Monthly Archives: March 2026

Honoring 50 Years of Excellence: Jean Lewis Retires from the Red Cross

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By Kathryn Dean, American Red Cross volunteer

In March of 1976, Jean Lewis was just coming off sick leave after the birth of her first child.  Upon learning that her former position at the local library had been filled in her absence, she was offered an alternative job. 

Jean Lewis, American Red Cross

“They put me in a room as long as Chester Avenue (filled) with index cards,” Jean mused. “They said that we are starting automation, and we are going to put all these cards in alphabetical order…and I looked at it and I said, oh no, not me!”

So, she left the library and headed down to the unemployment office.  After taking a typing test, she was offered a clerk position at the American Red Cross.  The starting pay was $1.98/hr, and she gratefully accepted.

“I have remained in the same department for the entire 50 years.” Jean proudly proclaimed.  “I never wanted to leave this department.”

That department is called Manufacturing, which manufactures the blood products that are collected through donations.  It has changed names over the course of her career, from Technical Services to Laboratory, and finally to Manufacturing. 

“I used to make all the forms that’s now out on the internet in the repository.  I used to make all of those forms on the typewriter,” Jean recalled. “I started out making a system up for the forms to be organized.  One of the things I give myself credit for at the Red Cross is that I’m very organized.”

Now, after 50 years, Jean is ready for the next phase of her life.  “I am going to retire this year, 2026.  It is now time for the younger generation to take over,” she reflected. “One of my mottos is, nobody’s job should shut down just because that person’s not here.  You should always have a backup.” 

During her career, she’s always taught others to do her job just in case something happened and she couldn’t be there.

Post-retirement, Jean plans to travel with her family in a 15-passenger van that she recently purchased.  “I have two grandkids, and my 35-year old, Down syndrome nephew.  They are the love of my life…we go a lot of places together.”

Jean celebrated 50 years with the Red Cross on March 26 of this year. 

Jackie Greene (left) and Jean Lewis, American Red Cross

On behalf of the American Red Cross, we wish Jean a very happy retirement, and thank her for her 50-years of service!  A warm congratulations also to Jackie Greene, who celebrated 55 years with the Red Cross on March 1st!

To conclude, a final word from Joel Prater, Manufacturing Manager, American Red Cross. “When they retire, the Red Cross will be losing two of the hardest working people with the greatest breadth of knowledge and experience imaginable, and it will take 4 people or more to cover all they do for us here.”

Local grandma offers cash to family who donate blood

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By EILENE E. GUY, American Red Cross volunteer

Elaine Rettig has made what she thinks is a “win-win” deal with her family: If they give blood to the American Red Cross, she gives them cash.

Elaine Rettig and her husband Al

For every pint of blood each of her three children, their spouses and seven grandchildren donates, they receive $100!  It’s $50 for an attempt to donate, even if it’s not successful.

And somewhere, someone – or two or three – will receive the gift of life when they need it most.

Elaine was one of those recipients more than 50 years ago when she needed an emergency C-section for the birth of her first child. It took seven units of blood to get her through the crisis.

Over the years, through two more kids and a career in nursing, Elaine donated 62 units of blood to “pay it forward.”

But that’s nothing compared to her husband Al’s generosity: When he makes his next donation in May, he will have given 144 pints of blood. That’s 18 gallons! That’s in addition to a couple of gallons he gave as a medic in the U.S. Navy, including on duty in Vietnam.

Elaine can no longer donate blood herself, but one night in bed, it occurred to her she might spur family members to carry on the mission. She was thinking about one of her granddaughters, who’s active in a high school Red Cross Club.

“What teenager can’t use an extra hundred dollars every couple of months,” she asked with a grin in her voice. She knows her grown children too appreciate the “little bit extra” from Mom, but no, Al isn’t in line for the cash award she adds, with her wry sense of humor.

Since starting the incentive program for her 13 family members less than a year and a half ago, Elaine has accounted for 33 units of blood and three unsuccessful attempts. After 10 donations or attempts per person, she figures the habit should be established and she’ll pay in advance for the next 10 donations.

She thinks of this as a form of early inheritance transfer.

As a retired nurse, Elaine knows that the testing involved with blood donation can uncover silent health problems. In fact, one of her granddaughters tested too low for hemoglobin in a pre-donation screening: It turned out she was anemic and really needed iron supplements. Elaine considers that a win at a blood drive, even without a unit collected.

By the way, the Red Cross is doing free A1c tests on all units donated during March, to screen for prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Red Cross data shows one in five blood donors has an elevated A1c level, which can often be controlled with lifestyle changes before the condition develops further. As the nation’s largest blood supplier, the Red Cross is uniquely positioned to alert otherwise healthy donors to undiagnosed anemia, diabetes and hypertension.

“While the dreaded jab of a needle is not like a kiss from your sweetheart, knowing you will be helping someone through a rough time in their life is an extra reward,” this wise grandma in Findlay said.

To schedule a blood donation this month and get the free A1c test and a $15 Amazon gift card, to go RedCrossBlood.org/March or download the free American Red Cross Blood Donor app.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer

Acts of Courage: 30 years of honoring local heroes

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By Ryan Lang, American Red Cross

The American Red Cross of Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley has been celebrating everyday heroes from the local community for the past 30 years with the annual Acts of Courage event in Akron. On March 5, 2026, the chapter celebrated its 30th and final Acts of Courage event marking the end of an era.

Rachel Stine, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley

“It’s been an absolute honor to be a part of the Acts of Courage event for over 10 years,” said Rachel Stine, Executive Director, Red Cross of Greater Akron and Mahoning Valley. “This event has showcased those who truly care about community and embody the spirit of the Red Cross.”

In fact, the entire event has embodied the spirit of the Red Cross for decades, and the grand finale was no different. From a Red Cross volunteer saving a life at a local restaurant, to one of our youngest recipients, a seven-year-old girl, calling for help when no one else heard her neighbor, the acts of courage that were on display were astounding.

Jack McCabe, 2026 H. Peter Burg Community Leadership Award recipient

We also honored this year’s H. Peter Burg Community Leadership Award recipient, Jack McCabe. Jack is a longtime board member and Vice President and General Manager for the Utility Vegetation Management division of Davey Resource Group. Jack is a true servant leader and is making a difference in his community and beyond every day.

See all of the photos from the event here, and tap the videos below to hear the stories from our heroes themselves. Also, below is a short vignette that takes you on a journey from where the Red Cross in Greater and Akron the Mahoning Valley was, is, and will be.

As for what the future holds, Rachel says, “You will see your Red Cross over the next 30 years continue to honor even more heroes every day with volunteers serving and meeting the needs of communities near and far.”

Acts of Courage awards recipients:

Chris’ Red Cross training kicked in when a student at the Medina County Career Center needed it most:

Ashley utilized lifesaving skills she learned through the Red Cross to help a coworker in distress:

Evelyn is proof that heroes come in all sizes:

Jeff is a healthcare worker and an everyday citizen who stepped up in someone else’s time of need:

Red Cross volunteer Jennifer was out getting a bite to eat and noticed a man choking:

Twinsburg Fire and Police, along with the dispatch team, were honored for the team effort to save a baby from a home fire:

30 Years of Acts of Courage in Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley:

From home fire to happy

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Toledo mom grateful for Red Cross assistance following devastating fire

By Jim McIntyre, American Red Cross volunteer

“This is the first time in my adult life I’ve actually been content.” That quote may not seem to make much sense, coming from someone who suffered a home fire less than a month before.  But that’s not how Ashley Jackson sees it.

“Everything happens for a reason, even the bad stuff,” said the Toledo school bus driver, referring to the fire that destroyed much of her home on January 29, 2026.  “So many blessings have come from it.”

Ashley Jackson (bottom right), Okikechukwu Emeana (left), Chibueze Emeana (center)

Ashley was able to escape safely with her two young sons and their cat at about 4:30 the morning the fire tore through the upstairs of their home.  She said she had no idea what to do or where to go.  She had no insurance, and she thought she and her children were going to have to sleep in their car. That’s when she was told to call the American Red Cross, where she connected with a caseworker.

“You guys jumped right into action,” Ashley said, by helping her stay focused and calm.  “I thought I was OK, but I just busted out in tears, and she (the Red Cross caseworker) stayed on the phone with me the entire time and consoled me and helped me stay strong for my kids.  Because once I started crying, they started crying!”

The Red Cross was able to give Ashley immediate financial assistance for an extended stay in a hotel, where she and her children spent the first week following the fire.  She said they also connected her with other resources for clothes and basic necessities.

“They were checking up on me about every day, maybe twice a day, through calls and text messages.  Just being very kind, and, I don’t know…human.”

Like many people, Ashley was unaware of the help the Red Cross offers to people in her situation.

“I thought it was like some organization that helped foreign countries,” she said. 

In Northern Ohio alone, the Red Cross responds to more than 3 home fires every 24 hours, offering the same compassionate care and financial assistance that Ashley and her family received. And most of that help is provided by volunteers. 

And now, Ashley is considering becoming a Red Cross volunteer.

“I’m happy.  Everybody’s safe. We’re getting back into a routine. Being on the receiving end, I want to give back.”

Anyone who wants to give back and help their neighbors in need can visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn more about the many ways the Red Cross offers to help make our communities safer and more resilient.