Chris Martin to chair 2024 United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley campaign

Local philanthropist and guitar maker Chris Martin of C.F. Martin & Co. has been named this year’s 2024 United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley campaign chair.

In this role, Martin and the Martin Guitar team will volunteer to lead United Way’s largest annual fundraising effort, which raised a record-breaking $25,002,145 in 2023.

“I’ve been involved in supporting United Way since I was a kid, so it feels like a full circle moment for me to chair this year’s campaign,” said Martin.

Martin is executive chairman C. F. Martin & Co. and the sixth generation of Martin family members to run the business.

“Chris Martin and the team at Martin Guitar are committed to quality and excellence in everything they do. They are pillars of the community, and we are honored to work together with them to build a brighter future in the Greater Lehigh Valley,” said United Way CEO Marci Lesko. “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 has a long tradition as a United Way partner, the organization said.

The guitar manufacturer has contributed to special initiatives through the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation, hosting lively events, regularly providing campaign incentive prizes, running an annual campaign for its employees and participating in a number of volunteer opportunities including United Way Day of Caring.

Thomas Ripsam, C.F. Martin & Co.’s president and CEO since 2021, also serves as a volunteer on United Way’s Board of Directors.

United Way’s 2024 annual campaign runs through March 31, 2025.

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