Be A Hero

Rachel Hepner-Zawodny, the Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio discusses the importance of the Red Cross mission, and praises volunteers like Suzy Lowery, who describes the vital work she does for the Red Cross. Disaster Program manager Doug Fee talks about protecting volunteers and the residents who need help in the current COVID-19 environment when responding to disasters. And key members of Red Cross leadership, including President and CEO Gail McGovern praise the work of volunteers who are helping the Red Cross meet mission despite the pandemic.

Executive Director Rachel Telegdy and Disaster Program Manager Debbie Chitester have some interesting Red Cross stories and perspectives, and board member Mona Sarkar shares her heartfelt connection to the American Red Cross.

Disaster health and mental health workers have long played a pivotal role at the American Red Cross. As we prepare to observe National Nurses Week beginning Wednesday, May 6, Renee Palagyi, the Senior Disaster Program Manager for the Northeast Ohio Region and a registered nurse talks about some of her experiences, after responding to disasters like the Route 91 Harvest country music festival in Las Vegas, and last year's mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio. And Jackie Otte, a disaster mental health volunteer leader discusses how mental health workers are assisting people during the COVID-19 crisis.

Six Greater Cleveland Hero award winners tell the stories of their personal courage or accomplishment that led to their recognition; nine-year old Troy Cavadas, along with Columbia Township Fire Chief Ray Anthony, representing the late Brett Wilson; three employees from Jack Casino Cleveland; and Amanda Berry, the young woman who was kidnapped at age 16 and spent the next ten years of her life in captivity, but now helps police find missing persons.

Three Greater Cleveland Hero award winners tell the stories of their personal courage or accomplishment that led to their recognition; Sandy Patrick of KeyBank, Officer Josh Robertson of the Cleveland Heights Police Department, and Elise Kilmer, a 16-year old lifeguard from Geauga County.

Six more award winners will be interviewed on the next episode of Be A Hero.

Regional Disaster Officer Tim O'Toole describes the steps being taken to ensure the health and safety of Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) members when responding to emergencies during the COVID-19 crisis. And DAT member Sara Buddner explains why she is willing to continue responding to disasters despite the threat posed by the coronavirus.

Gregg Whiteman of GOJO Industries, Jacob Thompson of the U. S. Coast Guard, Akron municipal worker Brian Linder, Akron Fire Lieutenant Doug Price and Firefighter Marcus Council, and Akron schoolteacher Barb Fisher are all featured in this episode.

Six of the 12 winners of the 2020 Acts of Courage Awards from the American Red Cross of Summit, Portage and Medina Counties are featured in this episode. They include a maintenance worker whose mechanical skills helped a man start breathing again; two Medina police officers who helped rescue people and pets from a burning house; and three bystanders who intervened to help save the life of a mother and her young children.

Barbara Kovolenko a is living testament to the value of having working smoke alarms in your home. She survived a home fire on June 28, 2019, after being roused from her bed in the middle of the night. The smoke alarm that warned her of the imminent danger she faced was installed by the Olmsted Township Fire Department, in partnership with the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign. In this episode, Ms. Kovolenko and Olmsted Township Fire Chief Patrick Kelly recall the night of the fire, and the simple act that ultimately saved her life.

After celebrating her 50th anniversary with the American Red Cross in 2019, Sue Richter discusses her trailblazing career, from the time she spent in Vietnam to her ascent to Division Vice President. There's a story in how she reluctantly met her husband. And of the many Red Cross heroes she admires, she singles one out for making a big impact on her life