NEO Region Far Surpasses Goal for Number of Smoke Alarms Installed

Posted on May 2, 2016 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

A National Leader in Number of Smoke Alarms Installed

Volunteers from Global Prairie and the Maple Heights Fire Department helped install more than 100 smoke alarms on Thursday, April 28, 2016. Photo credit: Cal Pusateri/American Red Cross Volunteer

Thousands of residents in Northeast Ohio are better protected from home fires, as the American Red Cross Northeast Ohio Region has surpassed its goal of installing 10,000 smoke alarms during fiscal year 2016.

More than 12,500 smoke alarms had been installed in the homes of residents in the 22 counties served by the Northeast Ohio Region in fiscal year 2016.

“This was truly a team effort in all five chapters, and reflects the efforts of the entire staff, our dedicated volunteers, and our valuable community partners,” said Mike Parks, Regional CEO. “Northeast Ohio is one of the top three leaders in smoke alarm installations in the nation, which is only fitting, since this life-saving program started in Cleveland almost 25 years ago.”

The American Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness Campaign was modeled after “Operation Save-A-Life,” an initiative between the Red Cross Greater Cleveland Chapter and the City of Cleveland Division of Fire. Through the program, valuable fire safety information is shared with residents, including how to develop an escape plan. The installation of free smoke alarms is also offered.

The goal of the initiative is to reduce the number of fire deaths and injuries in the U. S. by 25% within five years.

Dozens of people are alive today after smoke alarms installed through the Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness Campaign, including a family of 12 from Lorain, Ohio.

Residents in Northeast Ohio can learn more about the campaign, and can request a free fire safety inspection and free smoke alarm installation by logging onto redcross.org/neoosal.

See more photos from the Fire Safety Walk in Maple Heights with our partners from Global Prairie on our Facebook Page. And read about recent smoke alarm installation events in Akron and Madison Township on our blog.

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First Anniversary Reflections from CEO Mike Parks on Giving Day

Posted on April 21, 2016 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

CEO Mike Parks and Elsie Berger, age 95, and a Red Cross Volunteer since 1958

NEO CEO Thanks Volunteers and Donors

Members of our Northeast Ohio Region of the American Red Cross Family:

“THANK YOU!!!” I realize those two simple words may not seem like much but please know they speak volumes when directed at you—members of the Northeast Ohio Region of the American Red Cross family. During National Volunteer Week last week, we recognized the tremendous work of our incredible Red Cross volunteers. Throughout our Region this past year we have brought on more than 400 new volunteers. Additionally, almost 80% more volunteers are actually recording their efforts and they’ve actually worked 18% more hours, as well as spending 10% more time on call. Our volunteer to employee hour ratio has increased by almost 70% during the past twelve months. Thank you to all of you who are taking the time to record your hours in Volunteer Connection—this is critical to our being able to accurately track your terrific efforts.

What’s really impressive is the phenomenal impact our volunteers have made during their time supporting the Red Cross. For example, our Disaster Cycle Services team, working closely with our Chapter leadership, has responded to more cases, provided more resources, and helped install almost 10,000 smoke alarms throughout Northeast Ohio. Whether coordinating events, supporting our members of the Armed Forces, greeting visitors and blood donors, raising funds, or teaching classes, you are helping the American Red Cross meet mission every day.

Last week also marked my one year anniversary with the American Red Cross—what an awesome year it’s been. As I reflect on the immense privilege it has been to serve alongside this tremendous staff (paid and volunteer), I am reminded our volunteers are truly our nation’s finest and most dedicated, supported by some of the most professional employees with whom I’ve had the pleasure to serve. Please accept my sincere thanks and genuine appreciation for all each of you do every single day to help prevent and alleviate suffering in Northeast Ohio. I’m already excited to see what year number two has in store!!!

Best regards…Mike

Our Story: 2015 in Review

Posted on December 31, 2015 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

A word of thanks to everyone who visited us here in 2015, to read about the good work being done by volunteers and staff of the American Red Cross, Northeast Ohio Region.

Operation Save-A-Life, Lorain, Ohio, October 2015

The concert hall at Severance holds 1,844 people. This blog was viewed about 9,900 times in 2015. If it were a Cleveland Orchestra concert at Severance Hall, it would take more than 5 sold-out performances for that many people to see it!

Click here to see the complete report.

Holiday Message from Mike Parks

Posted on December 25, 2015 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

American Red Cross CEO Mike Parks, Northeast Ohio Region

Northeast Ohio American Red Cross Family: Between Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, Boxing Day and New Year’s (among others)—we’re well into this year’s “Holiday Season.” Please accept my sincere thanks and grateful appreciation for all each of you do every day to help serve those in need in Northeast Ohio. Thank you!

As we close out calendar year 2015 (as well as the first half of FY 2016) and reflect back on your accomplishments, it’s been an incredibly busy year. Here’s just a partial list of some of those successes:

Opened more disaster cases and provided more direct client assistance than the same time last year.

Prescious Givens and her family received housing assistance after their home caught fire

Installed more than 6500 smoke alarms (our target was 6500 but we upped our annual goal to 10,000).

Lincoln Electric CEO and Red Cross Board Member Chris Mapes installing smoke alarms in Euclid

Reached more than 2800 students with the Pillowcase Project (our target was 3000 but we got materials for 500 additional).

Students created pillowcases at Wilcox Elementary School in North Ridgeville

Migrated almost 2200 volunteers (including Biomedical Services) to Volunteer Connection.

Volunteer George Figel of Akron

Recruited more than 300 new volunteers to the American Red Cross.

Created an integrated American Red Cross Board combining Chapter & Biomedical Boards.

Inaugural meeting of combined board

Achieved 100% participation in our annual Board Campaign while exceeding our financial goal by almost 10%.

Partnered with both the Veteran’s Administration and the USO to better serve our members of the Armed Forces.

American Red Cross CEO Mike Parks, with Ohio Army National Guardsmen

Updated all Northeast Ohio American Red Cross websites and revitalized an informative Blog.

Upgraded our building facilities and streamlined our automotive fleet.

Remained well-within our annual expense budget through careful stewardship.

Hired and onboarded more than a dozen new enthusiastic Red Cross employees.

Regional Disaster Officer Tim O’Toole

And as you know—that’s just scratching the surface of all you’ve accomplished throughout the Northeast Ohio Region. As many of us take time to celebrate with families and friends, I want to say a special “Thank You” to those staff and volunteers who have, and will be providing critical assistance during this holiday period. We wouldn’t be the American Red Cross without you! As I’ve said many times since joining this fine organization, the American Red Cross is all about “caring”…”caring for those we serve” and “caring for those who serve.” It seems fitting that in this special season of giving, we remember those who give so much to help those in need. Thank you to all of the Northeast Ohio American Red Cross family. I wish you and yours Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. I’m already excited about what 2016 will bring—I hope you are too. Best wishes…Mike

American Red Cross NEO Staffers Celebrate Holidays

Posted on December 23, 2015 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Abundant food, a festive game and welcome camaraderie were shared by employees of the American Red Cross, Northeast Ohio Region on Friday, December 18th.

We are spread out all across Northeast Ohio, from Ashtabula to Tuscarawas Counties, so it’s always nice to gather at the same time and in the same place…especially when it’s for pleasure, not business!

The holiday gathering was held at the centrally-located Summit, Portage and Medina Counties chapter in Akron.

We started with a game involving…games. Christmasgame

The Northeast Ohio staff is spread out not only geographically, but also demographically; we represent a wide age range. The games you recognize as having played as a child say a lot about when you were born.

Thanks to Mary Williams, Communications Officer extraordinaire for coming up with the ice-breaker. As you can see in some of the pictures below, it brought us all together.

You can also see the spread of food we enjoyed. It was a team effort, especially on the part of Business Operations Manager Margie Green, who not only made the trip to pick up chicken and pasta, she helped serve it, too!

Photo credit: Jim McIntyre/American Red Cross

Senior Disaster Program Manager Renee Palagyi led the staff in song, and one lucky Red Crosser won 4 tickets to an upcoming Cavaliers game, donated by Shawn Riley, Chairman of the Greater Cleveland Chapter Board of Directors.

Finally, instead of a gift exchange, Red Cross employees donated toys, to be distributed to the children in Northeast Ohio who have recently been affected by disaster.

We hope it helps make their holidays a little brighter.

Donations made to the American Red Cross help families recover from disasters, by providing lodging, food, clothing, and yes…toys, if parents determine that to be an immediate need. To help these families recover, you can donate here, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. You can also text the words “Red Cross” to 90999, to make a $10 donation.

Thank you. And Happy Holidays, from the staff at the American Red Cross, Northeast Ohio Region!

American Red Cross Board Holds First Combined Meeting

Posted on December 15, 2015 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Two Former Leaders Honored with Lifetime Board Memberships

The Boards of Directors for American Red Cross Blood Services, Northern Ohio Region and the Greater Cleveland Chapter have merged, forming one combined American Red Cross Board in Northeast Ohio.

During the inaugural meeting of the merged board, two past leaders were awarded honorary Lifetime Board Memberships.

Current CEO Mike Parks and Honorary Lifetime Board Member Steve D. Bullock

Steve D. Bullock

Mike Parks and Steve D. Bullock

Photo Credit: Jim McIntyre/American Red Cross

Steve D. Bullock, who began his career with the American Red Cross in 1962, served as Chief Executive Officer for the Greater Cleveland Chapter from 1982-1999. He was then selected by Elizabeth Dole to succeed her as acting president of the national American Red Cross.

Mary-Alice Frank started her American Red Cross career in 1979, and was named CEO of the Greater Cleveland Chapter in 1999. She went on to serve as CEO of the Northeast Ohio Region when the national Red Cross merged its chapters into regions in 2011, and held the position until leaving the Red Cross in 2014. She was unable to attend the first combined board meeting due to travel commitments.

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In addition to the Honorary Lifetime Memberships, current board member Chris Mapes, CEO of Lincoln Electric was presented with the inaugural Corporate Partnership award.

New members serving on the combined American Red Cross board include Kerry Bubolz, President of Business Operations for the Cleveland Cavaliers; Micki Byrnes, President and General Manager of WKYC; Carrie F. Fanelly, General Manager of Commercial Operations for Dominion East Ohio; Susan M. Fuehrer, Medical Center Director for the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center; Matthew T. Garrity, Executive Vice President of Home Savings; H. W. Birkett Gibson, President of Birkettmire, Ltd; John B. Hexter, Consultant for Hexter Consulting; Sally L. Levine, Principal at Levine Architecture & Design, Ltd; Natalie McAllister, Regional Director at Global Prairie; Rick Taylor, Corporate Vice President EHS at Parker Hannifin; and Shawn M. Riley, Managing Partner at McDonald Hopkins LLC.

Mr. Riley was appointed Board Chairman, succeeding David Doll of UBS Financial Services. Laura Hauser of Hauser Law, LLC was reappointed as Board Secretary.

You don’t have to work in finance or law to volunteer with the American Red Cross. More than 800 residents in Northeast Ohio are Red Cross volunteers, helping their neighbors recover following home fires, guiding donors at blood drives, even taking pictures and shooting video at various Red Cross events. If you are interested in volunteering, visit our website: redcross.org/neo and click on “Volunteer” on the left side of the screen. You will be dropped directly into the application process. You may also call 216-431-3328 or email, NEOvolunteer@redcross.org.

The next meeting of the combined American Red Cross Board in Northeast Ohio will be held in March, 2016.

Thanksgiving Message from CEO Mike Parks, With Thanks to Plain Dealer Columnist Regina Brett

Posted on November 25, 2015 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Volunteers from Lincoln Electric and Euclid Fire joined Red Cross volunteers and staff this summer to make a neighborhood safer Photo credit: Jim McIntyre/American Red Cross

Mike Parks, CEO of the American Red Cross, Northeast Ohio Region saw this column, written by Regina Brett in last Sunday’s Plain Dealer and was inspired to share the following with Red Cross staff and volunteers:

“I thought Regina did a remarkable job of capturing the importance of the holiday we celebrate this week. I intend to share it with those gathered around our Thanksgiving table this year and felt moved to share it with all of you as well.

“Please accept my heartfelt thanks-not just this week-but throughout the year, for all you do to help prevent and alleviate human suffering throughout Northeast Ohio.

“I wish all of you a blessed and enjoyable Thanksgiving.

“Best regards…Mike”

New Disaster Ops Chief Brings Wealth of Experience To Region

Posted on October 12, 2015 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Will Lead Response To All Disasters in Northeast Ohio

Tim O’Toole, who recently retired as Assistant Chief of Operations for the Cleveland Division of Fire, is the new Disaster Program Officer for the American Red Cross Northeast Ohio Region.

O’Toole served the city of Cleveland for almost 35 years in various positions of responsibility, including Chief of Staff and Acting Division Chief for the Cleveland Fire Department, and was named the first Manager of the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Preparedness, under then-mayor Michael R. White, in response to the events of September 11, 2001.

“We are extremely fortunate to have a disaster program manager with such vast experience,” said Mike Parks, CEO of the Northeast Ohio Region. “Chief O’Toole’s extensive background in disaster preparedness and emergency management will benefit the 4.5 million people who live in the 22 counties we serve. His leadership and experience fit perfectly with the mission of the American Red Cross: to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.”

Among the major emergencies Tim responded to and managed were the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, preparation for Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the massive blackout of 2003. He has also been involved with training for most of the disaster drills that have been staged in Cleveland over the past several years.

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One such drill was held at Cleveland Hopkins Airport on September 19. Volunteers and staff from the American Red Cross provided support at the Emergency Operations Center, and staffed the Family Assistance Center, where participants role-played as loved ones concerned about the fate of the “victims” of the mock air disaster.

As Regional Disaster Officer, O’Toole will lead all American Red Cross responses to disasters of any scale in Northeast Ohio, by mobilizing the community to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. He will also continue to develop and support volunteers, who serve as the primary disaster-response workforce.

If you are interested in volunteering to respond to disasters in your community and beyond, please visit our website: www.redcross.org/neo and click on “Volunteer” on the left side of the screen. You will be dropped directly into the application process. You may also call 216-431-3328 or email, NEOvolunteer@redcross.org.

NOHredcross

American Red Cross of Northern Ohio Region

Category Archives: Northeast Ohio Region