,000 for the Triangle Red Cross, and the top fundraisers were honored and awarded educational scholarships funded by local sponsors at this special event.
April Eldridge, Board Member of the Triangle Red Cross and Office Facilities & Events Supervisor for Smith Debnam, was asked to give the keynote address to these aspiring teenagers because of her role with the Triangle Chapter of the Red Cross. April, the youngest board member of the Triangle Chapter, passionately shared the significant results she’s witnessed because of her involvement and encouraged the students to stay active in their community because they are not too young to make an impact. She said, “You are never too young to start supporting a cause you believe in. We all have a voice and we all have our talents. You can do so much to impact the lives of others, but it doesn’t have to wait until after you graduate college, or get married, or start a family. Why not start now?”
Over the past four years, April has had the privilege to organize Smith Debnam blood drives and manage the firm’s fundraising campaigns, which totaled over $20,000 this year alone. In her role on the Board of Directors, April has helped plan the Triangle Red Cross Annual Ball, which raises thousands of dollars each year for this great cause.
Smith Debnam is not only a major supporter of the Red Cross, but the firm is proud of April’s dedication and leadership in this organization. Jerry Myers, Managing Partner at Smith Debnam said, “April's enthusiasm for the Red Cross is infectious. Every time we have a blood drive here at the firm, April shakes the trees to get people to roll up their sleeves. With her encouragement, we see a number of first time donors at every blood drive. She also manages our annual fund raising campaign for the Red Cross. Each year she comes up with new contests and enticements to encourage everyone to donate. We are very proud of April for the work she does here at the firm and for her contribution of time and energy serving on the board of the Triangle Red Cross.”
