Fire Chief Tracey Steffes' Action and Expertise Saved Thousands, Earning Him the 2022 Red Cross Firefighter Hero Award, Sponsored by Wintrust

Fire Chief Tracey Steffes of Morris, Illinois, is the 2022 Red Cross Firefighter Hero Award recipient. Chief Steffes has dedicated his life to his community, serving first as a volunteer fireman for the city of Morris before eventually becoming fire chief. In June 2021, Chief Steffes faced his biggest challenge as the leader of the […]

Money, Empathy, Power and the Women Who Drive Philanthropy — A Conversation with Red Cross of Illinois CEO Celena Roldan and William Blair Partner Laura Linger

What does the impact of women in the philanthropic space look like? For the panelists at the May 18 Founder’s Fireside Chat — hosted by Make It Better Media Group — it looks a lot like owning your power, thinking big picture and doing all that you can for what you’re passionate about. Those present […]

Better Makers: American Red Cross of Greater Chicago Celebrates 2022 Local Heroes at the 20th Annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast

On May 11, the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago continued its time-honored tradition of recognizing some of Chicago’s outstanding community advocates who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to build and maintain better communities, and who have made a lasting impact on others in the process. At the 20th annual Red Cross […]

Chicago Students ‘Change the Name’ to Celebrate Black History — Successful Award Sponsor ITW Honors These 2021 Red Cross Youth Heroes

The 2021 Youth Hero Award recipients, middle school students from Village Leadership Academy, campaigned to change the name of a local park to pay tribute to renowned African-American abolitionists and activists, Frederick Douglass and Anna Murray Douglass. We celebrate their contributions to honor Black history in their community this month! In 2017, middle school students […]

Local Activist Supports Vulnerable Chicago Neighborhoods Through Pandemic and Beyond

The 2021 Social Justice Impact Hero recipient, social activism runs in Tanya Lozano’s blood. Her uncle was Chicago-based activist Rudy Lozano and her mother, Emma Lozano is also a well-known community activist in Chicago. In 2014, Tanya poured her passion for sports and physical fitness into founding the non-profit organization, Healthy Hood Chicago. The organization, […]

Brothers Host Annual Blood Drive to Help Save Lives — Award Sponsor Fresenius Kabi Honors 2021 Red Cross Blood Services Heroes

January is National Blood Donor Month, and the American Red Cross of Illinois is proud to celebrate the lifesaving impact of blood donors. The need for blood donations is constant, and each donor’s selfless act can help save up to three lives.  In 2017, after seeing the devastation that Hurricane Harvey brought to Louisiana and Texas, […]

Innovative Online Market Helps Feed Families During the Pandemic — Organizer Is Honored by United Airlines With a Red Cross Essential Services Hero Award

United Airlines is especially honored to sponsor 2021 Essential Service Hero Esther Lindor and her innovative work with food insecurity during this very unprecedented time, creating a safe and efficient way for people to access food throughout the pandemic. In 2019, Esther was one of Lakeview Pantry’s earliest innovators, who helped lead and manage the organization’s online […]

Innovative Online Market Helps Feed Families During the Pandemic — Organizer Is Honored by United Airlines With a Red Cross Essential Services Hero Award

United Airlines is especially honored to sponsor 2021 Essential Service Hero Esther Lindor and her innovative work with food insecurity during this very unprecedented time, creating a safe and efficient way for people to access food throughout the pandemic. In 2019, Esther was one of Lakeview Pantry’s earliest innovators, who helped lead and manage the organization’s online […]