Red Cross chapter recognizes leaders in Putnam County

Britton Riley (second from left), executive director of the American Red Cross chapter of West Central Indiana, presents certificates of appreciation to Leadership Council members Brooke Trissel (left) Ginger Scott and Kathie Skeel (right) of Putnam County, acknowledging their service to the organization. (Courtesy photo)

Members of the American Red Cross Putnam County Leadership Council were recently recognized for their outstanding service to the organization.

Leadership Council members host fundraising events to benefit the American Red Cross and also serve as local ambassadors.

"The leadership council is instrumental to our success and serves as a model for our direction moving forward, a movement of volunteerism and service to the community," Britton Riley, executive director of the 17-county Red Cross chapter, said.

Volunteers in the Putnam County area are also working on a national initiative launched by the American Red Cross, the Home Fire Campaign.

The campaign has targets to reduce the number of deaths and injuries sustained in home fires by 25 percent over a five-year period.

Volunteers install free smoke alarms in residences where needed. The campaign has already saved 26 lives nationally, including five in the state of Indiana.