A Week at Lake to River

Posted on June 16, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

And What a Week it Was!

As I write this it is Friday night and I am reflecting on our amazing Northeast Ohio volunteers and the Lake to River volunteers so dear to my heart. This has been a week of unrelenting high temperatures and seemingly unrelenting disasters.

Since Sunday, just five days ago, the Lake to River Chapter has, thanks to our volunteers and donors, accomplished the following:

· Canteen for an explosion in Mahoning County that involved several fire departments. Good news is that no one was hurt

· Responded to six home fires

· Held First Aid/CPR classes

· Sent Smoke Alarm teams out on Tuesday to install and were blessed on Friday to have Red Cross volunteers from Canton help install alarms in another 15 or so homes. Thank you to our Canton colleagues for your time and talent.

· Held our 7th annual Acts of Courage event that raises vital dollars to support our mission. Without the help of volunteer’s, name tags would not get done, no one would know where to sit and cars may have parked on an active runway at the 910th Airlift Base.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday board members, DAT volunteers, support volunteers and others will help us man two locations at the Thunder Over the Valley airshow this weekend. All this in 90 degree heat.

· Saddest of all, for two days we canteened for 50 fire, police, park and rescue divers who were looking for a 16-year-old boy in Mosquito Lake.

In this week our volunteers have experienced the joy of our Acts of Courage Event, got to meet one of the Thunderbird Pilots, met two WWII veterans who were honored, and the sadness of helping multiple families who lost everything in a fire and also had to watch from inside the crime scene tape as divers dragged the lake for a child.

This is the work of the Red Cross; it is what we do across Northeast Ohio and this country. Our mission is powered by these mighty volunteers whose heart, compassion and knowledge make a difference every day.

As a Chapter Executive, I am humbled by their resiliency and grateful for what they do for us whenever and wherever there is a need. I know all the Chapter Executives and staff share my passion for each and every one of you.

It has been a long, tough week but if next week is even tougher, I know we are up to the challenge. Now it’s time for a Friday night glass of wine!

A grateful Executive Director…Karen Conklin, Lake To River Chapter.

*The Lake to River Chapter serves Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana and Jefferson Counties. See our photo album here. Photos provided by Paul Wadowick, Red Cross Communications volunteer.

VA, Veterans to Help Red Cross Make Homes Safer

Posted on June 16, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Home Fire Safety and Smoke Alarm Installation Event to Take Place in Honor of Flag Day

Homes in four Northeast Ohio cities will be made safer on Saturday, June 17, 2017. That’s when the Red Cross, employees from the Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System, and various veterans groups will fan out in neighborhoods in Akron, Canton, Mansfield and Parma to provide residents with home fire safety information and to install smoke alarms in homes where they are needed.

“Our Northeast Ohio VA employees are dedicated to serving those who serve day in and day out. Their dedication carries over to their time away from work as we join forces with the Red Cross to make our Veterans homes and those of their neighbors safer,” said Susan M. Fuehrer, Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System Director.

“This partnership with the VA and various veterans’ groups is an effort to provide continuing service to our communities,” said Jessica Tischler, Red Cross Regional Director of Service to the Armed Forces. “We intentionally planned it in honor of Flag Day, to focus on our military and veteran connected communities.”

Brinton Lincoln, a military veteran and member of the Red Cross Greater Cleveland Chapter Board of Directors, said, “The American Red Cross does so very much to support active military members, veterans and their families. It is a true privilege for those of who have served within the armed forces, to give back to the Red Cross by sponsoring and partaking in this event.”

Homes to benefit by this home fire safety and smoke alarm installation event are located in areas near 4 Northeast Ohio VA facilities:

Akron: 55 W. Waterloo, Akron, OH 44319-1116
Canton: 733 Market Avenue South, Canton, OH 44702-1018
Mansfield: 1025 South Trimble Rd., Mansfield, OH 44906
Parma: 8787 Brookpark Road, Parma, OH 44129

The Red Cross and its partners have saved more than 250 lives as part of the nationwide Home Fire Campaign to reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries. The long-term goal of the initiative is to reduce the number of injuries and deaths due to home fires by 25% over a five year period.

More than 15,000 smoke alarms have been installed in Northeast Ohio homes by the Red Cross and its partners since July 1, 2016. Local residents can get more information about smoke alarm installations through the by visiting http://www.redcross.org/neoosal.

2017 Red Cross Cup Recap

Posted on June 13, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

And the winners are…

…the people who need and receive services from the Red Cross of Northeast Ohio every day. They will benefit by the generosity of more than 100 golfers who took part in the annual Red Cross Cup at the famed Canterbury Golf Club on June 12.

The golfers endured 90 degree heat, and in fact, some seemed to thrive under the blistering sun.

There was a long-drive contest, with GolfTec sponsoring the Doppler Radar that measured the distance of each drive. Alex Chappel won the women’s competition, hitting a drive 181 feet. In the men’s bracket, Steve Barnes took first place with a drive of 299 feet.

There were two brackets of competitive play. The winners of the Scramble Bracket were Jay Davisson, Sean Hennessy, Ed Thompson and Bill DeSantis, who shot a 61 playing the best ball on each hole.

And the winner of the 2017 Red Cross Cup, topping the Competitive Bracket with a score of 78 was Robert Phillips.

But as mentioned at the top of this article, the real winners are the people of Northeast Ohio, who are displaced by disasters like home fires and flood waters. The money raised by events like the Red Cross Cup help provide services such as initial financial assistance, to help keep families together as they seek shelter after being driven from their homes.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor Home Savings, Caddie Sponsor Donley’s, and Breakfast Sponsor Return to Golf, a program of the Northern Ohio Golf Association Charities and Foundation.

And we thank the generous donors of silent auction items, including a Florida Shark Diving Adventure, donated by Bucket List Adventure Company Ohio.

Looking forward to the 2018 Red Cross Cup!

Click on our Flickr page for an album of photos from the 2017 Red Cross Cup.

We Love When Our Corporate Partners Lend a Hand!

Posted on June 8, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Last Thursday began Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s week of volunteering at organizations across the Akron area, and involving more than 1,100 of its local employees.

“It is vital to our mission to provide volunteer opportunities to our local corporations,” said Rachel D’Attoma, Executive Director for the Summit, Portage, and Medina Counties Chapter. “Not only does it help us get the work done, but it allows individuals, like those from Goodyear, to see with their own eyes the power and need for our services in the lives of those who we serve.”

Our first team of 16 employees from Goodyear headed out into the community to install 111 smoke alarms, and provided education to 34 homes as part of Operation Save-A-Life.

Several volunteers have stated that it is an experience that they would like to repeat in the future.

On Tuesday, 17 team members helped to make our Akron office a little more beautiful by cleaning out and planting new flowers in the beds facing West Market St. Volunteers also helped clean and organize the garage area.

See more photos on the chapter’s Facebook page, or sign up to be a volunteer the rest of the 358 days of the year!

Celebrating Chapter Centennial at BASH

Posted on June 2, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

BASH 2017 not only brought together Red Cross supporters, family and friends, it also marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of Red Cross chapters in Stark County, Dover and New Philadelphia.

About 285 people enjoyed dinner at the MAPS Air Museum in North Canton. Several placed bids on some coveted auction items, including an adorable puppy.

Jennifer McNemar offered the winning bid for Kimber

As usual, many guests played along with the M*A*S*H theme, dressing in Hawaiian shirts, medical attire and military uniforms. Thanks to their generosity, about $95,000 was raised to help support Red Cross disaster relief work in what is now the Stark and Muskingum Lakes Chapter.

“We had a great evening,” said Kim Kroh, Chapter Executive Director. “I am so appreciative of the way our community supports the Red Cross. Their support helps us provide vital services to people when they experience a home fire or some other disaster.”

Additionally, Heather Zuniga received a special award for performing CPR on Don Joliat after he was pulled from the Meyers Lake YMCA pool. Her efforts saved his life.

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You can help support the work of the Red Cross by visiting redcross.org/donate and selecting YOUR LOCAL RED CROSS from the drop down menu under support.

Wife Performs CPR, Saves Husband’s Life

Posted on June 1, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

“You can’t leave me here. I’m too young to be a widow. You can’t go,” Jan Durkalski pleaded. Her husband John had just collapsed during a Sunday morning run and was struggling to breath.

Then, his breathing stopped. So did his heart.

John and Jan Durkalski

Jan and John were on a run together in the Cleveland Metroparks when John suffered sudden cardiac arrest and collapsed. Jan had just renewed her cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification the day before, and the instructions were fresh in her mind when she began CPR on John.

Jan and John Durkalski point to the spot where John collapsed during a run on January 22, 2017

“I never had to do live CPR before. I just did it in class,” Jan explained. “I walked away thinking ‘I’ll never have to do this.’ ”

Hear Jan and John tell the story in their own words by watching the video on our YouTube Channel.

It’s National CPR/AED Awareness Week and we are urging everyone to get trained on how to perform CPR and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) so they can help during an emergency situation.

Many people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest die before getting to a hospital so every second counts. For every minute without defibrillation, a sudden cardiac arrest victim’s chance of surviving drops. It is critical for as many people as possible to be trained to perform CPR and know how to use an AED until advanced help arrives.

Interested in getting trained? Find information on Red Cross classes here. Last year, nearly 50,000 people in Northeast Ohio enrolled in Red Cross first aid/CPR/AED classes.

“Sudden cardiac arrest claims the lives of thousands of people in this country every year,” said Mike Parks, Regional CEO. “National CPR/AED Awareness Week is the perfect time for people to get trained and help increase a sudden cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.”

John Durkalski not only survived, he is thriving. He ran the 10K race at the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon in May, and plans to continue running. “40 years and one heart attack. Why quit now?”

You can download the free Red Cross First Aid App which puts instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies, including sudden cardiac arrest, at your fingertips. Download by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.

From Volunteer Manager to Volunteer

Posted on May 31, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Buckhold Pat

By Pat Buckhold, Regional Volunteer Officer

You say “good-bye” and I say “hello”. There’s a song for everything, I’ve always said.

After more years of paid employment than I care to admit, I came to realize over the past few months that it is time to transition to the next phase of my life. I have been preparing for this time- retirement- for many years. So many things to do, such little time. And now it’s here.

I have never been at a loss for interests and things to do in my spare time, especially now that my children are grown. In retirement, I saw myself as volunteering more than I do now, but what and where? How could I really make a difference in this world and become, pardon the philosophical bent, the best version of myself?

Enter, the American Red Cross. Over the course of the past three years as a paid staff member in Volunteer Services, the Red Cross quickly changed from an organization that I really did not know much about to one that I hold in the highest regard. It has truly been an honor for me to be part of the Red Cross and to spread the good word to prospective volunteers about the life-saving services provided. Being a volunteer with the Red Cross is more than just “something to do”. As a volunteer with the Red Cross, an individual can engage in altruistic and compassionate work in many areas- Disaster or Blood Services, Health and Safety, Services to the Armed Forces or at a Chapter. And the beauty of it all is that we are a volunteer-driven organization! How good does that get?

So if you are wondering, well, what is she going to do now, don’t think about it another second. Besides settling into this new life, I have also decided to transition into a volunteer position or two with the Red Cross. Well, where is she going to be, you ask? That, my friends, you will find out about in future blogs.

So stay tuned. The best is yet to come . . .

Click here to see photos from Pat’s send-off with members of the NEO Red Cross staff.

Pat greets a volunteer

Pat sings a Christmas duet in 2016 with Shelby Begg

Pat poses with colleague Debra Kellar and volunteer Paul Wadowick

Pat and Summit, Portage and Medina Counties Executive Director Rachel D’Attoma

Pat teaches citizen CPR at WKYC in 2015

Pat with Volunteer Services Specialist Debra Kellar

Memorial Day Remarks from CEO Mike Parks

Posted on May 29, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Mike Parks, Regional Chief Executive Officer and U. S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral (Retired) delivered the keynote address at the Memorial Day commemoration for the city of Pepper Pike. In his remarks, Mike noted how Memorial Day and the Red Cross both have their roots in the Civil War, and that the Red Cross continues to provide Service to the Armed Forces. He also wrote the following message to Red Cross workers in the Northeast Ohio Region:

Members of the NEO Red Cross Family: Memorial Day is such a special day when we pay homage to those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we might be able to enjoy the freedoms we do each and every day. As many of you know, both Memorial Day and the Red Cross have their origins in the Civil War. The first Memorial Day—then known as Decoration Day—was in 1866 when Civil War soldiers’ graves were adorned with flowers. And of course, Clara Barton’s service providing aid and comfort to soldiers as a nurse during the Civil War inspired her to begin the American Red Cross.

Thank you all for all you do each and every day to help pay it forward and never taking our freedom for granted. Just a reminder, the National Moment of Remembrance Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 2000 to “encourage people of the US to give something back to their country which provides them with so much freedom and opportunity.”

I encourage all of us to join together on this Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m., wherever we may be, whatever we may be doing, to contemplate the cost of our freedoms…the freedom to speak our mind…to live where we’d like…to practice whatever religion we choose…to vote…to travel anywhere in this great…the freedom to be anything we choose to be…the freedom to dream…because we are all Americans and we can come together, to honor those who have given their all—so that we may be free!

I’ll leave you with the inspiring words of singer Lee Greenwood…you know the tune: “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me!”

Have a great day & God Bless the USA! Best regards…Mike

Blanket Made of Red Heart Yarn and Love

Posted on May 26, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Linda Evans

15 months. That’s how long it took Linda Evans of West Farmington, Ohio to #StitchAHug. That’s the hashtag redheart.com established in 2016 to allow customers to support the Red Cross, by providing patterns for blankets.

“I was in the middle of a move,” Linda said. ” Otherwise, it probably wouldn’t have taken so long.”

The white spread with the traditional Red Cross knitted in the center arrived at Northeast Ohio headquarters in early May, accompanied by a short note that read, in part, “I hope whoever gets it will be okay!”

Red Cross workers often provide blankets to people who have been forced to flee their homes by fire, flood, or other disasters. In Northeast Ohio, the Red Cross responds on average to three such disasters every 24-hours.

That’s a lot of blankets.

“I’m grateful I have never needed your help. The Red Cross is exceptional in everything they do, and I don’t give back nearly enough, so this project sounded like a perfect match.”

Linda’s blanket touched the heart of Renee Palagyi, Regional Senior Disaster Program Manager. “What a wonderful gesture on her part. It shows how our mission touches the lives of people in so many ways, those who need our help, and those who want to reach out and help others.”

Knitting a blanket is just one way to support Red Cross efforts to help others. You can also volunteer your time, or make a donation.

Linda hopes her blanket is big enough to “maybe snuggle up two folks.” And she writes, “I might even do another one…but not right away :)”

Let’s Help Save Lives!

Posted on May 24, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

CEO Sends Message to Encourage Donations During Board Blood Drive

landerhaven4

Memorial Day weekend approaches. It’s the unofficial start of the summer season, when blood donations typically drop. The Greater Cleveland Chapter Board of Directors is sponsoring a blood drive tomorrow, the Thursday before Memorial Day, at Regional Headquarters, 3747 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland. Regional CEO Mike Parks issued the following message:

Northeast Ohio Red Cross Family:

As a reminder, on Thursday, May 25^th from 1:00-6:00 pm, let’s roll up our sleeves and help save lives! The American Red Cross Greater Cleveland Chapter will hold a blood drive sponsored by the Board of Directors. The Red Cross has over 130 years of experience providing humanitarian aid – including more than 70 years of supplying blood to those in need.

Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. What a great way to pay it forward and make an impact on people in our community and across the country. We are very excited about the drive and I hope you are too.

We are planning some great giveaways for that day. Let’s show our community and the patients in need of blood just how much we can do. There are many ways you can help, but most importantly we hope you come out to donate. It’s not every day that we do something that has such a lifesaving impact. Let’s blow this out of the water! Feel free to invite your family, friends and co-workers to support this critical initiative. I plan to be first in line at 1:00 pm with my sleeve rolled up!!

Individuals who are at least 17 years of age (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. If you are able and eligible to give blood, please make an appointment at www.redcrossblood.org using sponsor code NEOBOARD or call 1-800-RED CROSS. In addition, you can schedule and track your donation by using the Blood Donor App. It is free and available for download on iPhoneTM and AndroidTM devices through the App StoreSM and Google PlayTM or by texting BLOODAPP to 90999 for a link to download the App.

On the day of donation, blood donors can save time by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online prior to arriving at the blood drive by visiting www.redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and following the instructions on the site. I just found out that the President of Biomedical Services, Shaun Gilmore, and his senior leadership team will be visiting us on Thursday—what better way to demonstrate our commitment to One Red Cross than having a highly successful blood drive—we might even convince them to roll up their sleeves!!

Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross!…Best regards, Mike

NOHredcross

American Red Cross of Northern Ohio Region