Heroes of March

On December 28th, the ECB board of directors held a Thank You blood drive for our essential workers.
Response to Midland Floods - In May of 2020, thousands of people in Michigan have had to evacuate their homes due to Spring floods after extended periods of heavy rain and the failure of Dams on the Tittabawassee River. The American Red Cross immediately mobilized to provide assistance and utilized temporary emergency lodging in hotel/motel rooms for people who needed a safe place to stay during this era of Covid-19. Meals, snacks, personal care items, clean-up supplies, and emergency service items are provided in addition to disaster health and mental health care. Immediate financial assistance is available to people whose homes suffered major damage or were destroyed. Details of service delivery as of June 1, 2020.
Biomed collections - video of Simon can be found here - https://youtu.be/bDbd2y0oYM4

Governor Whitmer visited the Lansing Blood Donor Center in December to give the gift of blood during her #12DaysofGiving campaign over the holiday season. Helping to raise awareness about the vital impact our blood donors have on the health of our community.
A Disaster Action Team of the American Red Cross Mid-Michigan Chapter assisted residents displaced by a multi-family housing unit fire. The fire resulted in damage to 26 units which were vacated due to varying degrees of damage. In accordance with COVID-19 protocols, a non-congregate shelter was established by the Red Cross for displaced residents at the Jackson Holiday Inn. In addition to providing immediate shelter for affected residents, the Red Cross also provided meals and comfort kits, worked to identify feeding partners, coordinate feeding schedules and continues to seek in-kind donations for meal support. The Red Cross, as of Tuesday, January 27th, has provided more than 340 lunch and dinner meals to those affected. Ongoing services are being provided including medical and mental health services and one-on-one support to connect residents to recovery assistance.

Hunt for the Reds of October is an annual event spanning the entire month of October sponsored by the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. The wineries on the trail offer the sale of special collectible glass with the year and Hunt for the Reds of October logo which allows the buyer a taste of featured red at each participating winery. The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail donates $5 from every glass purchased to support Northern Michigan Red Cross.
Run for the Red - Log 3.1 miles walking, skiing, snowshoeing, or skipping between February 15 and March 15. Once completed share your accomplishment and snap a selfie using #Run4Red #NMIRedCross, and tag @ American Red Cross Michigan on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. All registered participants will be mailed a 2021 "Run for the Red" commemorative t-shirt. Register at www.redcross.org/RunforRedMI.
The Northern Chapter spans 28 counties. Volunteers respond to every home fire in this vast area. Additionally, residents of 2 counties in the Northern Chapter, Iosco and Ogemaw counties, were impacted by the devastating Midland flooding.

Launching "Closing the Sickle Cell Gap" Initiative - Program designed to triple our African American donor base by December 31, 2024 to aid in the treatment of Sickle Cell Patients
November 2020 saw another successful Blood Battle between the University of Michigan and Ohio State. U of M trounced Ohio State in blood collections with a total of 1405 units collected to OSU's 889. That's nearly 7000 lives saved!!
Successful launch of self-monitoring temperature kiosks at all donation centers and mobile blood drives helping to keep our donors and collection staff safe at all of our blood collection operations.
Responded to 316 fire events in the past 6 months.
Opened 457 cases, serving 1,384 clients in the past 6 months.
Opened three disaster relief operations in the city of Detroit related to apartment fires.

Honored Betty Lee Ongley on her 95th birthday for over 70 years of volunteer service with the American Red Cross. Betty Lee has served as a disaster responder, a blood ambassador and a board of director president. She was honored with a Covid safe parade of cars, a letter from Gail McGovern, National Red Cross CEO and several state and local proclamations. Thank you Betty Lee for your dedication and commitment to the American Red Cross.
Trained local volunteers heard the call and travelled across the state to help families affected by the Midland floods and across the nation to respond to the devastating fires in the west and hurricanes in the south all the while following strict Covid protocol. Southwest Michigan Disaster Action Team volunteers have responded to 142 local disasters and helped 211 people in need since July 1, 2020.

The West Michigan Chapter spans 12 counties and boasts over 500 volunteers. These volunteers respond to local and national disasters, help our service men and women, work at blood drives and much more.
Trained local volunteers heard the call and travelled across the state to help families affected by the Midland floods and across the nation to respond to the devastating fires in the west and hurricanes in the south all the while following strict covid protocol. West Michigan Disaster Action Team volunteers have responded to 126 local disasters and helped 174 people in need since July 1, 2020.
Over 4,700 West Michigan community members have taken CPR and First Aide classes.