<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[ARC-Nebraska-Iowa]]></title><description><![CDATA[American Red Cross]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/blog-1</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 14:45:23 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.ourredstories.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Nice to Meet You: Tim McLarn]]></title><description><![CDATA[Meet Tim. He is a member of the Nebraska-Iowa region's Disaster Cycle Services staff. He is dedicated to ensuring that our volunteers are prepared to respond to a wide range of disaster scenarios. Q: Could you explain what your title means and take us through your workday, or what projects you work on? A: As a disaster workforce engagement specialist, I focus on building, supporting and sustaining a strong volunteer workforce that’s ready to respond to disasters. On a typical day, I track...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/nice-to-meet-you-tim-mclarn</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fccc904f7ebdc9f6a6ed75</guid><category><![CDATA[Disaster Services]]></category><category><![CDATA[Everyday Stories]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 08 May 2026 16:47:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_44529f56a5a84e83b368903a60cb3837~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Celebrating the Heart of the Red Cross During National Volunteer Week]]></title><description><![CDATA[National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) gives us the perfect opportunity to shine a light on the people who truly power the American Red Cross—our volunteers.   Simply put, the Red Cross couldn’t do what it does without them. Volunteers donate their time, talent, compassion and commitment to help neighbors in need every single day. They are the lifeblood of our mission.   Since the American Red Cross was founded in 1881, volunteers have been stepping up in moments of crisis and calm alike....]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/celebrating-the-heart-of-the-red-cross-during-national-volunteer-week</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e58cd42caf3ee79a406948</guid><pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:22:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_45baa7eb400c454592534babf7826da9~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_641,h_636,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Thunderbolts Strengthen Region's Disaster Response Capabilities]]></title><description><![CDATA[Throughout the last month, our Nebraska-Iowa regional volunteers and staff were put to the test with thunderbolt drills. These exercises were designed to test each chapter's ability to respond to a large-scale disaster. Without prior warning, teams in each chapter were tasked with opening several shelters simultaneously, all within the span of a few hours. Each shelter was required to hold 100 people and had to be staffed by trained Red Cross volunteers. Teams worked closely with partners and...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/thunderbolts-strengthen-region-s-disaster-response-capabilities</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d95962515c02011a0c7ae2</guid><category><![CDATA[Disaster Services]]></category><category><![CDATA[Volunteer Services]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:52:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_7683e6cb1ba546d0a4194a5f6b1da9fa~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spring Storm Season Is Here — Let’s Get Ready]]></title><description><![CDATA[With spring’s arrival comes an increased likelihood of severe weather across Nebraska and Iowa. Preparation now can make a big difference when storms roll through.   First Things First: Stay in the Know Weather changes fast, and having multiple ways to get updates is important — especially if the power goes out. Phone alerts, local news, battery‑powered radios, weather apps… they all work together to keep you informed.   One tool worth downloading is the free Red Cross Emergency app . It...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/spring-storm-season-is-here-let-s-get-ready</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c41d2ad2e55f64fe07f186</guid><category><![CDATA[Disaster Services]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:48:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_46b52a32e31548b89a44dfc1896fe363~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A True Partnership in Service: Dave and Annette Tolander’s Red Cross Story]]></title><description><![CDATA[Volunteers are the heartbeat of the American Red Cross. With 90 percent of the organization's workforce made up of volunteers, people like Dave and Annette Tolander play a critical role in helping communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. Every year, the Red Cross responds to approximately 65,000 disasters across the country — from home fires to large‑scale events like hurricanes, floods and wildfires. As extreme weather intensifies, the frequency and severity of these...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/a-true-partnership-in-service-dave-and-annette-tolander-s-red-cross-story</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69bc14bec6c9669173c8303f</guid><category><![CDATA[Disaster Services]]></category><category><![CDATA[Volunteer Services]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:34:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_509abddfa2664beb8e90d586c8dfc556~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Iowa State springs into action with Blood Drive]]></title><description><![CDATA[This week, Iowa State University hosted the spring blood drive at the Memorial Union. For three days, students, staff, faculty and community members came together to roll up their sleeves and donate blood. The annual event is hosted by Blood Drive, a student club on campus. For years, Blood Drive has hosted one of the largest student-run blood drives in the country, which is a source of pride for club members. Entrance to the Iowa State Spring Blood Drive “It’s really rewarding to see them...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/iowa-state-springs-into-action-with-blood-drive</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b47fb26f1601b218248d64</guid><category><![CDATA[Everyday Stories]]></category><category><![CDATA[Biomed Services]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 21:30:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_79e1591266bd43859f4dc07437157e25~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Red Cross Month Honors Growing Volunteerism That Spans Generations]]></title><description><![CDATA[Red Cross Month began during World War II as a national call to action to address growing humanitarian needs. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the first proclamation declaring March to be Red Cross Month in 1943. Since then, it has evolved into an annual community tradition — one that underscores the enduring power of compassion and what people can accomplish together. President Franklin Roosevelt signs a proclamation declaring March to be Red Cross Month For 145 years, the American...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/red-cross-month-honors-growing-volunteerism-that-spans-generations</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ab5f6abcc8e6b4393b298c</guid><category><![CDATA[Volunteer Services]]></category><category><![CDATA[Everyday Stories]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 23:33:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_23b4aa9204c146d9b907b54eb471f4ce~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Pulled In. Pulled Through: How Blood Donation Came Full Circle for Chris Domeyer]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Lubna Albadawi Chris Domeyer remembers the sound of the auger. The grinding metal.The pull of his glove.The moment he knew. “I knew if I made it out of that truck alive,” he says quietly, “it was going to be without a leg.” On November 17, 2005, Domeyer, of Manchester, Iowa, was working for the Iowa Department of Transportation. A snowstorm had rolled through overnight, and like many winter mornings, he had been called in early to plow. He decided to wash his new truck instead of heading...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/pulled-in-pulled-through-how-blood-donation-came-full-circle-for-chris-domeyer</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69962a54efa15866f1efe702</guid><category><![CDATA[Biomed Services]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 22:25:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_daf86e4f477f4c8d9169a02bb978d51c~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Caring Pair]]></title><description><![CDATA[Tim Lewis became a Red Cross volunteer first. His wife, Marilyn, soon joined him. “We do most things together. She wanted to do it with me,” Tim Lewis explained. “I thought it would be a good thing for us to do together as a couple.” After working in law enforcement and emergency management for 40 years, Tim Lewis came to the Red Cross as a volunteer already well-versed in the mission. He spent his professional life responding to weather crises and home fires. He also planned ahead for...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/a-caring-pair</link><guid isPermaLink="false">698f9b6ab5fb2c66253b369b</guid><category><![CDATA[Disaster Services]]></category><category><![CDATA[Volunteer Services]]></category><category><![CDATA[Everyday Stories]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:25:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_574810241f03447eb0277ecd1e25825a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Red Cross Volunteer Empowers Others, Teaches International Humanitarian Law ]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Janet Flanagan “Even war has rules.”   That’s what Laura Calese tells her Red Cross class.   Wait. What?   Why is a Red Cross volunteer talking about the rules of war?   Isn’t the Red Cross all about blood donations, CPR, fire safety, first aid and disaster response?   The answer is “Yes.” And the Red Cross is also involved in another service, that of promoting International Humanitarian Law.   It came about after 1859, when a Swiss businessman, Henry Dunant, witnessed horrific suffering...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/red-cross-volunteer-empowers-others-teaches-international-humanitarian-law</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6984d1874ef7940ceef20011</guid><category><![CDATA[International Services]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:24:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_ae596389d42f457398561a4f12213d55~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_741,h_585,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Be a Winter Warrior]]></title><description><![CDATA[As winter settles in, so do the challenges to collecting blood. The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply of blood, drawing down the blood supply by about 35 percent over the past month. Individuals are urgently needed to give blood or platelets now so patients don’t face delays in lifesaving care.  But there is  good news: You can help change that. Now through February, the Red Cross is calling on compassionate individuals...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/be-a-winter-warrior</link><guid isPermaLink="false">696a9770022bfc82f7674de9</guid><category><![CDATA[Everyday Stories]]></category><category><![CDATA[Biomed Services]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 16 Jan 2026 19:59:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_c38e518730fc40b78f93eb272cf75284~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nice to Meet You: Cliff Haynes]]></title><description><![CDATA[Cliff Haynes is a community disaster program manager in the Eastern Iowa chapter. He is committed to ensuring that the chapter is prepared to respond to different kinds of disasters and that our incredible team of volunteers is able to serve those affected. He sheds light on what his job entails and how rewarding his role can be. Cliff Haynes on his deployment to the Kentucky floods in 2025 Q: Could you explain what your title means and take us through your workday, or what projects you work...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/nice-to-meet-you-cliff-haynes</link><guid isPermaLink="false">695ff44def26879dd3ccbd23</guid><category><![CDATA[Disaster Services]]></category><category><![CDATA[Everyday Stories]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 19:40:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_3af71b4b67fe41f6844a771a2d3230dd~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_319,h_337,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Carter’s Journey: How Blood Donations Help Kids Keep Being Kids]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Rachelle Lipker Carter Gustin is a 14-year-old who embodies the spirit of a typical teenager—active, social, and deeply passionate about sports. Before his diagnosis, he was almost always outside, moving from one activity to the next. He loves being with friends, competing in sports, and would rarely spend time sitting still. A true multi-sport athlete, Gustin loves participating in baseball, basketball, wrestling, golf, football and track. Carter Gustin Gustin’s health journey began with...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/carter-s-journey-how-blood-donations-help-kids-keep-being-kids</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69459d779e93a156638d7007</guid><category><![CDATA[Everyday Stories]]></category><category><![CDATA[Biomed Services]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 19 Dec 2025 18:59:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_81a1d552df2c4a1ba0e4ca08e66648a5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_293,h_309,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Blood drive brings Nebraska couple together]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Ashley Peterson-DeLuca About 30 years ago, Ron Nelson was helping his mother, a blood drive coordinator, by setting up tables for a blood drive in his hometown of Minden, Nebraska. Because he was there anyway, he decided to give blood. Fast-forward a half a lifetime later, Nelson has since donated 145 pints of blood products, almost enough to fill an F-150 gas tank. Each pint donated has the potential to save multiple lives. Nelson is now a Power Red donor . A Power Red donation starts...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/blood-drive-brings-nebraska-couple-together</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6941b0ef6e99824bc10395c1</guid><category><![CDATA[Everyday Stories]]></category><category><![CDATA[Biomed Services]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:30:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_d73f98ef12484828bb0957f6af5226c0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_916,h_734,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nice to Meet You: Dylan Murphy]]></title><description><![CDATA[Meet Dylan. He is enthusiastic and engaging - two personality traits that fit well with his role as a donor recruitment account manager for the Red Cross. It's his job to build relationships in his territory around Lincoln, Nebraska, to encourage area residents to host blood drives and donate blood. Learn more about his career with the Red Cross, what motivates him and moments that stick with him. Q: Could you explain what your title means and take us through your workday, or what projects...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/nice-to-meet-you-dylan-murphy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">693b1114152a564cb0be0785</guid><category><![CDATA[Everyday Stories]]></category><category><![CDATA[Biomed Services]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2025 19:40:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_8c7bd82ef4c642b1a709f29b063e8103~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_350,h_443,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Volunteer uses planes, boats, helicopters and ATVs to reach affected communities in remote Alaska]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Ashley Peterson-DeLuca The Alaska Natives in the Yukon-Kuskokwin Delta, comprising 48 tribes in the region, live off the water and tundra, combining modern living with ancient traditions. But on October 11-12, 2025, Typhoon Halong, with its 100 mph winds and flooding, tore away at their livelihood. It stripped insulation and roofs from homes, sunk fishing boats, soaked floors and cut power, causing many people to lose their homes and the fish and meat stored in chest freezers for the...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/volunteer-uses-planes-boats-helicopters-and-atvs-to-reach-affected-communities-in-remote-alaska</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6931cad9346ce9789f56a214</guid><category><![CDATA[Disaster Services]]></category><category><![CDATA[Volunteer Services]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 04 Dec 2025 18:16:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_4049cea58e144af2b95c92338cee8391~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_344,h_459,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Keep the Holidays Bright: Simple Tips to Prevent Home Fires]]></title><description><![CDATA[The holidays are all about cozy vibes, twinkling lights and delicious meals—but did you know home fires spike by 20 percent during the holiday season? Cooking accidents, unattended candles and unsafe decorations are the usual culprits. One in five people the Red Cross assists after home fires are helped during the holiday months. Home fires can strike fast—sometimes giving you just two minutes to escape. The American Red Cross wants to help you keep the season safe and joyful with a few easy...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/keep-the-holidays-bright-simple-tips-to-prevent-home-fires</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6924e0e48c513b4f517e1795</guid><category><![CDATA[Everyday Stories]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2025 15:15:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_7002bc112b074457b2041ce2685a7bd8~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_592,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Year in the Life of an American Red Cross Volunteer]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Beth Roy On November 13, 2024, Angela O’Leary took a major step and applied online to join the American Red Cross. As her three children reached the age of independence, O’Leary had talked with her husband about her goal of becoming more involved in local volunteer opportunities. She hoped to find a way to give back and was excited to try something new. The O’Learys made their home in Nebraska, but it was her memory of seeing the devastating floods in Asheville, North Carolina, on...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/a-year-in-the-life-of-an-american-red-cross-volunteer</link><guid isPermaLink="false">691f950c35662176f699845d</guid><category><![CDATA[Everyday Stories]]></category><category><![CDATA[Volunteer Services]]></category><category><![CDATA[Disaster Services]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 20 Nov 2025 22:32:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_af709b76200f4e86b42d813bf21e79e7~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_708,h_596,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nice to Meet You: Katie Tellus]]></title><description><![CDATA[Meet Katie. She is passionate about blood donor recruitment and proud of the impact her work has on her community. Learn more about her role, how she spends her time and what fuels her commitment to her work. Katie (center) with her husband and son. Q: Could you explain what your title means and take us through your workday, or what projects you work on? A:  As the donor recruitment supervisor for the Omaha donor recruitment team, I serve as both a creative and operational resource, guiding...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/nice-to-meet-you-katie-tellus</link><guid isPermaLink="false">691611cdfc22f1d9068bb3c1</guid><category><![CDATA[Everyday Stories]]></category><category><![CDATA[Biomed Services]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:12:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_edf5e67641894033bae9914e920fc1f4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_837,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nebraska-Iowa Red Cross Honors Volunteers]]></title><description><![CDATA[On Thursday, Red Cross volunteers and staff from the Nebraska-Iowa Region gathered in person and online for the Nebraska-Iowa One Red Cross Volunteer Awards to celebrate each other’s work and many accomplishments in 2025. The sense of community was palpable at each chapter party, and even for those watching the event online. Eastern Iowa chapter awardees Volunteers were recognized for their hours of commitment, outstanding leadership and more. Those selected for awards were nominated by their...]]></description><link>https://www.ourredstories.com/post/nebraska-iowa-red-cross-honors-volunteers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">690e5a0396a2942ab27efb2e</guid><category><![CDATA[Volunteer Services]]></category><category><![CDATA[Everyday Stories]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 07 Nov 2025 21:00:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/415a8c_a5b95eb7d274492fbc3f48a5fc14cee9~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NEIA Red Cross</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>