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left to right is, Ron "Obie" Obringer, Alan Siefring, Shaun Everman, Cayla Hellwarth, Marilyn Frahm & Rita Dennis
AMERICAN RED CROSS, MERCER COUNTY CHAPTER Recognition Dinner
On Thursday, March 11th the American Red Cross, Mercer County Chapter held their Annual Recognition Dinner and Annual Meeting at the Celina Eagles. All volunteers, donors and partners were recognized and thanked for their outstanding dedication, commitment and hard work that they have given the American Red Cross of Mercer County.
The dinner also gave the Mercer County Chapter of the American Red Cross the opportunity to present the following awards with the assistance of Erica Gelhaus, Miss Ohio, Cayla Hellwarth, Miss Lake Festival & Ellen Bryan, Miss Miami Valley:
The Biomedical Achievement Award which was presented to Marilyn Frahm an American Red Cross Blood Services volunteer who has fostered innovative practices to achieve strategic priorities. Marilyn has provided an incredible amount of time and effort to ensure the blood services in Mercer County maintains a viable asset to the many patients in need of blood in our local hospitals. Marilyn is also a board member at the Ohio-Indiana Regional Blood Services Center~
Outstanding Youth Award is presented to any volunteer who has shown commitment to the mission of the American Red Cross at the chapter level. Cayla Hellwarth, the current Miss Lake Festival, has selected the American Red Cross as her platform. She not only represents the Red Cross very well, but the entire Mercer County. Cayla has recently held a fundraiser for the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and raised over $500 for them. Cayla will be competing for Miss Ohio in June. Best of Luck Cayla!
Disaster Preparedness & Response Award is an award that honors a disaster volunteer who has made a measurable impact on the America Red Cross, the community and the clients we serve. This year’s award went to Ron “Obie” Obringer who volunteers on local and national levels and has been instrumental in securing local donations and equipment for our disaster services program.
Health & Safety Services Award This award was presented to Rita Dennis whose outstanding contributions have led to the expansion and improvement of the American Red Cross Health & Safety Services at the local chapter. Rita is very generous of her time and has helped our chapter several times when we were in need of quick assistance. She has also updated our Sport Safety Training and will be implementing the first American Red Cross Family Caregiving Program for those in our area that provide care to an elderly or chronically ill family member at the Miller House. This free seven part series will begin in April and each session will last approximately 1 hour.
Extra Mile Award This award recognizes Coldwell Banker Lake Shore Realty and Deb Borns who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help our chapter. Due to their generosity our chapter has an awesome office that offers a safe and easily accessible place to provide our many services, offer Health & Safety Classes, meetings and has a lot of storage for disaster supplies.
Special Citation for Exceptional Volunteer Service this award honors a volunteer whose performance over a period of several years has substantially exceeded the volunteer’s original commitment to the American Red Cross. This year Alan Siefring and Shaun Everman were both selected for the Special Citation for Exceptional Volunteer Service They have demonstrated exceptional performance and extensive personal commitment to several projects that has contributed to the improvement & expansion of American Red Cross services to our community. Alan and Shaun also serve on the kart committee, are the flagmen for the races and are the chairpersons for the bowling event held to raise money for equipment for our largest fundraiser the kart races. Additionally, they also maintain the trailer and the equipment following each event. Thanks to both of these gentlemen for their time, reliability, dedication and hard-work!
Congratulations were also extended to the recipients of the awards given out at the Indiana Ohio blood region Recognition Luncheon.
Outstanding Blood Donor~Walt Fleck~162 units and 6 times in the last year
Outstanding Volunteer Service Award~ Jerry & Rita Siefring
Creative Genius Award~ Pete Lisi with CHS creative ways to promote blood drive
The Faithful Friend Award~ The Mercer County Chapter loyal support to blood services
The Lifesaver Award~ The Mercer County Chapter especially accommodating in times of need
“Thank you to all of our volunteers, donors, supporters & partners. To the volunteers who are willing to leave their homes whenever the call comes to make sure a local family who has lost their home to a fire has a place to sleep tonight, and clothes to wear and food to eat tomorrow, I appreciate each one of you. Thanks to those who have learned how to save lives through first aid and CPR and the people who have taught them those skills, our community is a safer place because of them. I am also honored to extend my appreciation to the volunteers that assist with serving our dedicated military personnel and their loved ones. Thank you to everyone who rolls up their sleeve to give blood, or takes out a pen to write a check to support the work of the American Red Cross. Our success and growth is made possible by the generosity of the people in this community -- people who donate their blood, money and time. Each of you are the “heart” of the American Red Cross!” stated Deb Hemmelgarn, Executive Director of the Mercer County Chapter.
As part of the Annual Meeting of the Mercer County Chapter of the Red Cross, Dawn Hellwarth, Jamie Lewis, Maria Suhr, & Tammy Barger were all selected to serve a three year term on the Board of Directors and the following board members were nominated to serve a second three-year term on the Board of Directors: Chuck Sanning, Butch Duerr, Jerry Siefring, Rita Siefring
The Mercer County Chapter has also decided to establish an Associate Board which will allow Mercer County youth from each school in the county to become more involved with the local chapter of the Red Cross. The chapter would like to welcome the first member, Ashley Kunkler of St. Henry High School. Anyone interested in information about the Associate Board of Directors is welcome to contact the Red Cross office at 419-586-2201. The 2010 slate of officers are: Chair – Jerry Siefring, Vice Chair – Greg Homan, Secretary – Linda Schoenherr
Following the Annual Meeting, Erica Gelhaus spoke of her many adventures and achievements as the reigning Miss Ohio. Erica’s success in donating blood to the American Red Cross for her first time and initiating the very first blood drive at the State House, ranked high on her list of personal achievements! Following an entertaining song that was sung by Erica, she was thanked for her continued support of the Red Cross.
Thank you to the events’ sponsors~ Visions Awards, Werling & Sons, Cooper Farms, Beckman & Gast, Gel’s IGA, Celina Eagles & Louie, and Floral Reflections. Your generosity is truly appreciated. Our gratitude is also extended to Erica Gelhaus, Ellen Bryan and Cayla Hellwarth for their continued support of the American Red Cross.
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