Red Cross has been and will always be an integral thread in the fabric that makes up America. Along with police and fire departments, libraries, schools and churches, the presence of Red Cross in a community symbolizes strength and security; it shows that a community is ready and willing to respond when its people need help.

In May, four communities in southeast Wisconsin proved that they were ready and willing to respond when Red Cross asked for their help. Those four communities, Kenosha, Racine, Wauwatosa and Waukesha held Heroes Campaigns for the very first time. And the results were phenomenal.

More than $30,000 was raised from the grassroots campaign that called upon small business owners, churches, schools, clubs, organizations and others to become Heroes for the Red Cross by holding events to raise funds. There were Pig Roasts and cooking classes, bake sales and dress down days, runs and test drives. And there was an outpouring of support for an organization that has been serving people in communities across the United States for more than 100 years.

“I have the utmost respect for what the Red Cross does,” said a Heroes supporter while enjoying the day at Bindellis City Zoo in Kenosha. A veteran of the armed forces and a former firefighter, he thought the campaign was a great idea. “Red Cross has been there for so many people for so long. It’s nice to have the chance to say thanks.”

Now it’s time for Red Cross to thank the many Heroes who made the campaign a success.

In Kenosha …
Aiello Family Dental
Aiello’s Mid-Town Florist
AM Community Credit Union
Attorney’s Madrigrano, Aiello & Santarelli, LLC
Bank of Kenosha
Bindelli’s City Zoo
Bindelli’s Safari
Bob & Rosalie Gentile
Brat Stop
Bridget Pawell
Crown Trophy
Curve’s (Hyw 100)  (Hwy 50)
DeRango’s Restaurant
Dr. Jo Chianello-Bermann
First Banking Center
Heroes & Dreams
Indian Trail Academy
Kenosha Community Media
Kenosha Fishing & Conservation Club
Kenosha Hog Chapter
Luxury Limousine
Lou Perrine’s Gas & Groceries
Mary Aiello
Mary Rose
Music Center
Noodles & Co.
Ocean Spray
Oliver’s Bakery
Panera Bread
Piasecki Althaus Funeral Home
Reuther High School
Southport Bank
Southern Lakes Credit Union
Spanky’s Bar & Grill
Spiegelhoff’s Super Value
Studio 22
US Bank
Wheatland Fire Department
WLIP
WRJN

In Racine …
Bank of Elmwood
Caledonia Fire Department
CAR25
Caribou Coffee
Casablanca De Mexico
City of Racine
Common Scents
Copacetic
Cousins
David Insurance
Express Employment
Fountain Hall
Greens & Goods
Ivanhoe’s Pub & Eatery
JavaVino
JohnsonDiversey
Johnson Financial
Johnson Outdoors
JoJo’s Toys
Krueger Communications
Kiwanis
Main Street General Store
McDonald’s
Mt. Pleasant Fire Department
Noodles & Company
O&H Bakery
Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce
Racine Fire Department
Racine County
Red Line Tavern
Ricky’s Inc.
Runracine.com
Sam’s Club
SC Johnson – A Family Company
Studio Two
TDS Metrocom
Tavern League of Racine
Walmart
Warren Industries
Waterford Chamber of Commerce
WE Energies
WRJN/WEZY

In Wauwatosa …
Cranky Al’s Bakery & Pizza
Crowne Plaza Hotel
GE Healthcare
Healthways Health Center
M & I Banks
Noodles & Company
Rosebud Theatre
Spice House
Venturi’s Market
Wauwatosa Savings Bank  Waterstone Bank
Wild Impact Marketing
Milwaukee Pubic Market
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant
Edwardo’s Pizza
Dr. Herbert Kuehnemann

In Waukesha …
American Transmission
Brewer Company
Carroll College
Chile’s Restaurant
Cousins Restaurants: Brown Deer, Waukesha
Fiserv
Greens & Goods
Mobile Gas
Safro Toyota
Sam’s Club
SportClips
Storage Systems
Waukesha County Tavern League
Waukesha State Bank

Leading the 2008 Heroes Campaigns to success were:
Kenosha Co-Chairs
Martha Aiello
Kevin Griffin
Brian Jaffe

Racine Co-Chairs
Walter Jensen
Mark Eickhorst
Loree Frechette

Waukesha Co-Chairs
Natalie Glum
Sean Finn
Marc Messinger

Wauwatosa Chairs
Kate Erd