By Rick Padden, American Red Cross Public Affairs
Name: Steve Manshel
Location: Loveland
GAP (Group/Activity/Position): Community Volunteer Leader/Ambassador
Length of service: 16 years
The American Red Cross may not have an official job designation for “Entertainers,” but it certainly knows how to take advantage of their skills – something that has paid huge dividends for the organization in the case of Steve Manshel of Loveland.
Manshel already had a distant connection to the Red Cross, through his grandmother, who was a volunteer during WWII. “She was still volunteering in her 70’s,” he said. “I’d see her in her little Red Cross hat and uniform, driving her station wagon, and I’d swear there was a red cross on the side of it.”
But it was his lifelong passion for making music that eventually drew him into the fold. “Music is what I bring to the table,” he said. “It’s my specialty; what I have to offer.” He’d played since high school; worked his way through college playing in a band; then did a long stint with the Boulder band Firefall; toured international stages; still writes music and is the leader of the Steve Manshel band.
He first became interested in helping the Red Cross after the Indonesian tsunami of 2004, when he donated the proceeds of a concert to the relief efforts. He’s been an ambassador for the Northern Colorado chapter ever since, and is one of the go-to musicians that local organizers turn to for volunteer parties and fundraising events.
In 2005 he turned it up a notch, putting the fun in fundraising with the Come Hell or High Water event, which featured his song of the same title. Manshel played the event for many years and helped make it the signature benefit for the Northern Colorado Chapter. The event featured gourmet food, live and silent auctions, entertainment (of course), dancing, and was considered one of the best charity parties in the area at the time. Donors agreed, as the event raised more than $1 million with Mashel on the stage.
Manshel tells an interesting story about the song and the Red Cross, something that occurred after he’d written it, but years before hooking up with the organization. “I was touring with Firefall,” he said, “and we were doing a series of flood relief concerts in the Midwest. In St. Louis there were these posters all over, showing a fire scene on the left and a flood scene on the right. The wording said “Come hell or high water, we’re there for you – American Red Cross.” We were already using my song with similar words as the cornerstone of our benefit concerts, and there it was, out of the blue! How serendipitous and coincidental and wonderful was that?” He said he’s enjoyed his association with the Red Cross, adding, “I love what they do. Great people doing great things.”
In fact, Manshel loves it so much he’s marrying into the family. He’s engaged to Jan Daugaard, executive director of the Wyoming Red Cross, whom he met at a Red Cross event at CSU. Not that she’s biased, but Daugaard said, “He’s done tremendous work for the Red Cross in terms of fundraising. He’s a nontraditional volunteer, but dedicated, for sure.” It’s not just the music, she noted. “Last week I needed to pick up the ERV in Denver and drop it off in Cheyenne. He drove another car so I would have a ride back.”
The chorus of Manshel’s popular benefit song reads like a Red Cross mantra of sorts:
Come Hell or High Water, I’ll be there to see you through
Come Hell or High Water I’m there for you
Should you ever need a friend to put their arms ’round you
Come Hell or High Water I’m there for you
“It’s quite a blessing to do something you love, and it’s certainly been a good fit as far as the Red Cross is concerned,” he said. “It’s important in lifting spirits.” Melissa Venable, the NoCo chapter’s executive director, said “I love that he is so willing to use his platform as a musician to help promote the good work of the Red Cross. He’s a wonderful spokesperson and is always willing to spread the word about our powerful mission.”
Manshel has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Arizona State University, and is originally from New Rochelle, NY, one of the first coronavirus hot spots in New York. Music, at least live music, is on hold for Manshel (and everyone), but he’s optimistic. “All we need to do is be smart, safe and patient,” he said, “and things will come back around.”
If you’d like to know more about Manshel and his music, visit: http://www.stevemanshel.com
Steve, Thanks for all the support and dedication to the Red Cross mission and for keeping us smiling while listening to some great music.