By Mary Falconer-Williams, American Red Cross volunteer
Volunteer Bill Dreyer first spotted the poster announcing that the American Red Cross would be hosting a blood drive on the Kent State University campus in 1955. Bill attended the drive, donated a pint, and from that point on was a firm believer in the power of donating blood, and gave every chance he could.
Bill Dreyer, Red Cross volunteer
“I know that my donations mean so much to those individuals who are fighting an illness or have been in an accident,” Bill states. Individuals like his mother, who received several pints in 1999.
A humanitarian at heart, Bill joined the Stow-Munroe Falls Lions Club in the fall of 2000 and shortly afterward began volunteering with the Red Cross helping in the refreshment area (canteen), at registration, and as a bag labeler. And in 2010 his passions combined when the Lions Club and Holy Family Catholic Church in Stow hosted a blood drive. And Bill has been instrumental in growing the impact of that first drive. The co-sponsored event has hosted drives six times a year, ever since!
65 pints of lifesaving blood were collected at the drive held on September 3, 2024.
Though he is now unable to donate blood due to medical reasons, Bill proudly notes that he has donated 278 pints of blood throughout his life.
“It’s really not hard, and the staff are gentle. Come in and see us, we’ll show you around,” Bill invites those individuals who haven’t ever donated or haven’t in a while. To find a drive near you, go to redcrossblood.org and tap “find a drive.”
Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer
Regional Red Cross executive reflects on most recent deployment
By Todd James, Executive Director, American Red Cross of North Central Ohio
Todd James in Iowa, June, 2024
I recently returned from a disaster relief operation in southwest Iowa, an area devastated by massive flooding in June. You’re probably trying to remember if you had heard about flooding in Iowa. You probably did, it was big news for a few days. But as is always the case, something else happened and the news moved on to cover the story of the day. Well, the cameras and reporters may have moved on, but for the people of Siouxland, as they call the region, moving on will be a long, hard process. I am so proud of the American Red Cross responders who left their own homes, jobs and families to rush into the devastation to offer shelter, comfort and hope, and I am honored that I had the opportunity to serve with them.
A month after the flood waters receded, with the help of the Red Cross, the community was able to focus on long-term recovery. What does that look like? It’s different for every family but all will need the help of many partners, non-profits, governmental agencies and the business community, working together. Our Red Cross long-term recovery team will continue to collaborate with these partners, helping and guiding them on how to come together to best serve those on the road to recovery.
The Red Cross is responding to nearly twice as many large disasters as we did a decade ago to help families and communities struggling with more frequent and intense disasters. In 2023 alone, the U.S. experienced an all-time high of 28 billion-dollar plus disasters that ravaged communities and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee from severe storms, floods and wildfires.
This was my 41st disaster deployment and I have seen first-hand how disasters are happening more frequently and causing more damage. There is no more down time between big disasters, time when our responders can catch their breath, come home and focus on the great work the Red Cross is doing in their community. Now we are constantly responding to these large-scale disasters, as well as the thousands of home fires, storms and other disasters that happen every day but don’t make the headlines.
To equitably meet the growing and unique needs of disaster-affected families and communities, the Red Cross is enhancing our large-scale disaster response and recovery services, expanding financial assistance, strengthening local partner networks, and growing our disaster workforce. This effort includes fortifying the critical infrastructure and technology that enables 24/7 response to disasters across the country.
The need to help during disasters has never been greater. Please, join us to provide relief and hope when it matters most. Help people affected by disasters big and small, including climate-driven crises, by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). Our volunteers are at the heart of our mission and represent 90% of our workforce. Click here to sign up for opportunities to help. To help make sure your family and community are ready for a disaster before it happens, click here.
Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer
Today, August 8th marks the one-year anniversary of the Maui wildfires, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century. Most of the town of Lahaina was devastated. 3,710 homes were destroyed or made unlivable, and the confirmed death toll is now 102. As always, the American Red Cross quickly responded to the disaster and worked with partner organizations to bring much needed assistance.
Several workers from the Northern Ohio Region joined the disaster relief operation on Maui, including Regional CEO Mike Parks, Regional Disaster Officer Emily Probst, Disaster Program Manager Tim Reichel, and Regional Communications Director Jim McIntyre. Several regional volunteers deployed as well, including IT specialist Randy Liang and Medina-based volunteer Monica Bunner.
Photos, from top left: Ohio Representative Dave Joyce and Mike Parks, Emily Probst, Tim Reichel, Jim McIntyre and Monica Bunner
For the anniversary, I spoke with Monica, who deployed to Maui for three weeks in late August and early September 2023, serving in the Disaster Recovery Operation headquarters as a Community Engagement and Partnership Manager.
Since she began volunteering with the Red Cross in 2017, Monica has deployed to several national disasters and serves as a disaster responder among other roles here in Ohio. Even with such experience, she had seen nothing quite like the Maui wildfires’ aftermath.
Randy Liang and Monica Bunner
Seeing the area following the disaster was a bittersweet experience for Monica. She had been to Maui several times before, mostly for relaxation, and knew the community. “I felt I really needed to be there to help,” she said.
And help was desperately needed. Monica said that the level of devastation was so widespread, and that the disaster unfolded with such speed that many of those affected were dazed, shocked, confused, and did not know how to proceed.
There was an immediate need for Monica to put her experience and organizational skills to work. Hawaii-based Red Cross personnel worked closely with those deployed from across the U.S., and the Red Cross coordinated with partner relief organizations and community representatives.
Monica said engaging and working with community leaders was critical, as Maui’s population is exceptionally diverse. (Maui County states its cultural heritages include Hawaiian, Japanese, Caucasian, Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Tongan, Samoan, and others.) As some groups were unfamiliar with Red Cross services and the commitment to help everyone following a disaster, Monica said ensuring all those impacted knew they had somewhere to turn for help was important, and she made sure to take time for everyone.
Each day, Monica had a stark reminder of the devastation. The shelter and headquarters were on opposite sides of Lahaina, and with each commute she saw the fire’s remnants and the growing memorials to the many lost lives.
And each day, Monica also saw the importance of Red Cross services. She and other Red Cross personnel took part in helping people find food, shelter, and supplies, locate loved ones, get critical information, receive financial assistance, connect with partner organizations, and find friendly, helpful faces and smiles. And most importantly, through all this, they helped people find hope. Monica said there is, “Definitely hope. Always hope.”
Watch this video on the one-year anniversary of the Red Cross response to the Maui Wildfires:
Finally, disasters occur each day, including Tropical Storm Debby, the current Park Fire, and home fires. Please consider volunteering or supporting the Red Cross.
Editor’s note: Hurricane Debby’s torrential rains are exacerbating the national blood shortage announced by the Red Cross on Monday.
Debby’s devastating flooding, power outages and travel hazards have forced the cancellation of blood drives in the Southeast, causing hundreds of lifesaving blood products to go uncollected when more donations are so desperately needed.
Tuesday’s tornadoes in Northeast Ohio also resulted in cancelled blood drives on Wednesday, resulting in about 130 donations going uncollected.
Even as we work to overcome this blood shortage, the Red Cross is providing food, shelter and comfort to communities affected by the hurricane in the Southeast and wildfires in the West. And disaster workers in Northeast Ohio continue responding to requests for assistance from residents whose homes suffered structural damage.
People urgently need aid now. You can help by making an appointment to give blood or platelets or financial donation by visiting redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800- 733-2767).
Polyrhythms of raindrops drum at the window, accented by rolling bellows of thunder, a severe late May storm approaches. Lights flicker. I am relieved the roof, damaged weeks ago, has finally been repaired. Yet as a Northern Ohio resident I am fortunate, as the region is less prone to natural disasters. Earlier, I watched reports from the latest of this spring’s tornado outbreaks. Amidst the catastrophic scenes, as always, American Red Cross volunteers and staff members are there, ensuring those impacted have food, shelter, care, comfort, and resources to begin recovering.
March 30, 2023. Amory, Mississippi.
Red Crosser Eric Besson examines damage to a home on Thursday in Amory, Miss. As many as 2,000 structures across Mississippi received major damage or were destroyed by tornadoes on March 24. More than 380 trained Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground in Mississippi, Georgia and Alabama, as the nonprofit organization works with partners to make sure everyone has a safe place to stay, meals, emotional support and comfort in the aftermath of deadly tornadoes on March 24.
Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross
As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe–and 2024 is predicted to be an exceptionally active year–the need for Red Cross services is increasing. Already, the Red Cross responds to almost twice as many large disasters than it did a decade ago, and in just the last 10 months, 125 volunteers from Northern Ohio have assisted residents affected by hurricanes and wildfires across the U.S. Four Northern Ohio volunteers are currently deployed to Texas and Iowa.
As eventful as 2023 was, with weather-related disasters forcing an estimated 2.5 million people from their homes, one-third of them for longer than a month, according to the New York Times, 2024 may be even more severe.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that, as of May 8, 2024, the US has had seven confirmed weather/climate disaster events, each with losses over $1 billion, resulting in the deaths of 70 people. The NOAA also states there were 384 preliminary tornado reports in April, more than double the 1991-2020 average and the second highest April count on record.
March 31, 2023. Rolling Fork, Mississippi. Red Crosser Yolanda Gainwell visits with Karebya Christmas on Friday outside Christmas heavily damaged home in Rolling Fork, Miss. Christmas was home with her three children ranging in age from 2 to 11 years old when the tornado arrived. Just like Christmas grandmother taught her, she brought the family into the bathtub and put a pillow on top of them. No one was injured, but her home suffered major damages, disrupting their lives, as well as the self-owned business she ran from the home. On Friday, Christmas received help at a drive-through distribution center, where the Red Cross and partners distributed rakes, shovels, totes, clean-up kits, flashlights, batteries and more. Displaced, Christmas is staying at a hotel in Ridgeland, Miss. until at least Monday. As she finished talking with Gainwell, Christmas thanked her for coming to talk with her at her home, but with the damage rendering it uninhabitable, she hesitated to call it a home. I dont know what to call it my blessing in disguise, maybe, she said. Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross
As summer approaches, the likelihood of an extremely active hurricane season and above-average wildfire season looms. Jim McIntyre, Regional Communications Director for the American Red Cross, Northern Ohio Region, recently conducted an interview with meteorologist Trent Magill of WEWS News 5. Jim and Trent discussed recent events, the need for planning and Red Cross services, and the outlook for the hurricane and severe storm season. Trent states, “everything we’re seeing shows above average intensity,” and that “it’s going to be a rough season.” Continuing, Trent says “Everyone should have a plan.”
Hopefully, you are wondering what you can do. For one, make sure you are prepared and have a plan. For another, please consider volunteering with the Red Cross. Volunteers account for 90% of the Red Cross workforce and represent a wide array of cultures, backgrounds, ages, gender identities, lifestyles, and beliefs, just like those we serve. Everyone is welcome, and free online training is provided.
April 9, 2023. Little Rock, Arkansas. William Burkey, a member of the Red Cross disaster mental health team, and Jamie Harms, a member of the disaster health services team, work together to bring comfort and hope to Paula Rocha, whose home was damaged by a tornado that struck Little Rock, Arkansas, and several nearby towns. Photo by Kevin Suttlehan/American Red Cross
Three key positions are especially needed: Disaster Action Team volunteers, who help families in need following a disaster; Shelter Services volunteers, who support day-to-day activities in an emergency shelter; and Disaster Health or Mental Health Services volunteers, who use their professional skills as licensed healthcare providers to assist those impacted by a disaster. Please consider joining, as I can personally attest you will work alongside outstanding people and the see difference Red Cross services provide.
Posted by Ryan Lang, American Red Cross board member and volunteer
By Samantha Pudelski, American Red Cross volunteer
Did you know that May is National Military Appreciation Month and that the American Red Cross has been serving the military for more than 140 years? The Red Cross works with military and veteran families through its Service to the Armed Forces program, including supporting military families during deployments and emergencies, providing home comforts and critical services on military bases and assisting veterans after their service ends.
Alaina Foster, US Air Force
At the head of the Northern Ohio Region’s Service to the Armed Forces and International Services is Regional Program Director Dr. Alaina Foster. An Air Force veteran who is part of a four-generation family of U.S. service members, she understands the importance of serving those who serve our country. Her grandfather, father and husband all served in the Army, and two of her sons followed in her footsteps to serve in the Air Force. She decided to join the Air Force after high school, serving one tour as an air traffic controller and a munitions maintenance scheduler.
Richard West, US Army Veteran and Alaina’s father
Following her service, she returned back to her home in Northeast Ohio and studied to be a state-tested nursing assistant (STNA). It was during her studies as an STNA when she had her first interaction with the Red Cross, which held some of the trainings as part of the program. After completing her STNA program she went on to earn multiple degrees, the most recent being a doctorate in education from Kansas State University.
Through her schooling, she discovered a love for higher education and paired that with her military experience to serve veterans who were using higher education to transition back to civilian life. She remembers the feeling of being unsure of where her career would take her when she completed her duty and transitioned back to civilian life, and said it was an honor for her to be able to give back to her community and fellow veterans. Last year, Alaina, was presented the opportunity to join the Red Cross of Northern Ohio as the Regional Program Director for the Service to the Armed Forces and International Services.
Jacob Blade, center, with siblings Jade and Jaz
Alaina said one of her favorite aspects is working with the volunteers who are passionate about helping service members.
“They work for hours on end…the reward for them is to assist the client,” she said. “They aren’t getting any financial award or benefits other than to help another human being. That’s what the Red Cross mission is all about.”
Joshua Blade, US Air Force
There are a lot of exciting initiatives coming up that Alaina also shared. One that is near and dear to her is the development of a workshop where she is combining her experience in higher education and what the Red Cross has to offer to support our veterans. The Service to the Armed Forces Virtual Resiliency Workshops are live, interactive virtual sessions that seek to bring together veterans to connect and learn the tools to build upon their natural resilience. Additionally, she is working with the Tiffany Circle, a community of women leaders who advance the American Red Cross mission, to host a baby shower for women veterans.
Alaina’s joy and passion for the Red Cross and serving those in the Armed Forces shines brightly. She encourages everyone to connect with the Red Cross. “The American Red Cross is a phenomenal organization and is here to serve anyone who needs us.”
Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer
During National Nurses Week, May 6-12, the Red Cross wants to recognize the important value that volunteer nurses bring to the mission of the Red Cross.
Since the inception of the American Red Cross in 1881, nurses have been at the heart of the organization. Initially assisting mainly in disaster relief and war support efforts, their role today has greatly expanded to include veteran support, educational services and training, academic support, children’s programs, blood drives and so much more.
I spoke with Patricia Horvath, RN, MSN, who works as the Volunteer Regional Nurse Lead for Northern Ohio. She is responsible for a team of 90 volunteer nurses in Northern Ohio and for the recruitment, retention and recognition of nurse volunteers.
American Red Cross of Northern Ohio Volunteer Regional Nurse Lead Patricia Horvath (right) presents volunteer nurse Rosanne Radziewicz with her Red Cross nurse’s pin.
Her contributions to the role have successfully brought the nurse volunteer numbers back up after a period of loss following COVID-19. However, nurse volunteers are always needed and she wants to encourage any nurse considering volunteering with the Red Cross to do so.
“For National Nurse Week, one of the best opportunities that we can put forward to nurses is to find a way to become a Red Cross nurse volunteer,” she said. “Not only does it give you your own joy to contribute to others — nurses are basically humanitarians, that’s who’s drawn to the profession. Our purpose is to make the community healthy, and the best way to do that is to volunteer through the Red Cross.”
To recognize the service of nurse volunteers, the Red Cross has a tradition of awarding nursing pins to those nurses who have completed at least 20 hours of service.
“We are very keen on making sure that our nurses receive the Red Cross nurse pin,” Patricia explained. “It has a long history in the Red Cross and was originally called ‘The Badge.’ Being awarded the pin is a formal process that we do during volunteer recognition month.”
Each pin is uniquely numbered, registered with that person for life, and logged nationally.
There are other benefits to volunteering. Patricia explained that the Red Cross offers many free continuing education units (CEUs) for nurses, which helps to maintain their requirements for licensure. In addition, Ohio nurses who obtain multi-state nurse licensure have the opportunity to travel outside of the state to respond to domestic disasters.
Nurses bring their unique education, experience and desire to help others to the forefront every day when they volunteer with the Red Cross.
“All lines of business the Red Cross has … everything that we do, there’s a role for a nurse.”
Explore the volunteer opportunities available at the Red Cross here and get started in your volunteer journey. To learn more about the history of nursing at the Red Cross, tap here.
By Ryan Lang, American Red Cross board member and volunteer
Volunteer work for the American Red Cross was never really something Mark Auburn considered. Now, 30 years into his service, he says the Red Cross has become a part of who he is.
Mark Auburn, American Red Cross board member and volunteer
“I don’t have a dramatic story, like many volunteers,” Mark said. “For me, it was swimming lessons when I was a kid – that’s where it started.” It was the personal connection that stood out to him. The time volunteers took with the members of his own community really made a difference to Mark.
Then, when he found out that the majority of the entire organization was volunteers, Mark said he bought-in even more.
“Ninety percent of the people who work for the Red Cross are volunteers. That’s incredible!” And over the course of his 30 years with the Red Cross, Mark has seen those volunteers help people in his own community and around the world. To witness first-hand the reach of the Red Cross has been nothing short of remarkable for Mark.
“One of the huge changes in the Red Cross over my 30 years of volunteering is the sense of relationship between the Red Cross and the community. When I started, we were very locally focused.” Mark has since seen the reach of the Red Cross extend around the world.
Sharing his story with his fellow volunteers is a key part of the Red Cross experience for Mark. “I think it’s important that volunteers talk with other volunteers to learn their individual Red Cross stories.” That’s part of why Mark is looking forward to the upcoming Volunteer Recognition and Appreciation event in Akron.
Mark is not only a volunteer, he’s also a longtime member of the Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley Chapter Board of Directors. And at 79-years-old, Mark is still going to meetings, face-to-face, to meet and work with fellow board members and other volunteers, all in the name of the Red Cross mission.
The biggest part of that mission is to “alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.” Recently, Mark experienced his own health emergency when he was hospitalized with COVID- 19. “I had complications that resulted in an internal bleed,” Mark said.
During his hospital stay Mark suffered a stroke. As a result, he needed six units of blood. “Because of the blood donated by strangers I am able to tell my Red Cross story today. Someone I will never know gave blood because they believe in the mission of the Red Cross, and it saved my life.”
Mark has seen the impact the Red Cross has made in his own life and around the world, and he encourages everyone to find out more about it for themselves. To do so, visit redcross.org.
Posted by Ryan Lang, American Red Cross board member and volunteer
By Christy Peters, Regional Communications Manager
“I love dogs and I love people.” Knowing this about American Red Cross volunteer Mike Falatach, it’s no wonder he’s the volunteer leader for the Red Cross Animal Visitation Program (AVP) in Northern Ohio. Part of Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, animal visitation teams support military members and their families across the United States and overseas. In Northern Ohio, Mike works with nearly 40 volunteers and their animals, coordinating visits to the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland and National Guard bases across the region.
American Red Cross Animal Visitation Program volunteer lead Mike Falatach with his therapy dog Macee.
Mike currently has two Great Pyrenees therapy dogs, Macee, who will be 9 in June and Rosie who is 5. In addition to his role at the Red Cross, Mike is certified to evaluate dogs through Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dog Inc. guidelines which is an approved Therapy Dog program by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Mike is also an AKC Temperament Jude and Canine Good Citizen evaluator.
According to the AKC, “therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the lives of others.” Training to become a therapy dog is no simple task. Dogs must learn to ignore food that’s nearby, how to stay calm amid beeping medical equipment and be with lots of other dogs without turning the event into a playdate.
Rosie is a 5 year-old Great Pyrenees and one of Mike Falatach’s two therapy dogs
“We look for dogs with personality. They wag their tail or cock their head,” Mike said. “A dog that loves to visit with people and gets excited to do so is important because many of our events have lots of people.”
For many military members, seeing a Red Cross therapy dog is an important reminder of home when they are away training. Mike recalls being at Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio for a leadership academy. He said officers came in and sat on the floor with the dogs, crying. “They told us about their dogs, how they missed them,” said Mike. “In the midst of that intense training, the dogs gave them much-needed comfort.”
Rosie ready to visit the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
Mike is always amazed at how a visit from a Red Cross therapy dog can break down barriers with patients. “The dogs take their mind off their pain and what they are going through,” he said. He’s visited individuals who are unable to speak but as soon as they see the dog they smile. Some patients are in the middle of painful medical procedures during a visit, but they perk up and immediately want to pet the dogs when they arrive.
“Macee and I visited a rehabilitation hospital, and a patient was struggling to finish their walk,” said Mike. “The nurse said, ‘If Macee walks with you, can you walk more?’ and the person did. They don’t want to disappoint the dog.”
Rosie visits with a service member as part of the Red Cross Northern Ohio Animal Visitation Program
Mike said being part of an animal visitation program with a national organization like the Red Cross means a lot to his volunteers. There’s a limited number of years for a dog to do therapy work, so any chance volunteers have is exciting for them. “They are eager to participate, they want to share their animals with people,” he said. “The people we meet enjoy it and are so appreciative and that means so much to us.”
The Red Cross is grateful to Mike and his entire team for the important work they are doing to serve military members and their families. You can learn more about Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces here.
Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer
Giving those in need “a hug, a smile, and some hope”
By Jim McIntyre, Regional Communications Director
Monica Bunner describes herself as “something of an adrenaline junkie.”
That’s a reasonable explanation for her willingness to go anywhere the American Red Cross is needed following a disaster. She said she’s not a “sit at the desk type of gal,” but needs to be physically involved.
Monica’s volunteer career with the Red Cross began in 2017. She was watching Hurricane Harvey unfold and felt she had to do something. She deployed to Houston to help, but not with the Red Cross. Not that time.
“A cause I already supported also needed help,” she said. That cause was Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. She was stationed at NRG Center, taking care of pets when she saw Red Cross workers helping people who needed shelter, and thought, “If I’m not doing the animals, maybe I can do the people thing.”
When she returned to Northeast Ohio, Monica began training to become a Red Cross disaster responder. She has helped people following home fires, installed smoke alarms, and assisted at fundraising events. And she began to deploy to help people who needed shelter following major disasters, such as flooding in southern Ohio, Hurricane Ian in Florida, and the devastating Maui wildfires in Hawaii.
Red cross volunteers Randy Liang and Monica Bunner in Maui, Hawaii
“I always wanted to make a difference, to work with communities, to give people some direction, a hug and a smile, and some hope.”
Monica has continued training to expand her skills, and now works primarily with community engagement and partnerships, helping the Red Cross connect with other resources to assist people who have been impacted by disasters. She also helps reunite families who are separated during disasters, and she helped establish Red Cross disaster communications in Puerto Rico.
Fluent in Spanish, Monica was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and emigrated to the U.S. with her family when she was a child. She worked at NASA’s Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, helping recruit and train women in non-traditional fields like science and engineering, and was on the team that recruited the first female U. S. astronauts.
Following her NASA career, Monica opened a real estate brokerage and a home rehabilitation business, noting how she was one of the first “female flippers.” And she has traveled to El Salvador with a church group to help build homes there.
Monica plans to continue connecting with and helping people in need through the Red Cross for the immediate future but admits the time will come to slow her frenetic pace. “This work is very physically, mentally and spiritually demanding,” she said. But it’s also rewarding. “I love the feeling of just connecting with people,” she said.
The Red Cross relies on more than 265,000 volunteers like Monica Bunner to fulfil its mission, and if you’d like to learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteer.
Posted by Ryan Lang, American Red Cross board member and volunteer
Dedicated volunteers are a vital part of the American Red Cross workforce. That’s why recognizing volunteers like Pam Orban is an important part of National Volunteer Week.
Pam Orban, American Red Cross volunteer
Pam has been volunteering with her local Red Cross since the summer of 2019 when she signed on as a blood donor ambassador. A retired intervention specialist with a focus on psychology, Pam had originally considered returning to work when she spoke to a friend.
“I was going to go back to the hospital and work in the pediatric department, and then I thought, ‘oh man, I don’t know,’ and then a friend of mine says, ‘well why don’t you do the Red Cross? ’ And that got me started in it,” Pam reflected.
Due to her ever willingness to help out where needed, her role quickly shifted to becoming the lead scheduler for blood drives in her region, as well as a liaison for the Academic Service Learning (AS-L) program. Kathy Cline, volunteer supervisor for Northern Ohio Biomedical Services, has nothing but praise for the hard work and dedication of Pam to the organization over the years.
“Pam’s roles have been an immense support to the success of the Donor Ambassador and Academic Service programs in Northeast Ohio,” said Kathy. “The Donor Ambassador territory she helps lead is always one of the top in the country, and the AS-L program, which she has greatly supported, is a success because of Pam’s assistance.”
The AS-L program coordinates volunteer service with academic learning. Pam works with Kent State University nursing students and the Blood Donor Ambassador (BDA) program.
“Dr.(Mariann) Harding, who is a professor there, developed the program as part of the curriculum for the students. So, the students have to do one drive per semester for credit. It helps us out because it schedules (blood) drives in the southern counties that don’t normally get filled,” Pam explained. “In the BDA, the (students) welcome the donors, help them with registration, talk to them and handle the canteen (refreshment area), and of course they call me for an event. It’s a good experience for these kids.”
Pam’s supervisors admire her reliability and dedication to the Red Cross and willingness to go the extra mile. Pam herself appreciates her volunteer service as a way to keep her mind and body active in retirement.
“I love it. I feel my Red Cross volunteering plays an important role within the community,” Pam joyfully stated. “I work directly with volunteers to find and schedule blood drives. I also help team members whenever needed. I have an active part in saving lives.”
Volunteering can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, and the Red Cross is always in need of enthusiastic volunteers. Learn more about volunteer opportunities in your area by visiting the Red Cross website.
Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer
Posted by Ryan Lang, American Red Cross board member and volunteer
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