BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Chances are this year’s United Way fundraising campaign will have a rhythm to it.
The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley has announced Chris Martin, executive chairman and former CEO of guitar maker C.F. Martin & Co., will serve as the United Way’s 2024 campaign chairman.
The annual campaign actually will run through March 31, 2025, and will have to live up to some lofty heights. The most recent Lehigh Valley fundraising campaign raised a record $25 million.
Chris Martin, who stepped down as Martin CEO in 2021, is the sixth generation of the Martin family to run the Nazareth-area business. Martin Guitar is based in Upper Nazareth Township and is known worldwide for its tone, design and craftsmanship.
“Chris Martin and the team at Martin Guitar are committed to quality and excellence in everything they do,” said Marci Lesko, chief executive officer of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
"Their efforts over the next year will create a lasting impact on the health, safety and education of thousands of our neighbors throughout Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties.”
Marci Lesko, CEO of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
“They are pillars of the community, and we are honored to work together with them to build a better future in the greater Lehigh Valley. Their efforts over the next year will create a lasting impact on the health, safety and education of thousands of our neighbors throughout Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties.”
Martin Guitar and the nonprofit United Way have held a long partnership. C.F. Martin & Co. President and CEO Thomas Ripsam, who succeeded Chris Martin, is a volunteer on the United Way’s board of directors.
The most recent campaign was the 14th consecutive year the amount raised grew over the prior year and touched about 175,000 in one way or another, according to the United Way.