Over 50 supporters from various Pittsburgh area corporations and organizations came together to hear the Red Cross “Tell Our Story” during a morning panel discussion held at Hotel Monaco on Thursday, November 30, 2017.
Red Cross Board Member and PNC Assistant General Auditor Ronda Edkins kicked-off the morning by welcoming the group and introducing Scott Graham, who leads the American Red Cross Mid-Atlantic Division Disaster Operation. Scott gave an emotional account of the disasters to hit the United States over the past several months and recounted how the Red Cross assisted in each of the impacted areas.
Edkins then introduced WTAE Morning News Anchor Michelle Wright, who led the panel discussion. WTAE played a huge role in telling the Red Cross story throughout the national relief effort and hosted a two-day telethon that raised over $142,000.
Red Cross panelists Rick Baird of Oakmont, Marlene Boas of Venetia, Cyndi O’Neill of Wexford, Greg Matoka of McCandless, Pauline Duncan of Brentwood, and Jessica Smith of Bloomfield spoke of their involvement in the relief effort, painting a detailed image of the different types of services provided.
Sandi Wraith, Red Cross Senior Disaster Program Manager, took to the podium following the panel discussion to explain how our involvement in national disasters improves our ability to respond to disaster situations locally and how our Prepare Western PA Initiative looks to increase our capacity to respond to situations by building community resiliency. Following her remarks, Patricia Waldinger, Red Cross Western Pennsylvania Region Chief Executive Officer, concluded the morning by thanking the donor and volunteers for all they do to support the mission of the American Red Cross.
