Chapter Announces 2015 Gala Chair, Vice Chair

Maria Triplett, left, and Erin Rasinen, right, will lead the 2015 Wrapped in Red Gala steering committee.

The results are in from the 4^th Annual Wrapped in Red Gala and Red Lounge. The Louisville Area Chapter’s signature event raised $157,000 for community disaster programs through sponsorships, ticket sales and auction purchases. Thanks to our 2014 Chair Randy Blevins, Vice Chair Maria Triplett, the Wrapped in Red steering committee and volunteers who donated their time and expertise to make the event a success!

Louisville Area Chapter Board Member and 2014 Gala Vice Chair Maria Triplett will be leading the 2015 Gala. Maria is President and Owner of TSI Paving—a family owned and operated business providing services in the areas of pavement maintenance, storm water drainage repairs and sanitary sewer repairs for residential, commercial and industrial clients. In addition to her service on the Louisville Area Chapter Board of Directors, Maria is a member of the National Association of Women in Construction and the Executive Womens Golf Association.

Maria will be joined by Vice Chair Erin Rasinen who has chaired the Gala design and décor committee for the past four years. Erin began her career with Messer Construction in 2004. In 2012, Erin was promoted to senior management at Messer and is now a partner in the firm. She is involved in many industry and community organizations, and serves on the board of directors for the Louisville Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction, the Kentuckiana-Post of the Society of American Military Engineers, the Sacred Heart Academy Alumnae Association and Kentucky Derby Festival.

If you are interested in serving on the Wrapped in Red Gala planning committee, becoming a Wrapped in Red sponsor or donating an auction item, please contact Amber Youngblood at (502) 561-3711 or Amber.Youngblood@redcross.org.

More on the Wrapped in Red Gala

National Volunteer Week - Sara Shelton

Crossing Generations members Ainsley Jones and Sara Shelton promote the Wrapped in Red Gala & Red Lounge.

Sara Shelton joined the Red Cross in 2009 as a member of our Crossing Generations Society. Sara is a young professional and works for Triangle Talent as a Senior Producer. She travels frequently, primarily to state fairs and music festivals, to promote concerts and work with bands directly.

Sara’s impact has included assisting with the development and planning of our Wrapped in Red Gala, chairing the Red Lounge committee, setting up blood donation opportunities and CPR/First Aid trainings for young professionals, and more. She is currently the Chair of our Crossing Generations group and was previously the Director of Recruitment and Retention. During the March 2012 tornado relief efforts, she recruited other young professionals to help cover telethons, benefit concerts and other fundraising opportunities. She shadowed a Red Cross response vehicle the day after the storms. Finally, she believes in what she asks others to do—she is a blood donor, financial donor and is trained in CPR/First Aid.

To register to become a Red Cross volunteer and to see Red Cross volunteer opportunities in your area, visit redcross.org/volunteer.

Volunteer Gets Wrapped in Red - Erin Hall

The revival of an annual Red Cross gala in 2011 gave the Louisville Area Chapter an opportunity to involve volunteers in new activities. Both new and veteran volunteers worked together to make the inaugural Wrapped in Red Gala a memorable event to raise funds for Red Cross community disaster programs.

Erin at the 2012 Gala

After a six year hiatus, the Louisville Area Chapter gala returned to the Derby City. Renamed the “Wrapped in Red Gala,” the event’s planning committee was determined to make it bigger and better than its predecessor – “The Gatsby Gala.”

“It was a great opportunity to make a statement and get the gala off on the right foot,” said Erin Hall, Chair of the Gala’s Design & Décor committee.

Erin and her team made the look and layout defining elements of the inaugural Wrapped in Red Gala, creating an ocean of red to welcome guests as they entered the ballroom of the Louisville Marriott Downtown. Red fabric draped every table, chair and corner and glowing candlelight created a cozy setting among the tables.

The 2011 Wrapped in Red Gala

“We really tried to convey, through the gala, the warmth the Red Cross provides to the community,” she said.

Receiving rave reviews from guests and Louisville’s social enthusiast Angie Fenton of the Voice-Tribune, Erin agreed to lead the Design & Décor committee for a second term. Expectations were high following a successful first year, but Erin and her team rose to the occasion, adding new, unique touches to create a new look and experience.

The Chivari chairs and centerpieces added a bit of silver to this year's Gala. Guests of the Red Lounge were invited to participate in extra fun at the Magnolia Photo Booth.

Erin has become a regular volunteer at the Louisville Area Chapter. She joined the young professionals group Crossing Generations in March of 2011. Through the group, she has helped with fundraising events such as Louisville Uncorked and the Old Kentucky Home Tour Sag Stop operated by Red Cross workers. In October, Erin received a Volunteer Rookie award at the annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon.

During the March tornado response, she helped with local telethons. In the future, she hopes to become more involved with disaster response. Erin has also become a regular blood donor, something she said she would not have done before becoming a Red Cross volunteer.

“The more you learn about the Red Cross, the more ways you see how to get involved,” she said. “You can make a difference as an individual, a couple of hours at a time.”

Erin plans to continue to volunteer with the Red Cross because she sees a need in the community and enjoys working with the Red Cross staff.

“Once you step foot in the building and understand the impact Red Cross has on the community, it’s hard to walk away."