Red Cross marks century of service in Valley

BOARDMAN

The American Red Cross is celebrating 100 years in Mahoning County this year and still going strong.

“We’ve lasted a century because the Red Cross provides the services the community needs and wants,” said W. Russell Preston, executive officer and chief executive director of the Mahoning Chapter.

Also key to the chapter’s longevity is support from community members who volunteer their time and treasure, said Lou Joseph, in his first year as chairman of the board of directors.

There is no way the Red Cross could offer all these services and educate and prepare people to respond to emergencies without its corps of 200 volunteers, said Joseph, vice president of property and purchasing at Home Savings and Loan Co.

The local chapter has just six paid staff members, said Preston, with a budget of about $500,000 in 2009. Eighty cents of every $1 received goes to programs, he said.

The Red Cross receives no government funding. All the local chapter’s money comes from the area, with the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley being the single-largest donor, Joseph said.

The Red Cross Mahoning Chapter was founded in 1910 at the urging of Mabel T. Boardman, granddaughter of Boardman Township founder, Elijah Boardman.

It was founded to help people in times of disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and during wars, Preston said.

For the complete story, see Wednesday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.