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Services to Armed Forces
Watch a video of American military heroes and the assistance they received from the Red Cross.


Harriman Award winner Donna Dorsey receives the congratulations of Red Cross Chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter

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SPIRITED WOMAN AWARD NOMINATIONS   

6/06/08 - The Spirited Woman awards were created to recognize everyday women who are making extraordinary contributions to their community and those around them.  Awardees will be honored at a Power Luncheon at Morton’s The Steakhouse on Thursday, August 14, 2008 where a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross of Central Maryland.

Nominate The Spirited Woman In Your Circle

Spirited Woman On The Rise

This award will honor an up and coming, young woman who is starting to make her powerful mark on the Baltimore community and/or the business world.  Nominations should focus on women who are giving of themselves, active in their careers and communities, and having an influence on society already.
Nominees should be ages 21-35 and from the greater Baltimore area.

Spirited Woman Balancing Life

This award will honor a working mother who is successfully juggling all that life brings her – family, career, all the while engaging in spirited endeavors such as community service, mentorship and philanthropy.
Nominees should be employed full-time and from the greater Baltimore area.

The Spirited Woman of Baltimore 2008

This award will honor an accomplished, spirited woman who acts as an example, leader and mentor in her community and profession and has done so for some time.  This woman encompasses a variety of ideals including volunteerism, generosity, sacrifice, preparation, compassion, sensitivity and humility.
Nominees should be women in the prime of life and from the greater Baltimore area.

Nomination guidelines:

  • All nominations should be no more than 500 words in length.
  • Nominations must be submitted no later than Wednesday, July 23, 2008 via fax: 410-585-9903 or email: [email protected]
  • Self nominations and nominations from friends, family and colleagues are all welcome.
  • Nominations must include:
    • Nominator name, address, email address, phone and note the relationship to nominee.
    • Nominee name, address, email address and phone.

 Nomination Form

 

5/29/2008
LOCAL RED CROSS MARKS NATIONAL CPR/AED AWARENESS WEEK

Baltimore-- Learning CPR and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can mean the difference between life and death for someone suffering from a medical emergency.  During the first National CPR/AED Awareness Week, this June 1-7, the Central Maryland Red Cross encourages everyone to learn these important skills that could someday save a life.

“The Red Cross wants the public to know that everyone has the power to save a life.  At least one person in every household and on every office floor should be trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED,” says Nick Geier, Red Cross health and safety director.  “On average, it takes emergency personnel 10 minutes to arrive on scene.  For someone who is choking or has stopped breathing, that may be too late.  By learning simple rescue skills, you can go from being a helpless bystander to a person with the ability to take control during an emergency.”

Just ask Fallston high school coach Dan Taylor who performed CPR on a bleeding and unconscious Chris Culver after the boy was hit in the face by a baseball early last month.  Taylor saved the boy’s life using skills he learned during a recent CPR class.

Just ask Owings Mills High School sophomore Chelsea Smith.  She and her mother Susan Smith saved the life of an elderly relative who collapsed during a family Seder dinner in April.  Chelsea told a reporter:  “It was scary, but I realized I was the only one there who knew what to do.” 
The Red Cross is offering a CPR training and awareness event at the Maryland Science Center on Saturday, June 14 at 11:30 and 1:30.  If you cannot attend this event, find out how to save a life by calling 410-624-2060 or visiting  redcross-cmd.org for more information on  health and safety courses offered throughout the year.                                        

4/15/2008
A BIKER GANG IS HEADING TO YOUR TOWN
Baltimore
- A motorcycle gang is heading to your town, and they have one thing on their minds—helping their neighbors.  The American Red Cross presents its first Ride for the Red, statewide motorcycle rally to raise money for the Disaster Relief Fund.

"We look for ways to connect people’s natural desire to help others with something they’re passionate about,” says Frank Miller, Executive Director of the Red Cross in Central Maryland.  “Personally, I’ve been a cyclist for over 40 years and I’ve worked for the Red Cross for 37 years.  I hope lots of people will join in a fun day!”

The April 26 ride will kick start at 6:30 a.m. in Salisbury and will finish at Rocky Gap State Park at 4:30 p.m.  Participants can ride the entire route or just a segment.  A donation of $30 covers the entire day of riding, with all proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross in Maryland.  Registration and complete route information is available by visiting redcross-cmd.org or by calling 410-624-2037.

4/11/2008
RED CROSS GIVES TOP HONOR TO HOWARD COUNTY WOMAN
Baltimore, MD— The national American Red Cross presented Donna Dorsey with the Harriman Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service, the organizations most prestigious volunteer award. Dorsey was a Red Cross of Central Maryland volunteer for more than 30 years and received the award at the recent Red Cross National Convention where she made a speech addressing the need to change to accommodate the expectations of today’s volunteer.

“We need short projects and opportunities for volunteers to enhance their careers,” she suggested. She also proposed more online training courses to make it easier for people to volunteer.

Donna Dorsey has volunteered with the Red Cross since 1976, teaching more than 100 disaster health courses and training more than 500 nurses to become Red Cross disaster volunteers. She served as board chair of the Central Maryland Chapter from 2004 to 2006. On a national level, she has flown to the scenes of numerous disasters to help the Red Cross provide food, clothing, shelter and medical care to victims. Dorsey is the winner of the Casey and Menzies Awards –the Central Maryland Red Cross chapter’s top honors. She is also the recipient of the Ann Magnussen Award honoring a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to Red Cross nursing programs. In 2003, she received the Florence Nightingale Award, the highest international honor offered by the Red Cross.

"When I learned I was the Harriman winner, I had to take a minute to think about the things I do as being distinguished," Dorsey added, "because I truly love what I do."

Dorsey was the executive director of the Maryland Board of Nursing and lived in Columbia, Maryland but moved to North Carolina last year where she is still active with the Red Cross.

3/17/2008
STATE OFFICIALS TO RECOGNIZE CRUCIAL ROLE OF AMERICAN RED CROSS
Baltimore, MD--
American Red Cross volunteers are converging on Annapolis today to let lawmakers know the role they play in making Maryland families safer by helping fire victims, teaching CPR and First Aid and by providing a safe blood supply.

The Red Cross will honor these heroes with a reception at the Governor Calvert House. Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and dozens of delegates and senators from around the state will be on hand to recognize the organization’s services to Maryland. Red Cross volunteers and recipients of Red Cross services will personally share the ways the organization helps Marylanders prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

“Governor O’Malley and I applaud the work the Red Cross does each day to help Marylanders across the state stay prepared in case disaster strikes and to cope during the aftermath of disaster,” Lt. Governor Brown said.  “I am proud to announce that today is Red Cross Day and I salute all the Red Cross volunteers who have given of themselves to help another.”

The Lieutenant Governor will present a gubernatorial proclamation recognizing March 17 as Red Cross Day in Maryland.

The event will last from 5:30PM – 7:00PM. During the day, the Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Region will hold a blood drive for legislators and other state workers in the Calvert Room at the State House from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Volunteers will be positioned near Lawyer’s Mall to exhibit Red Cross emergency response vehicles. Red Cross volunteers will also be meeting with their local representatives.  

2/22/2008
CHANGES IN RED CROSS SERVICES FOR ACCOMACK, NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES

(Baltimore)— Beginning March 1, 2008 American Red Cross services to residents of Accomack and Northampton will be provided by local volunteers, but will now be coordinated by the Central Maryland Red Cross Chapter in Baltimore. 

The administrative changes come after the Red Cross Eastern Shore of Virginia Chapter incurred financial debt over a period of years.  Local volunteers will continue to work toward goals of fund raising, volunteer recruitment and enhanced community relations in the provision of Red Cross services. 

Residents or emergency personnel may call the Red Cross at 757-442-4750 to access emergency assistance, including food, shelter and clothing, after a fire or other disaster.  Calling that number will also link military members and their families to 24-hour emergency communications services provided by the American Red Cross.  

To register for health and safety classes, such as CPR and first aid training you may also call 757-442-4750.   The Red Cross is actively searching for Spanish-speaking volunteers to teach safety courses in the two counties.

2/8/2008
ELKRIDGE COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM STUDENTS PROJECT
(Baltimore)— Wall Street brokers don’t usually think of sixth graders as investors, but students at Elkridge Landing Middle School say they are putting their funds into something guaranteed to have a big return—disaster preparedness. The students have saved spare change and money from their allowances to total over $820 that they donated to the American Red Cross of Central Maryland.

“Elkridge is a great community and this is evidence that we have great kids too,” boasts Gina Stokes, Assistant Principal at Elkridge Landing Middle School.

The students bought paper strips from their homeroom teachers for twenty-five cents each as part of the school’s service learning project. The strips are then linked together to form a “charity chain.” The homeroom that ended up with the longest chain became the benefactor entitled to decide which organization would receive the total funds raised.  The theme of the service project was Lending a Hand.

“These kids are inspiration to us all,” says Ann Heavner, Board Chair of the Howard County District of the Red Cross. “The money the students collected will go directly to help Howard County residents prevent, prepare for and cope with emergencies.”

Each year, the Red Cross assists dozens of Howard County families who have been affected by disasters, usually house fires. The organization also trains thousands of local residents in lifesaving skills such as CPR/first aid and aquatics safety.

“We were trying to sponsor programs that ‘lend a hand’ to the community,” says Kate Lloyd, Elkridge Landing Service Learning Advisor. “The kids really enjoyed it so everyone’s a winner.”

1/07/2008
CITY THEATRE STUDENTS, RED CROSS TEAM UP TO REDUCE FIRES
(Baltimore) -- The Baltimore School for the Arts senior theatre students will present a powerful safety program, “The No-Fire Show” at city elementary schools throughout January in an attempt to reduce the number of house fires in 2008. Last year fires claimed the lives of 34 people in Baltimore, many of them children. A partnership between the Red Cross of Central Maryland and BSA, the show lets children know about the dangers of playing with matches and the importance of having smoke detectors as well as a fire escape plan— presented in a mostly comic style.

A sobering and powerful performance by theatre ensemble member Chaquon Whitfield drives home the safety message. Whitfield lost her brother and cousin in a house fire 14 years ago, a blaze that nearly claimed her own life. The Red Cross helped Whitfield’s family with emergency needs while she lay in a coma.

The Red Cross Players, as the high school thespian troupe is known, will present “The No-Fire Show” at elementary schools on January 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 22. For details on times and locations, contact Linnea Anderson, , 410-624-2081.

About Baltimore School for the Arts

Founded in 1980, the Baltimore School for the Arts is recognized as one of the country's pre-eminent schools whose graduates go on to the most selective arts and university programs nationwide and achieve prominence in theater, film, music and visual arts. The Baltimore School for the Arts strives to provide young people with intensive pre-professional training in the arts, in the context of a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. For more information on the Baltimore School for the Arts, visit www.bsfa.org.

The Baltimore School for the Arts, where the arts change kid’s lives.

12/06/2007
CENTRAL MARYLAND RED CROSS RECEIVES $10,000 GRANT FROM THE HOME DEPOT
Grant Helps Red Cross Train Over 85,000 Individuals in Disaster Preparedness
(Baltimore, MD)--The Central Maryland Red Cross today announced that it has received a $10,000 grant from The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, to help educate the public about disaster preparedness. This is the second consecutive year in which the chapter has been awarded a grant through this program.

“We’re glad to help out,” said Jim Emge, District Manager of The Home Depot. “Giving back to the community is one of our core values.”

The Home Depot/American Red Cross Chapter Grants Program is part of a three-year multi-million dollar strategic partnership designed to educate one million people in disaster preparedness and to support Red Cross disaster readiness efforts. The initial goal of reaching one million people was met in year two of the partnership, but The Home Depot and the Red Cross remain committed to building stronger and safer communities. In addition to the grant program, The Home Depot also provides year-round in-kind donations to local chapters as needed for disaster relief efforts, in-store preparedness clinics developed with Red Cross expertise, and funding for Red Cross diversity and emergency services program manager training.

Nationwide last year, The Home Depot/American Red Cross Chapter Grants Program trained and educated approximately 315,000 people. Specialized disaster preparedness programs included outreach to Somali, Latino, Vietnamese, young people and deaf/hearing-impaired communities.

This year the grant was used to teach Community Disaster Education to over 85,000 people in Central Maryland. The three step program outlines the basic strategies for preparing for disasters, both natural and manmade.

“The Home Depot has a history of being a champion for its communities and providing s
ignificant relief and recovery support immediately following a disaster,” said Kelly Caffarelli, President of The Home Depot Foundation. “By partnering with the Red Cross, we are providing our communities with additional tools to help them rebound quickly and completely.”
As the world’s largest home improvement retailer, The Home Depot embraces its role as a leader in social responsibility and celebrates its long-standing commitment to volunteerism. The Home Depot is passionate about helping its neighbors and communities during times of need. Another important component of The Home Depot’s disaster relief program is to educate communities on the importance of disaster preparedness in order to help minimize the loss associated with these devastating events.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.

About The Home Depot
The Home Depot® is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,226 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, 10 Canadian provinces, Mexico and China. In fiscal 2006, The Home Depot had sales from continuing operations of $79.0 billion and earnings from continuing operations of $5.3 billion. The Company employs approximately 350,000 associates. The Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index.

 


   


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