Steve Paul Wins Funeral Giveaway
Steve Paul, a 64-year-old from nearby Freemansburg, Pa., was chosen during Tuesday's IronPigs game as the winner of a free funeral package from Reichel Funeral Home valued at nearly $10,000, earning the most valuable prize in IronPigs history. Paul submitted a 200-word essay detailing his recent diagnosis with ALS -- along with the emotional and financial toll it has taken on him and his family -- and was chosen from more than 50 submissions to take home the grand prize funeral package.
Paul was honored on-field during the sixth inning of Tuesday's game and after his heartwarming essay was read aloud he received a lengthy standing ovation from the sell-out crowd of 10,100 at Coca-Cola Park.
"The whole promotion was a blessing and it took a great burden off my family's mind," exclaimed Paul. "I am thankful of Reichel Funeral Home and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for providing this."
Added Reichel Funeral Home Owner Kevin Reichel: "It is a privilege and an honor to meet Mr. Paul. I am glad to remove the burden and concern from him and his family at this time and I thank him for participating in this promotion."
The IronPigs and Reichel Funeral Home have teamed up to provide the Paul family with following funeral essentials, valued at nearly $10,000, for the winner:
- A casket.
- Professional services of funeral director and staff.
- Body removal and preparation (embalming or cremation).
- Use of facilities and services for viewing (visitation/wake), funeral ceremony, Memorial Service and graveside services.
- Vehicle to transfer remains to Funeral Home along with Hearse for cemetery transfer.
In addition to the offerings provided by Reichel Funeral Home, Northampton Memorial Company will provide a complimentary headstone (valued at $1,500) and Richmar Florist will offer a casket spray of flowers (valued at $300).
IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes remarked: "This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for one of our fans and Reichel Funeral Home is providing a great service by assisting a family with these necessities."
Reichel Funeral Home, located at 326 East 21st St. in Northampton, offers a compassionate funeral director, who provides individualized funeral services designed to meet the needs of each family. The staff of dedicated professionals are available to assist you in funeral service arrangements. From casket choices to flower choices, Kevin will guide you through all aspects of the funeral service to include cremation options.
According to the ALS Association, ALS, often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. For more information or to help fight ALS, visit www.alsa.org.
Single-game tickets, mini-plan packages and group tickets for all IronPigs home games presented by Capital BlueCross, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Coca-Cola Park Ticket Office, online at www.ironpigsbaseball.com or by calling (610) 841-PIGS.
The 2013 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.