Chris Martin leads the 2024 campaign for the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley

Local philanthropist and guitar maker Chris Martin of CF Martin & Co. has been named this year’s 2024 Campaign Chair for the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

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

“I have supported United Way since I was a child, so leading this year’s campaign feels like a full-circle opportunity for me,” Martin said.

Martin is the Executive Chairman of CF Martin & Co. and represents the sixth generation of the Martin family to lead the company.

“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 partner with them to build a better future in the greater Lehigh Valley,” said Marci Lesko, CEO of United Way. “Their efforts over the next year will have a lasting impact on the health, safety and education of thousands of our neighbors in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties.”

Martin Guitar has a long history as a partner of United Way, the organization said.

The guitar manufacturer participates in special initiatives through the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation by hosting exciting events, providing regular rewards for campaigns, running an annual campaign for its employees and participating in numerous volunteer projects, including the United Way Day of Caring.

Thomas Ripsam, President and CEO of CF Martin & Co. since 2021, also volunteers on the board of United Way.

United Way’s 2024 Annual Campaign runs through March 31, 2025.