News from Your Red Cross

Emergency Services Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

On Thursday October 15th, 2009 the Emergency Services Department of the Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross held their Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. The following were recognized for their outstanding service!

ES Volunteer of the Year:                      Larry Turner

Rookie of the year:                                Dave Burns

Family of the Year:                                Carolyn and David Burns

DAT of the Year:                                   Nancy Frank

Congratulations to Fran O’Shaughnessy

The Dayton Area Chapter would like to congratulate our Chief Emergency Services Officer Fran O’Shaughnessy on being chosen to serve on the newly formed National Disaster Advisory Council.  The National Disaster Advisory Council will advise Disaster Services Director Joe Becker on policy, strategy, and operations.

The Dayton Area Chapter (DAC) of American Red Cross would like to congratulate Gale Heller for winning the Employee Excellence Award for this quarter.  Gale was nominated by Tom Fodor CEO of the chapter, for her continued progress and stewardship in bettering the facilities here at the DAC, her valiant efforts in working with Dick Metcalf to save Wayne Union thousands of dollars by conducting their audit review internally, as well as her role in the “noticeable improvement to headquarters.” "It has lifted my spirits to come to such a nice place,” said Tom.” We at the Dayton Area Chapter would like to wish Gale a job well done!”

Movers and Shakers

LaQuitta Carpenter, former volunteer for the Dayton Area Chapter of American Red Cross now joins the Organization as an “On Call Health and Safety Instructor”.  LaQuitta is a major asset to the team as she brings a great passion, enthusiasm, and love for the Red Cross Mission. LaQuitta is married and has three children and enjoys scrap booking, computers and teaching.  Let’s all welcome Laquitta to DAC.

Soteria Brown

The American Red Cross has hired Soteria Brown as their new Development and Communications Specialist.  Soteria is a recent graduate of Grambling State University and is currently working on her Master’s Degree at the University of Dayton.  Her position involves coordinating the public relationships function for the company as well as financial development duties. Although Soteria is a newcomer to the public relations field she is no stranger to the Red Cross.  Soteria has completed a year of service as a member of AmeriCorps working with and teaching the Red Cross youth courses. 

Nick Gill

Nick Gill a long time volunteer is now joining the staff of the Dayton Area Chapter of American Red Cross as the Aquatics/Instructor Program Supervisor.  Nick comes to us from the Kettering Recreational Center where he spent 4 years as the Aquatics Instructor Coordinator.  Nick also brings with him many years of helping others as a disaster volunteer and a heart for the Red Cross mission.  Nick enjoys helping people, camping, and swimming. We are so grateful to have Nick Gill joining the Red Cross team.

Julie P. Benedetto

Julie P. Benedetto joined the Chapter November 2006 as a H&S On Call Instructor.  Julie will now join the Emergency Services department as the Emergency Services Specialist.  She has a daughter and enjoys backpacking, hiking, kayaking, outdoor survival training and her favorite interest is painting and sculpting.

Herman Panstingel

Herman Panstingel will join the Health & Safety Department as an Instructor. Herman previously worked with the Dayton Area Chapter in 2002 and retired as the Labor Director in December 2008.  Herman is married to Carolyn, they have three children and he enjoys golf.

Todd Collins

Todd Collins, Network Administrator in the Information Technology Department, was chosen Employee of the Quarter. Todd’s technical ability and dedication to keeping the entire Dayton Area Chapter’s computer systems up and running were key factors in this award. Todd has been with the Dayton Area Chapter since October, 2006, and is also an active member of the Disaster Response Team. Congratulations Todd for a job well done!

Cynthia Bischof

Cynthia Bischof joined the Greene County Housing Program team as Administrative Assistant. Cindy is married and has three children. She enjoys urban iron, yoga, bike riding, reading, swimming, fly fishing, key board and cooking.