127 Homes Made Safer in Maple Heights and Akron

Posted on May 9, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Simultaneous Sound the Alarm Events Held Last Saturday

By Jim McIntyre, American Red Cross

More than 300 smoke alarms were installed in homes last Saturday as the American Red Cross Sound the Alarm campaign hit the halfway point. The nationwide effort to install 100,000 smoke alarms across the country, and to save lives, began on April 28. The final Sound the Alarm home fire safety and smoke alarm installation event in Northeast Ohio takes place this Saturday in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood.

Sound the Alarm in Maple Heights, 5/5/18

On Saturday, May 5, 204 alarms were installed in 77 homes in Maple Heights. In Akron, 50 homes were made safer, as 115 smoke alarms were installed. In addition, volunteers from the Red Cross and a number of civic groups and corporate partners offered residents valuable fire safety information and helped them create escape plans.

Sound the Alarm in Akron, 5/5/18

“The Red Cross and our partners helped save lives by making homes safer and communities more resilient,” said Mike Parks, Regional CEO of the Red Cross of Northeast Ohio. “And we are truly grateful for the invaluable partnerships that are either created or strengthened through the Sound the Alarm campaign, with local fire departments, community groups like the VA, and corporations like KeyBank helping families throughout the Region.”

Volunteers from the Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System, including Director Sue Fuehrer, center, with Regional Red Cross CEO Mike Parks, right

You can see more photos from Sound the Alarm home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events here. There is still time to volunteer for one of the three remaining Sound the Alarm events. Join the effort to end home fires in Akron this Thursday, May 10 and Friday, May 11, and in Cleveland on Saturday, May 12. Visit soundthealarm.org/neo for more information.

If Ever There Was a Time, It Is Now

Posted on May 8, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Sue Wilson, American Red Cross Board Member and Community Volunteer Leader

A Kenya Red Cross volunteer leads the way through flood waters after torrential rains this year.
More than 210,000 people have so far been forced to flee their homes. Red Cross teams are
providing emergency relief, including health services and shelter, even as rising flood waters
continue to wreak havoc. Photo: Kenyan Red Cross

May 8 is World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the world’s largest humanitarian network. It is neutral and impartial and provides protection and assistance to people affected by disasters and conflicts…and it sure seems that one day isn’t enough to reflect on these organizations and the services most of us take for granted.

Most Americans know that in times of crisis, the Red Cross is there. We know, inherently, that we will see them and their dedicated volunteers right alongside brave first responders in the midst of it all – from an international humanitarian crisis to a natural disaster, or closer to home, if we or our neighbors are affected by an emergency, such as a home fire.

“The International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has a presence in 190 countries, including the United States,” said Jessica Tischler, Director of International Services for the Red Cross Northeast Ohio Region. “That allows Red Cross Chapters to reconnect people with their families when they are separated by armed conflict, natural disasters, and other crises through our Restoring Family Links service.”

IRCRC

Many people feel we are living in troubled times. They may feel that we, as a nation and a world, are more divided than ever. Interestingly, however, it seems that In the midst of a crisis, people tend to pull together for the greater good. As I read the mission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and their seven fundamental principles, I can’t help but think, ‘‘Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could all set aside our differences and live within these guidelines in our everyday lives?’’

The principles are:

Humanity
Impartiality
Neutrality
Independence
Voluntary Service
Unity
Universality

These principles are the result of a century of experience. Proclaimed in Vienna in 1965, they bond together the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. If ever there was a time to put these ‘golden rules’ into action in our world, our nation, and our communities – it is now.

Happy World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day! I’m proud to play even a small role in this wonderful organization. Here are some incredible photos to honor the day. For more information, please visit redcross.org.

Let’s DO this! Sounding the Alarm in Akron!

Posted on May 3, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

by: Mary Williams, Communications Staff Member

Nearly 25 Red Cross workers hit the streets of Akron to help Sound the Alarm to end home fires.

The first Sound the Alarm event held in Akron, eight teams traveled to prearranged homes in all points of the city, while another group dropped off flyers for the May 5th event at homes in west Akron.

All told, volunteers and staff member helped make 45 homes safer, installing 123 alarms.

If you would like to help make our community safer, or need working smoke alarms in your home, visit soundthealarm.org/neo.

Pictures from Tuesday’s event can be found on our flickr page and on Facebook.

Red Cross Reminiscing

Posted on May 2, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Jorge Martinez, Regional Chief Operating Officer

“The door that nobody else will go in at, seems always to swing open widely for me.” -Clara Barton

That is exactly what happened at the Regional Headquarters on Wednesday, April 25^th. Our doors swung open and in came a wonderful band of brothers and sisters. Our cherished Red Cross retirees met for their annual meeting and in attendance were nearly 15 retirees with over 300 years of dedicated Red Cross service.

Red Cross retirees pose with Regional CEO Mike Parks on April 25, 2018

Together with staff members, bread was broken, stories were shared (most of them true) and hearts were warmed. One of the highlights occurred when John Gareis – our Preparedness Lead Specialist who has been with the Red Cross for 42 years – joined the group. He knew many of the retirees and collectively they shared their stories. The stories were wonderful and entertaining, but at heart was the obvious humanitarian and volunteer spirit that is the Red Cross. And yes, the retirees appreciated greatly having John serve as a bridge from their Red Cross of years gone by to the same and different Red Cross that exists today.

We are nothing if we don’t remember our past or fail to honor the giants on whose shoulders we stand. The comradery in the room was palpable and it truly is a testament to the great organization which we all have the privilege of being a part of. It was humbling to be in a room of Red Cross giants!

To quote William Shakespeare, “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers (and sisters).”

Summer’s Coming – What are Your Kids and Grandkids Doing This Year?

Posted on May 1, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Doug Bardwell, American Red Cross volunteer

Don’t look outside; but trust me — summer is coming. We may just skip spring, but summer is coming. And, what do your children or grandchildren have planned for their school vacation? Red Cross has a suggestion.

Since many teenagers are required to complete a certain number of service hours, there’s a way they can do that and gain some life skills at the same time. Have them consider the American Red Cross Summer Youth Corps program where youth will serve as Donor Ambassadors at our blood drives.

Open to teens and young adults from 14 to 24, it’s easy to get involved. Start by contacting Melanie Collins at melanie.collins4@redcross.org or 330-204-6615. She’ll enroll them in one of the two remaining mandatory training sessions:

Saturday, May 5, 2018 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Tuesday, June 12, 2018 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

After training, the program suggests a minimum of 10 shifts between June 1st and August 31^st; but hopefully, they’ll enjoy it so much they’ll want to sign up for more.

What to expect?

The program focuses on Biomedical Services and helping with the blood drives throughout Northern Ohio, usually held Monday through Friday. You can select the locations and times that are most convenient. Heck, where else can you find a summer job that doesn’t tie up all your weekends?

At the drive location, there are multiple ways to help the medical staff, such as:

Welcoming, registering and escorting donors as they arrive.
Explaining the donation paperwork process.
Making reminder calls, scheduling or rescheduling donor appointments and doing follow up.
Recognizing donors for their contribution and socializing in the hospitality area.

The goal is to make the entire visit pleasant for the donors, ensuring that they’ll want to donate again in the future.

In return, volunteers will develop customer service skills transferable to any industry. With a Red Cross name badge, they’ll be respected as a member of America’s leading blood donation organization. They’ll also receive a letter of reference for their resume/portfolio. Isn’t that a better deal than a discount on greasy burgers?

Contact Melanie Collins for more details: melanie.collins4@redcross.org or 330-204-6615.

More than 90 Homes Made Safer During First Sound the Alarm Event

Posted on April 30, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Cold and rain fail to dampen the spirit of volunteers

More than 90 families on Cleveland’s west side can sleep more soundly, knowing there are now working smoke alarms in their homes. The alarms were installed by volunteers from various community groups and corporate partners, who worked with the Red Cross and the Cleveland Fire Department on the first Sound the Alarm home fire safety and smoke alarm installation event in Northeast Ohio on Saturday.

The goal of the nationwide program is to save lives.

“Through the combined efforts, we were able to install more than 234 smoke alarms,” said Tim O’Toole, Red Cross Regional Disaster Program Officer. “91 families in the Clark Fulton neighborhood slept safer last night due to the efforts of our combined partnership.”

Tim O’Toole, Chief Angelo Calvillo, and Councilwoman Jasmin Santana

Chief Angelo Calvillo of the Cleveland Division of Fire and city councilwoman Jasmin Santana, who represents the neighborhood, helped kick-off the event.

“People don’t realize that when a house fire occurs, you only have a couple of minutes to get out,” said Chief Calvillo. “An alarm will actually notify you and your family to get out of the house.”

More than 30 volunteers dispersed throughout the neighborhood to help residents create escape plans and to install smoke alarms. Among the groups represented by volunteers were the Metrohealth System, Prince Hall Masons, and the Red Cross Club from Case Western Reserve University.

CWRU Red Cross Club volunteers Austin Zhang and Tobi Oshomoji

A Tobi Oshomoji, a sophomore from Nashville, Tennesee, and Austin Zhang, a freshman from Houston, Texas were on a team of installers going door-to-door on Trent Avenue.

“It’s about stepping outside University Circle and interacting with the community,” said Austin. “Cleveland has welcomed us, and we’d like to give back.”

You can see more photos from Saturday’s Sound the Alarm event here, in our Flickr photo album.

The city of Cleveland is one of more than 100 cities nationwide where Sound the Alarm events are taking place between April 28 and May 13. Volunteers and partners will also help install alarms in Akron, Maple Heights, and Slavic Village during the next three weeks. For more information or to volunteer, visit soundthealarm.org/neo.

Happy Birthday Dick Pogue

Posted on April 26, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

The American Red Cross wishes civic icon and long-time Red Cross supporter Dick Pogue a very happy birthday!

Richard W. Pogue, past Managing Partner and current Senior Advisor to the Jones Day law firm, is Director Emeritus of the Red Cross of Greater Cleveland. He was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in October, 2009.

Dick’s civic interests are wide-ranging, as he has served as chairman of several organizations, including the Cleveland Foundation, Greater Cleveland Growth Association, University Hospitals, The City Club, Business Volunteers Unlimited, Greater Cleveland Roundtable, The 50 Club, the Newcomen Society of the United States, Cleveland Institute of Music (interim), and Presidents’ Council Foundation. He chaired the 1989 Cleveland United Way campaign and served as co-chairman of Cleveland’s 1996 Bicentennial Commission.

Dick is still an active member of the Greater Cleveland Chapter, regularly attending quarterly Board meetings and serving on the Nominating Committee. He is also a generous supporter of the Chapter’s many fundraising events.

Dick Pogue receives the Golden Doorknob Award from CEO Mike Parks, “for the many doors he has opened for so many people” on March 22, 2018.

“Dick Pogue embodies the true spirit of the American Red Cross in that he cares – he genuinely cares about the mission of serving others in their time of need,” said Mike Parks, CEO of the Northeast Ohio Region. “I feel privileged and honored to have his sage counsel and his tireless support, which help make the Red Cross the world’s premiere humanitarian organization.”

Here’s to many more happy birthdays to the man Cleveland Magazine once named “Mr. Cleveland,” Dick Pogue.

Sound the Alarm on Home Fires

Posted on April 25, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

National, Local Effort to Prevent Fire Fatalities Gets Underway This Week

By Doug Bardwell, American Red Cross volunteer

Every day, seven people are killed from home fires. It’s a staggering statistic, but true. If their homes had smoke alarms installed, who knows how many of those lives could have been saved? Watch this video.

Not content to accept this statistic, the American Red Cross is determined to reduce the number of injuries and deaths by at least 25 percent by the year 2020. From April 28 through May 13, smoke alarms will be installed in 100 at-risk communities across the United States.

In Northeast Ohio, the Red Cross is partnering with local fire departments and corporate partners to install smoke alarms in homes that have none or have older ones that need to be replaced. If a smoke alarm is more than 10-years old, it needs to be replaced. The portion of the detector that senses the smoke can lose its ability to function properly after 10 years.

Teams of volunteers, both Red Cross members and other members of the community will be visiting areas throughout the country, and will be installing these smoke alarms at no cost to the homeowners. Locally, smoke alarms will be installed in communities in Cleveland and Akron. Visit soundthealarm.org/neo for the dates of our home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events.

Volunteers – both trained and untrained – are still needed for a variety of tasks. If you can’t help on the installation dates, additional volunteers are needed before the event. People will be canvassing the neighborhoods and leaving flyers announcing the event, along with fire safety information. If you can walk, you’ve got the skills necessary.

On the day of the event, people with tool skills will do the actual installations, but other people are needed to provide safety information, to document the installations and to explain fire evacuation facts to the homeowners.

There’s something everyone can do, and you could be the next person who directly or indirectly saves someone’s life that is presently without smoke alarms. Visit us online to sign up for one of the volunteer opportunities. Consider bringing family and friends to help as well.

Military Dad Honors Military Children

Posted on April 23, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

April is Month of the Military Child

By Jorge Martinez, Chief Operating Officer, American Red Cross, Northeast Ohio Region
Commander, United States Coast Guard (Retired)

Jorge Martinez

Military members past and present are routinely honored throughout any given year in many ways, and rightfully so. As a retired military officer, I can say that I feel more than adequately recognized for my service to our wonderful country. Truth be told and as any member will tell you – it’s not why we serve. And while not necessary it is appreciated. However, it is not the individual that serves, but rather the family. And most members will tell you that the service member has the easy job.

That was certainly true for me.

I would deploy for months on end carrying out the king’s work with people I loved and trusted while my family stayed back and did their valiant best to go on with life as normal — though always worrying but not showing it. They too were serving honorably but doing so silently in the shadows.

I would get painful glimpses from time to time.

I remember one particular instance nearly 10 years ago when I was putting my then 6-year old son, Ben, on the school bus before heading out to sea myself for nearly 5 months. He was the last of my two sons to head out that morning; my infant daughter was still asleep in her crib.

Ben was and is a very stoic kid. Though we were very close, he never showed his emotion and I know he never wanted to disappoint me. I hugged him when I put him on the bus and told him I loved him. He sat in a window seat… and gave me a look that I will never forget. It was a “you’re leaving me again, Dad” type of look and it cut right through me. As soon as the bus pulled away, I hugged my wife and we both started to cry. This was not an isolated incident.

Military families and their selfless service to our nation are all too often overlooked, especially the children’s service and sacrifice. They go about their days like any other kid would and typically without complaint about a parent being gone for long periods of time. They keep it together most of the time. They didn’t ask for this, but deal with it they must and do. It’s hard and it’s thankless… but it’s necessary.

Military children are my heroes! They have a wonderful purpose and possess such quiet strength. After retirement, I’ve been able to reflect on them and their journey of service and it’s an inspiring one to me. Throughout my career, I have been blessed to be part of many great teams that have accomplished much. But my greatest accomplishment (really my wife’s) is seeing my children grow up and be better than I ever could have been at their stage of life.

Our country’s military children have been inspiring and helping our military members for as long as we’ve been a country. Our nation owes them a debt of gratitude. If you agree, next time you see a military family thank them all… especially the children. They’ve earned it.

The American Red Cross supports our nation’s military members, veterans, and their families through Service to the Armed Forces. Learn more here.

Volunteer Profile: Jeanette Petrick

Posted on April 20, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Greater Cleveland Chapter Volunteer is Passionate About Helping Members of the Military, Veterans and Their Families

By Eilene Guy, American Red Cross Volunteer

“I always knew I’d do volunteer work with the military when I retired from nursing, so I contacted the Red Cross and they put me in just the right place,” says Jeanette Petrick of Strongsville.

Jeannette Petrick

Jeanette thrives on what she calls the “human contact” that she experienced as an acute care nurse and now as a volunteer for the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces.

“I do casework, calling to follow up with families that have had emergency communications (through the Red Cross) with family members on deployment,” she says. “Usually that’s in connection with a death, or maybe an illness; sometimes it’s something nice, like a birth in the family.

“We check to be sure the communications went smoothly, but then as I talk with them, I might find out they need other services – like financial help to get their service member home for a funeral – and we can point them to other resources, either through the Red Cross or military support organizations or their communities.”

Jeanette’s compassion is obvious as she recounts the story of a young Navy wife who is pregnant while her husband is deployed on a ship. “She hasn’t seen him all that much in the last two years,” she says. “It reminds you just how much military families really do sacrifice.”

For Jeanette, supporting our men and women in uniform is more than a professional or even a humanitarian issue: It’s personal. Her father served in the Navy during World War II, she had brothers and cousins in the armed forces during the Vietnam era and her only son is now in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army.

“I love my country,” she says, “and I love that I can help people through the Red Cross.”

In Northeast Ohio, 62 volunteers like Jeanette are the manpower of the Service to the Armed Forces, according to their volunteer leader, Sharon Nicastro. In addition to active duty military, SAF serves veterans, reservists, members of the National Guard and their families.

If you’d like to fit into this vital volunteer role, or explore the many other volunteer opportunities within the Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org/neo, and click the volunteer tab, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

NOHredcross

American Red Cross of Northern Ohio Region