An Unforgettable Phone Call: How the Red Cross supported Ann Rofkahr after her home fire

On a Thursday afternoon in early spring, while on her way to drop off her friend after they had had lunch, Ann received a phone call that left her in complete shock. Her neighbor called with the news that the Bourbonnais Fire Department was working to put out a fire at her home.

“Before leaving to meet my friend, I had been outside and around my home and all was in order. I was in shock—disbelief that my neighbor was telling me that my home of 23 years – 23 years of love and work into it was going up in flames,” shared Ann.

Arriving at her home, Ann was met with a huge blaze and black billowing smoke emanating from her house, 25 mph winds that were making it impossible to extinguish the fire, and 27 neighboring fire departments that were working arduously against nature.

“I was sitting in the fire truck with the Fire Chief when my phone rang, and it was a volunteer with the Red Cross. I knew of the Red Cross because I am a blood donor. I didn’t realize how the Red Cross helps people in situations like the one I found myself in. The moral support, making sure I was okay – I will never forget that call and what it meant to me. That type of support is what helps one through a devastating loss – in my case, my home.”

Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers help local families cope with emergencies. In Illinois, over 4,400 volunteers stand ready to respond when the need arises to provide immediate assistance, disaster mental health, spiritual care, and health services. Diane Carter is a dedicated Red Cross volunteer who after a 31-year career in the military, resolved to be there to lend a hand when it’s most needed and who showed up to help Ann with next steps after her devastating loss.  

“I volunteer with the Red Cross because I will never forget, as a military servicemember, how they were there to support me when I was deployed, and I had an emergency back home. I show up as a Red Cross volunteer because I know firsthand what it means to have someone there to tell you, ‘We’re here for you and together, we’re going to work on a recovery plan.’ You never forget that moment just like Ann doesn’t forget that call she received from us [Red Cross],” shared Diane.

Ann learned that the fire that destroyed her home started at a pile of mulch and the high winds carried the fire to the shed, garage, and ultimately her home. “I was thankful for the clothes on my back, the shoes on my feet, my purse and car, and the incredible outpouring of support I received starting with the Red Cross. I am working on being patient as I rebuild my home and encourage us all to be giving and help others – it will all come back to you when you most need it.”

Volunteers make it possible to respond to an average of 65,000 disasters every year, most of them home and apartment fires. Find out about the needs in your area by searching for current volunteer opportunities. To find urgently needed volunteer opportunities near you, visit RedCross.org/Volunteer.

Written by Illinois Communications Manager Connie Esparza

Red Cross Volunteers receive Military Challenge Coins for work with Great River Honor Flights

American Red Cross Volunteers at the Great River Honor Flight breakfast on Oct. 19 received a special honor of their own as they were presented with customized Military Challenge Coins to commemorate their years of service to local Veterans. 

The coins was presented by the Great River Honor Flight Committee during the final flight of 2023 to recognize the Red Cross Volunteers that have been serving at the event’s breakfast since its inception in 2009. 

Each month, during the Honor Flight Season, volunteers have gathered to serve meals to the men and women that have dedicated their lives to serving our country. 

Red Cross Volunteers Tom Hellhake, Pam Shaffer, Dorothy Yackley and Bruce Venvertloh were on hand to accept the Challenge Coins that have become a longstanding tradition in Military circles.  

While today many service members and Veterans have received and proudly display Challenge Coins, the practice didn’t begin as an officially sanctioned tradition, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. 

So how did the Military Challenge Coin get its start? That story is still debated by military historians and archivists to this day. 

The most believed origin tracks the tradition back to World War I when a wealthy lieutenant was one of many individuals who volunteered to serve. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, this belief states that the lieutenant wanted to give each member of his unit a memento and ordered several small bronze medallions. 

The lieutenant’s plane was later shot down over Germany and he was captured by a German patrol. He later escaped to a French outpost with only his coin-shaped medallion that he wore in a leather pouch around his neck. 

The lieutenant was able to use the medallion to identify himself as a serviceman and his life was spared. The story states that after he was returned to his unit, it became a tradition for all service members to carry a coin with them at all times. 

Other historians believe that the origin of the Challenge Coin dates back to the Vietnam War where an Army infantry-run bar would try to keep non-infantry men away by forcing them to buy drinks for the whole bar. This story states that service members began showing bullets and grenades until the tradition of showing a coin to identify them as servicemen was formed. 

Regardless of when and how the Challenge Coin began, it has now served as a proud tradition for service members and Veterans for decades. 

President’s Volunteer Service Gold Awardee: Joanne ‘Joan’ O’Leary

Since 1900, the American Red Cross has been supporting our nation’s military members. Today, our volunteers continue to be the smiling faces making the rounds at military hospitals, providing personal care items, and offering words of encouragement when a service member or their family most needs it.

Meet Joan, a volunteer with the American Red Cross serving the Quad Cities and West Central Illinois since 2010. Joan serves as the Community Partner Liaison at the Rock Island Arsenal in addition to supporting local events in communities near her home.

Earlier this year, Joan was presented with the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Level Award for her milestone of 500 volunteer hours with the Red Cross. This prestigious award recognizes individuals committed to a high level of volunteering and service. This award is one of several recognitions Joan has received over the years and we couldn’t be more proud and grateful for her service.

“Volunteering with the Red Cross is satisfying work and provides such a wonderful feeling when you can help people. It’s also a great way to stay active in mind, body, and spirit,” shares Joan. “To be recognized for my service is something I was not expecting. I view my volunteering time as a fun activity where I interact with incoming and outgoing soldiers. I love what I do and I’m grateful to serve our country’s service members and the Red Cross.”

Our volunteers constitute about 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce, and they make it possible to carry out the mission 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Like Joan, Service to the Armed Forces volunteers are united in wanting to make life a little lighter for everyone in the front lines to the home front.

“Joan is always around to lend a helping hand on the Island. She is there to warmly welcome service members who come into the Army Community Services office and demonstrates a true passion for serving our military community,” says Crystal Smith, Regional Director, Service to Armed Forces & International Services.

Congratulations and thank you, Joan, for the hundreds of hours you’ve dedicated to the Red Cross and to serving those who give so much to our nation.

Put on a red vest and make a difference with us! RedCross.org/Volunteer

Written by Illinois Communications Manager Connie Esparza

Dedicated to Service at Home and Around the World

Red Cross workers oftentimes find themselves serving a need locally and then getting ready to travel overseas for a 5-month deployment to a military base. Such is the case for Undine Lasater who started volunteering with the Red Cross first, then joined as a Field Office Coordinator then as a Regional Program Specialist with the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces when her husband was stationed in Germany as a Department of Defense civilian after he retired from the U.S. Army as a Major. Undine and her family relocated to Chicago when her husband retired from the U.S. Army and her desire to continue serving with the Red Cross specifically through the Service to the Armed Forces was stronger than ever. Undine is a driving, positive, force with the Red Cross of Illinois and is passionate about continuing to serve military servicemembers and their families.

Undine and her fellow team members, came together in Indiana to prepare for their 5-month assignment.

“I’m really very grateful to be a part of an organization that was founded in giving back and supporting military members and their families. Having been a military spouse, I know first-hand the uncertainties that come with having a deployed spouse or having to move to another part of the world. Through my work, not only do I have the opportunity to inform our service men and women of services available to them through the Red Cross, but I also get to work with families who may need support as their loved one deploys somewhere around the world,” shares Undine.

Undine, bottom right-hand corner, pictured with members of the German Red Cross.

The American Red Cross serves our nation’s military personnel and their families, including active duty, National Guard and Reserve, as well as our veterans. Every day, the American Red Cross provides 24/7 global emergency communication services and other support in military and veteran healthcare facilities across the country and around the world.

In addition to her work with the Service to the Armed Forces, Undine works with The American Red Cross’s International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Youth Action Campaign which empowers youth and young adults, ages 13-24, to learn about international humanitarian law—the body of law that governs armed conflict which states that civilians should be protected and may not be targeted during armed conflict.

Undine with the 2021 International Humanitarian Law – Youth Action Campaign Regional and International Winners

“Studies show that today’s youth have been de-sensitized to violence due to various entertainment venues. In addition, much of the public is not aware of the basic principles of International Humanitarian Law. Many people associate the American Red Cross with disaster relief, emergency preparedness, and blood donations. It often comes as a surprise that the American Red Cross was founded as a response to the humanitarian challenges faced in war,” stated Undine.

The International Humanitarian Law Youth Action Campaign program empowers youth to explore IHL topics through peer-to-peer education campaigns. As a team member for the IHL Youth Action Campaign, students go through training on IHL, learn how to build a campaign and conduct both in-person and social media activities to promote awareness about IHL in their communities. Each team focuses locally but contributes to a larger movement of IHL advocates that are educating thousands of people.

Undine encourages young adults to get involved and consider joining the 2024 International Humanitarian Law – Youth Action Campaign program. Click here for more details or students can inquire through their school Red Cross Club.

Good luck to Undine and Team 52! Thank you for supporting and carrying out the Red Cross mission!

Written by Illinois Communications Manager Connie Esparza

A Passion for Volunteering: Dorothy’s Story

For nearly 30 years, Dorothy Yackley of Quincy, Illinois has volunteered her time and talents with the American Red Cross.

Dorothy got started in 1994, providing health services assistance following a flood along the Mississippi River near her hometown. But, that was just the beginning. Since then, she has served in many different capacities as a Red Cross volunteer.

Dorothy has been a part of the disaster action team in numerous roles. She has served as a Blood Donor Ambassador, helping at blood drives. Dorothy has been a caseworker for Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, as well as helping with meals for veterans and the Honor Flight program. On top of all of that, she has taught health and safety classes for the Red Cross during the past 29 years.

Recently, Dorothy joined fellow Red Cross volunteers in helping those affected by tornadoes at a resource fair in the Fulton County, Illinois.

Dorothy is a firm believer in the benefits of volunteering. She also has given her time to various other organizations, simply because she likes to help other people.

“I love volunteering. It is in helping others I find satisfaction and receive more than I can give.”
-Dorothy Yackley

Dorothy says, volunteering for the Red Cross has been particularly rewarding, and recommends it to anyone who might be interested.

“It is a highly recognized organization and one can gain many life skills volunteering for the Red Cross, as it provides many learning opportunities and information about the community and can give one a sense of purpose in helping others, either locally or nationally,” she said.

Dorothy, thank you very much for your decades of service to the Red Cross, and in turn, the community around you.

Visit redcross.org/volunteer to start your Red Cross volunteer journey.

Written by Illinois Region Communications Manager Brian Williamsen

A Life Committed to Service: Susan Hill, Lt. (j.g.)

When we think military, we oftentimes think of the 5 branches of the military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Did you know the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, or USPHS Commissioned Corps, was established in 1798 and is one of the nation’s uniformed services — a branch committed to the service of health? The USPHS Commissioned Corps works on the front lines of public health – their medical, health and engineering professionals fight disease, conduct research, and care for patients in underserved communities across the country and throughout the world. Officers in the USPHS Commissioned Corps advance our nation’s public health, serving in agencies across the government, as engineers, physicians, nurses, dentists, veterinarians, scientists, and other positions.

The Red Cross of Illinois is proud to count a member of the USPHS Commissioned Corps, Susan Hill, amongst our volunteer ranks and this Veterans Day, we say thank you for your service and dedication to keeping our country and its people safe.

Susan, a retired environmental engineer never envisioned herself a member of the military, but a visit to her school counselor led her down a path that afforded her rewarding experiences and adventures.

“I was looking for a summer internship. Never did I imagine that I would find myself a commissioned officer with the USPHS Commissioned Corps. That first internship led to another which led to four years of service. During that time, I traveled the country, made lifelong friends and connections all the while safeguarding the health and safety of all who live in the United States,” shared Susan.

Susan was an integral member of the USPHS Commissioned Corps who to this day continues their work constructing water systems, evaluating medical devices, designing “healthy buildings,” and strengthening public health infrastructure.

Fast forward to today, you can find Susan volunteering with the Red Cross and as a  Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) in DuPage County. “When I was semi-retired, I knew I wanted to keep serving. My husband was already a volunteer with the Red Cross, so I started my training and four years later, I have responded to local home fires, volunteered at blood drives, and served as a caseworker assisting those impacted by disaster on their journey to recovery. Volunteering is so rewarding! It is such a wonderful feeling to be able to help others,” stated Susan.

Susan credits her military training and education for preparing her for a life of service and leadership. Mentorship is also top of the list, “Throughout my career, I was very fortunate to have had mentors who helped propel me along a career path that wasn’t necessarily one saturated by women. It was this experience that inspired me to also be a mentor. We all have so much to give, and our experience can build on someone else’s resulting in doing great things for the good of many. My connection to the Red Cross through its mission of alleviating human suffering is what inspires me to keep serving,” said Susan.

Retired as Lieutenant JG from the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, Susan earned a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and retired as a Senior Principal in an environmental engineering consulting firm. Susan is a devoted mother of four, grandmother to four adorable grandbabies, and a CASA advocate to three children.

“I encourage everyone, especially retirees who have the time, to volunteer. Volunteering is not only rewarding, but the feeling you get from helping others is unlike anything you’ll ever do.”

Thank you, Lieutenant Hill, for your continued service and dedication to helping advance the mission of the American Red Cross.

To all military veteran volunteers, thank you for being dedicated Red Crossers! We salute all who have served and honor the tremendous sacrifices made by members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families to preserve our freedom.

Written by Illinois Communications Manager Connie Esparza

Dedicated to Service: Rich Dansizen

“It’s good for everyone to give back to their community and this is a great way to do that. There are lots of opportunities within the Red Cross.”
-Rich Dansizen

Rich Dansizen has spent most of his life serving others. For 23 years, he served our country in the United States Air Force, starting in the veterinary service and then spending the majority of his years doing communications work.

As part of his duties, Rich hosted radio and television broadcasts, doing everything from spinning tunes to delivering the news. “Our mission was to provide that touch of home to the servicemen and women who were serving overseas,” he says. “Quite often, I did the morning show on the radio and the TV news at six. It was a dream job, and I was so happy to have done it.”

In addition, he helped the American Red Cross during his time with the Air Force, serving as the point of contact with the Red Cross for soldier emergency communication situations, for example, if there was an emergency in a soldier’s family.

Rich recalls his mother starting a job with the Red Cross years ago, shortly after his father retired from his career. She too, worked with service members as part of her role.

Fast forward to today, and you will find Rich volunteering for the Red Cross, helping with tasks for the Communications and Service to Armed Forces teams. He says, “When I retired I was looking for some more things to do and I thought the Red Cross would be a good fit.”

Rich helps the Service to the Armed Forces team with completing follow-up work and helping with referrals for military members and their families. He helps Communications, by organizing a list of volunteers, coordinating and delegating volunteer responsibilities each week, along with other tasks.

“We are glad to have Rich on the team,” said Crystal Smith, regional director of Red Cross Service to Armed Forces & International Services. “His background and expertise as a retired service member help him provide valuable insights as a Service to the Armed Forces volunteer and relate to military families in crisis. Rich is a great asset to the Red Cross and the military community.”

When he is not volunteering his time, Rich loves to travel with his wife, Judy. He lists New York, Las Vegas, Sturgeon Bay, WI and Indiana Dunes as some of his favorite trips.

Thank you, Rich for your service to our country and for all you do for the Red Cross!

Visit redcross.org/volunteer to sign up as a Red Cross volunteer.

Written by Illinois Region Communications Manager Brian Williamsen.

World Blood Donor Day: Gary’s Story

When you hear about the need for blood, what do you think about?

United States Air Force Major Gary Novak (Retired) thinks about the times he cared for wounded soldiers, while flying thousands of feet in the air and having no time to wait for administering lifesaving blood.

Major Novak completed several tours as a Critical Care Flight Nurse for the Air Force Nurse Corps. His dedication and talents helped keep injured service members alive, as did the blood kept on board the aircraft.

“We always made sure we took blood with us. A lot of the patients, we had to give so much blood to keep them alive. I saw such a need for that and, because of that, I just feel it’s my duty now to give blood.”
-Major Gary Novak

Major Novak went on to a career as a nurse and continued to see the need for blood on a daily basis. He regularly donates blood, and recently did so at the Danyel Pitts blood drive in Springfield.

He says, “You just never know. The blood you give may save somebody’s life that you know and love. It’s always good to help out where you can.”

Thank you, Major Novak for your brave and selfless service to our country, and for giving the gift of lifesaving blood!

If you would like to give blood, please visit redcrossblood.org.

Written by Illinois Region Communications Manager Brian Williamsen

Meet Don Cusack, Military Veteran and Active Red Cross Volunteer

In 1999, Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month. At the Red Cross, we pause to recognize and celebrate our employee and volunteer military community and we’re proud to recognize and highlight one of our very own … American Red Cross of Greater Chicago volunteer, Don Cusack.

Don served in the U.S. Army for 41 years as an Intelligence Analyst. Inspired by his wife, Don was motivated to volunteer with the Red Cross and since 2017, he has deployed 12 times to disasters like Hurricanes Irma, Florence, and Ida and countless number of floods and tornadoes. At a very young age, Don felt the calling to service and even now, during retirement, he remains at the ready.

Why did you join The U.S. Army?

Joining the Army was born out of a competitive streak. Following my father’s footsteps, I have two other brothers who joined, and I thought to myself, “If they joined and made it, so can I!” That competitive streak led me to The United States Army Airborne School, also known as Jump School, which is one of the most difficult trainings you can imagine. Jump School is a 3-week intense training program … of the 800 of us that started, 400 didn’t make it after only 2 weeks! After many miles of running and five required jumps from moving aircrafts, I successfully completed Jump School and became a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. It is this type of competitiveness and determination that brings out the leader in us which gives us the motivation to step forward and help and care for people when they most need it.

Why after a 41-year military career, did you decide to volunteer with the Red Cross?

I volunteer with the Red Cross for self-satisfaction and my continued desire to serve and help people when they are facing the most vulnerable time in their life. I find that the training and experience I received during my time with the Army gave me leadership skills that are applicable beyond one’s time in the military. I am happy, and grateful, that my military training, to this day, is useful during disaster responses.

How has your military training been applied throughout your volunteer time with the Red Cross?

My military training has allowed me to take leadership roles when responding to disasters. Maintaining a level head and keeping priorities in order have ensured that I successfully direct and help people which at the end of the day, it’s what it’s all about. As volunteers we take our experience and apply it to help people. That’s why I volunteer. Not for fame or glory … simply to serve people when people most need it. And I’ll keep doing it until I can and hope that others find the inspiration to do the same.

We know that gratitude is not what motivates service. The employee and volunteer veterans and service members of the Red Cross are continually motivated by duty, honor, love of country and fellow citizens. And just like Don, there is a deep-seated responsibility, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to be ready and prepared to take off when disaster strikes.

Don and fellow volunteers installed free smoke alarms during a Sound the Alarm Event in Joliet, IL

The Red Cross is grateful for the many military veteran volunteers like Don that come forward to dedicate time and talent during local, national, and global disasters. Thank you for your humanitarian service to our country and freedom.

During National Military Appreciation Month, and every day of the year, we listen, we remember, and we acknowledge their service not only during times of crisis in the world, but at all times.

When he’s not volunteering with the Red Cross, Don likes to travel to Hawaii with his wife, Linda, enjoys time with his four sons and their families including three grandsons and one granddaughter.

Services for Military and Veteran Families

The Red Cross helps members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to, the challenges of military service. The American Red Cross provides critical services with a caring touch to men and women in all branches of the United States military, active-duty personnel, reservists and members of the National Guard, and their families. Through our Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program, the Red Cross serves service men and women, veterans, and their families.  From the day they enlist to providing emergency communications while they are deployed to serving at VA Hospitals across the country, Red Cross volunteers are standing by.

The Red Cross has been serving the military for more than 140 years and has deployed alongside military in every U.S. conflict since the Spanish-American War.

Written by Illinois Region Communications Manager, Connie Esparza

Knit Together for a Cause

Winter hats and mittens. These are necessary items during the cold weather months and can be taken for granted, sometimes. However, a group of American Red Cross volunteers in the Quad Cities do not take these items for granted. They are dedicated to using their talents for the good of other people, and have spent countless hours knitting these items together for children and military families who need them.

The knitting group meets weekly in Moline and got its start in 2011. The group donates an average of 200 sets of handmade mittens every year and, in total, these ladies have made and donated more than 2,000 sets of knitted items since 2011. The mittens and hats are provided to military members and their families through Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces.

“Hats, gloves, and scarves are distributed at stand downs for homeless veterans, helping them to stay warm throughout the winter. These knitted items provide not only for the physical needs of our veterans, but the personal nature of these handcrafted items show them that someone cares,” said Crystal Smith, regional director of Red Cross Service to Armed Forces & International Services.

Carol Van De Walle has been there since the beginning. She helped form the group and is glad to see it has continued through the years, even during the pandemic when they have met virtually on Zoom meetings or outdoors. None of the people in the group knew each other before joining, but consider each other good friends, now.

“I think the camaraderie of the people is what I enjoy the most. Our group, we just enjoy each other a lot and we’re very supportive of each other. We have very talented people, and we have beginners. It’s a very accepting group. I really enjoy having that connection, it has been very rewarding,” she said.

Carol and her fellow group members have worked with the Rock Island Arsenal in recent years, sending their handmade items to be distributed to military families. Items ranging from lap blankets to dishcloths to pet accessories all have been lovingly donated, through the years.

“We feel like we’re helping our community and that’s important to all of us,” she said.

Carol has been a Red Cross volunteer for 20 years, formerly serving on our disaster team. She loves giving her time and is thankful to still have the opportunity to do so.

“This is something I can do to still contribute. What’s nice about the Red Cross is there’s something for everybody. When you’re young and strong you can do some of the things and when you’re not, there’s other things you can do and you can still be useful and helpful to your community and the Red Cross in general,” she said.

Trish Burnett, our executive director for the Quad Cities and West Central Illinois chapter, has worked with these dedicated volunteers for many years and appreciates the efforts they make on a regular basis.

“Carol and the group of volunteers who selflessly give their time to knit these items by hand show true kindness and generosity, again and again. They are dedicated to serving members of the military, the Red Cross and the community and we are very appreciative of their continued efforts.”
-Trish Burnett

This month, we celebrated the knitting group for their efforts during a reception in their honor. Please join us in thanking this team of dedicated volunteers for all they do!

Written by Illinois Region Communications Manager Brian Williamsen