Good Stories
Tell us your story. Have you saved someone's life using skills you learned through Red Cross training? Have you experienced Red Cross compassion in action? Email Jodie Tienvieri at tienvierij@usa.redcross.org to tell us how the Red Cross has impacted you and we'll add it to this page.
Gary Harden and Trish Gillam
Gary Harden, an attorney at Eastman & Smith, went to work the morning of April 6 just like any other day. Not long after he arrived he was contacted by someone in the office because a co-worker had collapsed at her desk. Gary had someone call 911 and while he was asking the victim the appropriate questions, she became unconscious and stopped breathing. Because of his Red Cross training Gary knew what to do.
He provided rescue breaths and CPR and was about to use the AED when emergency crews arrived. The woman had suffered a double brain aneurysm and was flown to Cleveland Clinic. Thanks in part to Gary's quick response, she is now going through rehab in Toledo and is expected to continue improving. Gary can't emphasize enough the importance of training in an emergency situation.
Gary Harden &Trish Gillam with her husband Bill
and her mother Virginia.
Gary Zales' Inspiring CPR Story
It was a cold December morning when Gary Zales, a disaster volunteer with the American Red Cross, stopped at a gas station to refuel. As he was returning to his vehicle he watched in horror as a man was hit by a car and thrown onto the windshield. Since Gary was trained in First Aid and CPR, he rushed over to see how he could help.
The man was conscious but unresponsive. Gary made sure someone had called 911 and then obtained blankets. He noticed a head injury and assisted in minimizing movement all the while continuing to ask the victim questions. Gary was able to care for the victim until EMS arrived.
Gary Zales
The Andersons' Thoughtful Gift
For the 2008 holiday season the Plant Nutrient Group at The Andersons sent season’s greetings to their customers and suppliers. Included in the card was a message that a gift had been made to the Greater Toledo Area Chapter on their behalf.
They contributed $4,000 and the corporate giving area matched the gift for a total of $8,000. Many thanks to The Andersons for such a generous gift! This is just one of the many different ways to give to the American Red Cross that can make a big difference in the services we provide.
Red Cross to the Rescue
On a bitter March night, Dawn Bell was jolted awake by her daughter telling her there was a fire in their Toledo home. She quickly got herself and her five children out the door and watched as the fire burned their home. Not long after firefighters arrived, American Red Cross volunteers were there to help.
“The Red Cross was hot chocolate and teddy bears on that cold night,” said Dawn. Volunteers assisted Dawn and her family with food, clothing, a stay at a local hotel and more. She had to fight back tears when a Red Cross caseworker handed her a voucher to replace the beds she lost in the fire. Dawn's young son was concerned about where they'd sleep. Thanks to the Red Cross, they didn't need to worry anymore. Dawn could focus on rebuilding their lives.
Dawn Bell
TeleCare Saves a Life
It was a typical Monday morning when Anna was busy making her daily phone calls as a Red Cross TeleCare volunteer. She dialed Clarice but did not get an answer. Anna thought it was strange since Clarice (88) always took her weekday calls to chat. Anna called Clarice's emergency contact but could not get anyone so she immediately called Red Cross headquarters to make a report.
Pat, another TeleCare volunteer, called the Toledo Police Department and asked if they would check on Clarice. When Patrol Officers McNeal and Ritson arrived they found Clarice on the floor waving her hand to try to get their attention. She was too weak to get up let alone call for help. "You saved my life," Clarice told Diane Dixon, director of readiness and response for the Red Cross.
Marriage Gift Request for the Greater Good
Ray Sudheimer has been a Wood County Red Cross disaster volunteer since the fall of 2005. He worked on hurricane Wilma and has been a part of the local Disaster Action Team since his return from that operation. When Ray and his bride Marge were married in March, they requested guests give a gift to one of several charities, including the local Red Cross. Their guests responded generously with donations to the American Red Cross totaling $750.
Red Cross Workplace Training Saves A Life
Earl Thomas learned Red Cross first aid and CPR through his employer, the East Toledo Family Center. One day while on the job, he noticed an elderly woman in distress. He immediately went to the woman and began using the skills he learned from the Red Cross just a few weeks before.
After the woman regained consciousness, he called 911. They responded and took her to the hospital where it was determined that she'd had a heart attack. Thanks to Earl's quick response the story had a happy ending. Earl obtained his training through a scholarship from generous Red Cross donors.
Local Volunteers Help Family In Need
'I just wanted to thank all of you for helping my family after our house fire. The money for food, clothing and bedding helped more than you know. You will always be in our hearts and one day soon I hope to give back to the Red Cross to help other families in need.
Jennifer Blevins.
Local Red Cross Goes Above and Beyond
One weekend, I was called to a fire at a home owned by one of my clients. When I arrived the American Red Cross was already there and I was immediately impressed with the way they were taking care of the people affected.
I was even more impressed when, one month later, the Red Cross called me to see if I could help them get in touch with the victims. They wanted to follow up, see how they were doing and determine if there was anything else they could do to help. I was amazed and felt so proud of the Red Cross! The organization could have just said, "We've met our obligations and fulfilled our mission of meeting the families' basic, immediate needs after this fire." But they didn't. The Red Cross went the extra mile to help these individuals get back on their feet.
