Letter from the Northeast Tennessee Executive Director, Glenda Bobalik - September 2015

 “We lost our home.  I never realized the Red Cross did so much.  Now, I want to be a part,” remarked Jeff, as he sat in my office two months after volunteers responded to assist his family following a fire.  Those volunteers, our partners working with us, and the donors providing resources, all came together to deliver the mission to Jeff’s family.  What a powerful team!

A few days ago, another aspect of our team’s impact was demonstrated when we participated in an event honoring and remembering military POWs and MIAs.  As we brought out some of our historical information to create a display, we were reminded again of the proud history of service our organization has.  One letter from a POW in Germany on August 27, 1943 was very powerful.  Sergeant Maynard Unger stated, “I am a prisoner of war and well and O.K.  I have enough to eat due to the Red Cross…”

Every day, businesses, schools and organizations are safer due to the education provided by Red Cross instructors and facilitators.  Whether teaching CPR at a business or facilitating the preparedness presentations at schools, the team is delivering our mission to the community.  A child attending a Pillowcase Project presentation spoke up about the lack of smoke alarms in his home.  Red Cross volunteers working with school officials contacted the family and installed the smoke alarms.  Once again, the team was there when needed.

Whether you are a volunteer, a donor, or a partner working with us, you have joined a team in service to our communities.  All that we do is tied together in one mission statement:

“The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.”

Thank you for your interest in the mission, people, and programs of the American Red Cross.  Thank you for being part of our team.

Glenda