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Hillsborough County
Red Cross Angels Officers
Maureen Rorech Dunkel
Allison Tutwiler
Susan Grady
Amy Guagliardo
Denise Chavez
Beverly Austin
Board Members
Helen Chavez
Alvie Whitaker
Laura Gauthier
Renee Williams
Kim Bulone
Chandra Lee
Linda Biller
Paula Wilson
Theresa Dunn
Patty Yaeger
Angie Ferlita
Beverly Hubble
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It is not uncommon for a single mother, covered in soot, who watches her home burn from a neighbor’s yard and has nothing more to be grateful for than her children’s safety, to call a Red Cross volunteer, her “angel.” The truth is, however, the American Red Cross Tampa Bay Chapter has its own set of angels for which to be grateful.
Since 1981, when then Board Chairman Al Austin and his wife Beverly formed an auxiliary group focused on attracting generous and dynamic women to the mission, the Red Cross Angels have raised more than $1 million to support families in crisis. When communities are devastated by disaster, military families are separated by war or individuals are faced with life-threatening emergencies, the Red Cross Angels are looking out for our community and ensuring the local Red Cross is able to meet their needs.
What began with a few dozen influential women occasionally meeting for lunch or on the tennis court 26 years ago has blossomed into a highly-organized, highly-performing group of dedicated community fundraisers. In past years, the Red Cross Angels have hosted M.A.S.H.-themed galas, organized designer fashion shows, authored cookbooks, and recruited new members through annual Silver Coffee and High Tea events – all to benefit and expand the reach of the American Red Cross in their communities. As a group they have also played host to the annual gingerbread house-making competition in Tampa, purchased computers, and invested in the construction of a headquarters building. It is from the latter that the American Red Cross teaches lifesaving safety classes (nearly 46,000 people last year), trains and nurtures volunteers (approximately 2,000) and manages operations for a three-county area.
Most recently, the Red Cross Angels honored U.S. Representative C.W. “Bill” Young of Indian Shores for his lifetime support of the U.S. Armed Forces with the prestigious Halo Award at a dinner, which raised more than $200,000 for the American Red Cross Service to Armed Forces program. Among the 275 people in attendance was Gov. Charlie Crist, former Gov. Bob Martinez and our community’s military leaders – making this event the most successful fundraiser in the Red Cross Angels’ history. It is with this gift that the American Red Cross was able to provide the educational briefings, emotional support and 24-hour communications systems that kept more than 3,400 local military families connected last year.
The Red Cross Angels are an enduring part of the Red Cross family, sustaining a critical safety net for the entire TampaBay region. Their roster now counts more than 170 members, who meet monthly in small committees, pay dues and secure sponsorships in order to achieve their self-established, aggressive fundraising goals. This year’s slate of officers includes President Maureen Rorech Dunkel, Vice President Allison Tutwiler, Secretaries Susan Grady and Amy Guagliardo, and Treasurer Denise Chavez.
While traditionally, the majority of Red Cross Angels have resided in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, they are actively recruiting members in PascoCounty with the help of County Commissioner and former Red Cross board member Ann Hildebrand. Under her leadership, the Red Cross Angels are paving the way for the American Red Cross to enhance its service delivery, expand its presence and deepen its impact in East Pasco County.
For more information about the Red Cross Angels, please call 1-877-741-1444 ext. 885.
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