A Message From CEO T.D. Smyers: Unique New Way to Donate

by T.D. Smyers, CEO, American Red Cross North Texas Region

T.D. Smyers

As I write this message, nearly 40 American Red Cross volunteers from across the North Texas Region are deployed to help families with storm recovery in Arkansas, Mississippi, Kansas and North Florida as part of the massive 13-state response to last week's tornadoes and floods. Volunteers are crucial to our mission in helping people in their time of need, making it possible for the Red Cross to respond to nearly 70,000 disasters each year. We know that not everyone can immediately rush to another state, but there are many other ways to help.

As always, you can visit RedCross.org to donate or text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10. Or, you can donate a vehicle. In February of this year, the Red Cross launched our Vehicle Donation Program, partnering with Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA). The program converts unneeded vehicles into Red Cross donations.

Have an older car in the garage that isn't being used? You may think that your old, beat-up vehicle is worthless, but the donation of that car could be priceless to someone in need of Red Cross services.

To make it easier on you, the donation is tax deductible and we'll provide free pick-up and towing. We accept cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boats, snowmobiles, jet skis, tractors, farm equipment and more, in any condition -- even salvaged.

Do you know someone that may be interested? To donate a vehicle, contact the Red Cross online at RedCross.org or call 1-855-92 RC CAR (927-2227) to make arrangements. An IAA representative will pick up your vehicle at a time that's convenient to you and at no cost. Once the vehicle is sold, they'll provide you with a tax receipt on behalf of the Red Cross.

It's that simple. With storm season ramping up, we need your help more than ever. Follow updates about the Red Cross response on www.redcross.org/dfw and on Twitter at @RedCrossDFW. Thanks so much for your support.

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Notes from the Chief's Desk: CEO Message

Written by T.D. Smyers, chief executive officer North Texas Region

“I have an almost complete disregard of precedent, and a faith in the possibility of something better. It irritates me to be told how things have always been done. I defy the tyranny of precedent. I go for anything new that might improve the past.”   
- Clara Barton

One year ago, the North Texas Region of the American Red Cross was born. It was a time of hopeful expectation for some and great anxiety for others. But one need only review these words from Clara Barton to know what our founder would have thought of the organizational change that was necessary to save the American Red Cross, including the creation of regions to handle a lot of the back office functions that had previously burdened our chapters. 

Of course, appealing to Clara means that the change should “improve the past” by advancing the effectiveness and efficiency by which we deliver the historic Red Cross mission.

When I was given the privilege of leading this Region, it became my focus to ensure our regional staff team – both employees and volunteers – were catalysts to the delivery of our mission rather than being an additional layer of bureaucracy. To this end, our team set about identifying just what it is we should be doing. We didn’t need a mission statement. We already had that, courtesy of our national leadership:

Mission Statement

The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

What we did need was to define our purpose in support of that mission. With input and review by employees and volunteers across the Region, we did just that:

Purpose Statement of the North Texas Region

To Support, Resource and Enable the work of North Texas Chapters in executing the mission of the Red Cross.

In order to realize this purpose, and keep us focused, we determined three strategic goals as well:

Strategic Goals of the North Texas Region

1. Optimize and strengthen the identity of local chapters and build a culture of collaboration across the    Region. 
2. Become the charity of choice for Time, Talent and Treasure in communities across North Texas. 
3. Be the top Region in American Red Cross for revenue, volunteerism and diversity.

The staff's and volunteer's pursuit of these goals will reinforce the great work done by American Red Cross chapters every day.

I’ve been impressed by how committed our national leaders are to the “upside down pyramid”, meaning that chapters in the field really take the lead role. When an Emergency Response Vehicle rolls up to a curb because a family burned out in the middle of the night, it’s a local Red Cross volunteer that provides the service. 

When a service member needs important communication from home, they reach out to their local chapter. The same is true when a person wants to become a lifeguard, learn CPR or donate a pint of blood. 

So while there have been many changes in the organizational leadership of the Red Cross, there hasn’t been change in keeping Red Cross services strong at the local level. 

At the North Texas Region, we’re committed to serving our communities across the top of the state of Texas. 

One final note. 

One senior volunteer who wasn’t happy about “regionalization” recently told me that she had changed her mind about the reorganization; mostly because she’s seen such tremendous support from the Region that she knows “things are different this time”. 

In fact, she said she feels more connected to the Red Cross now than she ever did when her chapter was operated independently. 

Good days are ahead. BZ!

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One Week Later: A Message of Gratitude

Written by Kyla Campbell

The American Red Cross stands shoulder to shoulder with victims after disaster, whether it's down the street, around the country or across the world.

And this last week, disaster has been down Forney's streets, down Arlington's streets and down Lancaster's streets leaving multiple city's to recover, multiple neighborhoods stunned and one Red Cross to respond.

Listen to our CEO, T.D. Smyers, as he expresses his gratitude for service to everyone who has helped spread our message, volunteer, and give selflessly of time and resources over the last 7 days.

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