Tag Archives: Twinsburg

Acts of Courage: 30 years of honoring local heroes

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By Ryan Lang, American Red Cross

The American Red Cross of Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley has been celebrating everyday heroes from the local community for the past 30 years with the annual Acts of Courage event in Akron. On March 5, 2026, that the chapter celebrated its 30th and final Acts of Courage event marking the end of an era.

Rachel Stine, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley

“It’s been an absolute honor to be a part of the Acts of Courage event for over ten years,” Rachel Stine, Executive Director of the Greater Akron and Mahoning Valley chapter of the Red Cross said. “This event has showcased those who truly care about community and embody the spirit of the Red Cross.”

In fact, the entire event has embodied the spirit of the Red Cross for decades, and the grand finale was no different. From a Red Cross volunteer saving a life at a local restaurant, to one of our youngest recipients, a seven-year-old girl, calling for help when no one else heard her neighbor, the acts of courage that were on display were astounding.

Jack McCabe, 2026 H. Peter Burg Community Leadership Award recipient

We also honored this year’s H. Peter Burg Community Leadership Award recipient, Jack McCabe. Jack is a longtime board member and Vice President and General Manager for the Utility Vegetation Management division of Davey Resource Group. Jack is a true servant leader and is making a difference in his community and beyond every day.

See all of the photos from the event here, and tap the videos below to hear the stories from our heroes themselves. Also below is a short vignette that takes you on a journey from where the Red Cross in Greater and Akron the Mahoning Valley was, is, and will be.

As for what the future holds, Rachel says, “You will see your Red Cross over the next 30 years continue to honor even more heroes every day with the volunteers serving and meeting the needs of communities near and far.

Acts of Courage awards recipients:

Chris’ Red Cross training kicked in when a student at the Medina County Career Center needed it most:

Ashley utilized lifesaving skills she learned through the Red Cross to help a coworker in distress:

Evelyn is proof that heroes come in all sizes:

Jeff is a healthcare worker and an everyday citizen who stepped up in someone else’s time of need:

Red Cross volunteer Jennifer was out getting a bite to eat and noticed a man choking:

Twinsburg Fire and Police, along with the dispatch team, honored for the team effort to save a baby from a home fire:

30 Years of Acts of Courage in Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley:

Community members come together to give back this holiday season

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By Samantha Pudelski, American Red Cross Volunteer

The American Red Cross of Northern Ohio held holiday blood drives across the region, providing an opportunity for donors to give the gift of life for people in need during this holiday season.

Hailee Horstman, Blood Donor

The drives were held between December 14th and December 23rd at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, the Hilton Garden Inn in Twinsburg, the Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls, the Hilton Garden Inn in Perrysburg and Stambaugh Auditorium and Packard Music Hall in Youngstown.

Daniel Salmons, Blood Donor

The Red Cross put the call out to the public, encouraging them to donate at our holiday drives, and our community members answered. Across all of the holiday blood drives, 1,240 pints of blood were donated to provide critical help for patients across the region.

Each donation can help up to three patients awaiting a blood product – red blood cells, platelets, or plasma. That means more than 3,700 people will possibly benefit by the donations made at this year’s holiday blood drives.

Lee Holmes-Blood Donor

Blood donations help patients in our community of all ages, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer, among others. In fact, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.

The need this year is high, as pandemic challenges and concerns, along with the typical winter lulls, have resulted in historically low levels of blood supply. If you haven’t had a chance to donate—don’t delay. We are calling all eligible donors this January as part of National Blood Donor Month to roll up their sleeves and donate. To find an upcoming blood donation drive near you, click here.

“I Never Thought I’d Be the One”

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By Doug Bardwell, American Red Cross volunteer

Maybe it wasn’t a tornado, but the damage done in Twinsburg by random microbursts looked almost as devastating.  The most troublesome of all was the strike which knocked down a 30,000-volt power line on Liberty Road, along with six transmission poles.  4,000 Homes were plunged into darkness during the storm.

Upon hearing that First Energy estimated power wouldn’t be fully restored for three or four days, a Red Cross shelter was quickly established at the Twinsburg Community Center.  Cots were set up, snacks and warm drinks were available and best of all, it offered a place to warm up, as temperatures began to dip into the 20’s and 30’s.twinsburg shelter

“This is rather remarkable,” related one woman.  “I’ve been contributing to the Red Cross for years, assuming that the money would go to assist people; but now, seeing what you all are doing here, now I know for sure that my donations have been well spent.”

“Are you employees or volunteers?” That was a recurring question from many of those staying at the shelter.  When they found out that 90% of us were volunteers, the usual response was something akin to “Well, God bless you for all that you are doing.”

Carrying in two trays of sub sandwiches donated by the local Subway shop in Twinsburg, many people were pleasantly surprised to find that there was no charge for the meals served three times a day. And on hearing that Subway had graciously donated that meal, I’m certain that Subway is going to have a number of appreciative new customers in return.Shelter app

“I never thought I’d be the one receiving help from Red Cross,” said another. “I watched the big disasters in Texas and Puerto Rico unfold on TV; but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d be spending a night in a Red Cross shelter. Thank you so much be being available and ready wherever you are needed.”

If you ever find yourself in a weather-related power outage, it’s easy to find the closest shelter to you by checking the Red Cross Emergency app available for iOS and Android phones.