Red Cross Day Honors Service of Volunteers
March 15, 1998, article one

PIX#1 - Eleanor Wenzke, Ida Mary Gray, and Clarence Jacob join Red Cross Director Faye Sweeney (r) in observing Red Cross Day. Eleanor, Ida Mary and Clarence have all been Red Cross volunteers for 50 years.

The Bible tells us of the man who was traveling and had the misfortune to encounter robbers who stole everything he had, beat him and left him on the side of the road.

Several people passed the injured man, but continued on their way. Finally, a Samaritan happened along, tended the man, took him to an inn and paid for his care.

When the Samaritan was asked how he might be repaid, he only replied that others should go out and do the same.

Going out and helping others in need is the mission of the Red Cross.

That is just what our volunteers do," said John Davoli, president of the Fostoria Chapter of the American Red Cross.

John was speaking to a crowd of over 80 people at Fostoria's First Christian Church March 7, Red Cross Day, a day which honors the service of Red Cross volunteers and begins the annual membership campaign.

Three volunteers were recognized for completing 50 or more years of service to the Red Cross - Ida Mary Gray, Eleanor Wenzke and Clarence Jacob.

Ida Mary and Eleanor began their association with the Red Cross during World War ll when their husbands were in the military. They both work at bloodmobiles where Ida Mary prepares the bags and Eleanor escorts donors.

Clarence has been with the Fostoria Red Cross since 1947. He is a long time member of the board of directors and has served several times as board president. He became involved at the suggestion of his friend, Charlie Lanier.

According to Red Cross Director Faye Sweeney, Red Cross Day also marks the opening of the membership drive.

"People who join the Red Cross can contribute financial support, be a volunteer or be a blood donor," said Faye. "Our financial goal this year is to raise $10,000.

All monies raised by the Fostoria Red Cross remain right here and go to support activities such as the Learn to Swim program or disaster services.

Thirty other volunteers were recognized for their service. (The number of hours given covers the period July 1, 1996 - Jan. 31, 1998.)

Volunteers families with more than one generation were the Church family of Arcadia (Art, Byron and Chauncy). The Churches contributed 267 hours to the Learn to Swim program.

Kathy, Elysia and Ashley Reinhart, also of Arcadia, gave 266 hours to Learn to Swim.

The Vaughns donated 224 hours. Denelda and Donna keep the office running smoothly. Cecil keeps the building in good repair.

Branda Goshe teaches in the day care center program while her son Dominic volunteers in Learn to Swim. The Goshes logged 127 hours.

The Beesons (Jim, Pat, and Jim, Jr.) Have contributed over 80 days to disaster relief efforts of the national Red Cross.

Individual volunteers with over 200 hours were Lois Bauer (253.5), Winnie Carnicom (231), Kathy Reinhart (Arcadia, 231), Art Church (225), Rosemary Smith (224.5) and Joan Huth (210). Kathy Reinhart of Fostoria (177) received honorable mention.

Lois Bauer received a 40 year pin. For 40 years, she was responsible for the formidable task of organizing the local bloodmobiles.

The Red Cross tries to involve young people in its work and three student volunteers were recognized - Tamela Sauber (120), Fallon Crane (80) and Dominic Goshe (67).

Blood donors giving 100 or more units were Donald Kromer (154), Paul Grove (142), Norman Dieter (106) and George Gray (104). Companies honored as blood service supporters were Atlas, Inc., Fostoria Industries and Norton Mfg.

Each Red Cross Day, the volunteers are honored at a local church in the Town Center area. Clergy from the church participate in the ceremony. Following the presentations, participants march to the Red Cross office on Tiffin St. for lunch. In the past two years, the services were at St. Wendelin and Hope Lutheran.

This year's ceremonies were at First Christian Church at Center and Union Streets, the site the church has occupied since 1896. The church windows date from this time as do the Fostoria-made glass chandeliers over the center aisle.

In 1903, the church underwent repairs following a fire. A number of the windows were instribed with the names of contributors to the repair including Christian Churches in Prairie Depot, Mungen, Tiffin, Eagleville and North Baltimore. The 1978 explosion at the fusee plant damaged some of the windows and destroyed some of the inscriptions.

It was in 1948 that the American Red Cross began its national bloodmobile campaign. Fostoria was not far behind. Our first bloodmobile was March 3, 1950. The Red Cross has been serving the Fostoria community for a long time. With the support of its volunteers and the community at large, it will continue to do so for many years to come.

Anyone who is interested in joining the Red Cross or would like more information can call 435-5360.