Northshore Magazine

ne Philanthropy community First Response Frederica Doeringer discusses the emblematic beacon of hope that is the red cross. By Kiley Jacques hurricane katrina, the tsunami in Japan, Superstorm Sandy, the Boston Marathon bombing, and Typhoon Haiyan have at least one thing in common: the American Red Cross. Founded in 1881 by visionary leader and Massachusetts native Clara Barton, the American Red Cross is on many minds when disaster strikes. And for good reason. Executive Director of the Northeast Massachusetts chapter, Frederica Doeringer says, "The Red Cross is there for you at your worst moment—that sums up what we are all about." Described as an international humanitarian movement established to protect life, ensure health, and alleviate suffering, the government-chartered nonprofit comprises approximately 97 million volunteers, employees, and members. At the organization's core are direct responders, caseworkers, mental health specialists, and medical professionals. The scope of work ranges from disaster response and preparedness to health and safety training to armed forces emergency services and international humanitarian law. The Red Cross provides 42 percent of the country's blood supply; coordinates worldwide first aid, CPR, and AED trainings; ministers swimming, lifeguarding, and babysitting trainings; works with Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops; and staffs a certified nurse assistance program. Do a little research into your community's resources, and the Red Cross is bound to be at the fore. Modestly housed at 85 Lowell Street in 52 nshoremag.com January/February 2014 KJ JanFeb14 RedCross.indd 52 For Good Frederica Doeringer is one among millions of Red Cross affiliates saving lives. trapped in their car after having driven it Peabody, the Northeast chapter primarinto the Essex River. ily addresses local needs. Whether it's a It is also an opportunity to pay homsingle family or an entire neighborhood age to community heroes—people "who that's been impacted, victims' physio-psyhave the depth and breadth of time," and chological well-being is the goal. "Typihave spent their lives giving to the comcally," says Doeringer, "we help people munity. "Or," says Doeringer, "someone who may have been on the edge before like 'Carlos with the [a disaster]. They sort of white cowboy hat,' at have things together, but Nominate a Hero the Boston Marathon, life is on the edge. We try Submissions due by January 17, 2014 Go to redcross.org/ma/peabody who just knew it was to keep them ahead of the edge and help them the right thing to do, Save the Date get back on the road to and he was able to The American Red Cross of Northeast independence." do it." In addition to Massachusetts hosts its 12th Annual The true spirit of the Good Samaritan and Heroes Breakfast on March 20, 2014, Red Cross is evoked at community heroes, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 50 Ferncroft Rd., Danvers their annual "Heroes the ceremony honors Breakfast" fundraiser. youth, workplace, first "The [event] is a way for us to raise responder, and military heroes. Individuals support it, businesses money in the community for all of [our] underwrite it, and more than six hundred efforts," says Doeringer. "It also helps us people attend it. Yes, it is a big moneyto help others understand the work we maker, but it is so much more. "No one do. The people we honor really mirror leaves having not shed a tear," says Doer[that] work—just regular people who inger. "It's warm. It's real. To me, it makes happened to [do] something amazing to so much more sense than another golf help someone." She cites the example tournament." redcross.org of a man who rescued an elderly couple photograph by joel laino 11/21/13 6:08 PM

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