Red Ball gala supports disaster relief efforts in Southeastern PA

Red Ball photos by Jenny Farley, Dianne Heard, Konrad Jones, Katerina Luchinina, Bernadette Matthis and Tatiana Vlad. See more event photos in our Flickr album.

By Jenny Farley

The 22nd annual Red Ball, at Vie by Cescaphe, brought out a large crowd, excited to celebrate the work of the American Red Cross and the sponsors, volunteers and employees who make it possible to respond to disasters and rebuild lives.

Jennifer Graham, the CEO for the American Red Cross in Southeastern Pennsylvania, addressed Red Ball guests from the stage and spoke of the financial need that is present, with “large disasters happening more and more.”

She said, “During a year of record-breaking disasters, the American Red Cross was there and you helped us get there. Your support makes a difference in the lives of those affected.”

Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania CEO Jennifer Graham. Photo by Katerina Luchinina / American Red Cross.

Each year the Red Ball is made possible by sponsors, including Title Sponsors AmeriHealth Caritas and Independence Blue Cross.

Lorina Marshall-Blake, the President of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation told Red Ball guests, “We share a belief in serving the community with compassion and respect just like the Red Cross. The Red Cross is there for us, all of us, in the most challenging times, and they help us see a brighter future.” At this, the crowd broke out into loud applause.

Independence Blue Cross Foundation President Lorina Marshall-Blake. Photo by Tatiana Vlad / American Red Cross

Tonya Moody, the Vice President of Title Sponsor AmeriHealth Caritas, said, “AmeriHealth Caritas is honored to support the American Red Cross Red Ball because it’s aligned with our mission to help people get care, stay well and build healthier communities.”

AmeriHealth Caritas Vice President Tonya Moody. Photo by Tatiana Vlad / American Red Cross

The Red Ball featured entertainment with a lively band and a thriving dance floor, and dishes that delighted foodies, including hors d’oeuvres, a sushi bar, seafood buffet, and a champagne tower with raspberries floating in the flutes.

Items displayed from a silent auction ranged from sports memorabilia, to an autographed guitar, as well as artwork featuring famous Philly landmarks.

Silent auction highlights included memorabilia signed by Jason Kelce, Taylor Swift, Jalen Hurts and Joel Embiid, as well as Philadelphia-themed art prints. Photos by Konrad Jones, Jenny Farley and Bernadette Mathis / American Red Cross

Guest Kevan Phillips, who attended the Red Ball for the first time, soaked up the sights and smells at the Maduro Cigar Bar located on the venue’s outdoor patio.

“A bunch of beautiful people. Beautiful music. Beautiful food and drinks, and for the cause, it’s important. I love it,” he said.

Brandon Brown, who also hung out on the patio with the Maduro Cigar Club, appreciated getting the opportunity to dress up for a good cause.

He said, “If you look around, everybody in their devastating red, and their tuxedos and even their sneakers, it’s just people having a party for a purpose.”

Brandon said he supports the Red Cross mission of alleviating suffering.

“The Red Cross has always been the first people to respond and oftentimes it’s the water, it’s the blankets, it’s the food. Actually, it’s also the human contact,” that makes all the difference.

Red Ball guests Kevan Phillips (left) and Brandon Brown (right). Photos by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

CEO Jennifer Graham reminded the crowd that the American Red Cross workforce is 90% volunteer. “Our volunteers bring help and hope everywhere they go,” she said.

Volunteers like Red Ball guest Joyce Gray, who has spent several years as a blood donor ambassador. She said her favorite thing is meeting people. “Seeing all the individuals who come in to donate their blood and how eager and energetic they are to do that.”

Ball guest Joyce Scott has volunteered at the Red Cross House for the past six months. “I love to help people. I love to try to be there for people at their lowest point. To help lift them up.”

Red Cross volunteers Joyce Gray (left), a Blood Donor Ambassador, and Joyce Scott (right) a Red Cross House volunteer. Photos by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

Katie Fehlinger, the Red Ball Host and Emcee, gave the audience details about the Red Cross House, which is located in University City.

“It’s a disaster recovery center, a safe comfortable place where families stay together following a disaster like a home fire,” she said.

Holly Bi attended the Red Ball for the first time with her husband George. Hearing about the work of the Red Cross throughout the night had a profound impact on her.

“The footprint that they have and the amount of aid that they provide is just an amazing and enormous feat and something like tonight is very important so that they can continue helping out communities all over the world,” she said.

Red Ball guests Holly and George Bi (left) and Jim Heaney (right). Photos by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

Jim Heaney attended the Red Ball with his wife, who works for Title Sponsor Independence Blue Cross. He said watching the event videos about the increasing number of catastrophes which require help from the Red Cross affected him.

“It’s all the more vital that supporters and volunteers chip in to help make sure that every families’ needs are met when those times do hit,” he said.

Thinking of attending the Red Ball next year? Jim’s parting message may inspire you. “This is my first year and it’s great. It’s a really great location. Nice outdoor space.

Beautiful weather. Lots of friendly people and all around a great evening.”

If you didn’t make it to the Red Ball this year, you can still donate to the Red Cross at redcross.org/donate or sign up to volunteer at redcross.org/volunteertoday.

Throw Back Thursday: American Red Cross national headquarters building

By Bill Thawley

American Red Cross National Headquarters Building at 430 17th St. NW, Washington D.C. Photo by Jeanette Ortiz-Osorio/American Red Cross

With its dramatic, white, neoclassical façade of a Greek or Roman temple topped by a giant red cross, the American Red Cross National Headquarters (NHQ) stands as a shining beacon of hope at 430 17th St. NW in Washington, D.C.

Built during 1915-1917 and designed by architects A. Breck Trowbridge and Goodhue Livingston, building features classical revival facades of white marble with front and side porticoes, Corinthian columns, a balustraded attic, a hipped roof and tall chimneys. This classical building style was very popular at the time for banks, hospitals and colleges and universities. It gave passersby and the general public reliability, sense of purpose and harmony with nearby government office buildings. The NHQ interior includes a monumental stair hall, assembly hall with Tiffany stained glass windows and a Red Cross Museum.

Building from the Ground Up

Like the American Red Cross itself, the NHQ building was born during the American Civil War. It began with the Union Civil War veteran James Scrymser, who aimed to construct a memorial to honor the sacrifices made by women during the Civil War . The original purpose was to honor northern women exclusively, but this focus changed in 1911 with an appropriation of federal money for the land and building. Upon the insistence of Mississippi Senator John Williams, the Red Cross building would honor the sacrifices of women of both sides of the Civil War. Another strong advocate for the building was Mabel Thorpe Boardman, Clara Barton’s successor as leader of the Red Cross. She provided leadership throughout the funding and construction phases of the building project, along with federal government assistance and private funding.

The NHQ location also includes two additional buildings: the north building built in 1928-1929 and the west building completed in 1931. Together, all three buildings honor the compassion of the women from both the North and South during the Civil War.

Today the Red Cross mission continues the battlefield legacy of alleviating human suffering and leading the way in diversity, equity and inclusion practices across all lines of service.

Over the next two months, we’ll highlight other features of the American Red Cross National Headquarters, including the Tiffany stained glass windows and the Red Cross Museum.

#ThrowBackThursday – The ‘Little Band of 51 Persons,’ part 1

Editor’s Note: This is part one of a four-part history series that identifies all 51 signers of the American Association of the Red Cross constitution in 1881. The series is copy-edited by Susan West. Included images are public domain unless otherwise noted.

Red Cross Flag. From Red Cross photo archives.

By Bill Thawley

What was the purpose of this oddly named group, and who were its members? On May 21, 1881, 51 “persons” signed the constitution of a new organization they called the American Association of the Red Cross. The group’s name came many years later from one of the signers, Emma DeGraw, and the story is told in the book Clara Barton, Humanitarian, by Cora Bacon-Foster.

These signers included journalists, authors, telegraphers, and government workers. There were Civil War heroes, physicians, clergy members, good friends of Barton, and a few from the U.S. Treasury. Most were from Massachusetts and Ohio. Some spoke up for the rights of women, Native Americans, and African Americans. All of these 51 were luminaries of their day, and yes, Clara Barton was one of them.

Research sources include ancestry.com, and Find a Grave, and Wikipedia; the contributions of Annie Werbitzky, historical programs and collections volunteer from Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C., and Susan Watson, archivist, are gratefully acknowledged. 

1. Clara Barton
Clarissa Harlowe Barton needs no introduction. After her return from Europe, Barton spent many years shuttling between Dansville, NY, and Washington D.C., as she built a team to form a Red Cross society in the United States. She consulted with U.S. presidents, Congress members, senators, journalists, and others as part of her tireless campaign to launch the organization. In 1933, Barton was included among the 12 great women leaders chosen by readers of Ladies’ Home Journal and the Christian Science Monitor. Her contemporaries on the list included Susan B. Anthony, Frances E. Willard, Julia Ward Howe, and Harriet Beecher Stowe.

2. Stephen Emory Barton
Stephen was the son of Clara’s brother David Barton, but he was more like a son to her than a nephew. A talented telegrapher, Stephen served tirelessly in relief service during the Spanish American War. In 1895 he became the second vice president of the American Red Cross and eventually served as its chairman of the board.

3. A.S. Solomons
A philanthropist, Adolphus Simeon Solomons was a cofounder of the Jewish Hospital in New York City, later known as Mount Sinai Hospital. Solomons moved to D.C. in 1859, where he established the publishing house Philip & Solomon; he became a charter member of the city’s Providence Hospital in 1861. Many of the organizational meetings for the Red Cross were held in his parlor. He was the first treasurer and a two-term vice president of the American Red Cross. In 1884, Solomons and Barton were appointed by President Chester Arthur to represent the U.S. at the International Congress of the Red Cross, in Geneva, where delegates from 37 nations elected him a vice president.

4. William Lawrence
This Ohio judge, lawyer, and politician helped create the U.S. Department of Justice and played a crucial role in getting the Geneva Convention ratified by the United States. In addition to serving in Congress, Lawrence was a valuable ally to Barton in getting the American Red Cross up and running. He was the organization’s first vice president and continued in that role for several years.

5. Abby Brown Upton
This signer was the wife of U.S. Representative Charles Horace Upton, who was later appointed consul to Switzerland in 1863 by President Lincoln. The couple lived in Geneva until his death in 1877. Her Massachusetts origins and familiarity with the Geneva Convention led to a strong interest in the Red Cross, which carried on to her family.

6. R.E. Throckmorton
Roberta Ellen Throckmorton was the daughter of Charles and Abby Upton. Her husband, Hugh William Throckmorton, was a farmer in Falls Church, Virginia, but they both hailed from Massachusetts. Hugh William is listed as an employee of the federal government and a clerk in the war department.

7. E.N. Throckmorton
Though the lettering is ambiguous, this is the signature of Ernest Upton Throckmorton, son of Roberta and Hugh William Throckmorton. He was born in Washington, D.C. and was about 20 years old in 1881 when the document was signed. He served as a U.S. Treasury clerk and later took on entrepreneurial endeavors as a cigar store owner and restaurateur in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

8. S.A. Martha Canfield
Sarah Ann Martha Canfield was the wife of Lt. Col. Herman Canfield Jr., who was killed early in the Civil War. Throughout the war she acted as minister, nurse, and mother to many of the soldiers of the 72nd Ohio Regiment. According to regiment captain Orin England, “She did more good than all of the chaplains in the army. If we had one in every brigade, yes, one in every division, how much good they could do!” After the war she assisted at a hospital founded by her sons. She served as a member of the first executive board of the American Red Cross.

9. John Hitz
Hitz succeeded his father as consul general to Switzerland and held that post until 1881. Clara Barton considered him a wise, trusted, and loyal adviser in the early days. He was helpful in getting the treaty of the Geneva Convention signed by the United States. During the 1884 Mississippi River floods, Hitz assisted with Barton’s relief effort on the riverboat Mattie Bell. In 1989, at the age of 70, he  became blind and taught himself how to read Braille.

10. George Bailey Loring
This Unitarian minister’s son was a schoolteacher, a Harvard-educated physician, and a Massachusetts legislator, among other titles. He served in the U.S. Congress from 1877 to 1881, after which he became U.S. Commissioner of Agriculture. He was a trustee of the American Red Cross along with Robert T. Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln. Loring’s wife, Mary Toppan Pickman, was also instrumental in the founding of the organization.

11. R.N. Tilton
Rufus Newell Tilton and his wife both resided in Washington, D.C. He worked for the U.S. Treasury. His wife, Lydia, was the secretary of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, as well as a poet, correspondent, and schoolteacher.

12. F.H. Truesdell
Frank Heath Truesdell was a private secretary for a U.S. Senator in 1880. He also worked for the Associated Press along with two other signers, Walter P. Phillips and George Kennan.

Jennie Dillon Heneks: Not All Heroes Wear Capes

By Nancy Degnan

Pictured: Jennie Dillion Heneks and her son Des.

Jennie Dillion Heneks’s superpower is giving the gift of life through blood donations.

Jennie was inspired to become a blood donor with the American Red Cross after her son, Des, became ill with Kawasaki disease (KD). He needed an immediate blood treatment, and Jennie gained a new appreciation for blood donors as she watched her 4-year-old son receive the intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) that would help him recover.

Jennie and Des want to create awareness around recognizing the onset of KD, the importance of quick intervention, and the lifesaving value of blood. KD is a rare condition that mainly affects children; it causes swelling in the walls of medium-sized arteries throughout the body. The inflammation tends to affect the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle. When Jennie initially brought her son to the emergency room, Des had a high fever and couldn’t walk due to foot pain and peeling on his toes. These are symptoms noted in the second phase of the disease. (In the third and final phase, signs and symptoms slowly subside.)

The good news is that most kids with KD recover completely, but early action is key. There’s a knowledge gap when it comes to diagnosing KD, and that can result in unnecessary delays. Within the 10-day window of the onset of the condition, parents are important advocates for their kids in dealing with health care providers. Symptoms to watch for: a fever that lasts three to four days, redness in both eyes, a very red and swollen tongue, redness of the palms or soles, skin peeling, a rash, and swollen lymph nodes.

As mentioned, recognizing the early signs—ideally during the first phase—is key. When KD is diagnosed and treated within the first 10 days, there’s a better chance of full recovery without residual problems. The longer the symptoms progress, the higher the likelihood of long-term damage and the need for ongoing treatments.

Pictured: Des Heneks today, living a full life thanks to the blood treatment he received when he was four years old.

Jennie is thankful that the on-call doctor at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was a cardiologist familiar with KD. Thanks to the rapid diagnosis, Des was treated with one IVIG treatment over the course of 36 hours and observed in the ICU for the next seven days to ensure his recovery.

Today, Des is a healthy 13-year-old with a black belt in karate. He is living a full life, thanks to the blood treatment he received at age 4.

Jennie and Des are heroes with heart. Jennie is giving life by giving blood, and with the help of her son, she is creating awareness of the symptoms associated with KD. By helping parents and doctors recognize the early warning signs, she hopes young patients with KD can recover quickly and keep sharing their smiles!

Nine Ways to Safely Celebrate Independence Day, America’s Most Accident-Prone Holiday

By Marta Rusek (she/her)

Image description: A fireworks safety graphic from the American Red Cross featuring red, white, and blue colors. It reads: Do This, NOT That. Green checkmark emoji: Keep water nearby in case fireworks start a fire. Red x emoji: Don’t point fireworks at pets. Green checkmark emoji: Wear eye protection if you light a firework. Red x emoji: Never try relighting a dud.

I love Independence Day. For me, it’s the perfect day to sleep in, take a stroll over to Independence Hall, calculate how many years stand between me and my dream of celebrating the Tricentennial, and enjoy fireworks from a safe distance. For everyone else and their mother, it’s a celebration of American abundance and uninhibited fun, complete with grilling copious amounts of food, cannon-balling into the nearest pool, and setting off as many fireworks as possible, just as the Founding Fathers intended. 

Surprisingly, the Fourth of July is also the holiday whose festivities are most likely to cause an accident. Grill fires, swimming disasters, and mishandled fireworks can bring your highly-anticipated celebration to a grinding halt. Fortunately, the American Red Cross, our first and last resource for disaster prevention, is here to save us from ourselves this July 4th with the following helpful hints:

• When it comes to grilling, take it outside. Never use a grill inside a camper, in a tent, inside your house, or any enclosed space. Fire from the grill can flare up unexpectedly and spread rapidly indoors.
• Keep children and pets at a safe distance. Hot dogs are the only little doggies allowed near an active grill. Kids and fur babies are fast and can get into trouble in very little time, so make sure they are kept as far away from the grilling area.
• Use proper grilling tools. Long-handled utensils designed to withstand high temperatures will not only craft the perfect Independence Day feast, they’ll also keep the fire from the grill at arm’s length.
• Talk to your kids about water safety long before they take a dip. Safe swimming habits are learned, and the Red Cross makes it easy to teach kids from Kindergarten to sixth grade how to enjoy the water safely for life. Check out the Water Safety for Kids resource, and the main Water Safety page here.
• Go on supervised swim adventures only. While it’s tempting to seek out a private spot where you and your family can swim without crowds in every direction, it’s safest to visit a designated swimming destination with lifeguards certified in CPR and first aid. If you’re swimming with small children or weak swimmers, make sure they wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved swim vest in the water.
• After the fun is done, flip it over. Kiddie pools are a great way for little kids and the young at heart to keep cool on a hot day. You can prevent accidental drowning (yes, drowning can occur in shallow water) by draining the pool and flipping it upside down when you’re finished.
• When it comes to celebrating with fireworks, follow the instructions and local regulations closely. Fireworks are fun, but unpredictable. Never give them to small children to play with, and never point them at a person, animal, building, car, or anything flammable. Read up on fireworks regulations in the Philadelphia area here. 
• Keep a source of water nearby, in case the fireworks fun goes sideways. 
• Light one firework at a time, and never try to relight a dud. Your loved ones (and your fingers) will thank you!

And one more tip – in the midst of the fireworks, food, and fun, remember that the COVID-19 pandemic is still going on. News of the Delta strain of the coronavirus is cause for caution, so keep your face masks handy, your hands clean, and stay home if you start to feel sick before the festivities. Celebrate safely this July 4th so we can commemorate the fourth anniversary of the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory in style —greased poles and all— in 2022! 

Image Description: A Black woman wearing a red and white American Red Cross baseball cap smiles at the camera. In the background are dark blue and red drawings of stars, swirls, and fireworks to celebrate July 4th.

Looking for an activity for the three-day weekend that will save lives? Give blood through the Red Cross!

As a thank-you, all those who come to give July 1-6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat, while supplies last. And, donors who come to give July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value). (Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/fuel).

The Rewards of Blood Donation, from a Longtime Donor

By Maria Marabito

June 14, Flag Day, is marked on most Americans’ calendars. But did you know that June 14 is also World Blood Donor Day? This observance, a joint initiative of the World Health Organization and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, was created in 2005 for two reasons: to raise awareness of the global need for blood, and to thank blood donors for their lifesaving gifts.

Blood donation is a selfless, honorable act. Blood can’t be manufactured; it can only come from volunteer donors. This year’s theme is “Give blood and keep the world beating.” In the United States alone, about 6.8 million people donate lifesaving blood. Christina McCarthy is one of them.

McCarthy, a clinical assistant at a pain management office, has been giving blood regularly with the Red Cross for about six years now. Like many blood donors, she was inspired to do her part because of a family connection. Her grandfather, who passed away in 2013, had heart issues that landed him in the hospital on a regular basis. He received many transfusions as part of his care, which motivated McCarthy and her family to start donating themselves.

Photo courtesy of Christina McCarthy

McCarthy’s mother was the first in the family to get the ball rolling. Once Christina began working in the medical field, she realized just how important — and how easy— blood donations are. Her sister and some coworkers have since donated as well. 

“I recruited a couple of coworkers for the last blood drive I went to; two women went with me, and now they’re starting to do it on a semi-regular basis as well,” McCarthy says.

The feel-good rewards are immediate, and you’ll be plenty pleased with yourself. But for an extra shot of satisfaction, you can actually find out where your blood donation went: Just use the Red Cross blood donor app. “I like how the Red Cross  tells you when they’ve processed your blood, and they send you an email telling you where it’s going. I think that’s really helpful,” McCarthy says. “I know my last couple of donations have gone to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, so that makes me feel really good.”

The app not only allows you to schedule your donations but also keeps track of them and lets you know when it’s safe to donate again. “I donate every time my app reminds me, so every 48 days or something like that,” McCarthy says. [Editor’s note: you can donate whole blood every 56 days.]

If you’re nervous, McCarthy insists that the needles aren’t bad at all. (New, sterile needles are used and discarded after one use.) You’ll even be given a free mini-physical at your appointment — temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin — to ensure that you’re healthy enough to donate that day. But don’t go on an empty stomach: McCarthy says she passed out the first time, because she didn’t eat enough beforehand. (She recommends a large meal.) That didn’t stop her from going again and turning it into a routine. 

Why give blood? “It is one thing you can do that can literally save someone else’s life, and it’s free for you to do and it takes not even a half hour, so why wouldn’t you do it?” McCarthy says.  [Editor’s note: please allow for 1 hour when you schedule a blood donation appointment.]

In fact, a single donation can potentially save up to three lives.  

And in case you were wondering, the pandemic hasn’t stopped the Red Cross from collecting blood. “They’ve been doing a good job at staggering the appointment times so there aren’t too many people at once. It definitely wouldn’t stop me from donating,” McCarthy says.

There are four blood and platelet donation centers and many blood drive collection sites within the five counties of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Finding a location and time is easy: Just use the Red Cross’s online blood drive finder. You can also use the Red Cross blood donor app to schedule and manage appointments. Depending on the type of donation (whole blood, power red, or platelet), you can donate as often as every 56 days. Today’s your day to save a life… or three!

Primary image description: an illustration, with the American Red Cross logo above the words “World Blood Donor Day” in white letters on a dark blue background. Next to the logo and words is a bright red drop with a water-color rendering of the world inside it.

Five Ways to Winterproof Your Pet

By Samantha Antenucci

As a loving pet owner, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my cat and five dogs (two of which are pictured below!). Pets are valuable family members—and as with any family member, they need to be looked after, especially when challenging weather poses health risks for them.  

This winter’s polar vortex in the Midwest and East Coast left single-digit temps and subzero wind chills in its wake. Although that episode has passed, it doesn’t mean winter has loosened its grip on the Northeast. We may still see subfreezing weather blast through before the season is over, and inclement conditions can stress our pets. Here are some simple guidelines to ensure that your furry friends survive the season. 

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Keep ’em in if it’s cold out 

Yes, Fido has a fur coat, but extreme cold is dangerous for humans and animals alike. So bring your pet indoors when temperatures dip. If it’s an outdoor pet, it still needs warm indoor shelter during freezing and below-freezing temps. The rest of the time, your pet needs an enclosure that protects it from wind, rain, and snow. The size of the enclosure matters—it should be large enough for the animal to sit and lie down, but small enough to ensure conservation of body heat. It should also face away from any wind and be elevated above ground to prevent further heat loss. It is also good practice to cover the doorway with a waterproof material for warmth and to keep the elements out.  

Wipe those salty paws 

Unless you’re in the country, chances are that after a storm, your streets and sidewalks are heavily treated with salt or chemical deicers. These compounds can stick to your dog’s paw pads during a walk,  causing major irritation. In addition, if Fido tries to lick his pads clean, the salt and chemicals can make him sick. So make a habit of ending your winter walks by wiping off your dog’s feet with a damp cloth or towel, and checking regularly for cracked or bleeding paws. 

Avoid household hazards  

Speaking of chemicals, antifreeze is a deadly poison that’s often kept indoors. Its sweet taste attracts animals and ingestion can lead to death. Keep this and other household chemicals safely stored, and clean up any spills immediately.  

Consider the local critters  

Your own pets are not the only animals who may suffer in winter, so keep an eye out for creatures in need. Neighborhood cats have been known to crawl under car hoods or onto the tops of tires to keep warm. Before starting your engine in the morning, bang on the hood to scare away any animals that could be hiding inside. 

Expect the unexpected                               

Being prepared in winter is vital; extreme weather can knock out heat, power, and communications. Make a plan to deal with storms, and keep an emergency kit handy—including five days’ worth of food, water, and medications. That way you can better protect your whole family—and your pet—from unforeseen hardships.  

For more tips on weather safety for your pets, check out the American Red Cross’s Pet First Aid app. With veterinary advice and emergency preparedness info, the Pet First Aid app can help you keep your pets safe and warm this winter. To access all Red Cross apps, click here.

Black History Month Spotlight- Gregory L. Smith

By: Kathy Huston

It’s Black History Month and we wanted to celebrate an honored member, and leader within our Eastern Pennsylvania Region, Gregory L. Smith.  

Smith has a long history of dedication to the American Red Cross, which started in 1992 as a volunteer. Since then, Smith has worked his way to his current role as Regional Disaster Program Officer for the Eastern PA Region, headquartered in Philadelphia.  

“In this role, I am the lead employee responsible for preparedness, readiness, response and recovery activities for the 17 counties that comprise the region’s territory,” Smith said. 

Smith has held a number of titles during his years of service, including Disaster Cycle Service supervisor, manager and director in Northern California, Columbus, OH and Philadelphia, PA, and at the national headquarters, where he also served as the VP of Volunteers, Youth and Nursing Programs from 2000 through 2002.  

Over the past two decades, Smith has seen his fair share of major disasters. His wealth of information and knowledge come, in part, from deployments to support major disaster relief operations across the country, including the North Ridge earthquake, hurricanes Fran, Ike, Katrina, Sandy, Harvey, Matthew and Florence, and tornados in Moore, OK and Joplin, MO. He was also on the scene for the relief efforts that followed 9/11 in New York City.   

During the month of February, when we reflect on the contributions of African Americans and the cultural richness and diversity of our country, Smith explains why honoring diversity and inclusiveness ultimately helps the organization succeed in following through on its mission.  

“Diversity is vital for the American Red Cross, because we must reflect the diverse communities we serve, whether translating the care and concerns of our donors into actions, or engaging volunteers in the delivery of our services,” he said.  

In talking to him, it’s clear that Smith is motivated by the impacts he has made, and continues to make, on individuals, families and communities, as they prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters and emergencies.  

“My greatest motivation is that I can engage and support community volunteers in these efforts,” he notes. 

For Smith, black history is a year-round celebration, as is his determination to carry out his unwavering service to the American Red Cross. 

 “I do my best every single day to demonstrate that you can look like me and not only deliver the Red Cross mission, but be a leader in the movement as well,” he said. 

Smith’s dedication and commitment to making a positive impact on the communities he serves is certainly an example we can all look up to.  

Score with these Super Bowl Safety Tips

By Kathleen Huston

Safety is the Goal at Your Super Bowl Party

Quicker than you can say “double doink” (with a shout-out to my Philadelphia Eagles, who unfortunately didn’t make it this year), the Rams and the Patriots will go head to head in Atlanta, GA for Super Bowl LIII. Here are some timely tips to help ensure that all you fans out there don’t take a hit as well.

For the Host With the Most

The focus of your get-together should be on the five F’s: football, fun, family, friends and food. You might be watching for a while! The longest Super Bowl game was number XLII in 2013, clocking in at four hours and 14 minutes, according to Bustle.com.

In addition to your chips and dips and pizzas and wings, be sure to have healthier options on hand. Hummus, guacamole, veggies and dip, turkey chili with lots of healthy peppers and beans, nuts, and popcorn without butter all fit the bill. Also make sure nonalcoholic drinks (especially water) are in plentiful supply.

Finally, sure, your fun and festive football-themed hand towel in the bathroom is nice for guests to look at, but have disposable towels at the ready so they can avoid getting the last person’s germs. Also, make sure your hand soap dispenser is full. In that same vein, have serving utensils to use with each food item — even a spoon in the nut bowl — so guests don’t have to stick their hands in anything and risk spreading the flu virus.

For the Party People

Be sure to designate a sober driver before game day. If everyone in your group wants to imbibe, make sure you install a ride service app on your phone or have a taxi company number available in your contacts.

If you’re sick, don’t think you should rally and attend anyway. Stay home. You aren’t doing yourself any favors and nobody wants to score your cold or flu either. There’s always next year!

If you are the designated driver, practice defensive driving (as you always should). Snopes has confirmed time and again that car accidents soar after Super Bowls. “Even those fans who don’t drink during or after the game pose a risk to themselves and others once they hit the road because of the distraction factor,” it notes. Whether you’re wallowing in the fact that you’re team didn’t make the cut or celebrating your victory over and over again in your head, save those thoughts until you’re home safe and sound. You don’t want to be one of those distracted drivers yourself.

Download the App

To wrap it up, the Red Cross offers a free first-aid app you can install on your phone now. Among its many features, it provides tips and videos addressing common first-aid scenarios. Content is available in English and Spanish. Read more about it here.

Philadelphia Students Donate Nearly $1,000 to American Red Cross

By: Sophie Kluthe

Just because you’re young, doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference. It’s something we at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross witnessed first-hand this week, and we didn’t have to look very far to see it. 

Right across the street from our chapter office in Philadelphia, some tenacious students at the Albert M. Greenfield School were raising money — collecting change — with the hopes of creating change in the world around them.  

Students and teachers at the Albert M. Greenfield School pose for a photo with Regional Red Cross CEO, Guy Triano (far right).

John Neary, an 8^th grade literacy teacher at the school told us what the fundraiser was about. “Earlier this school year, our school ran a charitable campaign called ‘World of Change.’  The campaign was organized and led by a group of middle school students in an after-school club called Student Voice.  Our belief is that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the world,” Neary said.  

He said each classroom was given six empty mason jars, with each jar representing an area of need: Hunger, Housing, Health, Literacy, Recreation, and Employment. Over the course of two weeks, students collected coins and donated them to the jars. The school nominated the American Red Cross as one of the organizations to possibly benefit from the money in the Health jar.  

“We put together a ballot, and our community voted on which organization would receive the money collected for each category. I am happy to say that the Red Cross was an overwhelming favorite!” Neary said. 

The Red Cross is the proud recipient of precisely $996.28! What we are equally as proud of, was the time and dedication the students at Albert M. Greenfield School put into collecting all the coins for the jars. It proves that no matter a person’s age, or the amount they have to give, every little bit counts!

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