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Frederick E. Turnage Area326 S. Franklin StreetRocky Mount, NC 27804www.redcross.org

Contact: Lynwood RobersonPhone: 252-977-1720Mobile: 252-903-1876lynwood.roberson@redcross.org

HELEN LAUGHERY TO BE HONORED DURING MARCH 24THRED CROSS HEROES BANQUET AT ROSE HILL(Rocky Mount, NC) Rocky Mount and Eastern North Carolina businesswoman, civic volunteer and philanthropist Helen Laughery will be honored for her legacy of leadership and service to others during the 2015 Heroes Banquet, a benefit for the American Red Cross Frederick E. Turnage Chapter, to be held Tuesday, March 24, 2015, 5:30 p.m. at Rose Hill Conference Center in Castalia, NC.

Since moving to Rocky Mount more than 40 years ago, Mrs. Laughery has established and maintained a presence as one of the areas most recognized and tireless advocates. Over the years, the Missouri native has given tirelessly of herself to assist with multiple nonprofit organizations and charitable endeavors, pursuits she continues to this day.

You cannot write the last five decades of Rocky Mount history without Helen Laughery, said Lynwood Roberson, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Eastern North Carolina. Her energy, wisdom and guidance can be found with most major initiatives and legacies providing benefits and joy to the hundreds of thousands who call this area home.

When the Laugherys moved to Rocky Mount in the early 1970s, they became heavily involved in social and charitable activities. Helens service to the community reaches across numerous organizations from causes, including the Harrison Family YMCA, Nash Community College, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Nash Arts, Tar River Orchestra and Chorus and Rocky Mount Academy.Helen is also a regular contributor to the Red Cross in the Rocky Mount Area and thankful of its essential presence.

I remembered feeling greatly empowered when I completed my CPR training provided by the Rocky Mount chapter of the Red Cross, Helen Laughery said. When the Red Cross became so visible here at home during Hurricane Floyd, it became apparent to me it did not exist for people far away from me geographically or culturally. They are here to help even those of us who could never have imagined needing them.

Today, Ms. Laughery is a successful businesswoman in her own right, involved in restaurant ownership and property development projects across the United States. Known along with her late husband as a lover of motorcycling, her business interests include ownership in Rocky Mount Harley-Davidson.Along with serving on the boards of multiple national charities and foundations, Ms. Laughery also continues to give and organize on behalf of the needs and opportunities of the Rocky Mount community. Her leadership of the Reach Out Rocky Mount Foundation and its Fun Run for Charities raised more than $2.1 million for local nonprofits. She also serves as an advisor to Animal Crackers, a local organization focused on improving the lives of pets and their owners.

Since 2007, the Heroes Banquet has honored individuals and groups for extraordinary accomplishments on behalf of the local community. The award recognizes the manner in which these recipients demonstrate the 7 fundamental principles of the American Red Cross: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.

Helen Laughery epitomizes the principles of the Red Cross with her endless dedication to serving her neighbors and community, said Heather Freeman, Chair of the Frederick E. Turnage Chapter American Red Cross. We are thankful and grateful for this opportunity to recognize her generosity, not only on behalf of our organization, but on behalf of the greater Rocky Mount community.

Tickets for the Heroes Banquet are available for $75 each or $125 per couple. Sponsorship and silent auction contribution opportunities are also being accepted. For more information on tickets and sponsorships, please call the Frederick E. Turnage Chapter American Red Cross at (252) 977-1720.

About the American Red Cross:The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

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