The shooting in Las Vegas was the deadliest mass shooting committed by an individual in the United States. In this incident 58 people died and more than 500 were injured. The American Red Cross responded immediately by providing the necessary blood to save lives, giving care and comfort to survivors, families of the deceased, and members of the community.
The American Red Cross deployed 150 volunteers from all over the country. Volunteers reached out to people at the Family Assistance Center, in hospitals, at memorials and vigils, during blood drives, and in private homes. Their assistance made a huge difference to the people affected and their families.
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| Yadira (R) coordinates with Natividad Lewis about supporting the Las Vegas community. Photo by Bill Fortune/American Red Cross |
Yadira Rodriguez, a Nationwide associate, was among those volunteers. Using her personal time and with the support of her manager and team, she deployed to Nevada quickly following the tragedy.
After her arrival to Las Vegas she reached to the Hispanic community affected by the tragedy, by partnering with, local churches, NGO’s and the local media. “The response from the community was amazing, the city came together and helped anyway they could,” said Yadira, who has been volunteering for the Red Cross for over four years. She received the 2017 Community Hero Award for International Services for her work with the Hispanic community in Colorado.
“The work that Yadira did for us was extremely valuable,” said Josh Lockwood, Red Cross Administrator for External Relations. “We were able to engage the Hispanic population more effectively so that they could receive Red Cross services.” Yadira’s work also served to improve the capacity of the Red Cross of Southern Nevada by recruiting volunteers of Hispanic descent.
The shooting in Las Vegas was an unprecedented tragedy and will always remain in the hearts and minds of the community and people affected. However, they will also remember that the Red Cross was there to help and guide them through this difficult process. Strong partnerships with organizations like Nationwide help the Red Cross respond to the needs of the community and make a remarkable difference.
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| Nationwide stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Red Cross. Photo by Axl David, American Red Cross |
Nationwide, the Nationwide Foundation and the American Red Cross have a longstanding and significant partnership in Colorado and across the country. Since the company’s first blood drive in 1944 in Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide associates have given around 14,000 pints annually — potentially saving 42,000 lives each year. As the country’s first corporate onsite donation center located in Nationwide’s home office, Nationwides associates represent about 5 percent of the local blood supply.
Nationwide does more than roll up their sleeves to give blood. The Nationwide Foundation is a founding member of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, contributing more than $16 million since 2000, to assist Red Cross with immediate resources to prepare for and respond to disasters.