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Home > 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.
'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.'
Mark Urrutia
American Family Insurance Agent & United Way volunteer
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.
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.
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.
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.
'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
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