American Red Cross Southeast Tennessee Heroes Luncheon set for March 31

 

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., March 3, 2022 – The American Red Cross, Southeast Tennessee Chapter will host the Heroes Luncheon at The Chattanoogan Hotel on March 31. This event is one of the largest celebrations of the Red Cross in the Chattanooga area and serves as a time to recognize our local heroes who make a difference in the community every day.

 

The Keynote Speaker for this year’s event is Dr. Fran P. Mainella. Dr. Mainella is a visiting scholar at Clemson University Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. She is also President of Fran Mainella Consulting, LLC. Previously, Director Mainella served nearly six years as the 16th Director and the first woman to lead the National Park Service. Fran served twelve years as Director of Florida's State Parks, which received the Gold Medal Award, recognizing Florida as the best state park system in the country. She has also served as executive director of the Florida Recreation and Park Association and as president of both the National Recreation and Park Association and the National Association of State Park Directors.

 

The chapter will honor several citizens who have been true heroes in Southeast Tennessee. The honorees include:

·         Call to Action Hero: Debra Socia

·         Hospital/Medical Hero: Dr. Matthew Kodsi, MD, PhD

·         Good Samaritan Hero: Matt Lovitt

·         Volunteer Hero: Malcom Seheult

The chapter will also honor Chattanooga resident and previous Board Chairwoman for the Red Cross, Rickie Pierce with the Humanitarian Award. This achievement award is given to the person who gives back in the community in several philanthropic ways to make a positive change.

 

“We are honored to celebrate all of our Heroes and to highlight the work of Mrs. Pierce,” said Julia Wright, executive director for the Red Cross Southeast Tennessee. “She has been a Red Cross volunteer for almost a decade and during that time was always such a leader and mentor in our organization. Her love for giving back, not only to Red Cross, but numerous charities in the area is unsurpassed. She has been a force for growing future women leaders for many of us.”

 

Heroes Luncheon tickets are on sale now for $75 online at RedCross.org/RealHeroes. More details on the event are also online.

  

The Red Cross wishes to thank our Platinum Sponsor TVA for their continued support.  

 

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.  

 

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