Harold S. Sthare, whose lifetime has been dedicated to assisting the Red Cross Blood program locally, was named Citizen of the Year by the Lehighton Area Chamber of Commerce on Saturday night.

Sthare became the 15th person to receive the honor by the chamber, whose members praised not only his commitment to donating blood, but his relentless recruiting efforts on behalf of blood drives.

Sthare was presented the honor by chamber president Dean D.W. DeLong, who said the honoree has been a blood donor for 36 years and has served as blood program chairman in the Lehighton area for countless years as well.