Richmond Red Cross announces 2008-2009 board leadership

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Theresa House
Public Relations Representative
American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter
Office: 804.780.2297 § Cell: 804.396.0186
Email: houset@usa.redcross.org
http://www.greaterrichmond.redcross.org/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 21, 2008

Richmond Red Cross announces 2008-2009 board leadership

RICHMOND, VA– The American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter is pleased to announce its 2008-09 board chairman and officers:
Peter J. Bernard is the chairman.
John F. Duval is the treasurer.
Susan Mize Cain is the secretary.

Bernard is senior vice president of Bon Secours Health System, Inc. and chief executive officer for Bon Secours Virginia. He brings more than 30 years of healthcare leadership experience to Bon Secours. Bernard is a member of the board of directors for a number of community-based entities including the Greater Richmond Chapter of the American Red Cross, St. Joseph’s Villa, and Venture Richmond. He served as the chair of the 2007 United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg campaign and is a member of the Management Roundtable and the chair-elect of The Forum Club. Bernard also participates in the Health Executive Network, the Leadership Institute, and is credentialed as a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Duval is the CEO of Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, the teaching hospital component of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. Before joining VCUHS in 2003, Duval was chief operating officer of University Medical Center at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center. He is currently a member of the American Hospital Association, where he serves on the Maternal and Child Health Governing Council, and is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He serves on the boards of Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, the Greater Richmond Chapter of the American Red Cross, American Heart Association of Richmond, University Health System Consortium and Valentine Richmond History Center.

Mize Cain is a community volunteer who joined the Red Cross in 2002. Since that time, she has responded to small- and large-scale disasters including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Isabel, Tropical Storm Gaston, and numerous fires. Mize Cain’s duties include consulting with service areas to improve disaster response, as well as acting as a national resource for managing “spontaneous volunteers,” those that volunteer for the first time immediately following a large-scale disaster. Before joining the Red Cross, Mize Cain worked in numerous project management and information technology positions for Signet Bank and Capital One.

Red Cross youth volunteers reaching thousands with door-to-door campaign

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Theresa HousePublic Relations Representative
American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter
Office: 804.780.2297 § Cell: 804.396.0186
Email: houset@usa.redcross.org
http://www.greaterrichmond.redcross.org/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 29, 2008

Red Cross youth volunteers reaching thousands with door-to-door campaign
Tomorrow is the last day of an outreach project that includes work in Oregon Hill

While many young people see summer as a time to relax by pools or work at part-time jobs, several area youth have spent much of the summer going door-to-door with lifesaving information on behalf of the American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter.

According to the students, the work is rewarding because they know they are saving lives. Many times their visits reach people who need the information, but because of social or economic challenges, have not had the opportunities to learn.

Wednesday, July 30 marks the end of the month-long project that has brought the students into the homes of nearly 7,000 Richmond area residents. The students will leave the Greater Richmond Chapter at 9 a.m. for Oregon Hill where they will spend several hours visiting at least 100 homes. The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association is working with the Red Cross to ensure successful visits.

“Our goal is to cause people to think about what they need to do and then act,” said Penny Phonesavanh, a Virginia Commonwealth University student who has coordinated the project. “Usually people know how to prepare, but wait before acting.”

The students have reached many people, mostly being Hispanic, who speak little or no English. That can create challenges, but many of the students are fluent in Spanish so they work in pairs and whenever possible. They also carry brochures in Spanish that are left with the residents.The youth discuss issues such as smoke detectors, disaster action plans and how to create a disaster kit that includes items such as bottled water, food and other needs if a disaster should strike.

This is the second year the chapter has sponsored the project, having reached more than 15,000 people.

“It is inspiring to watch these young people put their hearts into helping, and the number of lives they will save will never be known,” said Reggie Gordon, Greater Richmond Chapter CEO.

This year’s group included 12 students from area high schools who participated in the Summer Institute for Leadership and Public Service sponsored by St. Christopher’s School.