April Eldridge, the Office Facilities & Events Supervisor for Smith Debnam law firm and the youngest board member of the Triangle Chapter of the American Red Cross, gave the keynote speech at the annual Queen of Hearts and King of Diamonds Scholarship Program Banquet. She encouraged the student candidates to get involved in their community to help those affected by disasters. Over the past four years, April has organized several successful blood drives and fundraising campaigns for the Red Cross totaling over $20,000. As a board member, she has also helped plan the Triangle Red Cross Annual Ball. Smith Debnam is a proud supporter of April and her leadership and dedication to the Red Cross.

1. SMITH DEBNAM NARRON DRAKE SAINTSING & MYERS, LLP
News Release
Date: March 14, 2011
Contact: Crystal Mathew, Marketing Manager
Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, LLP
4601 Six Forks Road, Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 250-2157 Direct Line; (919) 250-2211 Fax
cmathew@smithdebnamlaw.com
smithdebnamlaw.com
Smith Debnam’s April Eldridge gives keynote speech at the American Red Cross Queen
of Hearts and King of Diamonds Awards Banquet
Raleigh, NC – 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.”
Smith Debnam is a midsize North and South Carolina law firm with its main office in Raleigh, NC. The firm’s practice includes
Corporate and Business Law, Business Litigation, Commercial Bankruptcy and Reorganization, Foreclosures, Creditor
Representation, Collections, Commercial & Residential Real Estate, Construction Law, Employment Law, Equipment Leasing &
Finance, Family Law, Estate Planning & Administration, Immigration Law, and Professional Negligence. To learn more about Smith
Debnam visit smithdebnamlaw.com.
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