Mercy Health, foundation to receive Spirit of the Red Cross Award

Staff report

VIENNA

A giant U.S. flag has been hung in the Ridge Road Cargo Building at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in preparation for the sixth-annual American Red Cross Acts of Courage event Tuesday, which is Flag Day.

The Acts of Courage event will take place at 6 p.m. at the D.D. Davis Cargo Building, 1546 Ridge Road. Tickets are $75 per person. For information, contact the American Red Cross at 330-392-2551.

Each year, the ARC celebrates the heroism of those who, without thought to their own safety, act in an emergency to help another. The 2016 award winners represent nine stories of heroism. These individuals acted quickly to save a life, said Karen Conklin, executive director of the ARC Lake to River Chapter.

The board of directors of the ARC Lake to River Chapter selected Mercy Health and Mercy Health Foundation as the 2016 recipient of the Spirit of the Red Cross Award, presented annually to those who best exemplify leadership in the community, compassion for people and dedication to enriching the community through their work.

This annual celebration of heroes on Flag Day is a patriotic tribute to living in the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” The parade of heroes begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner, Conklin said.

The Lake to River Chapter serves Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana and Jefferson counties.

Greg Greenwood is master of ceremonies. Proceeds will help provide shelter, food and clothing to people in the community who have experienced a home fire.