WILMINGTON, DE – March 31, 2006 – Guests learned first hand about the actions the local Red Cross chapter in New Orleans took to prepare for and respond to Hurricane Katrina,, at its Annual Awards Breakfast yesterday, March 30. Sponsored by Delmarva Power as Presenting Sponsor and The News Journal as Media Sponsor, among other corporate and individual sponsors, and held at the Hotel du Pont, the event recognized top Red Cross volunteers and corporate donors.

A rapt audience listened as guest speaker Kay Wilkins, CEO of the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross in New Orleans, Louisiana, gave a blow-by-blow account of the days leading up to and following Katrina’s destructive landfall. She told of the Chapter staff moving its equipment and operations to a safety zone, miles away from the hurricane’s projected path, as part of the Chapter’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), and then opening more than a dozen disaster shelters simultaneously for the thousands of evacuees. She praised her staff and volunteers who continued to provide service even as many of them lost their own homes and members of their families. Her story of a young girl who swam to safety thanks to Red Cross swim lessons was heart-wrenching, as she revealed that the girl’s mother had not been able to escape with her, as she did not know how to swim. Ms. Wilkins said that this had prompted her local chapter to offer free swim lessons to all, in the future.

Mike Seidel, who acted as Master of Ceremonies for the event and is originally from the Seaford area, also shared anecdotes of his career as Meteorologist with the Weather Channel. He praised the power companies who he said were always working 24 hours a day during disasters to get people reconnected

Mel Palmer from Dover, who received the Lammot duPont, Jr. Memorial Award, the highest honor that the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula bestows, spoke of the passion that Red Cross volunteers bring presented to those who have given outstanding and devoted service to the community through the American Red Cross. Mrs.. Palmer, an active volunteer since 1991 has been the Volunteer Development Committee Chair as well as a Board Member. Besides chairing the Secret Garden Tour committee in Dover and representing the Red Cross at many community functions, Mrs.. Palmer is a trained caseworker for Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services where she has taken weekly 8-hour shifts serving members of the military and their families in crisis for the past six years.

Shawn Stevens received the William F. duPont Excellence in Service Delivery Award for his exemplary leadership, determination, and dedication.. Mr.. Stevens has been involved with the Red Cross for more than 30 years and has been an invaluable resource to Community Preparedness department as a key instructor and instructor trainer who brings a wealth of experience. In addition to teaching, some of Mr.. Stevens accomplishments include: serving on numerous Board-level committees; assisting with public relations; and involvement with the Service Delivery committee.

Wilmington Trust, with Rita Turner, was awarded the A-Plus for Delmarva Award, which acknowledges outstanding philanthropy to the community through the Red Cross. Wilmington Trust has been a regular partner and sponsor of the local Red Cross for many years, providing corporate contributions including facilities and staff resources, and partnering on community initiatives. Wilmington Trust also promotes community preparedness as part of its mission and hosts Lunch and Learn sessions on disaster planning. The company has consistently been represented on the local Red Cross chapter’s Board of Directors. Ms. Turner is the immediate past Board Chair of the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula and served as Board Chair during its centennial year last year. Under her stewardship, Wilmington Trust employees have been encouraged to serve as volunteers.

The Awards Breakfast also recognized the “Monopoly Moguls”, a group of individuals who planned and organized the Chapter’s very successful inaugural Black Tie Monopoly fundraiser last October, which netted more than $150,000 for local disaster relief.

In addition, two Red Cross staffers were recognized with Tiffany Awards, the highest Award an employee can be given in the Red Cross, at the regional level. William Cosgrove, Coordinator Fund Raising Data Management, and Kimberly Yedinak, Emergency Services Administrator, are being honored for exceeding work standards, even when faced with the most difficult challenges. These special awards were presented by David Lewis, Director, Chapter Operations for the Mid-Atlantic Service Area of the American Red Cross