Response to Disasters Continues

Posted on June 28, 2016 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Please Support Red Cross Disaster Relief

Hundreds of American Red Cross volunteers continue helping the thousands of people affected by devastating and historic flooding in West Virginia and fast-moving wildfires in California, which collectively have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands of residents to seek shelter elsewhere.

Several volunteers who responded to help the people of West Virginia are from Northeast Ohio. They are supporting shelters, serving meals, distributing relief supplies and providing health services and emotional and mental health support. Red Cross caseworkers will also be meeting with individuals one-on-one, to help them plan their next steps to move out of shelters, and to provide support and guidance. Every day, we continue to monitor the affected areas in these two states, and will deploy more help to the affected areas, as needed – to include volunteers and emergency vehicles. The Red Cross is also coordinating very closely with partners like the Southern Baptist Convention and AmeriCorps to lend a hand, and help to manage and coordinate the many resources needed to support disasters of this scope and scale.

“The lives of thousands of people have been turned upside down by deadly floods and wildfires, and Red Cross volunteers are there to provide comfort and support, while making sure they have a safe place to stay and food to eat,” said Brad Kieserman, vice president, Disaster Services Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross. “Our relief efforts are just beginning, and we will be there in the coming days and weeks supporting people affected by these tragic disasters as they begin to recover and rebuild.”

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HOW TO HELP
These are large and complex relief responses and the Red Cross needs the public’s support now. If you would like to help the Red Cross support people affected by disasters like flooding, wildfires and countless other crises can make a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief. People can donate by contacting Northeast Ohio Chief Development Officer Scott Thompson at 216-431-3064, or email scott.thompson@redcross.org. Or visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. These donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.

DOWNLOAD EMERGENCY APP
You can download the free Red Cross Emergency App to receive emergency alerts and information about what to do in case of flooding, wildfires and other disasters, as well as locations of shelters. The App also includes emergency first aid information and a Family Safe feature which allows people to instantly see if loved ones are okay. The free Emergency App is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

Local Red Cross Volunteers Help Neighbors in West Virginia

Posted on June 27, 2016 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Thousands of Residents Affected by Devastating Floods

Six volunteers from Northeast Ohio are among the Red Cross workers assisting West Virginians affected by summer flooding.

The floods were caused by heavy rain that fell on Thursday, June 23. More than two dozen fatalities have been attributed to the flooding, and thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed.

“I am always in awe of the power of something so simple as water,” said Mary Williams, a Red Cross Communications Officer from the Northeast Ohio Region, who arrived in West Virginia on Saturday, along with a growing number of volunteers.

“The number of volunteers responding to this disaster is amazing,” said Charlotte Rerko, Chief Operating Officer of the Northeast Ohio Region. “It’s people helping people at it’s best.”

Red Cross volunteers are providing support and comfort to people affected by the flooding, by operating or supporting 13 shelters for people who lost their homes or who were forced to evacuate. Some 1,200 people had a safe, dry place to stay Sunday night.

June 26, 2016. Charleston, West Virginia. Floods. Mother Tianna Butler and her daughter Skyler. Randall and his wife Tianna Butler recently moved into an upstairs apartment with their two-year-old daughter named Skyler. Tianna is 8 months pregnant. “Last Thursday the rains started. It came up really fast. When we saw the hillside crumble from the water we called 911, who told us it was safer to stay in the top part of the house rather than risk moving outdoors with all the flooding going on”, says Randall. “I was getting contractions from all the stress,” says Tianna. She and Skyler were rescued on Saturday at 12:30 a.m. and brought to the Red Cross shelter at Capital High School in Charleston. Randall joined them later. “We really appreciate what the Red Cross has done,” says Randall. “I never had any encounter with the Red Cross nor do I know anyone who has dealt with them, but everything they did has been top-notch; they are really professional.” But the Butlers remain concerned about the future. The money that they put into moving and fixing up their new apartment is now gone with the floodwaters. Having so recently moved, they hadn’t yet purchased any home insurance. “I hope we get some assistance or we will be on the sidewalk somewhere,” says Randall. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross

June 26, 2016. Charleston, West Virginia. Floods. Lucille Chandler speaks with American Red Cross staff Joanna King. 90-year-old Lucille Chandlers home in Clendenin was flooded on Thursday. She and her daughter were rescued by a neighbor who had a boat. He transported them to a nearby church that was partially flooded, but where the top floor was still dry and used by local residents seeking shelter. Yesterday she was brought to the Capital High School gymnasium in Charleston which has been turned into an Red Cross shelter. I really appreciate what the Red Cross has done for me, explains Lucille, I have a problem walking and the Red Cross volunteers bring me around in a wheelchair. The next step for Lucilles Red Cross assistance will be handled by caseworkers. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross

June 26, 2016. Charleston, West Virginia. Floods. 90-year-old Lucille Chandlers home in Clendenin was flooded on Thursday. She and her daughter were rescued by a neighbor who had a boat. He transported them to a nearby church that was partially flooded, but where the top floor was still dry and used by local residents seeking shelter. Yesterday she was brought to the Capital High School gymnasium in Charleston which has been turned into a Red Cross shelter. I really appreciate what the Red Cross has done for me, explains Lucille, I have a problem walking and the Red Cross volunteers bring me around in a wheelchair. The next step for Lucilles Red Cross assistance will be handled by caseworkers. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross

June 26, 2016. Charleston, West Virginia. Floods. Heather Shafer and her one-year-old daughter Sarah lives with her parents in East Clendenin. Their home was flooded and they now staying at the Capital High School gymnasium in Charleston which has been turned into a Red Cross shelter. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross

June 26, 2016. Clendenin, West Virginia. Floods. Kari Thompson, a member of the Fire Breather Fitness a CrossFit group from Charleston, join other members of the fitness group who are volunteering to help clean the flooded home in Clendenin of an aunt of one of their members. The home was flooded when the nearby Elk River broke its banks on Thursday following heavy rains. In the background are the children (Evelyn, Tura and Ethan – left to right) of an another member of the fitness group who are helping out as well. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross

June 26, 2016. Clendenin, West Virginia. Floods. In an area of Clendenin which was completely submerged during the floods site, American Red Cross volunteer and State Senator, Chris Walters, helps distribute cleanup kits. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross

June 26, 2016. Clendenin, West Virginia. Floods. American Red Cross employee Joanna King speaking with and assessing flood damage at home of Joan Parker. Parkers home in Clendenin was flooded when the nearby Elk River broke its banks on Thursday following heavy rains. She and her 97-year-old mother who live in the house were rescued by the fire department who paddled up to the front door. Her sister Tammy Parker (yellow shirt) and a friend of the family, are helping them with the cleanup. Looking at the pile of mud-soaked belongings piled in front of her home, Joan reflects, its just stuff; whats important is that we didnt lose anybody we know. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross

An Emergency Response Vehicle based at the Summit, Portage and Medina Counties chapter in Akron was also dispatched to the area, to bring food and other supplies to the flood-affected residents of West Virginia.

Because it’s such a traumatic time for so many families unexpectedly forced from their homes, Red Cross disaster mental health workers have also been sent to the area to give the residents guidance on how to prepare for the return to their homes. And Red Cross health workers are helping to replace needed items like prescription medications and eyeglasses.

More help is on the way, with more volunteers, emergency vehicles and other supplies on the way to West Virginia. As of Monday, there were 150 Red Cross personnel assisting with the recovery effort.

We need your help. Entire families have lost their homes and everything they own. Your support will help people affected by disasters big and small. You can donate to Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting redcross.org or calling 1-800 RED CROSS. Or you can make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

You can prepare for floods and stay safe when they occur by following a few steps, including:

Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice and heed evacuation orders when given. When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
Stay away from floodwaters.
If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
Keep children out of the water.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

You can also download the free Red Cross Emergency App, to have safety information, severe weather alerts and shelter locations available on your mobile device.

Acts of Courage Recognized, Heroes Honored

Posted on June 24, 2016 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

They’re all heroes.

Nine “Acts of Courage” and the people who performed those acts have been recognized in the Red Cross Lake to River Chapter, which covers 5 counties in Northeast Ohio, from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. The 2016 Acts of Courage and the Spirit of the Red Cross Award ceremony was held on Tuesday, June 14 at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.

Mercy Health-Youngstown and Mercy Health Foundation are this year’s Spirit of the Red Cross award recipients, for best exemplifying leadership in the community, compassion for its people and dedication to the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross. Mercy President Paul Homick was on hand to receive the award.

Among the heroes honored were ten employees of Molded Fiber Glass, who performed CPR and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to revive a fallen coworker.

Linette Derminer was honored for TWO Acts of Courage. She founded the KEN heart foundation in honor of her son, who died of sudden cardiac arrest while at football practice. Through the foundation, Linette donates AEDs to various organizations and helps teach schools, coaches and the community about sudden cardiac arrest in young people. She was also honored for donating a kidney to a police officer, who she met through her work with the foundation.

David Denovchek was also honored for being an organ donor. He volunteered to donate part of his liver to save the life of a very sick four-year old girl.

16-year old Anna Cristo was honored for saving her mom’s life by performing the Heimlich maneuver.

Adam Robertson, Jerrod Ladd and Stephanie Bonilla received the Act of Courage award for saving the life of a man at Hollywood Gaming and Mahoning Valley Race Course, by performing the Heimlich and CPR for several minutes until EMTs arrived.

Matt Miller and Jack McDonald were also honored for performing CPR, after a softball teammate collapsed during batting practice.

Austintown roofers Gary Jones, Chris Denno and Richard Markel received the Acts of Courage Award for pulling two people from a burning car. Michael Lewis ran into a burning apartment building-several times-to alert his neighbors and to carry one of them out of the building. And Tina Vincenzo was honored for applying first aid and providing comfort to the victim of a car crash who was pinned inside his vehicle.

We congratulate all the winners of the 2016 Acts of Courage Awards. And we thank all Red Cross donors and volunteers who help us fulfill our mission: to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.

If you know a hero, someone who without regard to his or her own welfare, acts to help another human being, let us know with an email to contactneo@redcross.org. And if you’d like to help us continue our mission, by providing emergency assistance to residents who are driven from their homes by fire or floods, or by teaching lifesaving CPR, or helping a member of the military get home in an emergency visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to donate. OR text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Photo credit: Paul Wadowick, American Red Cross volunteer

Blood Donors Give at Gateway

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

By Ryan McDivitt, American Red Cross Volunteer

Electricity was still in the air at Cleveland’s Gateway Plaza Monday, June 20^th just hours after the Cleveland Cavaliers won the 2016 NBA Championship. While hundreds of fans lined up to buy Cavaliers gear at Quicken Loans Arena, two American Red Cross blood mobiles were parked on the adjacent plaza between the Q and Progressive Field for the annual Cleveland Indians Blood drive.

The Red Cross partnered with the Indians and Cleveland Clinic to collect urgently needed blood. Summer vacations and activities often make it difficult to collect the 14,000 lifesaving blood donations needed every day, so blood drives like this are a huge contribution to the community.

Donors were given a chance to win free tickets to an upcoming Indian’s game as an incentive to attract caring individuals to donate their blood, plasma, and platelets.

And because the bloodmobiles were parked in the shadow of the Q, donors were able to snap selfies with the home of the NBA Champs in the background.

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Photo credit: Jim McIntyre/American Red Cross

Donors can save time whenever they give blood with Rapidpass. The pre-donation information and health history questionnaire can be filled out online on the day of the donation at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass.

The Red Cross strives to make donating blood a convenient, easy, and rewarding experience. The Red Cross Blood Donor app allows its users to manage donation appointments, track the lifetime impact of their donations, and even earn rewards doing so. If you would like to help save a life by donating blood, download the Red Cross Blood app, visit redcrossblood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment.

And congratulations to the Cleveland Cavaliers!

And go Tribe!

Cedar Fair and The Red Cross Reward Donors this Summer with Tickets to Theme Parks

Posted on June 17, 2016 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Anmol Nigam, American Red Cross Volunteer

How would you like to go to Cedar Point for free? All you have to do is give blood at a select blood drive this summer.

The Red Cross is offering free tickets to blood donors at select blood drives this summer, thanks to a partnership with Cedar Fair theme parks and Cleveland’s iHeartMedia. Donors also have a chance to win many additional prizes, including one of two grand prizes.

Photo courtesy of Cedar Fair, with permission

The Red Cross provides 40% of the nation’s blood to save countless lives. Blood and platelet donors of all types are always in need.

Christy Peters, the External Communications Manager for the Red Cross Northern Ohio Blood Services Region reminds volunteers, “Blood and platelet donations are especially needed during the summer months when donations slow due to summer vacations and travel among regular donors.”

One ticket to a Cedar Fair theme park will be offered to each donor at select blood drives. Participating theme park locations include Cedar Point, Kings Island, Kings Dominion, Knott’s Berry Farm, Carowinds, Dorney Park, Michigan Adventure, Valley Fair, and California’s Great Adventure. Tickets are limited, so sign up at one of these blood drives by going to redcrossblood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767,) or by registering through the Red Cross Blood App.

6/21/16	Bainbridge Town Hall	1 – 7 p.m.	17826 Chillicothe Rd.	Chagrin Falls	44023
6/22/16	Packard Music Hall	12 – 6 p.m.	1703 Mahoning Ave.	Warren	44483
6/24/16	Mentor Civic Arena	10 a.m. – 7 p.m.	8600 Munson Rd.	Mentor	44060
6/29/16	Castaway Bay	2 – 7 p.m.	2001 Cleveland Rd.	Sandusky	44870
6/30/16	Massillon Recreation Center	12 – 7 p.m.	505 Erie Street N	Massillon	44646
7/8/16	Hilton Garden Inn Mayfield Village	1 – 7 p.m.	700 Beta Dr.	Mayfield Village	44143
7/13/16	Dave & Buster’s	2 – 8 p.m.	25735 First St.	Westlake	44145
7/19/16	Heartland Community Church	1 – 7 p.m.	3400 Weymouth Rd.	Medina	44256
7/22/16	United Methodist Church	12 – 7 p.m.	1435 E. Main St.	Kent	44240
7/26/16	Independence Community Center	9 a.m. – 3 p.m.	6363 Selig Dr.	Independence	44131
7/29/16	iHeartMedia	10 a.m. – 6 p.m.	7461 South Avenue	Boardman	44512
8/1/2016	Cornerstone Community Church	1 – 7 p.m.	5344 Fishcreek Rd.	Stow	44224
8/4/16	American Red Cross Wayne County	1 – 7 p.m.	124 N. Walnut St.	Wooster	44691
8/10/16	Cuyahoga Community College	9 a.m. – 3 p.m.	11000 Pleasant Valley Rd.	Cuyahoga	44130

Donors also have a chance to win a grand prize package and discounts for $2 off the purchase of additional Cedar Fair tickets. The grand prize is a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott’s Berry Farm with travel and hotel accommodations along with admission to the park. Enter for a chance to win any of these prizes by visiting redcrossblood.org/cedarfair.

And, as a special thanks to Red Cross donors, Cedar Fair is also offering a discount on Cedar Fair tickets purchased through redcross.cedarfair.com. Since prizes are limited and the Cedar Fair blood drives end by September 5th, sign up to donate soon! Your donation can help save a life.

Storm’s coming – 5 quick tips for responding appropriately during a Thunderstorm

Posted on June 16, 2016 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates. Watch for signs of a storm, like darkening skies, lightning flashes or increasing wind.
If thunder roars, go indoors! If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning. The National Weather Service recommends staying inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap.
Avoid electrical equipment and telephones. Use battery-powered TVs and radios instead.
If you are driving, try to safely exit the roadway and park. Stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside the vehicle.
If you are outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground; water; tall, isolated trees; and metal objects such as fences or bleachers. Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are NOT safe.

BASH is a Smash at MAPS

Posted on June 15, 2016 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

They dressed with military gear, in medical garb and in Hawaiian shirts. That’s how they roll at BASH every year, and the 2016 version, held on June 4 was no exception.

Bash 2016 at MAPS

Regional Executive Mike Parks and wife Cynthia

Bash 2016 Commemorative Shirts

BASH is a major annual fundraiser for the American Red Cross Stark and Muskingum Lakes Chapter. All proceeds benefit Northeast Ohio residents who suffer from disasters, such as home fires. The Red Cross provides immediate financial assistance, health services and mental health counselling when needed, to help people get through their darkest hours.

BASH 2016 generated more than $100,000 for disaster relief, according to Kim Kroh, Executive Director of the Stark and Muskingum Lakes Chapter. “The community really pulled together. Look at the hundreds of auction items that were donated to make BASH a success this year,” she said. “And we’re really fortunate to have this amazing facility as our venue.”

MAPS Air Museum

Historical helicopter and current Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle

Outside MAPS at Bash 2016

Bash 2016 at MAPS

Stark and Muskingum Lakes Board

Board Chair Beth Kaser and Chapter Executive Kim Kroh

Tables are set for Bash at MAPS

Auction items

The MAPS Air Museum in North Canton features a broad collection of vintage aircraft, to help fulfill its mission to educate people on the history of aviation. About 300 people enjoyed the unique setting.

Dedicated volunteers Dick and Earlene Kincaid were honored at this year’s event, for having installed 1,525 smoke alarms in the homes of residents in Stark and Tuscarawas Counties. “We just want to help people be safe,” said Dick. Mike Parks, Regional Executive for the Northeast Ohio Region, praised the Kincaids as “the ideal volunteers.”

Dick and Earlene Kincaid, Kim Kroh and Mike Parks\Photos provided by Cal Pusateri, American Red Cross Volunteer

Did you miss this year’s BASH? Check in with us at redcross.org/neo, and click on “News and Events” to find out when BASH will be held in 2017.

Texas Needs Our Help After Relentless Rain Causes More Flooding

Posted on June 1, 2016 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

More rain predicted for the area. Volunteers prepared with more supplies and shelters.

March 22, 2016. Orange, Texas. 75 year old Maybel Bordelon from Orange Texas comes to the Red Cross resource center to get much needed cleaning supplies. “Everyone here is so friendly and kind. Everyone is town is talking about the help that Red Cross is providing. We are so thankful you are here.” Photo by Danuta Otfinowski/American Red Cross

Volunteers from the American Red Cross are responding to the devastating flooding occurring in Texas after some parts of the state received 19 inches of rain over the holiday weekend. Among them are volunteers deployed from the Northeast Ohio Region. They are assisting with communications and mental health services.

Since the beginning of the year, numerous storms have ravaged the state, displacing thousands of families and devastating homes and businesses.

Over the weekend, Brenham, Texas, located about 65 miles northwest of Houston, received 18 inches of rain in a 24-hour period. Houston, which has been hammered with severe weather and flooding for several months, was again in the storm’s path and people were forced to leave their homes. The threat isn’t over – weather experts predict flooding will continue for several more days. Emergency officials estimate that some 6,000 homes may be affected.

Red Cross volunteers have mobilized once again. Fifteen shelters were opened in the affected areas and volunteers are helping to assess the damage. The Red Cross is also providing meals in coordination with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and other local partners. Red Cross volunteers will also be delivering relief supplies as soon as it is safe to do so.

The Red Cross is monitoring the ongoing threat for more flooding and is setting up in areas that are likely to be hit by the next onslaught of bad weather later this week.

“This part of the country has been hit with multiple disasters for months now, and the Red Cross has been helping from day one,” said Brad Kieserman, vice president, Disaster Services Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross. “We have nearly 300 Red Cross workers on the ground or on their way to help people in Texas. Our volunteers will remain in these communities in the weeks ahead to make sure people get the help they need.”

HOW TO HELP You can help people affected by the Texas Floods and Tornadoes by contacting Scott Thompson at scott.thompson@redcross.org, or calling 216-431-3064 or 1-800-RED CROSS, or texting the word TXFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations to Texas Floods and Tornadoes will be used to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.

DOWNLOAD EMERGENCY APP With the threat of more severe weather, people should download the free Red Cross Emergency App to receive emergency alerts and information about what to do in case of flooding and other disasters, as well as locations of shelters. The App also includes emergency first aid information and a Family Safe feature which allows people to instantly see if loved ones are okay. The free Emergency App is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

Regional CEO’s Memorial Day Message

Posted on May 30, 2016 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Mike Parks, CEO, American Red Cross Northeast Ohio Region
RADM USCG (Ret.)

Members of the Northeast Ohio Region of the American Red Cross Family: Although I know many of you have been busy this weekend continuing the lifesaving work of our American Red Cross, I wanted to be sure to encourage each of us to take time to reflect and remember why we even recognize the holiday known as Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is mostly known as the party-packed kickoff weekend to summer, and it includes a day off from work. While, yes, that makes it an amazing annual celebration, the history of Memorial Day is extremely important to keep in mind. It is about honoring all the brave individuals who have lost their lives while serving in the military. This holiday is centuries old, and in the midst of hitting the open road with friends and backyard barbeques, we should at least take a moment to acknowledge all the service members who have died fighting for our freedom. After all, that’s why Memorial Day exists in the first place—and our freedom isn’t “free.”

To all of you, thank you for your tremendous service to the American Red Cross and what you do every day to help our communities. If you’d like to learn more about Memorial Day and the American Red Cross—I’ve included some information below. Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.

Best regards…Mike

Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery

MEMORIAL DAY AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

Memorial Day (then known as Decoration Day) originally honored those who died in the Civil War. Because the Civil War occurred on American soil, it had the highest number of American casualties. About 620,000 American soldiers died in the Civil War, whereas 700,000 Americans have died in all other conflicts and wars combined. So following the Civil War, a tradition of decorating soldiers’ graves on a day in spring was born. It’s fitting that the origins of the American Red Cross were found during that same deadly conflict.

When the Civil War began in 1861, Clara Barton was just another clerk at the Patent Office in Washington, D.C. Barton’s great crusade, which helped define modern humanitarianism, began when she saw soldiers crowding into the city without food or shelter prepared for them. More importantly, there was not enough medical care for wounded soldiers returning from the front.

She began distributing food and supplies to sick and wounded soldiers in the area but soon realized there was an even greater need for her services closer to the battlefield. After receiving permission to travel to the front lines, she started delivering medical supplies and tending to wounded soldiers right on the fields of battle, often risking her life to do so. Eventually, army commanders recognized the good work she was doing and gave her responsibility for all the Union’s hospitals along the James River.

After the war, Barton continued her humanitarian work by helping relatives find the remains of 22,000 soldiers who’d been reported missing. She also helped identify — and bury — 13,000 casualties of the Andersonville Prison Camp in Georgia.

After four years of this work, Barton took a break and visited Europe. But any chance for a restful vacation ended when she learned of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which had been founded in Geneva in 1864. She was drawn to its mission of providing international aid to protect the sick and wounded on all sides in war.

Barton stayed to help civilians caught up in the Franco-Prussian War, and when she returned to the States, she urged the U.S. government to sign the Geneva Treaty that created the ICRC. U.S. approval to join the international organization came in 1881, and the American Red Cross was incorporated on May 21 of that year.

Now, 135 years later, the American Red Cross is still going strong, providing shelter, food, and healthcare services at roughly 70,000 disasters every year, from single-home fires to earthquakes that affect millions. Its blood program collects, tests, and types over 40 percent of the country’s blood supply. It delivers needed services to 150,000 military families each year, including training and support for wounded veterans. The Red Cross also provides training in first aid, CPR, and lifeguarding. As part of an international organization, it joins the Red Cross in 187 countries to help over 100 million people worldwide every year.

2016 Memorial Day Ceremony, Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery: Photo Credit/Jessica Tischler, American Red Cross

2016 Memorial Day Ceremony, Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery : Photo Credit/Jessica Tischler, American Red Cross

2016 Memorial Day Ceremony, Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery: Photo Credit/Jessica Tischler, American Red Cross

Scouts decorate the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery with U. S. flags for the 2016 Memorial Day Ceremony: Photo credit

Red Cross volunteers supply water to scouts decorating the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery: Photo credit/Cal Pusateri, American Red Cross Volunteer

Scouts decorate the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery with U. S. flags for the 2016 Memorial Day Ceremony: Photo credit/Cal Pusateri, American Red Cross Volunteer

Red Cross volunteers supply water to scouts decorating the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery: Photo credit/Cal Pusateri, American Red Cross Volunteer

The Red Cross Remembers Our Nation’s Fallen Heroes

Posted on May 27, 2016 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Memorial Day weekend is a busy one for volunteers of the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF,) as we honor those who lost their lives defending our freedom.

Knowing in advance that military families will be able to reach their loved ones, and have access to financial and other types of assistance provides piece of mind to families who are separated. SAF volunteers help the Red Cross provide follow-up to emergency communications for military members and their families; outreach through SAF programs like “Get to Know Us Before You Need Us” or resiliency training; or work with nearby Veterans Affairs medical facilities through the Veterans Affairs Voluntary Services (VAVS) program.

The Louis Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland

The Red Cross K9 Action Team will take part in the day-long Operation: Flags of Freedom event at Perry High School in Massillon on Saturday, May 28. The Volunteer K9 Action Team provides “comfort therapy” to disaster victims and to members of the military and their families.

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The K9 Action Team

Also on Saturday, Red Cross SAF Volunteers will be providing cups of water to approximately 1,700 Boy Scouts as they place flags throughout the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman. They will be preparing the cemetery for the Memorial Day ceremony to take place at noon on Sunday, May 29. Red Cross volunteers will distribute cups of water to an anticipated crowd of 4,000 visitors.

Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Veterans Day Program 2015

Volunteers will also honor our nation’s fallen heroes by taking part in the North Canton Memorial Day parade, beginning at 9:00 AM on Monday, May 30.

Memorial Day weekend is considered by many as the unofficial start of the summer season. And we memorialize those who made the ultimate sacrifice, to afford us the freedom to fire-up our grills and fly our flags as we enjoy our families in the United States of America.

Happy Memorial Day.

NOHredcross

American Red Cross of Northern Ohio Region