‘Sound the Alarm’ kicks off with events in Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery counties

By Alana Mauger

Photos by Alana Mauger and Diane Heard / American Red Cross

The American Red Cross Sound the Alarm campaign got off to a good start in Southeastern Pennsylvania, with three successful events leading up to the May 3rd signature event in Philadelphia. The month-long initiative runs April 6-May 5, 2024.

The Red Cross kicked off the campaign in Newtown Gate – a Bucks County community that experienced two fatal home fires since February 2023. On April 6th, Red Cross and community volunteers joined Newtown Fire and Rescue to make 105 homes safer. The teams installed 295 free smoke alarms and provided fire safety education to 212 residents.  

Check out our Newtown Sound the Alarm photo album on Flickr

Next, a small but mighty group of Red Crossers took to Stotesbury Estates in Wyndmoor, Montgomery County – a community that experienced a fatal home fire in January 2024. On April 10th, the teams visited 25 houses, mostly by appointment, installing 102 smoke alarms and providing fire safety education to 50 people.

Check out our Wyndmoor Sound the Alarm photo album on Flickr

Most recently, the Red Cross partnered with the Upper Darby Fire Department and MIRA USA on April 20th to bring Sound the Alarm to the Cardington, Upper Darby neighborhood in Delaware County. Here, the teams installed 229 smoke alarms and provided fire safety education to 285 people, making a total of 77 homes safer.

Check out our Upper Darby Sound the Alarm photo album on Flickr

Red Crossers are familiar with the Upper Darby community. The smoke alarms installed and education provided during a Sound the Alarm event in the Stonehurst neighborhood in May 2022 actually saved a family of three who experienced a home fire last year. Thanks to the work of Red Cross volunteers, the working smoke alarms alerted the family to the fire, and they knew to get out, and stay out of the home. At least three lives were saved!

The region’s signature Sound the Alarm event will take place on Friday, May 3 in the East Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia. The kickoff will be at Awbury Recreation Center starting at 10 a.m. Visit our website to learn more.

Sound the Alarm is part of the year-round Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has installed more than 21,000 lifesaving smoke alarms in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties and more than 2.5 million smoke alarms nationwide since 2014. The campaign has also saved at least 1,749 lives nationwide, including 27 in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Red Cross volunteers support food pantry for veterans

By Anne Arnold

Service to the Armed Forces and Disaster Cycle Services Logistics volunteers deliver collected goods to the Philadelphia VA Center on March 28, 2024.

Last month, American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) and Disaster Cycle Services (DCS) Logistics volunteers organized, packed, and delivered 93 cases of food to the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Philadelphia Veterans Association (VA) Medical Center to support their food pantry for veterans in need. 

Red Cross volunteers delivered nearly $1,600 worth of canned meats, vegetables, rice, pasta, soups, applesauce, shelf-stable milk, protein bars, oatmeal and cereal to the VA. These items will be used to package bags of groceries that will be given to food insecure Veterans at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center.

The food was purchased with funds available from the Department of Defense (DoD) Service to the Armed Forces Hospital Programs grant. Thanks to partners like the Red Cross, Veterans who are in need have access to another food resource and do not have to go hungry.

Being food insecure means not having consistent access to sufficient food for an active and healthy lifestyle. Every community is impacted by food insecurity, including veterans and their families.

Visit our website to learn more about our Service to the Armed Forces work and how you can get involved.

April is National Financial Capability Month

By Kyra Cummings

FEMA graphic – Have an emergency rainy day fund. You never know when it may pour…

First Aid isn’t just for injuries but is also relevant in finances! Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) makes financial first aid easy to navigate with their Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK). April is National Financial Capability Month, which makes it the perfect time to check out these resources and take charge of your financial resilience.

FEMA and Operation HOPE’s Financial First Aid Kit

Developed by FEMA and Operation HOPE, the EFFAK helps the public in organizing important household, financial and medical information. The EFFAK includes a checklist for public use to ensure crucial information is accounted for.

You can create your own emergency financial first aid kit by compiling important documents such as household identification, contacts, medical information, and financial and legal information, reviewing insurance plans for accuracy, storing copies electronically and in stare locations, and updating the plan often to make sure everything is current.

Creating your own emergency financial first aid kid helps minimize financial burden should a disaster or emergency occur. This can give you peace of mind knowing that you are prepared should a disaster or emergency strike.

Other Financial Preparedness Tips

In addition to creating an emergency financial first aid kit, consider an emergency savings account obtaining homeowners, health and life insurance if you do have all of them yet, and review policies to make sure you are covered for all possibilities.

Visit these resources for more information:

• FEMA Financial Preparedness
• Emergency Financial Aid First Aid Kit
• Emergency Financial First Aid Community Page

National Volunteer Week: For Russell Massey, Blood Donor Ambassador is the latest stop on a 65-year Red Cross journey

Editor’s Note: We’re profiling outstanding Red Cross volunteers throughout National Volunteer Week April 21-27.

Blood Donor Ambassador Russell Massey. Submitted photo

By Alana Mauger

Russell Massey began volunteering with the American Red Cross in 1959 as a high school student. He worked in the reception area of pop-up polio clinics that administered the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines.

“We’d go to a school in a neighborhood and we would register the people as they came in,” he recalled. “We would vaccinate many hundreds in a day.”

He also remembers being one of around 50 high school students to participate in a week-long Red Cross leadership camp at the Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey.

An active blood donor since 1967, Russell’s next chapter with the Red Cross appropriately began at a blood drive after he retired at the end of 2021. He was scheduled to give blood at his church – Grace Point in Newtown. When he arrived, he was greeted by a fellow member of the congregation who was training to be a Blood Donor Ambassador.

“I asked what was involved, and I said, ‘I can do that.’ I signed up the next day,” he shared.

You can find Russell volunteering at blood drives in Bucks, Mercer and Burlington counties 2-3 times per week. He enjoys interacting with people the most and feels good about helping the collections staff.

Last December, the Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region presented Russell with the 2023 Exceptional Biomedical Volunteer Award for Bucks County. His letter of nomination noted Russell’s “can do attitude” and his willingness to help out at the last minute.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

National Volunteer Week: DAT responder Susan Davis-Kienscherf goes where help is most needed

Editor’s Note: We’re profiling outstanding Red Cross volunteers throughout National Volunteer Week April 21-27.

Susan Davis-Kienscherf poses with Fred Cross during a recognition event for deployed volunteers in February. Photo by Katerina Luchinina / American Red Cross

By Jenny Farley

Susan Davis-Kienscherf first learned about the American Red Cross as a child in Landstuhl, Germany where her father was stationed in the Army and her mother worked at the Red Cross Hospital.

Those early memories started a lifelong relationship with the Red Cross that continues today with Susan’s role volunteering on the Disaster Action Team (DAT), responding to emergencies like flooding and fires.

“There’s a need that I’m filling. Someone, or a family, is having what is likely the worst day of their lives and we’re there. We’re showing up. We’re compassionate. We’re empathetic, and we let them know that they’re not alone,” she said.

Before Red Cross volunteers arrive at a disaster, teams coordinate about what may be needed once they arrive. Susan is a Disaster Action Team Supervisor.

“We as a team will rally before we actually get to the site,” she said. But there are no guarantees about what they’ll find once they get there. “We often don’t know what we are walking into,” because disaster scenes are fluid and rapidly evolve.

Susan explained that once the team arrives, she talks to first responders like police and firefighters before speaking to clients to see if anything has changed since the Red Cross team was dispatched.

That coordination is one of her favorite parts of the job. “That’s a pretty neat feeling.” When the time comes to meet the people affected by disasters like a home fire, she said, “We let the client tell us their story.”

The Red Cross Disaster Action Team provides clients with immediate resources to help them recover. That may include help with shelter, emotional and medical support and spiritual care. The team may also do a damage assessment to see if the client qualifies for financial assistance.

After a home fire in her own neighborhood killed an elderly woman, Susan participated in her first Red Cross Sound the Alarm campaign, going door to door installing smoke alarms for free.

“I have family members who knew the woman who passed away and it made it even more personal.”

Susan has many volunteer roles within the Red Cross including Mass Care, Sheltering and Feeding. She has also frequently donated blood and platelets.

“My philosophy has always been put me where you need me. Where’s the greatest need for help?”

One of her most unique jobs is operating a Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) which is roughly 24 feet long and is driven to disasters to provide equipment and food supplies. The back can be opened up to feed people directly from the vehicle.

“It’s just a big responsibility and I take it really seriously and I’m really happy when I do a good job.”

Susan Davis-Kienscherf drives the ERV at a recent event. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

It’s not surprising that Susan would take on the challenge. After reading a book about climbing the world’s highest mountains, Susan thought, “I can do that. That sounds amazing.”

Despite her fear of heights, Susan attempted to summit Kilimanjaro. She didn’t make it to the top on her first try but she savored the experience. “It was a great adventure. I stayed in Africa. I went on a small safari. I went to Zanzibar. It was really cool.”  In another climbing excursion, she made it a couple of stops from base camp on Mount Everest.

Susan said her experience volunteering for the Red Cross has been “so rewarding” and she encourages others to volunteer. “Try it, you might like it. You might find a calling.”

Sign up to volunteer at redcross.org/volunteer today or make a financial donation at redcross.org/donate.

National Volunteer Week: DAT responder Larrye Loss cares for people and pets impacted by disasters

Editor’s Note: We’re profiling outstanding Red Cross volunteers throughout National Volunteer Week April 21-27. Be sure to check back daily!

Larrye Loss (third from left) receives the 2023 Exceptional Disaster Volunteer Award for Delaware County during the Celebration of Volunteers on Dec. 6, 2023. He is pictured with Red Cross Regional CEO Jennifer Graham (second from left); Delaware Valley Board of Directors Chair John Susanin (far left) and Philadelphia Board of Directors Chair Larry Pockers (far right). Photo by Bill Thawley/American Red Cross

By Maureen Zug

As part of our Volunteer Recognition Week profile series, I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Larrye Loss, Delaware County (Delco) pet liaison and Disaster Cycle Services (DCS) Disaster Action Team (DAT) member.  In December, Larrye was recognized as the “Exceptional DCS Volunteer for Delaware County” for 2023 at the Celebration of Volunteers. 

A chance encounter in Alaska

Larrye’s Red Cross story actually begins when he was on vacation with his wife two years ago on an Alaskan cruise. He and his wife met another couple while socializing onboard.  They just happened to be avid Red Crossers from Los Angeles.  Their stories of service to their community inspired Larrye, and he started his volunteer role in November 2022.  He joined as a DAT member responding to home fires and other local disasters.  He also serves as a service associate in Mass Care, Sheltering and Feeding, when needed.

 His newest role is that of pet liaison for Delco, assisting disaster-impacted pet owners with housing, feeding and care for their pets after a disaster.  His pet liaison role also works within Delaware County to establish community partnerships and collaborations to create a safety net for disaster-injured pets after a fire, flooding or other emergency. 

Professional background

As many others who have come to the Red Cross, Larrye is currently retired. After decades of working at AstraZeneca in Research and Development as a program manager, he brings outstanding organizational skills and the ability to work effectively with people in a team-oriented setting.

Larrye’s favorite part of his Red Cross roles is interacting with clients and providing them with services – food, shelter, financial assistance and more – when they are in need. He finds their gratitude to be so touching.  A woman thanked him for “saving her life” by giving her Red Cross financial assistance to help her replace essential personal items lost in a home fire.

Family life and personal interests

Larrye and his wife have three adult children and four grandchildren.  They care for one granddaughter while her parents are working.  Larrye enjoys planning fun activities for her and partaking in these activities too.

Additionally, he is the financial vice-president for a non-profit in his “spare” time. Of course, as a pet Llaison, I had to ask him about animals at home…Larrye has a new puppy!

Red Cross philosophy and support for new volunteers

When I asked Larrye about his philosophy of volunteering, he told me that he subscribes to the Red Cross “5 Cs”. The 5 Cs are the core values that Red Cross volunteers strive to embody every day.  Those values are being Compassionate, Creative, Collaborative, Credible and Committed while supporting the Red Cross humanitarian mission. Ever one to go above and beyond, Larrye encourages new disaster volunteers and supports them in their work engagement.

I am certain that the next time that Larrye and his wife go on a cruise, he will be the one telling the inspirational stories about his Red Cross journey!

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

National Volunteer Week: Debbie Warrington is a disaster recovery rising star

Editor’s Note: We’re profiling outstanding Red Cross volunteers throughout National Volunteer Week April 21-27. Be sure to check back daily!

Debbie Warrington (third from left) receives the 2023 Rising Star Award during the Celebration of Volunteers on Dec. 6, 2023. She is pictured with Red Cross Regional CEO Jennifer Graham (second from left); Delaware Valley Board of Directors Chair John Susanin (far left) and Philadelphia Board of Directors Chair Larry Pockers (far right). Photo by Bill Thawley/American Red Cross

By Terri Seydel

Every year, the American Red Cross shines a spotlight on outstanding new volunteers with its prestigious ‘Rising Star Award.’ These individuals are handpicked for their exceptional dedication and impact during their first year of service. The Southeastern Pennsylvania region is fortunate to have a Rising Star volunteer Debbie Warrington, among our dedicated Disaster Recovery team.

Debbie began volunteering with the American Red Cross in 2023, primarily for social interactions after she left her paralegal career. She initially supported Red Cross blood drives but developed an interest in disaster recovery.

So, with an eagerness to learn and a heart full of compassion, she immersed herself in training and swiftly transitioned into a case worker role, providing crucial support to disaster victims. 

When disaster struck, Debbie didn’t hesitate to shoulder more responsibility, willingly taking on extra cases during events like the Oxford fire. She credits her previous career and experience in volunteer tutoring for developing a deep sense of empathy, a quality she finds indispensable in her role as a case worker. In this role, she helps people begin to plan their next steps after their lives have been disrupted by natural disasters and home fires.

But Debbie’s impact doesn’t stop there. When a fellow team member had to take medical leave, she stepped up to the plate, offering temporary supervisory support to her peers. It wasn’t just about lending a hand; for Debbie, it was a chance to extend her volunteer efforts and support her fellow Red Cross volunteers.

As she reflects on her first year as a ‘Rising Star,’ Debbie sees it as just the beginning of her Red Cross journey. With a newfound perspective on disasters, she’s set her sights on becoming a virtual deployment case worker, gearing up to provide vital assistance during major disasters nationwide.

Debbie’s story isn’t just about her; it’s a testament to the diverse range of volunteer opportunities available within the Red Cross, each benefiting from different skills and interests. She firmly believes that if everyone ‘gave back a little, the world would be a better place.

So, here’s to Debbie and all the incredible Red Cross volunteers – you’re making a difference, one act of kindness at a time!

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

National Volunteer Week: DAT Supervisor Bill Gausch offers frontline comfort and care

Editor’s Note: We’re profiling outstanding Red Cross volunteers throughout National Volunteer Week April 21-27. Be sure to check back daily!

Disaster Action Team supervisor Bill Gausch. Photo by Konrad Jones / American Red Cross

By Alana Mauger

When Bill Gausch retired as operations director for a Fortune 500 company, he started looking for a volunteer role where he could “have an immediate impact and help someone on a frontline experience.” He found it with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Recently promoted to DAT supervisor, Bill lives in Chester County but responds to disasters across the region and beyond. He tends to make himself available for harder-to-fill shifts, like nights, weekends and holidays. Bill estimates that he’s responded to well over 100 local disaster calls, most of which are home fires.

“I’ll go just about anywhere there’s a need,” he said.

He has also deployed to national disasters twice – once to Mississippi after a series of tornados displaced hundreds of people, and once to San Diego, California to help with flooding. On national deployments, as well as locally should the need arise, Bill volunteers with the Mass Care, Sheltering, Feeding and Disaster Assessment teams.

Bill says that his favorite part about working with the Red Cross is the camaraderie and teamwork among the volunteers.

“You know that everyone is so sincere. You don’t do this kind of work unless you want to,” he said.

He is also grateful for the opportunity to comfort those in need.

“The ability to help some people at their most vulnerable times is so rewarding, and that keeps me going,” he shared.

Bill has some words of wisdom for those looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity.

“If you’re looking to join an organization that truly is at the frontline of helping people, the Red Cross is for you. You can give care and comfort to people who really need you,” he said.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

The month of April honors the resiliency of the military child

By Maureen Zug

June 20, 2018. Washington, DC. Development SAF Stock Photography Project 2018. Photo by Roy Cox/American Red Cross

“Purple Up”  for military children during the month of April.  Purple is the color which represents the resiliency of the military child.

Launched in April, 1986, The Month of the Military Child recognizes the flexibility and strength of children within  military families.  Former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger instituted this month-long  celebration to strengthen military families and boost overall morale. As a military WWII vet with two children, Weinberger recognized the impact of military life on children who have parent(s) in service.

On average, military children move with their parent(s) every 2 to 3 years. This also means that they must change schools to accommodate new service assignments. By the time the average military child graduates from high school, they have moved 9 times.

 Other adjustments for children: enduring parental separations, establishing new friendships, learning new languages, currencies, cultures and even foodways. Currently, there are 1.6  million underage U.S. military dependents living throughout the world.  The month of April  provides opportunities for households with children to participate in special family-centered activities, both in the U.S. and overseas.

The American Red Cross & the Military Child

Through our Services to the Armed Forces programs, the American Red Cross supports all branches of the armed services and their families 24/7 from enlistment through retirement phases of their careers. By providing year- round programs specifically created for children 5 to 15 years of age, The Red Cross’s Hero Care Network acknowledges that everyone in the military family serves.  Here are some examples of programs geared for the military child:

• Virtual mental health & wellness courses for families
• In-Person resiliency programs
• Reconnection workshops covering parental separations & returns, moving to new schools, establishing new friendships, etc.
• Red Cross Clubs.

We salute military families and their children with more than  “Thank you for your service ” and invite them to join Red Cross activities and programs year round.

To access the Hero Care Network, visit redcross.org/saf, download the Red Cross Hero Care App, or call a Hero Care specialist at 1-877-272-7337.

National Volunteer Week: Jenny Farley is a champion of communication and compassion

Editor’s Note: We’re profiling outstanding Red Cross volunteers throughout National Volunteer Week April 21-27. Be sure to check back daily!

Red Cross Communications Volunteer Partner Jenny Farley. Submitted photo

By Ava Arteaga

As we gather to celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we are thrilled to turn the spotlight onto someone truly special: Jenny Farley. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Jenny yet, allow us to introduce you!

Jenny is a Communications volunteer who brings a wealth of experience and expertise, drawing from her background as a CNN news producer and education from the University of Florida. In one of Jenny’s standout achievements with the Red Cross, she served as a story producer with the national photography team during Sound the Alarm in Philadelphia.

But what truly sets Jenny apart is how she embodies the spirit of service in every task she undertakes. As she beautifully puts it, “My favorite part about volunteering for the Red Cross is getting to hear people’s stories…I genuinely love talking to people and taking their picture.”

The first story she covered was the Lindley Towers building collapse in Philadelphia.

“It was my first time in a shelter and I was so moved by the people I met there. Telling their stories was a privilege and getting to see Red Cross volunteers in action was amazing,” she shared.

It’s evident that whether Jenny is capturing poignant moments through her lens or crafting compelling narratives for our blog, she is dedicated to making a difference.

It’s this commitment and meaningful contributions to nearly every aspect of our team that made her the recipient of the Exceptional Volunteer Award for Communications in 2023.

According to Jenny’s supervisor Alana Mauger, Red Cross regional communications manager, “Not only is Jenny an excellent writer who takes on many of the more challenging and emotional stories for our blog, but she frequently goes above and beyond to provide photography, event and media support for our region. Jenny is a compassionate listener and is a great sounding board for ideas. She’s always willing to share her considerable expertise in the field of communications.”

Thank you, Jenny, for your invaluable service and spirit of volunteerism. Your passion and commitment inspire us all to strive for excellence in everything we do.

To learn about Red Cross volunteer opportunities, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.