CINCINNATI, January 23, 2023 — The Greater Cincinnati Tri-State Chapter of the American Red Cross and Presenting Sponsor TiER1 Performance are proud to announce that Chair and CEO Rodney McMullen and the Kroger Family of Companies has been named the recipient of the prestigious Clara Barton Award for Humanitarian Service. The award will be presented at a special breakfast event held this Thursday, January 26 at 9 a.m. at Cincinnati Music Hall.
The Clara Barton Award for Humanitarian Service is presented to a dynamic leader or organization that demonstrates inspiring humanitarian concern for our community and advocates to make it a better place for us to live and work.
Rodney McMullen led Kroger in directing more than $1.6 billion in charitable giving to support national and local organizations that feed families and build stronger communities. “Considering the parameters of the award, Mr. McMullen is the perfect recipient for this honor,” said Stephanie Byrd, Regional CEO of the Central & Southern Ohio Region of the American Red Cross. “In addition to its inspiring charitable giving, Kroger is a leader in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, recognizing the value of each person and the importance of creating environments that fuel collaboration, inspiration, and individual growth.”
This award is named after the remarkable founder and first leader of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton. Based on her inspiring legacy to the nation, this award focuses on service to humanity, as reflected in the services provided daily by the devoted volunteers of the American Red Cross. The award is made possible through the generosity of sponsors like Duke Energy and Presenting Sponsor TiER1 Performance.
"I want to congratulate Rodney and Kroger as the recipient of this great honor from The American Red Cross. It’s well deserved,” said Greg Harmeyer, TiER1 CEO. “Through Rodney’s leadership, Kroger has made a major impact on our community as well as their associates and customers. Their Zero Hunger | Zero Waste environmental impact program and their approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are just two examples of how Rodney and Kroger have led the way. As an organization that supports healthy, high-performing organizations, all of us at TiER1 appreciate the commitment that both Kroger and the American Red Cross have made to our community and the families in it."
The Clara Baron Award for Humanitarian Service event gives the Red Cross an opportunity to recognize community leaders for their service, as well as highlight the work of the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State Chapter. The funds generated serve as an important source of revenue in supporting the life-saving Red Cross programs in Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Brown, Clermont, Dearborn, Ohio, Boone, Kenton, Campbell, and Grant counties.
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About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/cincinnati or join us on Facebook and Twitter at @ARCcsor or on LinkedIn ARC Central and Southern Ohio.