By Amelia Keefer

Chuck has been a registered Red Cross volunteer since 1993–currently, a Community Volunteer Leader for Cincinnati—but his connection to the Red Cross can be traced back to his high school days. Ever since attending his first blood drive as a teenager, he’s been a routine donor, making the trip out to a Red Cross blood drive at least a few times a year. His 7-gallon pin–a recognition award given to donors who’ve hit the huge contribution milestone—is proof of his long-term commitment. He estimates he’s given well over 10 gallons of blood by now. “Of course, the snacks at the end are the best,” he jokes. “I’ve never been a fan of needles. It always makes me nervous to go up there, go through the test process, and then let somebody stick a needle in [my arm]. But I always knew it was for a good cause and it was to help other people. I’ve had family that needed blood, friends that’ve needed blood. There is no synthetic or artificial substitute for it. It’s one of those medical things that you need another person to give.”

Besides donating blood, Chuck also has a few Red Cross certifications under his belt—also back from high school. Chuck’s high school, back in Illinois where he grew up, required all of its students to complete four hours of weekly work service. He spent his freshman year helping out the school’s research scientist–a geologist. “I washed rocks. It was not fun,” Saletta laughs. “Then a friend of mine said to me, ‘you know how to swim, why don’t you take lifeguard training?’ So I did.” Red Cross lifeguard certification in hand, Chuck was able to swap washing rocks in a cramped classroom for poolside surveillance and blaring whistles. That certification also helped him land his first summer job at the community pool. And, with the incentive of a salary increase, Chuck went on to get Red Cross First Aid and CPR instructor certified as well. “So that I could teach the other life guards,” Chuck recalls.

That legacy of leadership and giving has now passed on to Chuck’s son, who just recently turned sixteen in October. Celebrating your sweet-sixteen also means (among other requirements) that you become eligible to donate blood for the very first time, and, for Chuck’s son, going to donate with his dad was a no-brainer. “He’s an athlete,” Chuck says, with a hint of pride. “He wrestles for his school team, so we had a brief window between seasons. He was a little nervous but [the Red Cross volunteers] were so welcoming, so kind. And you no longer have to do that finger prick, which was always the toughest part of doing it in the old days.”

Chuck describes it as a humbling experience, knowing that the opportunity to give spans generations. What was once a solo endeavor has now become a shared experience between father and son, because Chuck set that precedent of giving. “I appreciate being able to share that gift with him. A half hour investment of [our] time can save somebody's life…there’s no better return on an effort out there.”