My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Kiyinyi (Kenneth) Bbosa

Written by: Stacy Ndlovu, volunteer

“The greatest challenge in mobilizing youth is that they have so many things vying for their attention, and you have to really connect with them to inspire them,” says Kenneth Bbosa, the Youth and Young Adult Program Manager for Prince George’s County. Kenneth’s background shows he’s the right person for this challenge.

Born and raised in Uganda, Kenneth was always interested in being involved with young people in his community. Although he studied business, his passions inspired him to get involved in politics and youth mobilization. After working as a member of parliament in Uganda for five years, Kenneth decided that he could contribute more with a technical skills set, and with that goal he moved to the United States to study electrical engineering at Montgomery County Community College.

As he struggled to get adjusted to life in a new country and community, Kenneth felt something was missing. He wanted to be more involved with his newly-adopted home and the Red Cross was the most obvious choice for him. Although he’s only been involved with the Red Cross for seven months, Kenneth has shown himself to be an invaluable member of the community, with a natural ability to talk to young people and inspire them to be responsive and more active in their communities.

Kenneth has also volunteered with other departments within the American Red Cross, particularly with Sound the Alarm, the nationwide smoke alarm installation and fire safety events. He has found it very rewarding to work with the team, installing free smoke alarms in high risk neighborhoods all over the region and making new friends along the way.

You can help save lives in your community!

This fall, Sound the Alarm installation and fire safety events will take place in more than 100 communities across the country, providing a lifesaving service in our quest to reduce death and injury from home fires.

Every day, seven people die in home fires, most in homes that lack working smoke alarms. Sadly, children and the elderly disproportionately lose their lives. That’s why the Red Cross rallied an army of volunteers and launched our Home Fire Campaign in 2014.

Register to volunteer at an upcoming event in the National Capital Region!

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Joe Cattaneo

Carrying on a Century-Long Family Tradition Volunteering for the Red Cross

By Clarice Nassif Ransom, Volunteer

Volunteer: Joe Cattaneo

Resides: McLean, Virginia

Profession: Retired President of the Glass Packaging Institute and part-time consultant

Length of Volunteer Service: 3 years and counting

Length of Employment with the American Red Cross: 12 years, early in his career

Joe Cattaneo is carrying on a century-long family tradition of volunteering for the Red Cross, which dates back to World War I and spans two nations, the United States and Italy.

Joe’s maternal grandmother served as a volunteer for the Red Cross during World War I in Italy and Joe’s mother followed in those footsteps, serving as a volunteer during World War II, in Italy.  She married Joe’s American father in Rome and settled down in St Louis, Missouri.

“I was influenced by my mother to donate my time to help others in need, as she did so in words and by her actions working for the Visiting Nurses Association late in life,” said Joe.

Some of Joe’s fondest keepsakes are his grandmother’s Red Cross identification card from Italy and a Red Cross celebrity cookbook, which has recipes from celebrated actors from the early 1900’s, such as Al Jolson, Harry Houdini, Douglas Fairbanks, Lillian Russell, Mary Pickford, and Sophie Tucker. The cookbook was dedicated to the American Red Cross and the Actor’s Fund. Joe thinks the proceeds of the cookbook went to both organizations. The cookbook was acquired by Joe’s great uncle, who was a mess sergeant during World War I. Joe inherited the cookbook from his great uncle, who kept it in a special chest along with military medals and memorabilia.

So, Joe could not help but step up and be part of the American Red Cross organization, first, as a part-time employee in college during the Vietnam War era, later as a full-time employee, and now, as a volunteer, post-retirement.

“I started working part-time for the American Red Cross when I was in college,” says Joe. “The father of one of my fraternity brothers was the Assistant Director of the Service to Military Families Department at the St. Louis Bi-State Chapter. At that time, during the Vietnam War, I started doing casework – interviewing local families of military personnel stationed overseas and helping them to learn how to handle a budget and live without a spouse. Sometimes, we would deliver messages to service members from their families, such as the birth of a baby or an illness of a family member.”

Joe eventually landed a full-time permanent job with the American Red Cross where he worked for 12 years in three states – Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio, doing everything from serving as a field representative, to chapter management, and deputy division manager.

“Some of my most memorable times working for the American Red Cross was when I was a field representative in Illinois,” said Joe. “I worked statewide with various small chapters and organizations. I would speak about the Red Cross at various functions such as the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs and conduct audits of different chapters. I remember that one small chapter kept all their financial records in a shoe box – of course, this was all before computers.”

Joe also reminisced about the people whose lives he was able to touch working for the Red Cross.

“During the post-Vietnam era, refugees were relocating to the United States, many settling first at military installations before assimilating into communities. The American Red Cross would offer night courses to teach the refugees English. We also provided job placement for them. I even hosted a party at my apartment where we had folks attend not only from Vietnam, but also from Korea, Cambodia, and Eastern Europe. Everyone brought a dish from their homeland and it was a delicious potluck. One of the fellows was a tailor and made me a suit as a gift.”

Joe then became a Red Cross chapter manager in Wisconsin, where he was a community leader, promoting the Red Cross.

“I had a monthly radio show,” said Joe. “I would talk about blood drives and their locations, swimming and safety courses we were offering, and I would recruit volunteers. It was a great way to promote the Red Cross.”

After leaving the Red Cross as an employee, Joe became a partner in an Ohio advertising firm for nine years, then moved to the Washington, D.C. area to become Vice President of Marketing for the Glass Packaging Institute, one of his former clients, and eventually President of the Glass Packaging Institute where he retired in 2012, after a 20-year career with the trade association.

“I was looking at doing something on a voluntary basis for my community after I retired, so I contacted the American Red Cross in Fairfax,” said Joe. “I started volunteering as a Community Leader for the Red Cross, representing the Red Cross at exhibits and attending various community meetings and fundraising activities. I was then referred to be the head of volunteer services to participate on their volunteer intake screening team. In volunteer intake, we screen people who are interested in volunteering – we are sort of like matchmakers. We gauge their level of interest, and what they want to do, and find them volunteer opportunities that fit their backgrounds and our needs.”

In January alone, there were 400 volunteer applicants for the Red Cross in the National Capital Region that needed to be screened for the right volunteer opportunity. The time commitment is flexible and the ways to help out are endless – from blood donor services, to disaster relief, to community engagement, to a home fire campaign, to helping out at military hospitals and installations. Their volunteer opportunities are endless.

“We always welcome volunteers,” said Joe. “For me, volunteering for the American Red Cross completes my life as it is now. When I do this, I feel active. I get to interact with young like-minded people, and I look forward to it every day. It is not like a job, that can sometimes get tedious. There is always someone to help, someone whose life you can make better helping through volunteer service.”

When Joe is not volunteering for the American Red Cross, he is helping out many other organizations, including heading up a food bank, helping to tutor kids, and providing help for the homeless. He is also a music aficionado who once played piano, trumpet, guitar, and was in a band in high school. He also enjoys symphonies, operas, theater and sports.

“I am a St. Louis Cardinal fan forever,” concluded Joe.

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Bill Evans

Devoted to Saving Lives Through Fire Safety

By Clarice Nassif Ransom, Volunteer

Name: Bill Evans
Length of Red Cross Volunteer Service: 2 years and counting
Profession: Director of Claims, Insurance Associates
Resides: City of Fairfax, Virginia

What inspired you to be a volunteer and would you recommend it to others? I feel that we all have a responsibility to serve our community when we can. When my role as a volunteer firefighter changed from operational to administrative, it freed up time so that I could get involved with the American Red Cross, an organization that I have always respected. I would recommend that folks who are considering volunteering find a cause that they have passion for and focus on those causes. That way, you will stay energized and be more effective in the long run. The American Red Cross has such a variety of services and volunteer needs, there is something for everyone’s passion.

What do you do as a volunteer? I became a Red Cross volunteer nearly two years ago and have assisted during Winter Storm Jonas in 2016, as a Go-Team member during the Pope’s visit, and have really enjoyed helping at multiple Home Fire Campaign events. Besides volunteering for the Red Cross, I am still active with the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department (FVFD), Food for Others, and other charitable events pursued with my rugby club. In four of our Home Fire Campaign events, we actually partnered with my fellow FVFD members and City of Fairfax crews.

What do you do for a career and how has volunteering complimented your professional life? I am Director of Claims for Insurance Associates, a local independent insurance agency which has a niche, the construction industry. Each day at work, I assist with unfortunate accident claims and the safety efforts to prevent them, so my volunteer life is an extension of my work life to some extent. Our company has a strong and supportive volunteer culture, so it is nice to work with others who enjoy community service. 

Why is the Home Fire Campaign important? Home fire safety is often neglected, but the Home Fire Campaign, where volunteers go to at-risk communities and install detectors and provide fire safety information, brings it to the forefront in the communities we visit. All home fires cannot be prevented, but our efforts can certainly improve the odds of surviving fires. It is important because it actually saves lives. Having a working smoke detector in your home cuts your risk of dying in a home fire in half! Besides installing free smoke alarms, we also discuss fire safety and emergency escape plans with the residents we meet. This education is particularly important when there are children, elderly or handicapped people in the household. If children are in the home, we include them in our education discussion along with the adults.

I have been a member of the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years and during fire school training we learned that during the stress and chaos of a home fire, there are needless deaths because occupants become panic stricken and disoriented and can end up getting trapped. For instance, it is not uncommon for young children to hide in a closet or under a bed during a fire instead of exiting the home as quickly as possible. Nearly one third of all fire deaths are among the elderly. So the education aspect of the home fire safety campaign is just as important as the installations we perform. An escape plan includes more than just getting out safely but also designating a rally point where all family members go, such as by the mail box or big oak tree so that everyone can be accounted for. Too often family members are injured or killed after rushing back into a burning home to desperately save a missing child when in fact the child was safe at a neighbor’s home or in the back yard. Our educational discussions help families make a plan together. Plus, when residents see the American Red Cross serving in their communities, it will hopefully generate more volunteer and donor support as well.

What are some of your favorite memories of how you helped others with your volunteer work?Three come to mind. We met a wheelchair-bound gentleman who also was a smoker. Both smokers and the handicapped are at increased risk of being injured in a home fire, so it was satisfying to install smoke alarms with 10 year batteries for him, knowing that he will be safer. We also met a single mother of four children who ran a catering business out of her home. Thus, her kitchen was often a place where people were busy cooking meals. Her children’s rooms were in a basement with only one means of escape up a set of stairs by the kitchen. There were no working alarms, but we were able to install alarms in the basement and the two upper floors, thus greatly increasing the fire safety for that family. We met a Chinese man who spoke zero English and did not understand what we were offering to do. Tina, a member of my team, was able to use Google Translate to effectively communicate and soon we had installed three new alarms in his house and educated him on home fire safety.    

What can a volunteer for the Home Fire Campaign expect on the day of the event? They will be given training as needed before going into the neighborhood. Each team of three or four will include an installer, educator and documenter. This gives every personality type a job that fits their skill set. Each team will be assigned certain streets to cover, with Red Cross support members always nearby to provide guidance, supplies or water. As Red Cross volunteers, you may be partnering with a fire department and or other safety teams. The Home Fire Campaign is a great way to serve our communities. The residents we assist are so appreciative and the knowledge that our work will save lives makes for a very positive experience to all involved.

Learn more about the Home Fire Campaign. 

My Red Cross Story: Josh Carin

Written by: Emily Goff, volunteer

Meet Josh Carin, a Red Cross supporter who’s helping to make his neighborhood a more resilient place. Josh was first introduced to the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region through local networking events. A while back, he attended another nonprofit’s gala and purchased a home emergency kit for his family. Since that day, Josh has been constantly striving to maintain safety and preparedness for his family and his community.

Josh’s devotion to the Red Cross mission was reinforced after the September 11 attacks. As a business owner, he felt obligated to prepare his entire team for natural and man-made disasters. Josh created an emergency plan that addresses both preparedness as well as business continuity. His team carries the Department of Homeland Security’s, “SeeSomething, Say Something” protocol in both English and Spanish wherever they travel to in the DC, MD, and VA areas. Drivers are also instructed to first call the office in the event of an emergency, then, if possible, head back to the main headquarters. Each driver is given an emergency backpack purchased from the American Red Cross, and each of his office executives has an emergency backpack in his/her personal car.  

If Josh could give any advice regarding disaster preparation it would be for “businesses to do everything in their power to ensure the safety of their teams and teach them how to handle any possible disaster.” There is no such thing as too much safety! To learn more about how you can commit your workplace or organization to preparedness, join the Red Cross Ready Rating Program.

Our Red Cross Volunteer Story: The Crane Family

Written by: Emily Goff, volunteer

Taking a leap outside of one’s familiar world can be incredibly daunting—especially if the tasks involve much selflessness and responsibility. But the Crane family accepts this challenge with hands that never cease to lend support to the countless lives they touch. The Red Cross is the medium through which Chris, Denise and Alex Crane perform their various volunteer jobs, and their story of becoming involved with our organization is one of striking devotion. They continually bring justice to the fundamental mission of the Red Cross: to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

In my interview with this compassionate family, I learned that in 2010, Chris, after 12 years of being a volunteer firefighter for the OWL Volunteer Fire Department in Prince William County, decided to align himself with the Red Cross as a DRT member (essentially a “second responder” to problems). He described how it proved to be a powerful experience: “I always wondered after the fire department left what became of the people who lost their homes or were injured.  When I was looking for other volunteer opportunities, I recognized the Red Cross as the next likely source of assistance and comfort for those folks.” The Red Cross focuses many of its efforts on the aftermath of disasters, and the volunteers who choose such a realm of work are incredibly brave individuals.

Chris recalled that the moments that have particularly stuck with him are ones in which people faced the unthinkable: “Most homeowners seem to be unexpectedly calm after a fire—I suspect that means the catastrophe just hasn't sunk in yet. It's also interesting how easily a stuffed animal can, at least temporarily, cheer up a small child.” Clearly, Chris has witnessed a large amount of sorrow, but his involvement with the Red Cross has allowed him to be the much-needed comfort in these people’s lives.

Interested in a more behind-the-scenes role, Chris shifted to a position in the logistics support function in 2013—his son Alex had already joined this team in 2011—enjoying it so much as to encourage his wife Denise to work alongside him in 2015. In this “invisible” but essential tail of the Red Cross, the entire family contributes time, effort, and most of all passion to various duties. Namely, Chris is a certified Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) driver and shelter associate; both he and Alex are certified trailer pullers, forklift operators, and Base-X Tent masters; and Chris, Alex and Denise work together in National Capital Region warehouses inspecting shelter trucks and trailers. Such responsibilities can obviously be arduous when trying to balance other duties, but the Cranes, a self-proclaimed Red Cross “family,” make it a point to volunteer despite the busyness in their lives already.

Those who are directly involved in the Red Cross’ various services get a peek of their clockwork. Chris was “struck by the many truly dedicated, hard-working people, both employees and volunteers, who worked together to assist those in need.  [He] also recognized the unique challenges faced by an organization that consists of a backbone of full-time employees but relies on legions of volunteers nationwide to accomplish its mission.” Also, working with the Red Cross provided the Cranes with the opportunity to interact with dedicated managers such as Gary Gilham and Chuck Mudd.

For those of you who are contemplating becoming a volunteer for the Red Cross, the Cranes have a few words of advice: “The Red Cross is a welcoming family and there's plenty to do, you just have find your place in the organization.  But don't just sign up to volunteer and then sit at home waiting for someone to call you.  You've got to get out and learn with other volunteers in the organization.  It also helps— within the constraints of your regular job—to be reliable, but everyone understands that employment and personal life can get in the way of volunteering.” Our organization encompasses most anything you may be interested in participating in. If there is one thing you should know, according to Chris, “there's a place for almost anyone who wants to help.”

The Cranes’s adventures as Red Cross volunteers speak volumes about who they truly are as people: kind, motivated, and courageous. (Incidentally, their interests as a family include kayaking, motorcycling, astronomy, and supporting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.) Larger-scale disasters such as Hurricane Sandy, which Chris and Alex actually once drove a loaded ERV through, and smaller-scale dilemmas are made survivable by their—and all other volunteers’—efforts. Ultimately, the Red Cross is extremely fortunate to be propelled forward by such steadfast, warmhearted people as the Cranes.

Do you want to get involved in the Red Cross too? 

Visit redcross.org/volunteer!

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Bette Cooke

Bette Cook

Service to the Armed Forces Volunteer

"Volunteers are not paid because they are worthless, but because they are priceless."

I became a Red Cross volunteer when I retired from working for the Federal Government in 2012. I visited Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, walked into the Red Cross office and decided to volunteer!

My husband is a U.S. Army veteran and served in three wars. This inspired me to want to help wounded warriors. It was heart wrenching to see these young wounded men and women. I wanted to show these young people who were doing such brave things for our country that we admired their services. And I decided the way to do that was by volunteering with the Red Cross.

My first experience with the Red Cross was when I was a teenager. My sister was married to a service member in Japan and she was killed there in an accident. We were at home in Kentucky, and the Red Cross came knocking on our door. They were so comforting and it was so personal. They were there for us in many respects and I was so impressed with their support.

Currently, I serve as the Station chair at Fort Belvoir and Quantico Marine Corp Base. I assist the Station Manager and work with over 200 volunteers regularly. Our physical therapy clinic at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital provides in-patient and outpatient services to our armed forces. This includes wounded warriors, reserve, active duty, retirees and their families.

I support our outreach efforts by attending fairs and programs, where I reach out to military service members, families and the community and let them know about the services available from the Red Cross.

Being a Red Cross volunteer has been so rewarding and feels so good, every single day. I love when I am at the hospital or at an event and a military family comes up to me and thanks me for my service. It feels undeserved, I get embarrassed. I say you are welcome, but Thank YOU for your service.  

Want to share your story? Add it in the comments below!
Want to volunteer? Visit http://www.redcross.org/local/dc/washington/volunteer.

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Jeanne Howlett

Jeanne Howlett

Service to the Armed Forces Volunteer

I volunteer for the Service to the Armed Forces of the American Red Cross because I feel like that area has the biggest impact. It is also where the Red Cross started. Clara Barton was in the field – so powerful and strong, a pusher to help people – and I’m following in her footsteps.

My first volunteer experience was when I was 14. I grew up in a family where we were expected to volunteer. I started as a Candy Striper in Des Moines, Iowa and instantly fell in love with that type of work.

No matter your skill set, there is something for you as a Red Cross volunteer. When my husband joined the Armed Forces and was stationed at Fort Belvoir, I began volunteering there. Doing volunteer work helped me grow. I took classes, got motivated and in turn bettered myself while becoming a better volunteer.

I have done a number of different things as a volunteer, but one of the most impactful is working at Yellow Ribbon Events, where we help members of the Armed Forces and their families connect with local resources before, during and after deployments.

No matter your age, you can gain so much as a Red Cross volunteer. It is important to get back what you give. And if you have time, you should see it as a moral obligation. Volunteering not only benefits you and makes you feel good, but it benefits others.

So why should you volunteer with the Red Cross? Why not?

Want to share your story? Add it in the comments below!
Want to volunteer? Visit http://www.redcross.org/local/dc/washington/volunteer.

My Red Cross Blood Donor Story: Sarah Morgan

Sarah Morgan

Director of Presidential Engagement | Planning & Insight | American Red Cross National Headquarters

Blood and Platelet Donor

I had only given blood a couple of times before I began working for the Red Cross. It was when I started that I become more aware of how easy it is to give blood and how good it feels to do it.

During the holidays, I decided I wanted to make an even greater difference, so I gave platelets for the first time. The process took a couple of hours and the team working in the donor center was so great – they made me feel comfortable and took care of me throughout the entire process. They are knowledgeable, warm and really make you feel like you are saving the world by giving blood and platelets.

The people you interact with when you are donating are what it is all about. You are in an awkward situation, but the phlebotomists make you feel at ease. They have a great attitude and positive energy, and they make it fun. We even took a selfie together – was such a great way to end the year.

I try and spread the word about my experiences donating blood and platelets by posting about it. It is a relaxing, and easy way to save lives and I hope to encourage others to join me.

Want to give blood? Visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/gcp to find out more.

Want to share your story? Add it in the comments below!

Day of Local Giving in Loudoun

What if your home burned down?  

What would you do immediately afterwards?  Where would you go?  When a home fire hits, lives are saved with smoke alarms.  It’s a blessing when no lives are lost in a home fire.  But, what happens next if you’ve lost your home and everything in it?  The American Red Cross in the National Capital Region responds to home fires nearly every single day.  We are there to comfort and help families with the recovery effort, provide them with basic supplies, give money and shelter to accommodate their immediate needs.  We work with those families until they have recovered from the trauma of losing their home and are able to comfortably rebuild.

Throughout the National Capital Region, we provided the following programs and services last year:

• Responded to 523 local disasters including home fires

• Mobilized 2,219 volunteers

• Provided 4,498 services in our community

• Trained 57,963 people in CPR, First Aid, AED and life-saving water safety skills

• In Loudoun County alone, there were 3,150 units of blood collected – enough to potentially save over 9,000 lives!

Here is a 30-second story shared by someone who have been helped by the American Red Cross.
 
You can help ensure these vital community services are available in Loudoun County – yes, home fires devastate a family nearly 2 times a month in Loudoun.  Give.Choose is 1-day crowd-funding campaign that supports local Loudoun charities – your local American Red Cross is one of those.  We ask that you give TODAY to support us and the families we serve by visiting our giving page.

Written by: Erwin Stierle, Executive Director Loudoun and Prince William Counties