2022 Community Impact Award presented to The Terranova Family

Each year, the American Red Cross recognizes local heroes for their meaningful work in our region with the Community Impact Award. This year's award is presented to the Terranova family - Lucian, Phyllis, Lisa Allen, Laura, Emily Castagna, and Abigail Allen - a multigenerational family that has dedicated over 100 years collectively to service through the mission of the Red Cross. 

The Terranova family's Red Cross story begins with Anne Marie, mother of Lucian, who volunteered at the Red Cross Chapter in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in the 1960s as a 'canteen lady' driving local blood donors to and from their blood donation appointment. In 2000, as a tribute to his mother, Lucian joined the Red Cross Chapter in Milford, Connecticut, in a similar role providing transportation to doctor appointments for patients in need. 

Lucian is a member of Connecticut Chapter Board of Directors, a blood donor, and has deployed multiple times to help communities across the country affected by natural disaster. As part of his service to the Board, he is leading efforts to gain support for a new blood donation center in Milford, set to open this winter. Phyllis, Lucian's wife, joined him in service in 2019. She is a Tiffany Circle member, a blood donor, and volunteers at a blood drive at least twice a week.

Carrying on the family tradition, Lisa Allen and Laura Terranova, the daughters of Lucian and Phyllis, have been dedicated blood donors since they were both in high school - before knowing that Laura would later need multiple emergency blood transfusions to save her life. Laura is now an advocate for blood donation and organizes multiple blood drives each year at her place of work and in her community. Lisa and Laura are proud to make their donations together and have instilled the importance of giving back to the next generation of Red Cross blood donors and supporters, their respective daughters Abigail Allen and Emily Castagna.

In addition to their extraordinary voluntary service and their ongoing blood donations, the Terranova's contribute to the mission with generous financial contributions each year. The Red Cross is grateful for the tremendous support of the Terranova family and is proud to present them with this year's Community Impact Award.

Help us honor the Terranova Family by making a donation to Mission: Possible today.

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