Red Cross changes trigger uncertainty locally

A national plan to regionalize American Red Cross services has resulted in a major loss of Mercer County volunteers and skepticism by former area leaders.

The local transformation combines the resources and volunteers of seven area Red Cross chapters - Mercer, Auglaize, Allen, Van Wert, Hardin, Paulding and Putnam - under a new name: the West Central Ohio Chapter.

Also, Bill Steinbrunner of Coldwater, who in January was appointed as Mercer County's full-time community chapter executive, is now in a disaster leadership position based in Auglaize County, according to WCOC Director David Collins.

"All of our communities can still depend on the Red Cross for disaster response, health and safety courses, emergency communication for military and blood drives," Collins said in reply to questions sent by email from the newspaper.

Collins refused to respond during an attempted interview by telephone. In his email reply, he noted the changes are being made to reflect "a growing demand for services and new financial challenges" across the country.

Several former leaders with the Mercer County Chapter of the Red Cross told The Daily Standard there no longer is a local board, and nearly two dozen local volunteers who previously responded to disasters such as house fires and weather events have quit.

Steinbrunner confirmed the information.

"Yes, that's true," he said. "We don't have any (volunteers) right here, right now who are active. We have about eight in Auglaize County."

The Mercer County chapter board dissolved earlier this year after all members resigned. A new board covering the seven-county region is in place but Collins would not say if anybody from Mercer or Auglaize counties is represented.

Steinbrunner said organizational changes, such as those by the Red Cross, can prompt people "to step aside." Volunteers from nearby counties are available to respond if needed in Mercer County, he assured.

"And I'm qualified," he added.

Response times for emergencies have not been affected, according to Steinbrunner and Collins, although that statement was challenged by several former Red Cross representatives who opted not to comment publicly on the issue.
Steinbrun-
ner said there still are adequate numbers of volunteers within Mercer County to help with blood drives, immunization clinics and other services.
"And we're looking for more volunteers," he said. "But rest assured ... as far as anybody would notice, there will be no change to services in Mercer or Auglaize counties."

Collins said 75 volunteers are registered in Mercer and Auglaize counties but did not specify the services they render.

Jerry Siefring of Burkettsville, a former member of the Mercer County chapter board, said the county formerly had four teams of about 20 disaster response volunteers who served on-call one week each month.

"They've all quit," the former Burkettsville fire chief said.

Siefring said earlier this year he questioned Collins about the changes being made and received few satisfying answers. In May, he resigned from the board, he said.

One of his concerns was how the money donated by Mercer County residents, businesses and organizations was going to be kept and spent. Previously, more than $50,000 was held in a "rainy-day fund" in a local bank but has been moved to a centralized location, he said.

"We always had to give a percentage to the national (Red Cross) but the rest stayed in Mercer County banks," he said.

A big portion of the funds was raised through locally sponsored events such as the annual Mad Run and Go Kart races, Siefring said.

Collins told the newspaper funds donated within each county will remain local.

"The Red Cross always honors donor intent and money designated for local use will be spent locally," he said. "That will not change."

Collins said where the funds are housed is not a factor in how donations are spent. He said the Red Cross encourages people to give unrestricted dollars so the money can go where the need is greatest.

Steinbrunner said the agency tracks where donations originate "and makes sure those dollars are available to those areas."

Siefring said the Mercer County chapter took six to seven years to develop and "was one of the best around."

"I'd like to know if this change is meeting their expectations," he said.

Greg Homan of Coldwater, also a former board member, said communication and services under former Mercer County chapter executive director Deb Hemmelgarn "was quite successful." He also has reservations, he said.

"I and other fellow board members continue to have concerns about their (Red Cross leaders) ability to attract and recruit volunteers, fund-raise and meet local needs without a dedicated local presence," Homan said.

He understands that consolidation could help save costs but wonders if additional regional "specialist positions" will negate those savings.

"I hope they rediscover the strengths of the Red Cross are in its grassroots volunteerism/services core," Homan said.

Hemmelgarn, who officially resigned as executive director on Sept. 13, 2013, said she enjoyed her Red Cross position and appreciated those who gave their time unselfishly.

"I loved working with the Mercer County donors and volunteers and believe in the mission started in 1881," she said. "It saddens me to hear that many of my Red Cross friends have lost jobs that they dearly loved."

Collins admitted some of the ongoing changes might be difficult, but said there's no turning back.

"We see challenges coming up that we can get ahead of if we begin to tackle them now," he said. "Maintaining the status quo is not an option, and we've outlined the vision to transform our operations to achieve certain goals without harming our humanitarian mission."