This Giving Day #HelpCantWait: Help the American Red Cross deliver vital assistance

Posted on March 22, 2023 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Red Cross Assisted 3,255 community members in Northern Ohio between July and February

By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

I first visited the American Red Cross’s Cleveland office on a bitterly cold day in February 2018 and began training as a new Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteer. A few days later I was in a Red Cross vehicle with one of the most astonishing, kindest people I have met, heading to assist a family following a home fire. As we were providing the family with supplies, financial assistance, and information needed to begin recovering, the Cleveland Fire Department was extinguishing a large fire on the other side of town. We arrived shortly after, meeting a large family as water from fire hoses streamed from the home, the smell of smoke still heavy within. As before, we provided comfort, information, and the support this devastated family would need to recover.

I soon learned such a day is typical for Northern Ohio Red Cross disaster responders. I saw firsthand, how needed and effective the assistance is, and, how it helps families begin recovering from one of their life’s most difficult events. I also discovered that when people care enough to give–whether financial support or time–how much it helps those impacted.

I have also seen how vital Blood Services, Services to the Armed Forces, smoke alarm installations, and lifesaving training are.

March 22nd is American Red Cross Giving Day, part of Red Cross month, and we ask you to consider joining with others in the community to help continue the Red Cross mission.

And as disasters increase, your help is greatly needed.

To see how busy our region’s Disaster Action Team has been, I reached out to Emily Probst, Senior Disaster Program Manager, and Barb Thomas, Regional Recovery Manager, for the Red Cross’s Northern Ohio Region.

Red Cross volunteer Mark Dietrich responding to a home fire in Conneaut, Ohio

Between July 1, 2022 and February 28, 2023, Northern Ohio DAT members responded to 769 events, opened 1,214 cases, and assisted 3,255 people. Emily added that the team has responded to three apartment fires just in the last few weeks and praised their dedication, saying, “We could not do what we do without the DAT volunteers and their commitment to delivering mission at all hours of the day.”

While most disasters in our region are home fires–736 of the 769 events–the team also assisted following other disasters, including the train derailment and chemical spill in East Palestine.

East Palestine resident Michelle Massey took refuge in a Red Cross shelter for several days following the derailment of a train in February

In addition to financial support, you can help by:
– Donating blood. You will also receive a $10 Visa prepaid card throughout March and be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa prepaid card. Please visit
redcrossblood.org for details and to schedule a donation.
– Learning lifesaving skills by taking a class.
– And volunteering, which I have found to be an exceptionally rewarding experience.

However you wish to contribute, please consider taking part in Giving Day, as donor and volunteer support is vital. Please visit redcross.org/GivingDay or the links above, because #HelpCantWait.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross Board Member and volunteer

Donating to the American Red Cross this Giving Tuesday can double your impact

Posted on November 28, 2022 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Every donation, no matter how small, helps save lives, as #HelpCantWait

By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

Tomorrow, November 29th is Giving Tuesday, a day which encourages and celebrates local giving, generosity, and humanity. This year, the need for charitable giving and the American Red Cross mission is as vital as ever. 2022 has been a year of crisis for families and communities here in Northern Ohio and throughout the world.

For this year’s Giving Tuesday, the Red Cross is issuing a matching gift opportunity for all donations made at redcross.org. Sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company, all donations made – regardless of designation – will be matched dollar for dollar up to $250,000.

Even small donations have a major impact. A donation made through redcross.org can be as little as $10, yet provides tremendous hope in a time of crisis or helps prevent disaster. A few examples include providing a smoke alarm and fire safety education; aiding someone to learn CPR; assisting a family with a meal, supplies, and safe place to stay after a home fire; helping someone receive a lifesaving blood transfusion; and aiding a family contact a deployed member of the military during an emergency.

In addition to donating at redcross.org, you can text “REDCROSS” to 90999 and give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, which will appear on your wireless bill, or call 1-800- HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669).

As a Red Cross volunteer in various capacities, I can attest to the impact these donations have on people’s lives, as I have often seen the moment when people who have experienced a disaster realize they have support, that others care, that they will be able to recover and move on.

And help is needed. The climate crisis is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. So far in 2022, the Red Cross has responded to 15 billion-dollar disasters, more than twice the number that struck annually two decades ago. Internationally, global conflict and Africa’s hunger crisis have devastated millions, and the Red Cross has provided humanitarian aid in more than 108 countries this year.

Last January, the Red Cross experienced its worst blood shortage in over a decade, due to ongoing collection challenges and varied hospital demand during the pandemic. While the crisis was overcome, thanks to generous blood donors, the need for blood is constant. Hospitals in northern Ohio, as everywhere, need a reliable supply of blood to aid those in an accident, parents with complicated childbirths, individuals battling cancer, and people with sickle cell disease.

You can also help the Red Cross through donating blood or exploring volunteer opportunities.

Whether you care to donate finances, blood, or time, doing so will help the Red Cross continue its crucial, lifesaving mission.

March 23rd is Giving Day, and the need for Red Cross services is critical

Posted on March 22, 2022 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Tim Poe, Red Cross volunteer

March 23rd is the eighth annual American Red Cross Giving Day, when communities come together to raise awareness about our critical disaster relief mission and fund our lifesaving work across the country. As recent events show, the Red Cross mission and services are critically needed, as #HelpCantWait.

As I reported earlier this month, Disaster Action Team (DAT) responses in our region increased by over 30% in February, mainly due to home fires, and March has continued to be exceptionally busy. Nationally, the Red Cross responded to more than 15,900 home fires since January 1, providing help to almost 60,000.

Please see this video for a behind-the-scenes look at the work Giving Day makes possible.

The blood supply is vulnerable, and help is greatly needed, from blood donors, volunteers, and those providing financial support.

In addition, climate change, global instability, and the effects of the pandemic will continue to pose challenges for all humanitarian services. Challenges that, with your help, the Red Cross will rise to meet.

On a personal note, as a disaster responder I have seen the benefits of Red Cross services. I often saw the relief on people’s faces when we arrived after a home fire, knowing they would have help recovering. And, as assistance was provided, I also frequently saw human resiliency and signs of hope returning. Such moments occur, on average, more than three times a day in Northern Ohio and are made possible by donors and volunteers.

Here are some examples of what a financial gift can provide:

$3: one comfort kit containing hygiene items.
$15: one smoke alarm installation with fire safety education.
$50: a full day of food and shelter for one person.
$135: one smoke alarm and fire safety education for a hearing-impaired person.
$150: travel, meals, and shelter for one day for a deployed Red Cross disaster relief, health, or mental health worker.
$200: a full day of food and shelter to a family of four. Includes the cost of Red Cross workers to provide this service.
$350: the daily cost to deploy an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV).
$605: financial assistance for a family impacted by a local disaster, like a home fire. This helps the family purchase food, lodging, clothing, and other critical needs.
$4,000: a Sound the Alarm event. Includes installing smoke alarms and providing a fire safety package, deploying an ERV for the day, and lunch for volunteers. Average events install around 200 alarms.

To participate in Giving Day, please visit redcross.org/GivingDay. A gift of any size makes a difference.

For Northern Ohio volunteer opportunities, please visit this link..

To donate blood, visit RedCrossBlood.org.

To learn lifesaving skills like CPR and First Aid, consider taking a class at redcross.org/TakeAClass.

Video streamers can also help. See here if interested.

The ‘hows’ of financial contributions: Your questions answered

Posted on March 22, 2021 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Giving Day is Wednesday, March 24

By: Sam Pudelski, American Red Cross Volunteer

Donating when you are able to can be a wonderful way to give back to your community and help those who are in need. There are many ways you can support and give to the American Red Cross, including providing a financial gift.

You may be asking yourself: How is my donation used? How much of it is used? How can I donate? All of these are great questions, and ones you should ask before donating to any cause, charity or organization. For those who have questions about the Red Cross, we are providing the answers to some of these common questions about financial contributions.

How much of my donation goes to the Red Cross?

An average of 90 cents of every dollar we receive is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need.

How is my donation used by the Red Cross?

With the generous support of our donors, we help millions of people each year. Financial donations help to support our programs like disaster relief, blood drives, our Home Fire Campaign, training classes, services to the armed forces and more. Learn more about the work we do here in Northern Ohio.

How can I donate?

If you are looking to give a financial donation to the Red Cross, there are many ways you can donate:

Make a donation online
Send a donation by mail
Donate over the phone
Text to donate $10
Alexa Donations with Amazon Pay
Donate stock, your car, hotel points or airline miles
Give in tribute to someone
Give monthly

If you want your donation to go even further, ask your employer if they would sponsor a matching program for employees. In a matching program, your donation is matched by the organization or individual that is sponsoring the program.

There are many ways you can give back and support the Red Cross’ mission. We encourage you to learn more about our mission and our work, and if you are able to do so, consider donating this coming Giving Day on March 24—or any day. For details on how to donate or to make a secure donation online, click here.

We thank you for your support!

Edited by: Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross Volunteer

#Help1family affected by a disaster this Giving Day

Posted on March 27, 2019 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

March 27, 2019 – Have you ever wondered how much it costs to help a family affected by a disaster, such as a home fire? Have you wanted to provide support but figured there was nothing you could do?

Following a year of record disasters, the American Red Cross is asking everyone to #help1family today, March 27, on Red Cross Giving Day.

EVERY 8 MINUTES, DONATIONS HELP FAMILIES

Every eight minutes, the Red Cross helps someone affected by a disaster. Last year, Red Cross disaster workers—90 percent of whom were volunteers—helped millions of people during a second consecutive year of record wildfires, hurricanes, tragic shootings and other large crises—all while responding day and night to home fires in communities across the country.

In fact, home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster—often, devastating homes, livelihoods and cherished possessions. Just in January and February of this year, Red Cross volunteers across the country responded to almost 11,000 home fires, assisting nearly 33,000 people affected by these fires. In Northeast Ohio, the Red Cross responds to three home fires, on average, every 24 hours.

#HELP1FAMILY ON MARCH 27

You can provide hope to people across Northeast Ohio affected by local disasters by donating on Red Cross Giving Day, a 24-hour fundraising campaign. Our goal is to help 25,000 families affected by home fires or other disasters, and we need your support. Visit redcross.org/givingday to provide urgent relief, like food, shelter and other essentials for families who need it most. You can also give by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10, or by saying, “Alexa, make a donation to Red Cross Giving Day” on your Alexa-enabled device.

Support a family in urgent need for one day: A gift of $88.50 can provide a family of three with a day’s worth of food, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus blankets and other essentials in the aftermath of a disaster.
Supply warm meals: A donation of $60 can help provide six people with a nourishing meal that includes a main course, snacks and drinks to those impacted by disasters.
Deliver cozy blankets: A gift of $30 can ensure that children and families stay warm and can get a good night’s sleep with six comforting blankets.

You can also use the hashtag #help1family on your social media accounts to let others know you are supporting families in need and to encourage others to donate on Giving Day.

The Red Cross is grateful for any generous support to help people in need on Giving Day and throughout the year. During March, we honor the volunteer heroes who fuel our lifesaving work every day—a tradition dating back more than 75 years, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt first proclaimed March as Red Cross Month to raise awareness for our humanitarian mission.

On behalf of the Red Cross of Northeast Ohio, thank you for considering a donation. Your generosity will help a family recover from one of the worst experiences of their lifetime.

March is Red Cross Month: Highlighting the impact of the Red Cross in Northeast Ohio and beyond

Posted on February 28, 2019 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

February 28, 2019—March is Red Cross Month, and the American Red Cross asks everyone to be a hero in their community by becoming a volunteer, learning lifesaving skills, giving blood or donating to #help1family on Red Cross Giving Day, March 27.

The need to help people is constant—and the past year of busy disaster activity was no exception. For 324 consecutive days, more than 43,000 people relied on the Red Cross for emergency shelter following events like record wildfires, hurricanes, floods and large apartment fires. From April 2018 to February 2019, more than 11,500 Red Cross volunteers left the comfort of their own homes to provide comfort, care and a safe place to sleep for tens of thousands affected by disasters.

Disatser Stats- FB During that period of devastating disaster, the Red Cross of Northeast Ohio had 150 disaster volunteers deployed across the country, assisting residents in need and helping spread the Red Cross story, including Doug Bardwell, who was deployed for the first time and was sent to the Camp Fire disaster in California as a public affairs volunteer.

“During Red Cross Month, we honor the volunteer heroes who help families overcome life’s emergencies every day,” said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “These champions are our neighbors—ordinary people who make an extraordinary difference to ease the suffering of others, whether it’s saving a person’s life with CPR, donating blood for a hospital patient with life-threatening conditions, or comforting a family overwhelmed by a home fire or other crisis. We ask you to consider joining these heroes to answer the call for service in your community.”

WHAT IS RED CROSS MONTH More than 75 years ago, March was first proclaimed Red Cross Month in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to raise awareness of the organization and its humanitarian mission. All U.S. presidents since Roosevelt have designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the American Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world through its workforce powered by more than 90 percent volunteers.

EVERY EIGHT MINUTES, SOMEONE NEEDS HELP The Red Cross responds to more than 62,000 disasters a year, most of which are home fires. In January alone, Red Cross volunteers helped about 24,000 people affected by more than 5,700 home fires across every state.

Disasters can cause other critical needs too. This winter, thousands of blood donations have gone uncollected due to snow storms and extreme cold—underscoring the constant need for eligible individuals to donate blood.

‘VOLUNTEERING WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE’ Joe Apicelli is among the nearly 372,000 individuals who volunteer with the American Red Cross. Following a massive hurricane more than a decade ago, he was inspired to respond with his local chapter upon seeing heartbreaking images of the storm’s aftermath. Ever since, Apicelli has helped people affected by disasters, including last year’s record wildfires in California and Hurricanes Florence and Michael.

“Volunteering will change your life. It will give you an opportunity to work with people from all over the country and change up your lifestyle,” Apicelli said. “If you want to reach out and help others, volunteer and see the difference it can make in your life. I am honored every time I get to work with my fellow Red Crossers. These are people who have given up their vacation and free time to help others.”

HOW YOU CAN #HELP1FAMILY Learn more about how you can help in your area by contacting your local Red Cross chapter or visiting redcross.org/neo:

Become a volunteer: Help families affected by disasters and install lifesaving smoke alarms to keep neighbors safe from home fires. In some areas, you can also provide emergency assistance for military members and veterans, or help reconnect families separated by international conflict.
Give blood: Make an appointment to donate lifesaving blood or platelets.
Learn lifesaving skills: Register for a class to learn first aid, CPR and other skills.
Make a financial donation: On March 27—American Red Cross Giving Day—donate at redcross.org/givingday, uniting with thousands of people like you to help families during the first devastating hours of a disaster. Your gift can provide hope and urgent relief like food, shelter and other essentials for families who need it most.

Below is a video explaining the Red Cross’ history and how your support this March impacts your local community here in Northeast Ohio.

Thank You for Giving on Red Cross Giving Day

Posted on March 29, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Your gift means so much.

We reached our Giving Day goal, and will be able to help 28,678 families thanks to the generosity of our donors. This brief video illustrates just a few of the ways your donations will help people when they face emergencies like home fires, hurricanes and flooding.

Just this week, disaster workers responded to the Rainbow Terrace apartment building fire in Cleveland, where residents from 30 units were forced to flee before dawn on Monday, March 26. The Red Cross provided more than $8,200 dollars to help 63 residents meet their immediate needs. While many of the residents are being housed in once-vacant apartments throughout the complex, they lost all of their possessions in the fire.

While Giving Day is over, the need for disaster relief is constant. Red Cross workers respond to three home fires every 24 hours, on average, in Northeast Ohio. The need for volunteers to assist people in their darkest hours is constant, too. To learn more about volunteering, visit redcross.org/neo, and click the Volunteer tab. You can also make a donation to disaster relief, to help people who suffer from disasters, big and small.

Giving Day Gives You a Chance to #help1family

Posted on March 19, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Donate Now Through Giving Day, March 28, 2018

By Patrick Kunklier, Communications Volunteer and Board Member

Once a year, Giving Day brings American Red Cross supporters together to help families who have been impacted by a home fire or other disaster, such as floods, hurricanes and tornadoes. Together, we provide urgently needed Red Cross services to help families get back on their feet.

Your Giving Day gift can provide hope and critical relief, like food, supplies, shelter and other essentials to people who need it most.

Disaster Program Manager Jeremy Bayer offers Mickey Mouse toys to children, following a fire in their home in Cleveland.

“The Red Cross 2018 Giving Day goal is to help 25,000 families. Your support provides families with food, blankets, and other essentials,” said Mike Parks, CEO of the Northeast Ohio Region. “And you don’t have to wait until March 28 to be part of Giving Day. Whether you donate $10 or $500 or more, the tax-deductible gift you make today will count toward the Red Cross Giving Day goal.”

Parks added, “Please also encourage your family and friends to give a gift to help the families who urgently need Red Cross assistance after a home fire or other disaster.”

Click here to donate. Donations made via this link for Red Cross Giving Day will be used for Red Cross Disaster Relief, which supports victims of big and small disasters. Check out this video to see exactly how donations to disaster relief are used.

And use #help1family on your social media accounts to let others know you’re supporting Giving Day.

If you have any questions, please contact Red Cross Donor Services at 1-800-RED-CROSS or submit your request via the financial donation inquiry form so that your inquiry is promptly addressed.

On behalf of the families you will help, thank you for your generosity.

Former Trucker Loves Logistics

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

By Michael Shipley, American Red Cross Volunteer

(Editor’s note: This is one in a series of essays written by volunteers for the American Red Cross in the Northeast Ohio Region)

Hello. My name is Michael Shipley and I am a Red Cross volunteer. My Red Cross story is probably typical. Mike Shipley

I was a working trucker for eighteen years, and logged approximately 1.8 million miles. Then I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I suffered a major “attack” and lost the use of my legs for three months, which ended my career as a trucker.

I was at an MS walk and met a lady who actively recruited me to volunteer for the American Red Cross. I went to a meeting and signed up that day.

I am a Disaster Services volunteer. I started with casework, meaning I helped people who experienced a disaster by introducing them to the services offered by the Red Cross, including initial financial assistance, mental health services, and community referrals to help them with their recovery. After about nine months of case work I decided to start doing logistics and I absolutely love it!

American Red Cross volunteer Mike Shipley

I take care of logistics for the Red Cross in seven counties and three offices. I have met some really great folks and been on five deployments in one year! I stay busy and I am very happy to find an organization that lets me be me.

(Michael Shipley has been a volunteer with the Red Cross for nearly three years. He is a resident of Mansfield, and serves residents in the Lake Erie/Heartland Chapter.)

To learn more about volunteer opportunities with the Red Cross, or to begin an application, visit our volunteer page or call 216-431-3328. To help the Red Cross train volunteers and provide them with the resources needed to assist people who experience disasters, big and small, visit our Giving Day page.

Disability Doesn’t Deter Disaster Services Volunteer

Posted on April 25, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Mark Cline, American Red Cross Volunteer

(Editor’s note: This is one in a series of essays written by volunteers for the American Red Cross in the Northeast Ohio Region)

From my earliest memories, I can remember volunteering with my family, which taught me the value of giving back. In Boy Scouts I obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. I was also an Explorer Scout with the Wickliffe Fire Department. That turned into a 20 year job of being a part-time fire fighter/EMT. I later went to work for Continental Airlines, where I was on their Emergency Response Team, and I was an Explorer Post Adviser working with teens in an Aviation Post sponsored by Continental Airlines. On one of my assignments, I worked an aircraft crash in Buffalo, NY, where 51 souls were lost.

After working some very physical jobs over the years, my back developed issues and I began to receive Social Security Disability, but I wasn’t ready to retire to a rocking chair. Working with Lake County RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), they introduced me to the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team in the Greater Cleveland Chapter. All my emergency training and experience pulled together in one organization. I currently hold a number of positions with Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services (DCS). I’m a Disaster Action Team (DAT) Leader, Administrator-on-call, DAT Induction Trainer, Pillowcase Presenter and DCS Volunteer Partner to our Disaster Program Manager.

north-olmsted-ohio-resident-joan-kravets-assisted-by-red-cross-volunteer-mark-cline

Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services Volunteer Partner Mark Cline, assisting residents who were affected by home fires in Greater Cleveland

All of these positions allow me the chance to give back in many different ways. Being on call I get a chance to be instrumental in someone’s life. When the team responds, we help people who hours before didn’t know what hit them. Then we train and plan for the next response. I am able to work along side WONDERFUL co-volunteers and employees, knowing that whatever challenge comes around the corner, we’ll be able to respond.

I may be on disability, but that doesn’t make me totally disabled. Someday a rocking chair may be a major part of my day, but not right now. The Red Cross gives me the ability to help and enjoy life, being part of amazing team or even more like a family. There will be another disaster around the corner. I don’t know when, I don’t know what, I just know I’ll be part of the team responding to it. Tomorrow there maybe time for that rocking chair and sleeping in, but today I’ve got things to do and places to go, and people to see! Mark Cline

Mark Cline just celebrated his first anniversary as a Red Cross Volunteer. He lives in Euclid, and serves residents of the Greater Cleveland Chapter.

NOHredcross

American Red Cross of Northern Ohio Region

Tag Archives: Giving Day