Stephen Woods Named New Executive Director

Of American Red Cross-Western CT

DANBURY — The Board of Directors of the American Red Cross of Western Connecticut has named Stephen M. Woods as executive director.

Mr Woods will lead an organization that prepares for and responds to emergencies in a 17-town region, providing services that include driving patients to doctor appointments, coordinating emergency assistance for people forced from their homes by disasters, and offering courses in first aid and CPR.

“I am looking forward to working hand-in-hand with local volunteers and with residents who need assistance or who want to help the Red Cross improve the community,” Mr Woods said. “Together, we will build on the strong organization already here and make the American Red Cross of Western Connecticut a partner that everyone can rely on.”

He cited a recent fire in Danbury as an example of how the local Red Cross helps people.

Three residents were burned out of an apartment building on the afternoon of August 11, but by that evening they were staying at a local motel, care of the Red Cross.

The agency also provided the families financial assistance for food and other essential items and coordinated with other social service organizations to provide long-term help.

Mr Woods, 46, began as a Red Cross youth volunteer during an ice storm that shut down his hometown of New Canaan in 1973. He has been with the organization, as a volunteer or staff member, ever since.

Mr Woods, who lives in Danbury, was a field service manager at Red Cross National Headquarters for the past three years, providing support to 21 chapters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

 “We needed someone with a range of experience, and we got him in Steve Woods,” said Martin Medford, chairman of the Board of Directors. “Steve understands how to make a local Red Cross relevant to the community, and also how to work with the national office, which will help us provide services efficiently.”

Mr Woods said he intends to be visible at as many Red Cross events as possible, including blood drives and even late-night emergency responses.

“I want the Red Cross to be relevant to people’s lives,” he said. “I want residents to know they can turn to us when something bad happens — and also before something bad happens. The hurricanes and other natural disasters that have hit other parts of the country in the past few months can also occur in Connecticut. The Red Cross helps keep the community safe and ready.”

The American Red Cross of Western Connecticut serves 17 towns from Salisbury to Ridgefield with more than 500 volunteers. The chapter supports thousands of individuals every year through disaster assistance, health and safety preparedness programs, blood services, medical transportation, services to military families, a senior volunteer program, and the Lifeline personal response system.

The Red Cross needs volunteers to provide relief to victims of disaster, help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies, give blood and support in many other ways. To help, call the Danbury office at 792-8200 or New Milford at 860-354-3415 or visit WesternCT.RedCross.org.