Regional Executive Corner with Joel R. Sullivan - April 2018

Hello, Nashville Area Volunteers!

Many of you have taken part in the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, installing smoke alarms in homes around Nashville and educating people on the importance of having an escape plan in case of a home fire. On April 21st, we are taking our efforts to the next level as we Sound the Alarm and install 1,000 smoke alarms in East Nashville homes – in just one day!

We need YOU to help Sound the Alarm and Save Lives on April 21st.  The event will take place from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM beginning at the Nashville Area Chapter at 2201 Charlotte Avenue.  Please register to volunteer by visiting www.redcross.org/stanashville. You are encouraged to also register friends, family and coworkers to volunteer for this exciting event.

Across the country, the Campaign is making a difference. As of March 1st, the Red Cross and our partners across the country have saved at least 381 lives, reached 1,042,964 youth through youth preparedness programs, and installed over 1.1 million free smoke alarms since the Campaign began in 2014. Here in Tennessee, the Red Cross has installed over 25,000 free smoke alarms in homes and saved 11 documented lives since July 1st, 2014.

I look forward to seeing you on April 21st as we Sound the Alarm in Nashville.  If you are unable to volunteer for this event, please consider making a financial contribution by visiting www.crowdrise.com/STANashville.

I look forward to joining you in saving lives on April 21^st!

Nashville Area Volunteer Spotlight: Diane Dubinski - April 2018

Our volunteer spotlight this month features Diane Dubinski, Mass Care Coordinator for the Nashville Area Chapter.  Diane is responsible for coordinating all the shelters in our nine-county area. With our annual tornado season now upon us, Diane’s job takes on added importance.

Diane has been in her present volunteer position since January of this year, but she’s been a Red Cross volunteer off and on since 2002, taking her first disaster class right after 9/11.  She also works internationally with another NGO, Project Helping Hands, teaching disaster management skills in other countries.  She is a Registered Nurse with a BSN and a Master’s Degree in Emergency Management and hopes eventually to work in emergency management professionally.

Diane said she likes working with the great people in our area and seeing how volunteering brings out the best in everybody. “I couldn’t do what I do if I didn’t have a great set of volunteers, and I like mentoring people. It seems everyone has something unique to bring to the table and their talents can always be utilized.”

Diane said she spends 20-30 hours a week on her Red Cross work. “I want to make sure that we can handle whatever comes our way in Nashville and all the surrounding counties.”

A Wisconsin native, Diane has been living in Nashville off and on for the last seven years. She’s married and has four grown children and one grandchild.

Letter from Northeast Tennessee Executive Director, Glenda Bobalik - April 2018

Greetings!

It is a beautiful April morning and thoughts are turning to outdoor activities like picnics, gardens, and all that water to play in as we enter warmer months.

Since our beautiful area includes lakes, rivers, and streams, we need to pay attention to safe actions when engaging in water activities.   Follow these guidelines for fun in the water:

·         Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.

·         Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone. Even at a public pool or a lifeguarded beach, use the buddy system!

·         Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and Learn-to-Swim courses.

·         Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.

·         Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.

·         Establish rules for your family and enforce them without fail. For example, set limits based on each person’s ability, do not let anyone play around drains and suction fittings, and do not allow swimmers to hyperventilate before swimming under water or have breath-holding contests.

·         Even if you do not plan on swimming, be cautious around natural bodies of water including ocean shoreline, rivers and lakes. Cold temperatures, currents and underwater hazards can make a fall into these bodies of water dangerous.

·         If you go boating, wear a life jacket! Most boating fatalities occur from drowning.

·         Avoid alcohol use. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination; affects swimming and diving skills; and reduces the body’s ability to stay warm.

Mountains and hills invite us to hike and enjoy the abundance of National Forests that make Northeast Tennessee so beautiful.  Do you have the Red Cross Emergency App downloaded on your phone?  If not, go to your app store and get the free app that gives you information you need to have a safe adventure.

·         The Emergency App: 

This all-inclusive app lets you monitor more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts, to help keep you and your loved ones safe.

·         The First Aid App:

Get instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies.

Cooking on the grill?  Be safe and follow these tips from the U.S. Fire Administration to make your evening memorable in a positive way.

• ·         Only use grills outdoors, away from siding and deck railing.
• ·         Clean grills often and remove grease or fat build-up.
• ·         Make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting.
• ·         Have a 3-foot safe-zone around grills and campfires.  Keep kids and pets away from the area.
• ·         Dispose of coals after they have cooled in a metal can.
• ·         Never leave grills, fire pits, and patio torches unattended.

Now let’s head outside and enjoy this beautiful part of the world.  Enjoy the hike, the swim, and the food - but always keeping safety in mind.  And don’t keep your tips a secret.  Share them with family, friends, and co-workers.  Make today the day we prevent an emergency!

Glenda

Northeast Tennessee Volunteer Spotlight, Deb Reynolds - April 2018

Deb Reynolds first began training as a Red Cross volunteer during her years as an Eastman employee, and completed her training as a disaster volunteer about 2 years ago when she retired.  Deb travels out west often to visit family, but when she’s in town, she works at least 4 hours a week in the Red Cross office.

In her volunteer role with the Red Cross, Deb serves as a receptionist and does back office jobs enabling staff members to complete other tasks.  She often does computer entry, makes phone calls or completes other tasks needed that day.  The staff count on Deb and say her presence allows them to complete more in their work day.

Deb has also completed training to serve in several disaster roles.  She can do damage assessment, drive the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV), and provide casework for individuals affected by disaster. She recently served as one of two Red Cross volunteers on assignment providing support to first responders responding to a fire call at a local business.  While on deployment responding to large-scale disasters, she has driven the ERV and conducted Damage Assessment. 

Deb says she has had enough training to discover what she does not want to do as well as what she enjoys.  Logistics is too much like her job in the past, so she chooses others.  One job she really enjoys and that is critical to the 24 hour a day disaster response is serving as the dispatch worker when the office is closed.  She answers the phone and is able to dispatch volunteers to the disaster.  When she began this work she worked one week a month.  Since more volunteers have accepted this role, she now works one week out of 6 weeks. 

When asked what she would tell someone who was considering volunteering with the Red Cross, Deb had two comments.  First, she enjoys helping people when they have an immediate verified need for help…we provide them with basic needs and get the folks started on the road to recovery.  We know the need is there.   Secondly, Deb would encourage people to volunteer with the Red Cross because of the variety of positions.  There are so many positions that almost anyone can find something that fits their skills and interests. 

Join Deb and many other Red Cross volunteers across the counties in Northeast TN.  For more information contact Angela Morris at 423-765-4218 or email at angela.morris@redcross.org

Northeast Tennessee Preparedness Tip of the Month - April 2018

Are You Ready? 

Preparedness Tip of the Month

According to a new survey by the American Red Cross, many people overestimate their ability to react to a home fire and miss critical steps to keep their loved ones safe.

In fact, 40 percent of people believe they are more likely to win the lottery or get struck by lightning than experience a home fire. Yet, home fires are the most common disaster people face in this country – the majority of the nearly 64,000 disasters the Red Cross.

The Red Cross survey found that many Americans have a false sense of security about their family’s ability to escape a home fire. More than three-fourths (80 percent) of people surveyed believe everyone in their household knows what to do when a smoke alarm goes off. But less than half of those surveyed have a home fire escape plan in place. And only half of the families that do have a plan have actually practiced it.

Home fire experts say that people have as little as two minutes to escape a burning home. However, the survey showed nearly 60 percent of people mistakenly believe they have much more time than is realistic.

Gather your family.  Make a plan to escape in case of fire.  Practice your plan.  Don’t Wait.  Do It Now!

Red Cross Honors Volunteers during National Volunteer Week

April 15 - 21 is National Volunteer Week – a time for the American Red Cross to celebrate the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who help the organization assist people in need.

Approximately 300,000 volunteers serve the organization, volunteering at veterans’ hospitals, teaching people lifesaving skills such as First Aid and CPR, helping staff blood drives, responding to home fires in the middle of the night and so much more.

Volunteers enable the Red Cross to respond to an average of nearly 64,000 disasters every year. They help train more than 5.9 million people in Red Cross lifesaving skills; help provide more than 369,000 services to military members, veterans and their families; and to reconnect more than 5,000 families separated by war or disaster around the world. In addition, as many as 2.8 million volunteer donors give blood every year.

A discount code to the Red Cross store will be available during the month of April. Volunteers can use the code VOLUNTEER18 for a 10% discount from April 1 – April 30.

The Red Cross invites the public to be a part of the lifesaving work it does and to sign up to volunteer. People can go to redcross.org/tennessee to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application.

Southeast Tennessee Volunteer of the Month, Carolyn Homerding - April 2018

Carolyn Homerding, Southeast Tennessee’s Health Service Coordinator, returned from her first Houston, Texas deployment last summer with an unexpected prize. “It was the most humbling, rewarding experience of my life,” Homerding says. “I’ve never been so hot, but never felt so rewarded.”

A retired Licensed Professional Nurse from Chattanooga, Homerding is the chapter’s Volunteer of the Month.

After joining the Red Cross in early 2017, Homerding assisted with Health Services and joined a Disaster Assistance Team. She helped set up and run a shelter for Florida victims in East Brainerd, then deployed to Houston, Texas to provide disaster relief to victims of Hurricane Harvey.

“It’s hard work when you’re deployed,” Homerding recalls. “But there’s no dollar amount that could be put on what you do. It’s about helping people, about being caring and compassionate.”

For 14 days, 12 hours a day, Homerding delivered food, water and supplies to afflicted people in the community. On one 100-degree day, she recalls, they discovered an elderly woman living in a tent because her house had been flooded. “And we had stuff she could use, and water to drink,” Homerding says. “You can’t imagine how that touches your heart.”

Though her nursing skills were in demand, her duties covered a wide range. One day, for example, she helped drive an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) from Beaumont to Houston. “Just be ready for anything,” Homerding advises. “That’s the attitude you have to have.”

Earlier this year, Homerding took on the Health Service Coordinator’s role. “I was scared, but I felt honored; so I tried it, and now I love it!” Homerding helps fire victims replace such lost items as medications, glasses, wheelchairs, walkers and medical devices. Health services, she adds, needs many more volunteers. “We need nurses desperately,” she said.

She encourages volunteers of all interests, backgrounds and abilities to join in. Nothing, she says, feels more rewarding to her, than helping disaster victims in times of despair. “It’s going to be hot, and you’re going to be tired and you’re going to say ‘why do I want to do this,’ said Homerding. “But when desperate people say ‘Thank You,’ it just blesses you.”

Tennessee River Volunteer Spotlight, Deborah Dawson - April 2018

This month we are spotlighting Deborah Dawson, Sheltering Coordinator for the Tennessee River Chapter of the American Red Cross. As coordinator, Deborah trains volunteers to become shelter workers and shelter managers in times of disasters.  She also works closely with her chapter’s Facilities Coordinator who reaches out to various churches to become possible shelter sites.

Deborah has been a Red Cross volunteer for about a year and a half. She’s retired from the State of Texas Department of Aged and Disabled, where she was a case worker for 14 years. Deborah has been in Tennessee for about four years now, having come here to be with her son who, is in school in Clarksville. She has another son in Texas as well as a grandson.

Deborah said she’s always wanted to be a volunteer for the Red Cross. “I wanted to work with people who had gone through disasters and had immediate needs,” she said. “I wanted to give back to those who had been through disasters. Having been in several tornadoes in Texas has made me aware of how close disaster situations can hit home.”

Deborah is an outstanding example of the kind of dedication needed to help with the Red Cross mission of helping others in time of need.

April is Pet First Aid Month

Pet First Aid Month is the perfect time for dog and cat owners to download the American Red Cross Pet First Aid App. The free app provides instant access to expert guidance on how to maintain their pet’s health, what to do in emergencies, and how to include pets in their emergency preparedness plans.

Many pets are considered part of the family. Owners can use our app to help keep their pets safe by learning what emergency supplies to have, when they should contact their veterinarian, and where to find a pet care facility or pet-friendly hotel.”

Users learn how to assemble a pet first aid kit and an emergency kit. Recommended items include leashes, food, water, toys, medical records and an animal carrier for evacuation purposes.

Owners also have access to step-by-step instructions, videos and images for more than 25 common first aid and emergency situations including how to treat wounds, control bleeding, and care for breathing and cardiac emergencies.

Other features in the app allow pet owners to:

• Create a pet profile including tag identification number, photos, list of medications and instructions.
• Use the list of early warning signs to learn when to call their veterinarian.
• Find emergency pet care facilities or alternate veterinarians with the ‘animal hospital locator.’
• Locate pet-friendly hotels in case they have to evacuate in an emergency or when they travel.
• Test their knowledge with interactive quizzes and earn badges that they can share on their social networks along with their favorite picture of their pet.

The Red Cross has made great strides in making emergency information available whenever and wherever people need it. The Pet First Aid App is sponsored by American Pet Nutrition and can be downloaded by texting ‘GETPET’ to 90999, by going to redcross.org/apps, or by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in app stores.

Letter from East Tennessee Executive Director, Sharon Hudson - April 2018

Celebrating You- Our Volunteers!

The American Red Cross of East Tennessee is celebrating all our volunteers and the work you do in the community during April, National Volunteer Month. 

Last year, you provided food, shelter, comfort, and hope to local families who faced home fires and other disaster situations. You trained volunteers and community leaders in lifesaving skills, and assisted military members and their families.

We are currently seeking people to volunteer their time and help save lives at the Sound the Alarm home fire safety and smoke alarm installation event on Saturday, April 28^th in Knoxville, Chilhowee Hills Baptist Church; 4615 Asheville Highway from 9 am to 2 pm.  I invite you to sign up to volunteer and be a part of our lifesaving work, visit redcross.org/STAknoxville.

Thanks for all you do!

Letter from Southeast Tennessee Executive Director, Julia Wright - April 2018

Spring is in the air, and with it comes that special feeling of exhilaration and urgency to get things done.

April 28^th is the date we will be making a lot of people in our area much safer as we Sound the Alarm and install 350 smoke alarms in homes that need them the most. 

Most residents do not have an emergency plan for the tragic events that could befall them.  In fact, 40 percent of people recently responding to a new survey conducted by the American Red Cross, believe they are more likely to win the lottery or get struck by lightning than experience a home fire.  Many of those surveyed overestimated their ability to react to a home fire and miss critical steps to keep their loved ones safe. 

Through the Sound the Alarm, Save a Life Campaign, The Southeast Tennessee chapter prepares people  by providing them with a home safety plan and installing free smoke alarms in homes.

This is one of the most outstanding community service programs ever and we are so thankful to have the assistance of the Red Bank Fire Department, along with our local partners at CHI Memorial and our national partners: Almost Family, Delta Air Lines, and International Paper.  The Red Cross has also received funding from FEMA through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.  We also want to thank our host Red Bank Baptist Church for being our rally location and welcoming our Red Cross, community and corporate volunteers who will be canvassing neighborhoods in the Red Bank area.

Our enthusiasm for this program compels us to seek as many new Red Cross volunteers as possible to help us achieve, and even exceed our goal. We have issued the call for all hands on deck!  Join the Red Cross today by volunteering to install smoke alarms at http://redcross.org/STAChattanooga , making a financial contribution at https://crowdrise.com/STAsoutheasttn , or by taking steps to protect your own family from home fires. 

SOUND THE ALARM, SAVE A LIFE is a very ambitious and effective national effort of the American Red Cross, creating a higher awareness of fire safety in the community. To date, the Red Cross has documented 381 lives saved across the country, with 11 of those lives saved right here in Tennessee. For more information visit www.soundthealarm.org

--Julia

Letter from Tennessee River Executive Director, Katy Hagstrom - April 2018

Thank you to everyone who was actively engaged throughout the month of March both in operations and training. It certainly was a busy month for weather related events and as always, Tennessee River volunteers showed up when called upon. In Humphrey’s County, we supported first responders in a ten-day search and recovery operation with over fifteen volunteers and many community partners.

It’s hard to believe we are already well on our way in the month of April, however we continue to prepare for anything that may come our way. Training opportunities this month include Shelter Fundamentals in Clarksville, Lawrenceburg, and Perry Counties as well as Disaster Action Team Basics in Dickson County.

We will be wrapping up this month with our inaugural Sound the Alarm. Save a Life. smoke alarm installation event on April 28, 2018 from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm in Clarksville. We encourage anyone who would like to partake in making Clarksville a safer place to register for the event at www.redcross.org/STAclarksville

Thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers and community partners who continue to serve the mission of the American Red Cross we couldn’t do it without you!

Letter from Heart of Tennessee Executive Director, Kathy Ferrell - April 2018

Heart of Tennessee Volunteers:

Thank you for your service!  It’s been a pleasure to serve with many of you over the past month. 

We are incredibly fortunate to have donated office space in DeKalb and Lincoln counties, with rented space in Putnam county.  The space in Lincoln county is phenomenal, but needed some attention to make it functional for volunteers and staff to utilize.  Thank you to the 8 volunteers that spent a day moving furniture and cleaning.  The Lincoln County office is now open for business!

Our focus this month is on Sound the Alarm.  I’m thrilled that we have 108 volunteers registered to serve, but we always have room for additional volunteers.  Below you will find the link to register online.  I invite you to join us!  Our community partners for this event include Olive Branch Church, Family Worship Center, Belle Aire Baptist Church, City of Murfreesboro Engineering Department, Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department, Dwayne Sadler (Little Caesars Pizza), City Channel 3, and Middle Tennessee State University.  I’m confident that we will surpass our goal of installing 350 alarms.  This is such a reflection of the community and cooperation that exists in Middle Tennessee; one organization cannot address an issue alone, it takes all of us!

Register to volunteer: redcross.org/STAmurfreesboro

Thanks to your service, the future is very bright for Heart of Tennessee.  I look forward to a phenomenal April!

With gratitude,

Kathy Ferrell

Executive Director, Heart of Tennessee Chapter

Mid-West Tennessee Volunteer of the Month, Mike Owen - April 2018

Our Volunteer of the Month for April is Mike Owen. Mike has been in Emergency Services Communications for many years- as well as a First Responder at many levels. He now serves as the Commander of the Tennessee Special Operations Team, where 45 volunteer members of different disciplines specialize in advanced and technical Search and Rescue methods throughout the state.

Mike is currently serving the chapter through DST, Logistics, DAT and anywhere else there may be a need. He joined the chapter in November of 2017 after having several discussions with Travis Smith- a fellow volunteer. Mike had known Travis outside of the Red Cross and began discussing several different things related to disasters and response. Travis hoped that Mike would bring his skills and experience from past deployments (non- Red Cross) to the chapter in order to help the chapter better serve the community. Mike shared that he was ignorant of the actual work the Red Cross does in local communities and is excited that he now gets the opportunity to serve in the trenches alongside volunteers like Travis.

Mike’s favorite part of serving in this chapter has been working with the Disaster Services team. He likes being able to help the community in times of need as well as educating the community through the fire safety campaigns and preparedness programs. His favorite memory with the Red Cross occurred during the Logistics weekend training held in Chattanooga, TN a couple months back. He fondly remembers how someone demonstrated the WRONG way to assemble and utilize a cot in a shelter environment! The result was NOT pretty and it still makes him chuckle to think about it.

Mike wanted to say a very genuine thank you to the staff leadership and volunteers of our Mid- West TN. Chapter that make him feel welcome and inspire him to do more. He said, “They help to push me out of my comfort zone to engage not only the staff but everyone else in a positive way.”
Those are the words of a dedicated volunteer that we are lucky to have in our chapter!

Letter from Mid-West Tennessee Executive Director, David Hicks - April 2018

Hello Mid-West TN team!! Welcome to April, which is recognized as American Red Cross Volunteer Appreciation Month! Speaking of which, I want to give a very special thanks to all the volunteers who helped Heather and I schedule Red Cross presentations in a few of our counties during the month of March. We enjoyed sharing the mission and services of the American Red Cross with civic clubs, churches, schools and government agencies- all in the name of celebrating March as the national American Red Cross month. Let’s continue to build on the momentum of these community efforts in the upcoming summer months!

As many of you are already aware, we’ve officially scheduled our Sound the Alarm, Save a Life national smoke alarm installation event on Saturday, April 21^st in McNairy Co. We’ll be doing installations in both Selmer and Adamsville in our effort to install 400 smoke alarms! We hope that many of you can carve out time that day to join us for a road trip to save lives. Simply go to the following link to officially register for the event: www.redcross.org/STAjackson We need ALL the help we can get!

Thanks again to all the chapter volunteers who participated in the Hardin County Home Fire Campaign on Saturday, March 24^th in the Burnt Church community outside Savannah. Heather and I appreciated all the volunteers who drove down from Jackson to serve alongside Hardin Co. fireman, led by Fire Chief Melvin Martin. The final tally of smoke alarms installed was 135! We were also blessed to participate in a special recognition time with Tim Franks. He honored the local fireman who gave “above and beyond” in their efforts to save Tim’s 4 family members who perished in their Hardin Co. house fire. The firemen were presented with special recognition American Red Cross medals and gave a very heartfelt thanks for the gesture.  

I want to continue to highlight one of our upcoming events that has proven to be a MAJOR showcase for our chapter (and the amazing work that all of you do on behalf of your respective counties)! We’ll be hosting our annual Heroes Luncheon fundraiser event on Thursday, May 29^th at the Carl Grant Center on the campus of Union University. Our special guest (and Humanitarian of the Year Honoree) will be country music star, Darryl Worley! He’ll be sharing a song as part of his recognition time. We’re also in the process of securing sponsorships and funding for the event. Last year was hugely successful and we are hoping for more of the same this year.

Take care and I hope each of you has an enjoyable April!

East Tennessee Volunteer Spotlight, Kathy Walter - April 2018

A dedicated and trusted volunteer since 2015, Kathy Walter spends one afternoon each week (sometimes more) keeping the East TN chapter on track. Kathy holds the incredibly important job of Client Assistant Card (CAC) inventory lead volunteer. Each week she aids the business operations department with documenting CAC inventory, updating the database and distributing cards to Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers as needed. We want to recognize her for her outstanding volunteer work, attention to detail and commitment to this essential job duty.

In addition to CAC, Kathy serves on the chapter front line as an administrative-reception desk volunteer and helps Service to Armed Forces. 

Kathy is both a retired geologist and former Sertoma Center employee, where she worked for many years helping those with developmental difficulties. Kathy has enjoyed seeing some of her former colleagues from Sertoma as they’ve helped with several organization and clean-up projects at the chapter. She’s been a resident of Oak Ridge, TN for more than 40 years and decided to volunteer with the Red Cross of East TN to do something meaningful with her time post retirement.

To learn more about Kathy we posed the following thought-provoking questions:

What is your favorite color?       Blue

What sound do you love?            Bird Song

What sound do you hate?           Leaf blowers

What natural gift or talent do you wish you had?    The ability to sing and play an instrument

If you could try a profession that isn’t a current or past job, what would it be? Historian

What profession would you least like to do? Auditing

Other than East TN, where would you like to live and why? Northern California for the climate, ocean and natural beauty

What are you reading—what’s on your bedside table?

Richest Man Who Ever Lived (Biography of Jacob Fugger), Leonardo Da Vinci, White Eagles over Serbia, Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts.

What do you love about volunteering at the Red Cross of East TN?

The useful work, the good people and great atmosphere.

Thank you, Kathy, for your time and dedication to the East TN Red Cross!

Heart of Tennessee Volunteer Spotlight, Jim Hopkins - April 2018

Jim Hopkins is seen around the Heart of Tennessee chapter office often, fulfilling many roles. He has been an American Red Cross volunteer since 2005, first volunteering to cut the grass at the old Red Cross office in Murfreesboro.   From there, Jim has taken on many positions.

Jim became a Disaster Action Team responder, eventually becoming a Disaster Action Team captain.  After 5 years of serving in on the DAT team, he decided to move on to PHSS, teaching CPR and First Aid. Eventually this service line was reorganized and he was out of that job.  He then became qualified to teach Disaster Assessment and sheltering.

Jim was born in Erie, PA.  At the age of 17, he took a motorcycle trip with some buddies.  When his motorcycle broke down in Texas, he enrolled in Sul Ross State Teachers College in Alpine, Texas.  After a year and a half, he left school, moved to Dallas and became a draftsman and later a cartographer for an oil company.

Later, his wife Debra was transferred for work. First, they moved to Chicago then eventually to Middle Tennessee to be near Debra’s father.  At that time, Jim worked for State Farm Insurance as a claims adjuster, retiring in 2005.

Jim says he is a jack of all trades and master of none for the Heart of Tennessee chapter office, but no job is too small. You can find Jim painting, doing facility maintenance, landscaping, or whatever needs to be done.   He feels an internal obligation to give back and he cannot think of a better organization than the American Red Cross.  As a volunteer, Jim believes that patience is a virtue and you will need an infinite amount of patience to be a volunteer.

Heart of Tennessee appreciates all that Jim Hopkins has done and continues to do for the American Red Cross.

Red Cross is Participating in The Big Payback

The Big Payback annual giving day is returning on Wednesday, May 2, and the American Red Cross is excited to take part in this monumental event. 

The Big Payback, hosted by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, is

a community-wide giving day that celebrates Middle Tennessee’s spirit of generosity and supports the life-changing work of area nonprofits.

Kicking off at midnight on Wednesday, May 2, the 24-hour online giving day helps organizations, like the Red Cross, raise much-needed funds and bring awareness to pressing needs in our community.

Gifts made to participating organizations during The Big Payback are amplified by incentives and awards and may help us qualify for special prizes and bonuses throughout the day.

Since its inception in 2014, Middle Tennessee’s annual day of giving has raised more than $9.3 million for nearly 1,000 area nonprofits, including schools and religious institutions. Participating organizations have received gifts from 18,806 NEW donors we may have not otherwise reached.

We hope you’ll support the Red Cross and our mission to raise funds toward the purchase of a new vehicle for the Red Cross fleet, which is aging and in need of replacements and upgrades. Our fleet is critical to mission service delivery – carrying volunteers to home fires, supplies to the scenes of disaster, lifesaving blood to local hospitals, and more. 

For more information, visit www.TheBigPayback.org/redcross. Thank YOU for your support!

Lifesaver Breakfast 2018 - Nashville Area Chapter

Thank you to our 2018 Lifesaver Breakfast Sponsors!