Physician honored to be named Red Cross HERO

Whether Dr. Richard Michal is making a local house call, or tending to patients in poverty-stricken Haiti, he tries to make care as personal as possible.

Because of his commitment to serving others, Michal received the Red Cross Northeastern NC Chapter’s HERO Award on June 1, at the Centennial Breakfast.

This year’s breakfast was held at the Rose Hill Plantation in Nashville, North Carolina and honored volunteers who demonstrated the seven fundamental principles of the American Red Cross: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.

Michal, one of four award recipients, has spent his life giving back to his community through his clinic, the Family Medical Center of Rocky Mount, as well as to areas abroad that have experienced hardships. He discussed the importance of providing “tangible outreach” to those in need, rather than solely making financial contributions.

 

Michal, on receiving this award, said, “I feel very humbled receiving this award for something I just enjoy doing, helping people through the gospel.”

Amanda Bell, a colleague of Michal’s, said, “He really is the best person to work for, he makes you feel at home.”

 

To learn more about this year’s Centennial Breakfast, visit the Red Cross of Eastern NC blog.

By Haley Franks/American Red Cross

Red Cross service spans decades for local volunteer

 

Every Tuesday morning, Dayl Dougherty is the first person to greet visitors at the Red Cross Triangle Chapter office on Peartree Lane in Raleigh.

Dayl, a retired nurse, volunteers at the chapter’s front desk, answering phones, fielding questions, and comforting families who’ve experienced disasters. She said volunteering with the Red Crossis something that comes naturally.

Growing up, Dayl lived in Virginia and North Carolina, and both of her parents were highly involved in the community. Her dad, who was in the Army Reserve, was called to active duty the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Dayl’s mother, already a Red Cross volunteer, was recruited as a Red Cross “Donut Dolly” to serve in Europe. Donut Dollies deployed with troops overseas to help boost morale during wartime. “She wanted to be where the action was,” Dayl said.

Dayl’s mother traveled with the military, playing games with troops, delivering mail, serving hot meals, providing emotional support, and working on combat equipment. Dayl recalls her mother’s stories of repairing Jeeps on military bases after combat, and driving for dignitaries such as Lieut. Gen. James M. Gavin, a commander from the 82^nd Airborne who went on to become a topArmy official.

Dayl said her mother didn’t talk much about her time as a Donut Dolly. She only shared that she was in Auschwitz when the concentration camp was liberated in January of 1945.

Red Cross resurfaced in Dayl’s life when her grandfather became sick with cancer while her father was still deployed during WWII. Thankfully, Red Cross assisted in getting Dayl’s father home in time to tell her grandfather goodbye.

When asked about the importance of the Red Cross in the community, Dayl said, “During hard times, it’s the first place people think of when they are in need.”

For those interested in volunteering with the Red Cross like Dayl and her family, visit redcross.org/volunteer.

By Haley Franks/American Red Cross

 

Chapter honors local heroes, commemorates 100 years

A spread of warm biscuits, fresh fruit, fluffy eggs, and steamy coffee greeted the guests who entered The Rose Hill Plantation Conference Center early June 1 for the Red Cross Northeastern NC Chapter Centennial Breakfast.

The breakfast celebrated the chapter’s centennial and recognized local volunteers with “HERO Awards.” Recipients demonstrated the seven fundamental principles of the American Red Cross: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.

This year’s recipients include: Dr. Richard G. Michal, Jean Bailey, the Rocky Mount Fire Department’s Swiftwater Rescue Team & Hilo Aquatic Rescue Team, and the United Way Tar River Region.

Ann Mosley presents the Norma Turnage Award to Jean Bailey, Thursday, June. 1, 2017.  (Photo by Garry Hodges)

Michal received the Red Cross HERO Award, commemorating his service both in the local community and internationally.

“He gives back so much behind the scenes that people don’t see,” said Amanda Bell, Michal’s colleague.

The Norma Turnage Award, presented to Jean Bailey,  a female leader in the community dedicated to the growth and sustainability of the local Red Cross.

“[Bailey] has been the most loyal and dedicated leader for 50 years,” said Ann Mosley, Red Cross board member.

The Community Hero Award recipients included the Rocky Mount Fire Department’s Swiftwater Rescue Team & Hilo Aquatic Rescue Team, and the United Way Tar River Region for their long-standing services to the community and for their recent contributions to the Hurricane Matthew response.

The Centennial Breakfast took place at The Rose Hill Plantation and Conference Center, Thursday, June 1, 2017. (Photo by Garry Hodges)

“It’s humbling to receive this award, but it’s part of our job,”said Chad Pridgon, member of the Swiftwater Rescue Team.

Along with honoring the services of those in the community, the event also marked the 100 year anniversary of the Northeastern NC Chapter. The chapter has served the community through disaster services; blood collection; health and safety classes; and services to the armed forces. Barry Porter, CEO of the Eastern North Carolina region of the Red Cross, began the morning with a remembrance of the founding heroes Henri Dunant and Clara Barton.

Last year, the Northeastern NC Chapter collected 24,418 pints of blood, conducted 331 emergency services for those in the military community, trained about 3,500 people in preparedness courses, and responded to an estimated 270 disasters, including one of the worst disasters in North Carolina: Hurricane Matthew.

The event served as a formal thank you to both the past and present heroes, volunteers and staff alike, who have carried out the Red Cross mission for the past century.

Story by Andrea Gulley/American Red Cross

Red Crosser reflects on ultimate sacrifice

Jeannette Salcedo was only 10 years old when the chaplain showed up at her home to bring her family life-changing news — her father would not be coming home from Vietnam.

“I can still see my mother throwing herself against the wall and the children crying in the background,” said Jeannette, Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces manager at Fort Bragg.

She said she realizes the sacrifice her father made for her country, but she also notes the resiliency of her family during his service. “It’s hard growing up in a military family. You’ll never truly understand what it’s like until you are in this situation,” Jeannette said. “It’s hard when a parent dies. It’s just significantly different when they were serving your country.”

This Memorial Day, Jeanette encourages others to reflect on the continual sacrifices military members and their families make.

She encourages those who know an active service member, veteran or military family to simply acknowledge their service. “Sometimes just saying ‘thank you’ goes a long way.”

Jeannette continues to show her appreciation to service members and their families through her work with the Red Cross. Daily, the Red Cross works one-on-one with military members, veterans and their families to provide support in times of need.

For more information how the Red Cross serves the military community, visit redcross.org/military.

PHOTOS: Above – Jeannette Salcedo (back row, third from left) with her siblings and mother after a memorial service for her father. Bottom – Jeannette Salcedo’s father, Sgt. Glenn Nicholson.

Story by: Andrea Gulley/American Red Cross

 

 

Wilmington residents convene at Cape Fear Preparedness and Safety Expo

From virtual reality experiences to tornado simulations and rescue gear displays, residents of Wilmington received tips on disaster preparedness at the Cape Fear Preparedness & Safety Expo on May 11.

The event, hosted by the American Red Cross, featured local vendors that were passionate about community safety. Vendors focused on disaster preparedness tips regarding hurricanes, flooding, and home fires, which are all common disasters along the coast.

Guests also had an opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a Red Cross volunteer assisting the community during a disaster at the Red Cross Virtual Reality booth, created by OnecallVR. 

The video, filmed after Hurricane Matthew, virtually placed viewers in flooded roads and intersections,  alongside volunteers distributing food and water, cleaning up the remains of houses, stocking emergency response vehicles, and  taking care of residents in emergency shelters.

In a booth nearby, Red Cross volunteers  Anna Crutchfield and Leween McIntosh ran a fire safety and prevention table.

Crutchfield, a single mom working full-time, wanted to get involved and volunteer. She had a very limited schedule, but said Red Cross made volunteering flexible for her. She now helps the Red Cross promote home fire safety by installing free smoke alarms in area homes.

Leween McIntosh and her husband have been volunteering for the Red Cross for more than three years and say home fire preparedness is their passion. The pair spend their weekends educating people on how to prevent home fires and how to create home fire evacuation plans.

For more information on how to keep your family safe, visit www.redcross.org/disaster.

A special thank you to local sponsors, Live Oak Bank, New Hanover Regional Medical Center and WWAY for making the event possible. 

Story by: Haley Franks/American Red Cross

 

Red Cross participates in Circle K golf tournament at Pinehurst

Dozens of golfers gathered last Wednesday under the ancient pines of course No. 5 at Pinehurst Resort for Circle K’s first annual Eastern North Carolina golf tournament.

Circle K, an international chain of convenience stores, hosted the tournament to unite their area vendors and to introduce their charity partner of choice, the American Red Cross. Vendor participants at the tournament included Pepsi-Co, Coca-Cola, and Snyder’s-Lance, among others.

Ted Creed, from Circle K, said “I’ve been with Circle K for six years now and I really believe this [partnership with Red Cross] will be good for everyone involved. I think this sponsorship will have a major impact on the coasts of Carolina, an area that has needed help for a while.”

At the tournament, Creed teamed up to play with Ronnie Jones, from Snyder’s-Lance. Jones was excited to be a part of such a good collaboration and see the overwhelming amount of participation from vendors, such as Snyder’s-Lance.

What were we doing in April?

We were busy in April! Here’s a look at what your Red Cross of Eastern North Carolina was up to last month: