Category Archives: Uncategorized

Veterans Day Freebies and Discounts

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First things first:IMG_0229

  • Proof of Military Service. Most companies require some form of military ID. These include: a Military ID Card (active/reserve/retired), VA ID card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Drivers License with Veterans Designation, Photograph in uniform, wearing your uniform (if your service permits), Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion and VFW), DD214, discharge paperwork, or other form of identification. Note, there is a New Federal Veterans ID Card coming soon. Other restaurants and companies may go by the honor system.
  • Participation. It is a good idea to call ahead to verify locations, times, and participation. Many of the listed companies are franchises and may have different policies. For more updated information, please visit the complete list available at http://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts/

Applebee’s, Nov. 11, 2016: Last year, Applebee’s served over one million free meals to military veterans and active servicemembers. Applebee’s is again offering a free meal to military veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2016. There will be 7 entrées to choose from. All current and former military personnel will also receive a $5 coupon to be redeemed on additional food and beverage offerings or for a later time. Military ID or proof of service required. Locations.

BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse, Nov. 11, 2016. Free entree, up to $12.95 value. Offer valid to all active duty military and veterans, with proof of service. Guests over the age of 21 are also invited to raise a glass to veterans for just $5 each. They can choose from BJ’s award-winning 11 signature beers and cider on tap. More info. Locations.

Bob Evans, Nov. 11, 2016. Free select breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. For active duty military and veterans with ID or proof of service. More Info. Locations.

Bonefish Grill, Nov. 11, 2016. Free Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish Grill for veterans and active duty military. Valid military ID required. Locations.

Boston Market, Nov. 11, 2016. Free Brownie or Cookie with any purchase for all veterans, service members, and their families. No ID required. Locations.

Buehler’s Grocery, Nov. 11, 2016. Free breakfast menu meal for veterans and active duty military. From 7:00 am until 11:00 am at participating locations. Locations.

Buffalo Wild Wings, Nov. 11, 2016. Free order of wings and a side of fries to veterans and current military members. Dine-in only. Bring proof of military service. Locations.

Burntwood Tavern, Nov. 11, 2016. Free lunch or dinner for all active duty military and veterans. Proof of service or ID required. Available at all locations. Visit website.

California Pizza Kitchen, Nov. 11, 2016. Choose a pizza, full size salad, or pasta from the special Veterans Day Menu. Dine-in only. Please come in uniform or bring your military I.D. or other proof of service. Find a location near you.

Carraba’s, Nov. 7 – Nov. 13, 2016. Free appetizer of your choice for active duty servicemembers and veterans. Military ID or proof of service required. Locations.

Chili’s – Free meal, Nov. 11 2016. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of any lunch combo, or your choice of a dinner meal from a select menu. Offer only available at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service. Visit their website to find locations.

Chipotle, Nov. 11, 2016. Buy One Get One Free from 3pm-close on Nov. 11th, 2016, at all Chipotle locations in the U.S. More info.

City Barbeque, Nov. 11, 2016. Free sandwich platter at participating locations. Proof of service required. Locations.

Cracker Barrel, Nov. 11, 2016. Complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola® Cake. More info.

Denny’s, Nov. 11, 2016. Free Build Your Own Grand Slam® on Nov. 11, from 5 a.m. to noon for all active, inactive, and retired military personnel. Participating locations only. Please call ahead. Locations.

Famous Dave’s, Nov. 11, 2016. Free 2 Meat Combo served with choice of side and corn bread muffin – for veterans and current military members. Bring proof of service. Participating locations only more details.

Fazoli’s. Nov 11, 2016. Free Build Your Own Pasta Bowl for veterans. Please bring proof of military service. Locations.

Friendly’s, Nov. 11, 2016. Free Big-Two-Do® breakfast (choice of two slices of French toast, two buttermilk pancakes or two slices of toast; two strips of crispy bacon or two sausage links and two made-to-order farm fresh eggs), or All American Burger (fries and a beverage ) during lunch or dinner. Dine-in only. Limited to one per person. Offer available for active military and veterans with ID or discharge papers. Participating locations only. Locations.

Golden Corral, Nov. 14, 2016 (5pm – 9pm): The 15th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner will is available to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation dinner. For more information visit http://www.goldencorral.com/military/.

Granite City Food and Brewery, Nov. 11, 2016. Free lunch and Coke for veterans and active duty military. Locations.

IHOP, Nov. 11, 2016, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free Red, White and Blue pancakes. Participating locations only. Please call ahead to verify participation. Locations.

Krispy Kreme – Free doughnut and small coffee, Nov. 11, 2016. Available only at participating Krispy Kreme stores. Offer available to all active-duty, retirees, & veterans. Be sure to call ahead to verify your local Krispy Kreme is participating. Locations.

LongHorn Steakhouse, Nov. 11, 2016. Free appetizer or dessert (no purchase required, no restrictions). Additional 10% off for guests that dine with Veterans on November 11. Offer good for Veterans and active-duty military members. Proof of service required. Visit their site to find a location near you.

Max & Erma’s, November 11, 2016. Participating Max & Erma’s locations are offering military members and veterans a free Best Cheeseburger in America Combo, which includes seasoned fries and a fountain drink. Dine-in only. Call ahead to verify participation. ID or proof of service required. Locations.

Menchie’s, Nov. 11, 2016. All veterans and current servicemembers will receive a free 6 oz. frozen yogurt on Veterans Day. Locations.

Olive Garden, Nov. 11, 2016. Free entrée from a special menu. Entrées are served with unlimited soup or house salad and garlic breadsticks. Offer good for veterans and active duty military; proof of service required. Locations.

Outback Steakhouse, Nov. 11, 2016. Outback Steakhouse is honoring America’s military veterans by offering active duty military and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and a non-alcoholic beverage. This offer is available to Military Personnel and veterans with ID. Also receive 15% off your purchase from Nov. 12-Dec 31, 2016. Locations.

Perkin’s Restaurant & Bakery, Nov. 11, 2016. Participating restaurants are offering current servicemembers and veterans a free Magnificent Seven meal which includes two eggs, three buttermilk pancakes, and a choice of two bacon strips or two sausage links. Beverage not included. Call ahead to verify participation. ID or proof of service required. Locations.

Ponderosa Steakhouse, Nov. 11, 2016. Free Veterans Day buffet at participating locations only.Locations.

Red Lobster, November 10 – 11, 2016. Free Appetizer or Dessert during the week of Veterans Day with military ID or proof of service. Vets may choose from a select list of appetizers and desserts. Find a location near you.

Red Robin, Nov. 11, 2016. Free Red’s Tavern Double and Bottomless Steak Fries for all Red Robin guests with a military ID or proof of service. Locations.

Ruby Tuesday’s, Nov. 11, 2016. Free appetizer (up to $10) at participating locations, proof of service required. More info. Locations.

Sheetz, Nov. 11, 2016. Free lunch at participating locations. Free car wash also available at participating locations, Proof of service required. Locations.

Shoney’s, Nov. 11, 2016. Free All-American Burger to veterans and active duty servicemembers. Dine-in only, Proof of Service required. Shoney’s also offers a 15% everyday hometown heroes discount (military, fire, Police, EMT). Locations.

Spaghetti Warehouse, Nov 11th – Nov 13, 2016. Buy one entrée, get one free. Coupon Required (available on their website and FaceBook page on Nov. 4). Choose any of 11 Original Recipe Spaghetti entrées and receive a second entrée free. Friends and relatives are encouraged to treat a veteran to a meal. More Info. Locations.

T.G.I. Friday’s, Nov. 11, 2016. Free lunch for all current military members and veterans from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Valid ID or proof of service required. Dine-on only at participating locations. Be sure to contact your local T.G.I Friday’s for details. More info. Locations.

Texas Roadhouse, Nov. 11, 2016. Free meal from special menu. Includes sides and a soft drink, coffee, or tea. Proof of service required. Dine-in only. More info. Find locations.

Travel Centers of America, Nov. 11, 2016. Free meal and beverage from select menu for military members and veterans who are CDL holders. Participating locations only; proof of service required. More info.

Thank you for your service. Enjoy!

From the Titanic to Service: Dispatches from the East Coast

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img_2098-2Dori Baumwart is passionate about service to others.

She is a Red Cross volunteer from Greenville, SC, assisting with sheltering in the southern part of the state during the Hurricane Matthew disaster relief operation.  Dori has a smile that is contagious, and even while waiting for her shelter assignment, she constantly asks, “What else can I do for you?”

Dori traces her love of helping strangers cope with disaster to her paternal grandmother, Amy.  When Amy was in her early twenties in 1912, her doctor told her she needed to leave her home in Great Britain to a warmer climate, so she booked a second-class passage on a ship headed for America.  As an unmarried woman traveling alone, Amy was an oddity on the Titanic but she was excited about starting her new life.

amy-stanleyAs the Titanic sank into the cold, Atlantic waters, Amy found herself standing on the deck as the lifeboat in front of her was filled to capacity. However, a young man who had a seat saw her there, and without any pressure from other passengers, he leaped out and offered his spot to her.

“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the sacrifice of this unknown gentleman,” says Dori.  “My grandmother eventually met and married my grandfather in the United States.  What’s really neat is that the survivors from the Titanic were housed at the Met Life building in New York City after the Carpathian rescued them.  I worked for Met Life, so I always felt like everything came full circle.”

Today, as Dori prepares to head to the shelter to care for evacuees, she proudly shares the story of how her grandmother survived so that she could pay it forward.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Red Cross, get started on your application today at http://www.redcross.org/neo and click on Volunteer!

Story and Photos by Michelle Hankes/American Red Cross from redcrosssc.blogspot.com

NEO Volunteers and Staff Head to the East Coast for Hurricane Matthew Response

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emily-probst“My name is Emily and I am the Disaster Program Specialist for the Greater Cleveland Chapter. I am heading out on my first deployment to assist with disaster relief for Hurricane Matthew. I am very excited to get down to Florida and make a direct impact to the community. I started working for the Red Cross because I wanted a job where I was making a positive impact everyday! I am more then ready to take this next step in my work and hit the ground running upon my arrival. “

Including Emily, nineteen NEO Red Cross workers have deployed to the East Coast, and many more are expected to leave in the coming days.

The Red Cross has launched a massive sheltering operation in response to Hurricane Matthew with more than 27,000 people seeking refuge in almost 200 Red Cross and community evacuation shelters across three states Thursday night. This included 133 shelters in Florida with more than 22,000 people; 18 shelters in Georgia with more than 2,100 people; and 47 shelters in South Carolina with more than 2,500 people.

More than 1,800 Red Cross disaster workers from across the country are on the ground or traveling to the southeast to support evacuation shelters and response efforts. In addition to providing a safe place to ride out the dangerous storm, the Red Cross is preparing to deliver relief supplies and help people recover from Matthew as soon as it is safe to do so.

The Red Cross has deployed numerous emergency response vehicles and 35 trailers filled with items like water, ready-to-eat meals, shelter and kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies and comfort kits, insect repellant, gloves, masks, shovels, rakes, coolers and more. The Red Cross is also working in close collaboration with government officials and community partners to make sure people get the help they need.

If someone you know needs to find a shelter, they can visit redcross.org, check the Red Cross Emergency App or call 1-800-768-8048. Anyone who plans to stay in a Red Cross shelter should bring prescription medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, important documents and other comfort items. They should also include any special items for children, such as diapers, formula and toys, or for family members who have unique needs.

Donations help those affected by disasters, big and small. To donate today, visit www.redcross.org/donate.

A Twist on a Holiday Classic

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As in years past, we will begin collecting cards for our annual program – Holidays for Heroes. But this year, there is a new twist. We are hoping to collect cards that can be sent to service members, veterans and their families for EVERY HOLIDAY OVER THE COURSE OF THE COMING YEAR! That means Christmas and Chanukah cards, yes, but we are really hoping to get a large number of generalized cards of thanks that can be used for any occasion!

These cards are extremely touching to service members, veterans and their families. That is why we ask that you concentrate on providing a meaningful message in each card you write – even if that means you send in four cards instead of forty.

We will also be collecting new, small items to donate to the VA:

  • Blank greeting cards (not sealed); with a forever postage stamp for service members to use for their own correspondence
  • Combs/ brushes
  • Deodorant (roll-on/spray)
  • Disposable razors
  • Hand lotion
  • Shaving cream
  • Soap
  • White socks
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Adult coloring books
  • Colored pencils
  • Crayons
  • DVD movies
  • Large print: Sudoku, word search, crossword books
  • Low vision playing cards
  • Puzzles
  • Checkers/chess

The five chapters in Northeast Ohio are collecting the items and cards for local distribution to service members, their families, and veterans through area VA service locations, VFWs, and other military organizations. The cards may be delivered individually, included in care packages or displayed at common venues in military installations and hospitals.

A few rules:

  • The Red Cross does not provide cards to sign. Instead, please feel free to make cards or use any favorites that you have on hand.
  • In order to make cards as meaningful as possible for a wide audience, we recommend that you use generic titles such as “Dear Service Member,/Veteran/ Military Family Member” when writing the cards.
  • Please, no personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses
  • Cards should not contain glitter because some cards may end up at the bedside of a wounded service member and the glitter could aggravate existing health issues.
  • Please do not seal in individual envelopes. It is easier for our volunteers to screen and sort the cards if they aren’t individually sealed in envelopes.
  • Individual cards can be dropped off or mailed to the Red Cross chapters in a large envelope or mailing box.
  • We ask that people not enclose any items with the holiday cards. Any items enclosed with the holiday cards will be removed, including photos and other gifts. If you wish to provide financial support for Red Cross services to the military, please donate online.
  • Chapters cannot accept cards after November 30– we still need time for our volunteers to sort and deliver!

You can mail cards, or drop cards and items off (between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.) to the following locations:

Greater Cleveland Chapter
3747 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115

Lake Erie/Heartland Chapter
244 West South Street
Wooster, OH 44691

Elyria Office
2929 West River Rd. N.
Elyria, OH 44035

Mansfield Office
39 N. Park Street
Mansfield, OH 44902

 Lake to River Chapter
3530 Belmont Avenue
Suite 7
Youngstown, OH 44505

Jefferson County Office
81 Talbott Drive
Wintersville, OH 43953

Stark County & Muskingum Lakes Chapter
408 9th Street, SW
Canton, OH 44707

Muskingum Lakes Office
1451 4th St. NW
New Philadelphia, OH 44663

 Summit, Portage, and Medina Counties Chapter
501 West Market Street
Akron, OH 44303

How can you get involved in the Holiday Mail program beyond mailing a card?

Word of Mouth: Host a card signing party as part of your Thanksgiving Celebration!

Social Media: Connect with fellow card senders through social media channels and help us get the word out through Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to use the hashtag #holidaymail.

Help Sort and Deliver Cards: If you are interested in helping sort and deliver cards, please contact Jessica Tischler at 216-426-7525 to see how you can help.

A Lifelong Donor: Jean Myers’ Story

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By Neleen Leslie
American Red Cross Volunteer

When people think of giving blood these days, they often think of the iconic Red Cross bloodmobile and a brief eight to ten-minute stint with Red Cross staff and volunteers. When giving blood, a donor doesn’t usually know who the recipient might be, but what if the person in need of blood was someone who they knew and loved? Perhaps a family member? What if the situation was so grave that the blood had to be transferred directly from her body to his? That’s how Jean Myers first gave blood.

New London High School 1937

Photo of the New London High School in 1937. http://www.oldohioschools.com

Jean (nee Haynes) was 16-years old when her father, Harold Haynes, was badly injured. Harold had fallen into a gutter while moving a bull on their family farm in Clarksfield, OH. Jean, was a junior at New London High School. Her dad had been hospitalized for some time when she was asked to give blood. She doesn’t remember being scared of the prospect; after all, this was her dad. What Jean remembers is taking the bus into town with her mother and riding the old streetcar down Euclid Avenue to Huron Road Hospital. Jean lay on a hospital bed next to her father, as blood was transferred directly from her body to his. It was May of 1946 and a school day, so believe it or not, she went right back to school afterwards. It was Jean’s first time giving blood, but it wouldn’t be her last.

img_2223Today, Jean is 87-years-old and has donated almost 16 gallons of blood, not including her first blood donation all those years ago. (Her total gallons donated would have been even more if she had not been rejected a number of times due to low iron levels.) Jean remembers when blood drives first started in New London. They were held at New London High School, which was a collection point for New London and neighboring communities. Volunteers would travel from as far as Greenwich to the high school to give blood. In those days, blood collection drives were held annually so if you were ineligible to give blood during a blood drive, it would be a whole year before you would have another chance to do so. The temporary collection center consisted of four gurneys organized in a square. That meant that donors had to wait their turn. And if their iron levels were low? Well, according to Jean, they would eat more broccoli and get ready for the next blood drive.

The old high school Jean remembers has since been torn down and Red Cross blood drives are now held at the New London Eagles Aerie #2869. Facilities aside, a lot has changed since Jean started giving blood. Donors are now able to give blood once every 56 days instead of once a year, and the process is a far cry from the blood drives at the old high school.

Some things however, have not changed. Jean continues to be in very good health, and plans to continue giving blood. In addition to giving blood, Jean has volunteered with the Red Cross as a receptionist and as a blood drive coordinator.

She describes the Red Cross as “a good group that does wonderful work.” She also adds that, “through the years, the extra blood makes a difference for the small town.” Jean was awarded a 70 year pin at the Red Cross Volunteer Recognition event in the Lake Erie/Heartland Chapter.

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American Red Cross Volunteer Jean Myers receives a 70-year pin from Lara Kiefer,                      Executive Director, Lake Erie/Heartland Chapter                                                                                                 Photo credit: Jim McIntyre/American Red Cross

If you would like to volunteer, please visit www.redcross.org/neo and click on Volunteer to get your profile started today!

 

Red Cross Volunteers Credited with Saving Man’s Life

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Performed CPR, Used AED to Save a Man at the Wayne County Fair

Farm animals. Funnel cakes. First Aid.

All are traditions of the Wayne County Fair.

The Red Cross has been providing first aid to fair goers for more than 60  years, as a service to the community.  This year, that service helped save at least one life.

A man attending the fair on Monday, September 12, suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed. Red Cross first aid workers rushed to perform CPR. They also applied a newly-acquired AED (automated external defibrillator) while awaiting the arrival of Wayne County EMS personnel.

The man survived.  “The ER staff said the Red Cross saved his life, as there was no way he would have made it if he had to wait for the squad to reach him inside the fairgrounds,” said Lara Kiefer, Executive Director of the Lake Erie/Heartland Chapter.

Captain Doug Hunter of the Wayne County Sheriff’s office also credited the Red Cross crew, in a video posted on Facebook.  Capt. Hunter said, ” I want to recognize the life-saving efforts of the representatives of the Wayne County Red Cross.” He continued,
“They frantically started doing what they are trained to do and tried to revive this man.”  He went on to describe the use of the AED.  “It was not looking good folks. I had pretty much written this man off as not going to survive, but they kept going.”

Captain Hunter also credits a nurse from the Wooster Community Hospital for assisting.

“It was truly a remarkable moment,” Captain Hunter said, in describing the moment the man first showed signs of life. “The people from the Red Cross at the Wayne County Fairgrounds saved this man’s life.”

Most first aid requests involve far less serious ailments, but the service provided by the Red Cross was deemed so important, a facility was built on the fairgrounds for use as a first aid station during the run of the fair every year.

About 120,000 people attend the Wayne County Fair, and the Red Cross provides first aid service free of charge.  Red Cross first aid workers respond to 200-300 incidents each year.  Taxpayer money is saved, by reducing the number of calls made to 911.

Our first aid service at the fair has been valued at approximately $20,000.

But for the man who suffered cardiac arrest on Monday, no value can be placed on the life-saving skills of the Red Cross first aid responders.

You can learn the same life-saving skills employed by the Red Cross by taking a class, to learn First Aid, CPR and AED. Training for other skills, such as babysitting and swimming and water safety are also offered. Go to redcross.org/takeaclass.

Photo credit: Mary Williams/American Red Cross

Red Cross Teams with Alcoa to Install 150 Alarms

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Fire Safety Walk took place just ahead of National Preparedness Month

It can be hot work, especially when temperatures reach into the 90s like they have this summer. This is the kind of weather that makes you long for air conditioning and tall glasses of ice water, dripping with cool condensation.

But one dedicated team steadfastly treks through the humid air to make sure that homes will remain safe as the temperatures begin to fall.

That team? Our Operation Save-A-Life partners at Alcoa, who helped the Red Cross install 150 smoke alarms in 71 homes at the Miller Mobile park on the 93 degree day of August 25, just ahead of National Preparedness Month.

“The team from Alcoa is the easiest and best group I get to work with,” said John Gareis, Regional Disaster Training Coordinator. You can see more photos of the event on our flickr page.

During the month of September, the Red Cross urges families to develop a fire escape plan, so everyone in the household knows what to do if fire occurs.  Home fires are the most common threat people face across the country, and every family should develop a fire escape plan.

If your group would like to help install smoke alarms with the Red Cross, please call or email our volunteer services team at 216-431-3328 or NEOvolunteer@redcross.org.

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Photo Credit: Cal Pusateri/American Red Cross Volunteer

Louisiana Rising: A Benefit Concert for Flood Relief to air Monday, September 5

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We are thrilled to share some exciting news: this coming Monday, September 5, Raycom Media will host a telethon, Louisiana Rising: A Benefit Concert for Flood Relief live from Baton Rouge’s River Center Theater between 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (CT). The Red Cross is the sole beneficiary for the telethon, and all proceeds will support our disaster response in Louisiana.

Randy Jackson and Harry Connick, Jr. will co-host the live broadcast, which will air across Raycom Media’s 45 television stations nationwide including WOIO Channel 19 and WTOL Channel 11 here in northern Ohio.

The telethon will feature a dozen artists, including Aaron Neville, five-time Grammy nominee Hunter Hayes, as well as New Orleans-based musicians Better Than Ezra, Sonny Landreth, Chris Thomas King, MacKenzie Bourg, Luther Kent and Rockin’ Dopsie. Raycom Media’s Tupelo-Honey Raycom will produce the show, and Johnny Palazzotto, a Baton Rouge musician, will serve as music director.

The telethon is also available through livestream at redcross.org/SupportLA, where visitors can also make a donation to support our Louisiana flood relief efforts.

We are extremely grateful for the singular generosity shown by Raycom, which will help us greatly in raising funds needed in response to this devastating disaster.

To learn more about the event and the artists associated with the telethon, please visit Louisianarisingfloodrelief.com.

Thank you for supporting the efforts of the Red Cross and those Northeast Ohio volunteers who have deployed to Louisiana.

Visit us at the Canfield Fair!

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Red Cross volunteers are on site at the First Aid station, Bloodmobile and in the Medical Building at the Canfield Fair.

Fair goers can stop in for first aid, or sign up to receive a free smoke alarm installation and fire safety education.

A bloodmobile will be on site from 12:30 until 8 p.m. today through September 5th.

Visit our Lake to River Chapter Facebook page to view more photos.

Photo Credit: Mary Williams/American Red Cross

Mike’s Louisiana Report #1

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Greetings…I’ve been in Baton Rouge since last Friday responding to DR063-17–a flooding incident that is the worst natural disaster since Superstorm Sandy in 2012 with more than 60,000 homes and 7,000 businesses destroyed. I am assigned to a new pilot concept in Louisiana called the Red Cross Liaison Network along with other Regional Executives and Executive Directors from around the country to provide dedicated support to specific Parish Government and community leaders. This focused-care approach has enabled the relief operation to better understand and better meet community-specific needs, especially those arising on short or no notice.

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Photo Credit: Mike Parks/American Red Cross

I’ve been assigned to Livingston Parish, one of the hardest hit regions–the devastation of homes and business that I’ve witnessed first hand has been incredible. One of my responsibilities is to check in on our shelter operations–there are currently three Red Cross shelters operating in Livingston Parish. Imagine my surprise when I rolled into one shelter and ran into two volunteers (Jeff and Tom) from Canton, who had just arrived to support the operation. It was a treat to see fellow Northeast Ohio teammates engaged in supporting these folks who have lost so much, and in many cases, everything. It’s a privilege to serve alongside such dedicated Red Cross volunteers.

The Red Cross’ work here is far from done and will require many more volunteers and resources. I’d like to thank all those from Northeast Ohio who have already deployed to help with this disaster. And for those who are considering doing so, be forewarned that it’s hard work, but it’s incredibly meaningful and rewarding when you can be on the ground helping those in such desperate need–doing what the Red Cross has done since its founding 135 years ago–caring for and helping those in need. I appreciate everyone’s support back home in Northeast Ohio. The Red Cross is still facing the need for tremendous resources to respond to this disaster, and everyone’s support is greatly appreciated.

Michael N. Parks