Is your business or company looking for ways to assistant local organizations fulfill their mission? Is your staff wondering how they can help the community without volunteering an extraordinary amount of their personal time?
If so, then we’ve got what you’re looking for. It’s called Heroes for the American Red Cross, a community-wide, grass-roots effort, designed to ensure the emergency needs of the community are met this year and in the years to come.
For over 125 years, we’ve provided communities with heroes; volunteers who saved lives and helped countless families survive and recover from disasters. Now we are asking communities to unite and become heroes for the American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin by participating in the 2008 Heroes for the American Red Cross Campaign. The campaign officially began May 5 at a kick-off celebration held at the new Crowne Plaza Hotel in Wauwatosa.
In our area, more than 1,000 people experienced disasters, such as house fires, floods, storms and explosions, were given shelter, food, financial assistance and mental health counseling this past year. We immediately respond to disasters but we need your help. Funds from the campaign will help take care of those affected by disasters right here in southeastern Wisconsin.
The concept of Heroes is very simple: dozens of local businesses and volunteers are recruited to serve as Heroes whose goal is to raise awareness of Red Cross and raise funds to support the programs and services. Funds are raised in a variety of ways. Every Hero is encouraged to pursue any fund-raising strategy they are comfortable with and think will be successful. Heroes come up with fun and unique fundraisers so be on the lookout for them within the month of May. Please support the Heroes when you see them in your community.
Currently, many Wauwatosa individuals, businesses and groups are volunteering to be Heroes for the American Red Cross. They include: Cranky Al’s Bakery & Pizza, The Spice House, GE Healthcare, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wauwatosa Savings Bank, Venturi’s Market, Noodles & Co. – State St., Healthways Health Center, Wild Impact Marketing, Dr. Herbert Kuehnemann and the Milwaukee Public Market. In addition, Heroes have also been designated in Kenosha, Racine and Waukesha counties.
It’s not too late – anyone interested in volunteering to be a Hero or in donating funds is encouraged to call the local Red Cross at (414) 342-8680.
Kate Hinze is the director of media and communications for the American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin.
