Red Cross Ruby Force and new event designed to harness and celebrate the power of women
by Marnie Piehl
The West Dakota Chapter of the Red Cross is kicking off its women’s philanthropic group, the Ruby Force, with an event designed to celebrate women’s friendships and philanthropic power.

The Bucket List Event is a dressy, women’s only party on April 7 from 7-10 p.m. in the atrium of the Bank of North Dakota. In addition to a cash bar and free hors d’ouevres sponsored by Peacock Alley, partygoers will have a chance to win one of ten bucket list items. Each item is a dream activity, one of those “do it before-you-kick-the-bucket experiences” that we talk about for milestone birthdays, but rarely act on, says Red Cross Executive Director Janel Schmitz.

Each woman will receive a ticket to place in the Bucket List of her choice, with a chance to win that item at the end of the night. Winners may walk away with a $1,000 His-and-Hers Closet Tune-Up sponsored by Hellman Brothers and Hellman Brothers for Her, a sailing outing on Lake Sakakawea while dining on a gourmet lunch, or a skydiving experience, among others.

Women can join the Ruby Force for $250 (event tickets are included). The idea is that by coming together as a powerful philanthropic force, women will begin to realize their potential, personally and philanthropically. “Whether dreaming ourselves beyond our fears by completing a bucket list item or becoming involved with the Red Cross by volunteering and donating monetarily, every woman has something to give,” Schmitz says.

Schmitz cites Red Cross founder Clara Barton and her work tending wounded soldiers on the Civil War battlefield as the inspiration for the Ruby Force. “As women, we are driven to change our communities in positive ways. Women have a unique understanding of the needs of others and meeting those needs. The American Red Cross is hoping to ignite that spirit in women for Bismarck-Mandan and surrounding communities through the Ruby Force and Bucket List Event.

“This event will give women a chance to gather, not as a circle or a group, but as a force with a Clara Barton mentality that can truly change our communities,” Schmitz says. “And we are going to have a great time too!”

The potential of the group will be up to those who join it. The Ruby Force members will decide together how to take their power to the next level. “Some may come for an annual event which is wonderful, but others will see this as an opportunity for something bigger for themselves and their community.”

About the Red Cross
The West Dakota Chapter covers 16 counties in south central and southwestern North Dakota, helping thousands of people. Since July 1, the Chapter, which receives no federal assistance, has provided nearly $30,000 of assistance locally to families. Recent assistance includes:
• Helping victims of the Bismarck Motor Hotel fire
• Providing emotional support and financial assistance to families affected by four home fires in January
• Providing emergency communications to soldiers from their families back home – four communications in January for instance
• Started giving a new presentation called “Returning Home” to service groups that increases awareness of soldiers and their families and the impact of multiple and lengthy deployments
Relatively new to the Red Cross, Schmitz finds her work inspiring every day.

“The spirit of the organization is incredible. Gail McGovern, CEO of the American Red Cross, is a dynamic woman with strong ideas that are changing the face of this organization in very positive ways. To think that this organization can literally set up a shelter for thousands, begin feeding, and providing emotional support within a matter of 1-3 hours after the event or find a soldier in the middle of another continent to share news of an ill relative or a baby’s birth never ceases to amaze me,” she says.

Through the Ruby Force and Bucket List event, Schmitz looks forward to gathering the dynamic women of this community to make a difference in the lives of the people the Red Cross serves.

To learn more or to become a member of the Ruby Force and receive a ticket to the event, contact Janel Schmitz, Executive Director at 701-223-6700 or jschmitz@ndredross.org.

Event Details:
What: Ruby Force Bucket List Event
When: April 7, 2011 from 7-10 p.m.
Where: Bank of North Dakota Atrium
Who: Powerful, beautiful women of Bismarck-Mandan
Why: To dress up, be brave and do good
Tickets: $250 donation
Contact Janel Schmitz for more information
701-223-6700 or jschymitz@ndredcross.org