In March, severe weather hit Central Indiana. An EF-2 tornado impacted Selma and an EF-3 tornado ripped through Winchester and nearby Ohio communities. Volunteers set up a shelter at a local high school to support affected families.

Red Cross volunteers visited communities affected by severe weather that downed trees and powerlines causing damages and power outages in Bloomington in June. Volunteers distributed emergency supplies, such as gloves, rakes, tarps, shovels and more.

Red Cross volunteers assisted residents after remnants of Hurricane Beryl brought severe weather to the region in July and an EF-3 tornado touched down in Mount Vernon. The Red Cross opened a shelter at a nearby school for impacted residents.

Red Cross disaster workers, including Indiana Region volunteers, supported relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Volunteers Mike and Lisa Murtha drove an emergency response vehicle to distribute ready-to-eat meals, water and snacks.

Everything changed for volunteer Francine Lee when lightning started a fire at her apartment complex in Indianapolis in July. As a volunteer, Francine was familiar with helping those impacted by home fires, but she never expected to be on the other side.

Red Cross volunteers and partners installed 231 smoke alarms and made 398 lives safer in the Far Eastside community in Indianapolis. They also educated residents about fire safety.

Through the Community Adaptation Program (CAP), we're strengthening partnerships in disaster-prone areas, so community members have increased access to resources before and after disasters. In Indiana, the CAP team focuses on five cities in Lake County.

Blood donations saved Robin Huffman's life – twice. In 1996, Robin received two units of blood after a surgery. This year, Robin was diagnosed with cancer, after she attempted to donate blood and discovered her hemoglobin levels were low.

Southeast Chapter board member Melissa Fairbanks deployed to Europe in August to provide support to members of the armed forces. The American Red Cross provides in-person support for troops at more than 100 military installations and deployment sites worldwide.

This year, more than 46,000 people completed training services courses and learned lifesaving skills in the Indiana Region. Across the region, Red Cross teams also provided hands-only CPR and water safety trainings, including at events for kids.

New bloodmobiles are serving the community by making blood donations easier and more convenient. The bloodmobiles are equipped with a generator powered by a battery pack and solar panels, which powers the lights and other equipment.

It was an honor to welcome American Red Cross President and CEO Cliff Holtz to the Indiana Region. Cliff met with leadership and staff to share more about the Red Cross mission and met two volunteers deploying to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts.