Tag Archives: Western Lake Erie

Celebrating the heart of the mission: Northern Ohio Red Cross honors its volunteers

Posted on by
Reply

By Kathryn Dean, American Red Cross volunteer

Northern Ohio has many dedicated volunteers who serve the American Red Cross in various ways.  Making up approximately 90% of its workforce, the Red Cross truly relies on the support of its volunteers to run.  Since National Volunteer Week occurred in late April of this year, several events have taken place across the region recognizing the impact that they make on a daily basis.

Volunteer Engagement Specialist Kelsey Jeffery handing off an award to one of our hardworking volunteers in our Heartland, Stark and Muskingum Lakes chapter.

“Our volunteers generously give their time and talents to the Red Cross, and we want to recognize them and celebrate all their hard work,” said Kelsey Jeffery, Volunteer Engagement Specialist.

Earlier this month, volunteer Jill Sterling was awarded the Spirit of Excellence Award, recognizing her 10 years of service as a biomed office assistant with the Red Cross.  Susan Gordos, Biomed Volunteer Engagement Specialist, noted the impact that Jill’s service has had at the Red Cross. 

Jill Sterling receiving the Spirit of Excellence Award for her service to the Red Cross mission.

“(Jill) conducts phone calls to past donors, provides information about upcoming drives, and encourages continued participation. Her communication is both professional and compassionate, ensuring donors feel valued and informed,”  Susan noted.  “By fostering strong relationships with the community and promoting consistent donor engagement, Jill contributes significantly to maintaining a reliable blood supply and advancing the Red Cross mission.”

Susan estimated that over the course of her volunteer work, Jill has made over 12,000 outreach calls to potential blood donors.  Dedicated volunteers like this are the reason why the American Red Cross continues to thrive 145 years after its inception.

Volunteer Recruitment Specialist Katie Bensinger handing out raffle prizes at the volunteer recognition event in the Greater Akron and Mahoning Valley chapter.

Katie Bensinger, Volunteer Recruitment Specialist, had this to say about her time spent working with volunteers: “My first three months with the Red Cross have been filled with so many meaningful interactions with our volunteers. The three Recognition and Appreciation events I was able to attend were filled with those meaningful moments,” Katie said.  “ I was able to hear so many of our volunteers’ Red Cross stories and the impact our organization has had on their lives and their communities. The volunteers’ commitment to the mission and the thousands of hours of their time that they give inspire me every day.”

Volunteers are always needed!  With dozens of different roles to explore, there is truly something for everyone.  To learn more about the Northern Ohio Region of the Red Cross, including upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, click HERE.

Earth Month should be every month

Posted on by
Reply

As April comes to a close, we spotlight the NOH Green Team

By Rachel Hepner, Executive Director, American Red Cross of Western Lake Erie

Red Cross employee Erica Eckel reusing office supplies

Sustainability isn’t just another word the Red Cross throws around, it’s part of our fabric…our biodegradable fabric that is. The Red Cross has built and trained “green teams” around the country that not only work together to spread sustainable initiatives, but also engage local teams on ways WE can be more sustainable at our chapters and in our day-to-day lives. Since we started, we’ve installed water refill stations at most of the facilities in the region, planted trees, distributed reusable water bottles to staff and invested in smart thermostats.

I’m sure you are wondering how you can help. Well, here are a couple easy ways to become part of the solution.

Turn off the water! According to the EPA, letting your faucet run for five minutes while washing dishes can waste 10 gallons of water and uses enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 18 hours. Sidenote: if you make your kids do the dishes that wastes 3x as much water…just have them take out the trash instead.

Red Cross employee Kristen Gallagher’s rain barrel
  1. Buy a houseplant. “But I don’t have a green thumb and I kill all my houseplants!” No, you won’t! Just set a weekly reminder that says, “wet my plants” as often as the plant species requires! It’s that simple!

    FUN FACT: Studies have shown that indoor plants can improve focus, decrease depressive moods, and lessen symptoms of anxiety. When your mind and body are relaxed, it can improve your blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels.
  2. Carpool! Sure, sometimes you don’t want to talk to people, or don’t have the same taste in music, but carpooling is a great way to reduce emissions. Maybe a game of “name that tune” will help pass the time.
  3. Plant a pollinators garden. Here we go with the green thumb thing again…BUT a pollinator garden provides a habitat and nutrition for species which have lost much of their natural resources. It creates a safe environment for bees, which the world relies on as the most important pollinator organism. Bees help our food people! If you want to start small, visit your local Red Cross office to grab a packet of wildflowers! Your local flying pollinators will be buzzing with excitement!
Red Cross worker Tracie Endress uses a water bottle filling station

These are just small examples of how you can be a part of the sustainability movement. Want to learn more or join a local “Green Team” or have an idea? Email us at NOHGreenteam@redcross.org.

Stay sustainable!

Posted by Ryan Lang, American Red Cross board member and volunteer