Posted on December 19, 2022 by American Red Cross - Wisconsin
By Justin Kern, American Red Cross
A scan through any major American Red Cross of Wisconsin community event, disaster, blood drive or fundraiser over the past 14 years will show some level of involvement from Tom Mooney.
There’s Tom grilling hundreds of brats for veterans, their families and V.A. staff in Milwaukee. There is he is again as one of the first people on scene to establish a shelter after flooding in Mazomanie. The massive holiday blood drive in Madison, the compression-only CPR table in Wausau and every community hero (and golf outing) event on the calendar in the state … he’s at all of those, too.
Mooney, right, fries brats and burgers to be served to veterans and more at the Milwaukee V.A. on Memorial Day 2018.
Mooney, the Chief Operating Officer for the Wisconsin Region of the American Red Cross, recently retired after 14 ceaseless years of leadership, in Madison and across the state. Of course, he doesn’t plan to stop; in Red Cross fashion, he’s already been “promoted” to volunteer, which has kept him as a regular presence. Staff or volunteer, it’s a testament to his infectious ability to lead by example.
“For me it boils down to a few things. There is a lot of change and you have to care and you have to be committed,” said Mooney. “You have to have a good attitude. People look for leaders to have common sense but also keep the ship going in the right direction. Let’s figure out solutions to problems.”
For the past 18 months, he was solely the Chief Operating Officer, and previous roles include CEO of what was then known as the Badger Chapter. He is not shy about listing a Rolodex of names of people he credits with supporting him every step of the way, from the Red Cross to his previous decades in various executive and managerial positions at American Family Insurance. He began there after earning his bachelor’s in business administration, finance and risk management from his beloved UW-Madison.
In school or work, Mooney has been dedicated to helping others. He began donating blood in 1982 – now at more than 10 gallons as a donor – and took his first CPR and first aid courses in college “to get the confidence to act if something were to happen.”
“I felt [I could] help people and not be shy about getting involved if something happened to somebody,” said Mooney. “Realistically, with CPR, if you use it, it’s because it’s impacting a loved one. And with compression-only CPR, almost anybody can do it.”
Never boastful, Mooney is hard-pressed to pick out accomplishments along the way. Certainly, though, he was instrumental in the joint push by the Red Cross and American Heart Association to get compression-only CPR as a mandatory lesson in all schools in Wisconsin. That same program was championed by Dr. Darren Bean, who died tragically in a medical helicopter crash, and became the pilot used nationally by the Red Cross.
“Team Mooney” before heading out to install free smoke alarms in Madison.
Another key aspect of Tom’s leadership at the Red Cross came in collaboration with other local nonprofit and service organization heads. Whether that meant building up boards and supporter networks, or late-night phone calls to see where someone could pitch in, those connections continue to benefit Wisconsin residents.
“If you can help other nonprofits and their executives succeed, our whole community is better off. It’s a partnership,” he said.
And Tom was ever-present in the toughest times. From a fatal explosion in Sun Prairie that required substantial lodging and recovery, to nearly every apartment fire emergency shelter in southwest Wisconsin over the past 14 years, Tom was there – to set up cots, run to get orange juice for a diabetic client, change a flat tire on a trailer or any other thing that came up. The 2008 floods hold a particular place in his memory, as both the worst recent flooding in our state’s history as well as his first disaster with the Red Cross. He remembers disaster assessments in the village of Rock Springs, where his family had annual reunions, an area with high-water marks at four and five feet through a punished downtown. As waters began to recede, he drove his then-school aged children back through Rock Springs, and they reflected as a family on the impact – and ongoing need of residents.
“It was a teaching moment not just for my kids, but for me, on how devastating a disaster can be,” he said.
Madison born and raised, Mooney said it’s important to use this retirement time for those closest to him, including his wife, Sue, and his three children, Claire, Ryan and Logan. Although, knowing Tom, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him once again combine that passion for community service with his love of his family as they all join to volunteer at an upcoming Red Cross preparedness event or blood drive.
I’ve spelled out highlights from each month of this year below. In mulling all we’ve done around the mission of the American Red Cross this past year, there is one word that keeps coming back to me – outstanding.
Here’s why. Throughout this year, myself and our Wisconsin Region have had the opportunity on multiple occasions to receive honors and recognition from both the Red Cross and our partners like the United Way, Donald Driver and more. Awards really do matter, especially when you know they’re backed by committed people and a vital mission.
We’re focused on people and our mission. It’s never easy … but neither are the situations faced by the people we help. In that intense focus, we may not always stop to recognize all we’ve accomplished, even as we’re being recognized by others. With all of that, I want to thank all of you for an outstanding year together in 2022.
As you’ll likely recognize, the word “outstanding” has a second meaning, too – around the work still to be done. So, as you scroll through some of our accomplishments in my short-list below, please take a moment to relish the excellence you’ve brought to someone in need or someone participating in our mission as a volunteer, supporter or blood donor. That same excellence will guide us in all of the good work yet to come.
A blood donor who came out to give in January during our first-ever national blood crisis. Photo by Dan Schillinger / American Red Cross
January
This year started with a dire situation. The Red Cross issued our first-ever national blood crisis. Collections took a heavy hit from a COVID spike, savage winter weather and the usual dip over the holidays. Once the Red Cross and other blood collectors put out the seriousness in the lack of blood on the shelves – a one-day’s supply in some places – donors stepped up with three of the biggest days of appointments we’ve ever registered. For anyone facing cancer treatments, a difficult childbirth or car accidents, this was absolutely a life-saving response.
February
I mentioned a few awards at the start of this article. That began in February, with a generous recognition by the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County. Cory and Michelle Nettles chose me and our efforts at the Red Cross with their annual Linda McFerrin African American Nonprofit Leadership Award. Later this same year, long-time Red Cross supporter and Green Bay Packers legend Donald Driver included me among a host of exceptional community leaders for the annual “Driven to Achieve” service awards. I remain humbled for both of these acknowledgements, and I certainly accept it on behalf of the achievements we all have made at the Red Cross in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin.
From our colleagues, the Wisconsin Region of the Red Cross was also recognized for outstanding – there’s that word again – work this past fiscal and calendar year in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, blood collection and distribution, and teamwork. Like the external accolades, this is only possible because of the 365-24/7 compassion and dedication by our dozens of staff and thousands of volunteers.
Miss Antionette blows out the candles on her birthday cake, during a short-term emergency shelter stay after a fire at her apartment building. Photo by Justin Kern / American Red Cross
Here’s one anecdote to crystallize what I mean: the same week the United Way announced the Linda McFerrin honor, our Milwaukee disaster teams stood up a shelter after a nearby apartment building fire. It wasn’t just the essentials at this shelter. Volunteers realized one resident would be spending her birthday at this emergency shelter. They took what could have been a grim milestone and turned it into a surprise party – cake, balloons and all – for Miss Antionette, our shelter resident (pictured at left). Bringing such dignity and love to someone in their darkest time is the essence of outstanding humanitarianism.
March
We can give out awards, too! Our fundraiser events recognizing outstanding community heroes returned in-person and better than ever. It started in March, with our Heroes Breakfast in Eau Claire, and extended with a full slate of celebrations in Milwaukee (Brave Hearts – May), Madison (Southwest Wisconsin Annual Golf Outing – June) and Menasha (Northeast Heroes Classic – September). These fun, inspiring events mean so much for our relationships, community-building and capacity to serve in communities across Wisconsin and the U.P. of Michigan. You better believe I’m looking forward to these events in 2023!
April
Volunteer recognition has a special place in spring. For an organization where 90 percent of what we do is led by volunteers, this recognition is essential. Over our past fiscal year, more than 2,200 volunteers helped in every capacity to the tune of 118,000 dedicated hours. Whether it’s on this special month or any other day of the year – thank you volunteers!
May
Following busy large-scale and apartments fires since winter 2020, our preparedness teams and partners were able to return into homes to share free preparedness resources. Hundreds of people received free smoke alarms, home fire escape plans and more in “Sound the Alarm. Save a Life” community safety events in May in Milwaukee, Sun Prairie, La Crosse and Fond du Lac. It was especially cool to be joined in Milwaukee by Judy Green, a national fundraising V.P. with the Red Cross who was also a co-chair of the national 2022 “Sound the Alarm” campaign. Families were so grateful for these safety visits, providing peace of mind.
June
A trio of young swimmers learn the ropes at the YMCA in Kenosha in June as part of the Centennial Campaign. Photo by Justin Kern / American Red Cross
Who doesn’t love to see kids learning while having fun? In Milwaukee and now in Kenosha, June kicked off affordable swim safety lessons through our Centennial Campaign. I love this push to make many more kids comfortable and safe in the water.
July
Generac, through its premier role at the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest, provided a unique opportunity for people to support international humanitarian relief. The Waukesha-based company garnered signatures from high-profile music acts on its stage at the annual summer festival, with auction proceeds going toward global Red Cross relief programs and people. Artists contributing signed guitars included The Violent Femmes, Atmosphere and Bob Mould. Our fund development team were so creative in making this special show of generosity truly rock.
August
How about the dedication of our board and committee members across our communities? Throughout the pandemic, these partners were lockstep with our changing needs to serve people. And as we returned to a new version of normal, they were right there to learn more about the Red Cross and represent us in invigorating ways. There are so many stand-out moments. One of those is the pandemic leadership and now international role of board member Dave Nelson from our Northwest Chapter. Another happened in August, as Southeast Board President John Griffith and North-Central Board President Jay Cricks joined me in Washington, D.C. for a slate of meetings at Red Cross NHQ. For all five of our Wisconsin Region boards, plus all the committee members, I remain enthused by your partnerships in community service.
September
During Sickle Cell Awareness Month and at other times in the year, Wisconsin stepped up to fight sickle cell disease. The Urban League of Greater Madison rallied two blood drives, Gee’s Clippers in Milwaukee hosted its first drive and Milwaukee student Alana Fisher earned the region’s only scholarship for her efforts to strengthen the blood supply through more diverse donors. Before making my first Power Red donation at the spring Madison Urban League drive, there was a moment that stays with me. Every donor giving blood at that moment was a person of color. And among them was a grandmother, who was taking the time to share what she was doing and why it was important with her granddaughter standing nearby. It was a small but profound interaction.
Volunteers like Scott Adler put their Wisconsin lives on hold as they deployed to help people after large-scale disasters in Kentucky, Florida, Puerto Rico and elsewhere. Photo by Justin Kern / American Red Cross
October
In some ways it came later than usual, but the large-scale national disasters were no less fierce. I’m so proud dozens of Wisconsin volunteers and staff were able to help meet this huge need, including deployments to Alaska, Puerto Rico, Kentucky and numerous people to Florida. For everyone back home, it was neat to see an outpouring of support once again, with media partners across most of the state raising funds and awareness for people elsewhere in the U.S. facing monumental devastation. Make no mistake – this recovery is still ongoing, especially after Hurricane Ian. All of this is possible because of you.
November
Service to veterans, active military and their families never stopped during the pandemic, though 2022 saw the return to many of our military support events. In fiscal year 2022, the Red Cross in Wisconsin and the U.P. opened 3,385 service cases for those who served and their families. Additionally, local teams led more than 1,000 lessons on International Services programs to adults and youth. The week of Veterans Day, one of our Service to the Armed Forces volunteers brought programs to incarcerated veterans as part of her monthly visits to a Wisconsin correctional facility. To hear her passion for veterans in need, no matter where life has taken them, touches on some of the very best of our relief and programming.
December
Okay, this month is just kicking off and if you know anything about the Red Cross, it’s that we’re flexible for whatever can and will happen. Rather than stretch for a recap or predictions early this final month of the year, I offer you this: join our outstanding mission. If you’re already involved, let’s talk about keeping it going in a way that inspires you. If you’ve never volunteered, given blood, helped a veteran or taken a CPR class, come along with us. There’s a lot of good work left to do, and together we can make so much more happen.
Posted on December 7, 2022 by American Red Cross - Wisconsin
By Laura McGuire, American Red Cross
Wendy Savage, Executive Director of the North-Central Chapter of the American Red Cross of Wisconsin, will be retiring at the end of 2022. After a 13-year career with the Red Cross, Savage’s unwavering character and dedication will be missed.
Before joining the Red Cross, Savage, a life-long volunteer, committed herself to giving back and helping others. Early in her career, Savage led fundraising efforts on behalf of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that devasted portions of Thailand. Savage was fortunate to visit Thailand and present the gathered local donations to the International Committee of the Red Cross. It was at that moment Savage witnessed the sincere appreciation and gratefulness of the Red Cross which paved the path to her future.
Savage started her Red Cross career in 2010 and she has seen many changes throughout the organization. However, she said one thing remains constant – “You can always trust the Red Cross.”
Savage’s talents are appreciated by many. She has been successful leading teams, volunteers, donors, community partners and board of directors – all while fulfilling the Red Cross mission. She touched many lives throughout the years and helped families recover from disasters and home fires, provided relief for veterans, service members and military families, coordinated blood drives, and assisted with lifesaving training —all fundamental aspects of the American Red Cross mission.
Savage deployed in eight disaster relief operations, most recently last month after Hurricane Ian, and she led a major disaster within the North-Central Chapter of Wisconsin, with offices in Wausau and Stevens Point, and extending into the Northwoods and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Her first disaster relief operation, a hurricane, came less than a week into her career resulting in learning the works of the Red Cross quickly. During her first few weeks with the Red Cross, she learned and the importance of adapting to change, which remained true every day through her tenure.
Savage said her Red Cross career has given her an opportunity to do good work and do good things. She sees her career not as a job but a lifestyle. “Disasters can happen at any moment, and you need to be prepared to help. We are seeing more frequent and devastating storms on a large scale, and it is encouraging to see the Red Cross being better prepared, learning to do better, and focusing on the positive, but, most importantly, providing relief to clients faster to help those in need. Sometimes it is not doing anything but just being there for the client with a supportive word or hug,” said Savage.
Savage used the analogy between the actions delivered in a disaster to the links of a chain. We have anchors on the chain at both ends but each link on the chain can be an action by a particular person. There are no small actions, and everyone’s contribution is appreciated resulting in a collaborative result. People come together from all backgrounds allowing remarkable things to happen. As each link is strung together the chain becomes stronger, providing strength to those that need help.
“When things all come together for the good of the group, miracles happen,” she said.
When asked about the four words Savage would use to describe the Red Cross she said, “heart, action, intensity and change.” She sees those words in her daily interactions with all employees, volunteers and donors at the Red Cross.
Her farewell message to others is: “Stay on message, stay on task, stay together, stay connected and stay safe and well.”
Savage said she is not good at saying goodbye but saying goodbye means saying hello to the next chapter in her life. She is excited to spend time with her husband, family and new grandson and is looking forward to a family genealogy project as she travels down a new road in life.
Posted on December 5, 2022 by American Red Cross - Wisconsin
by Nicole Sandler, American Red Cross
Dianna Trush, center, pauses for a selfie before another day of bringing resources directly to people in need across the main island of Puerto Rico following Hurricane Fiona.
Dianna Trush, a retired nurse living in Wisconsin, traveled to Puerto Rico as an American Red Cross volunteer in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona this past September. Not only did her deployment represent a major opportunity as a new volunteer – it happened to be in the land she calls home.
An early experience with disaster – and relief Dianna is one of seven children born to her parents, both Puerto Rican. While New York is technically her birthplace, at age 10 she moved to Puerto Rico with her mother and siblings and was raised there until the age of 26. As a young adult she studied nursing, and her supervisor in the I.C.U. encouraged her to go back to the United States for more sophisticated medical training. “I took his advice but I never came back,” she said.
She recalls strong memories of her childhood growing up in Brooklyn. One memory in particular proved to be her first experience with the Red Cross.
“I remember as a family we saw many fires in our neighborhood,” she said. “Then one day we were coming home from school and realized that the building we saw on fire was our building.”
Dianna remembers the Red Cross coming to their rescue, helping them to find a hotel and even providing some funding that allowed them to travel back home to Puerto Rico.
“In the back of my mind I knew then that one day I wanted to volunteer with the Red Cross,” she said.
Dianna removes a dated smoke alarm to be replaced with a new, free alarm from the Red Cross, with fellow volunteer Mariella, in May 2022 at a home in Milwaukee.
Accomplished nurse turned ‘restless’ volunteer Dianna recently retired after 40 years of nursing that included more than 20 years as a nurse in the Veterans Administration, both in Chicago and Milwaukee. After retiring she spent time traveling while also looking into volunteer opportunities to use her nursing skills.
“I’m a restless soul – I can’t stay still,” she explained.
In September 2021 she applied to join the Red Cross as a disaster health services volunteer. It did not take long before her services were needed. There were a number of fires in the Milwaukee area within months of her start date, and she was able to serve those displaced by the fires.
She learned quickly that as a native Spanish speaker her bilingual skills were in great need for those affected by disasters from the large Hispanic community in Milwaukee. She even ended up support bilingual communications and marketing in Milwaukee as part of the national “Sound the Alarm. Save a Life” home fire preparedness campaign.
Meanwhile, Dianna continued to think about opportunities to deploy as a Red Cross volunteer to help with natural disasters. As a nurse in the V.A. system she had traveled to New Orleans to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina and was eager to again serve in that capacity.
Heaviness back home It did not take very long for Dianna’s dream to become reality. She reached out when the Red Cross posted a need for volunteers to deploy for Hurricane Fiona, and within two days she was on her way to Puerto Rico.
Dianna’s desire to travel to Puerto Rico in late September, just days after Fiona made landfall, carried many personal threads. For one, her brother and his family live there, and the trauma they endured with Hurricane Maria five years earlier was something Dianna would never forget.
In addition, Dianna herself was living through a traumatic period when Fiona struck, and she was seeking some closure. Six weeks earlier, in early August, Dianna’s father had passed away. While he was living in New York at the time, his burial took place in Puerto Rico, and so Dianna and much of her extended family went there to say goodbye. In a horrifying twist of events, four of her family members were killed in an auto accident while in Puerto Rico for the burial. As Dianna painfully summarizes, she lost five beloved family members in the span of only two weeks.
A few weeks later, Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico, causing death and destruction. Dianna knew she wanted, and needed, to go.
“Between my grief and loss I needed to find a way to normalize, which I knew I could do by helping others,” she said. “I had to find some closure, and this was the best thing I could do for myself.”
‘Comfort’, familiarity and closure Upon arriving in San Juan – the very first day the airport was re-opened – she drove to the Red Cross headquarters and immediately got to work serving as a translator. Dianna also helped deliver food to hurricane victims in shelters and solar batteries to those who needed light in their homes or a charge for their cell phones.
Wreckage from outside of just one home that Dianna saw on her deployment back to the place she calls home.
“It was very humbling to be there and simply listen to those who needed comfort,” recalled Dianna. Along the way she met many other volunteers, all with equally big hearts. She found it uplifting to work with people from all different places and backgrounds striving to help humanity.
Dianna’s bilingual skills were not the only skills that proved to be valuable. Her team traveled by minivan, filled with food, water and cleaning supplies, and she was often counted on as navigator in a confusing, storm-torn landscape. Because she had learned to drive in Puerto Rico decades before, she knew where and how to drive the treacherous and flooded roads.
Yet everywhere she went during her 10 days of service Dianna was met with gratitude. For example, one day while waiting on a long line to fill the emergency van with gasoline, others around them expressed their sincere appreciation of the work they did as Red Cross volunteers.
She found it humbling, especially in light of everyone’s effort to serve the disaster victims. Even after returning home, Dianna found that “the memories and experiences are still alive in me.”
It’s not hard to imagine Dianna requesting another volunteer deployment again in the near future.
American Red Cross - Wisconsin Region 