The power of the American Red Cross relies on your generous donations and the tireless efforts of our volunteers, employees, board members and community partners — dedicated people who will continue to make a difference for thousands of lives in 2024 and beyond. As we close out 2023, we wish you a safe and healthy holiday season, and invite you to review some of our region's proudest and most memorable moments.
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Barbara says what keeps her motivated to volunteer is the glimmer of hope that people get in their eyes when they receive help.
“The hardest part for me was all those hours of not knowing if I had a house. Not knowing if I had a son,” said Bryan Neal, who today serves on the board of directors of the Central and Southwest Oklahoma Chapter of the Red Cross.
Red Cross responders swung into action to assist Mustang, Tuttle, Norman, Shawnee and McLoud, Oklahoma, the night of Feb. 26. A line of severe storms storms generated an EF2 tornado; several smaller, pop-up tornadoes; and high winds.
Reynolds Army Health Clinic Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces volunteer Cathy Herritt received the Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Award in recognition for over 5,000 hours of volunteer service, many of them in the Fort Sill clinic refill pharmacy.
Volunteer Cristal Mitchell comforts Carolyn Wiseman outside her damaged home while delivering cleanup supplies to neighborhoods in Shawnee. The city was one of several communities that tornadoes ripped through in mid-April, damaging hundreds of homes.
Stillwater resident Donna Riggs Curtis (right) shares her reason for donating blood with the congregation of First Christian Church. Debbie Jacobs with the Red Cross presented Curtis with a pin commemorating the 27 gallons of blood she’s donated.
The Tulsa Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, volunteers and partners installed 512 free smoke alarms March 3–4 for at-risk families as part of the Home Fire Campaign, which focuses on saving lives from the most frequent disaster.
Eufaula Police Assistant Chief David Bryning rushed to a medical emergency he overheard on the radio, knowing he could be first on the scene. He gave CPR to a 3-month-old baby, who began breathing again after several rounds of CPR.
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After wildfires displaced thousands of residents and visitors in Maui, Red Cross employee Colleen Mansur traveled from Oklahoma to Hawaii for her first disaster deployment.
“I’m a Red Crosser. That’s what we do. We show up when people need help.”
Skydance Bridge looks great in red! Oklahoma City was among several cities that gave landmarks a splash of our signature color in recognition of Red Cross Month in March. They were beautiful reminders of our mission.
Clarence Richardson and his neighbors at a Tulsa senior living facility got most of their meals and water from Red Cross volunteers during a nearly weeklong power outage. Volunteers delivered a hot lunch and dinner. “It’s a big deal” to receive these meals, said Clarence.
Across the region, chapters hosted one-day "boot camps" to give new disaster volunteers all their training in person. The goal is getting more responders before home fire calls increase. Longtime disaster volunteer Janis Parker lead a class in Tulsa.
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As you consider local charities to donate to this holiday, we hope you'll choose the American Red Cross for your year end giving.
