New Vermont Executive Director reflects on the mission and her connection to the Red Cross

By Dan Dowling, Regional Communications Manager

“It was an old farmhouse, so it just went up. I grabbed the photo albums. My sister grabbed the dog. We got outside and it was gone. It was that quick. It was the first time I saw my dad cry.”

Sarah Lemnah was 13 years old living in Vermont when her family faced a devastating home fire. That was her first experience with the American Red Cross. Earlier this fall, she was named the executive director of the Vermont chapter of the Red Cross.

Sarah Lemnah with parents and sister

The day after the fire, Lemnah says the Red Cross was there for her family to provide care and comfort. 

“We went to my grandmother's for the night. There was a knock on the door. Two Red Cross volunteers had bags with shampoo, toothpaste and gift cards. We went to the store, and we bought clothes and school supplies. It was like the first day of normal. That was 40 years ago, and I can still see their faces at the door,” she said. 

As a student, Lemnah could appreciate what the gesture from the Red Cross volunteers meant to her in getting back to school. 

“It is just that little bit of knowing there is a next step. That was amazing to me. These are people on their own time, who are going around the community making sure people are supported,” said Lemnah. “It was like the first step of a new life, and it made the journey so much easier.”

Her next experience with the Red Cross came years later as an intern at a local television station. She covering a flooding event in state's capital when she came across a lady with a dog on a raft. Red Cross volunteers were there to help her, with blankets and food. 

“It was just such a community embracing its own, and not giving up. That always stuck with me,” she said.

Sarah Lemnah with parents and sister

Lemnah comes to the Red Cross as an accomplished non-profit professional with over 20 years of experience in development, communications, volunteer management and strategic leadership.

Lemnah found herself in a unique position to give back to the organization that had once given so much to her family. When she saw the job listing for the executive director position, she knew she had to go for it. 

"It's something that really is near and dear to my heart. I've seen the impact," she shared. 

As the new executive director of the Red Cross chapter in Vermont, Lemnah is now motivated to assist Vermonters in preventing home fire disasters, like the one she experienced as a teenager. 

“Fires happen so fast and once they get going, they're so hard to stop. I think people take it for granted,” said Lemnah. “Smoke alarms are huge because it gives you a 50% greater chance of surviving a fire. I've been here a month and I've seen an increase in fires just because it is getting colder.”

Through her experience with the Cancer Patient Support Foundation and as a member of the University of Vermont Cancer Center Advisory Board and co-chair of Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer, Lemnah is also driven to support the Red Cross mission to supply blood and blood products. 

Sarah Lemnah

“I am very aware that there are some cancer treatments that just can't happen without platelets. So, the blood products that are needed are saving lives every day and it's such a simple thing to do,” said Lemnah. “It is the one thing you can do that can save a life and it's free. People do it every day. We do it every community, so you don't have to go out of your way.”

After historic flooding hit parts of Vermont especially hard this summer, Lemnah looks to disaster preparedness as one way the Red Cross can help families and communities prepare for more frequent and intense climate-driven disasters. 

“We want to make sure more Vermonters know how to prepare for an emergency. We want to help them build emergency kits, to make a plan and be informed. We want to ensure they have an adequate supply of medicine, water and food,” said Lemnah. “While we may not be hit with as many devastating natural disasters as other parts of the country, we do see flooding wipe out roads, disconnect people and destroy homes. We see blizzards and ice storms, and we know, especially if you live in more remote areas, you can be cut off for a few days.”

Lemnah says she's thrilled to lead the chapter’s Board of Directors and dedicated team of volunteers as they continue to carry out the organization’s humanitarian mission in the Green Mountains.

Help can't wait when emergencies strike. Join us to prevent and alleviate human suffering by donating at redcross.org/gift. A donation of any size provides hope in times of crisis – whether someone needs a safe place to stay after a home fire, to learn CPR, to receive a lifesaving blood transfusion or help contact a loved one deployed with the military during an emergency. Your gift supports the many urgent needs of the Red Cross mission.