Crestwood resident recognized for commitment to improving the lives of senior adults

St. Louis, Wednesday, May 31, 2006 – Jean Romine, a Crestwood resident and a Lifeline Specialist with the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, recently received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Lifeline Academy at their headquarters in Framingham, Massachusetts. The Lifeline Academy, established in 2001, represents the best 150 community partners out of 2,500 nationwide who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to help more senior adults and their family members benefit from Lifeline.

“Jean Romine is a one-of-a-kind program manager,” said Maxine Hepper, Director of Health and Safety Sales and Marketing for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. “Her incredible dedication to helping individuals remain safe and independent in their own homes is evident to each of our nearly 1,400 Lifeline subscribers.”

The Outstanding Leadership Award is given to an individual who is highly professional in their work, building lasting partnerships with diverse community resources designed to serve the senior adult community. Award winners consistently implement innovative techniques in their outreach and service to program subscribers.

“It is an honor to be recognized for doing work that I love,” said Romine. “I find joy in helping others feel more confident through this important and unique service.”

About American Red Cross Lifeline:
American Red Cross Lifeline is a personal response service provided by the St. Louis Area Chapter in collaboration with Lifeline Systems, Inc. It is available to subscribers 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year. To call for help in a time of need, subscribers simply press the personal help button worn as a pendant or as a wristband. This button activates a small in-home communicator that automatically dials the Lifeline Response Center. Within seconds, calls are answered by one of Lifeline’s caring, highly-trained operators.

The Lifeline service is available at an affordable monthly fee. The American Red Cross provides financial scholarships for those who qualify. In addition, the In-Touch Program is available for subscribers who opt for this special service. Through In-Touch, Red Cross volunteers build friendships by calling Lifeline subscribers once a week to check on their well-being.

For more information about the American Red Cross Lifeline service, please call the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2732 or log on to www.redcrossstl.org.

About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter provides emergency and preparedness assistance more than 397,000 times each year. The Red Cross depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and 140 staff to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois.