Ripple Effects

March 6^th, 2012

Hawaii – If you have some time, be sure to visit the website for the Hawaiian Red Cross.  They have some wonderful videos posted sharing the story of the Red Cross in Hawaii, and it’s place in that state’s (and our country’s) history.

This year (2012) marks the 95^th anniversary of the Hawaiian Red Cross.  The first American Red Cross chapter in Hawaii received its charter in 1917 – but that was certainly not the beginning of the humanitarian work in that state!  In 1898, a reported 300 women, including Princess Kaiulani, organized a Red Cross society to aid the sick and wounded soldiers stopping here on transports from the Philippines during the Spanish-American War.

The Hawaiian Red Cross has a varied and rich history – everything from a visit by Commodore Wilbert E. Longfellow in 1928 (founder of the Red Cross Water Safety Program) to their day-to-day responses to local residential fires, and LOTS of stuff in between!  And if you (or someone you know) are planning a trip to the islands anytime soon, be sure to check out their online auction that is going on until March 16^th.  Some pretty neat looking little goodies there!

March 5^th, 2012

Wisconsin - While Red Cross units are working around the clock to take care of those affected by last week’s storms, their Red Cross partners in other parts of the country are stepping up to support those efforts.  Perhaps they’ve been tapped on the shoulder to send additional personnel to the affected area, or maybe it’s as “simple” as working with their own local media to raise funds for that relief effort.  If we take a look northward, that’s what the Southeast Wisconsin Chapter is doing this week.

They teamed up with the local FOX affiliate and had Red Cross volunteers in the studios on Monday evening taking calls and donations from their viewing audience.  These donations will be added to the Disaster Relief Fund, which provides support to Red Cross relief efforts in events such as the Midwest/South tornadoes.   I just checked out their Facebook page, and the SE Wisconsin Chapter volunteers were also busy responding to an apartment in the wee hours of Monday night.

And that’s just one example of the generosity and dedication in Wisconsin.  A Boardmember for the Northeast Wisconsin Chapter shared a personal account of how reports of damage in Illinois and Indiana hit a little too close to home.  Even as disasters change the lives of those living in the communities affected, they can have an “indirect” impact on others far away.

And speaking of “impact”…I came across this heart-warming story from the Western Wisconsin Chapter of a couple that met through the Red Cross, and have been together since then….55 years later!  (And they continue to support the Red Cross as well!)

Busy taking care of their own communities – being there when needed providing that immediate assistance and that shoulder to lean on in times of disaster….yet making the commitment to be there for those communities far away as well.

One Red Cross – there when you need us!

March 4, 2012

Sunday – A day of rest for many in communities across the country.  But not so this week for those living in the communities affected by last week’s storms.  For those working to cope with the loss and devastation, today was another day of work – another day of trying to put the pieces back together.  And for those working for agencies devoted to assisting in that process, today is one more day to give back to the communities.  One more day to make a difference in the lives of the people affected by disaster.

For today’s entry, I wanted to visit three of the states working to cope with the deadly storms.

Alabama, Indiana and Kentucky –  In Alabama, volunteers have been working to provide shelter to those needing a safe place to stay, meals to those working to salvage belongings from the rubble, and continue to assess the extent of the damage wrought by the tornadoes.  In southern Indiana, while families in communities like Henryville, Pekin and Chelsea begin the cleanup process, Red Cross volunteers are out providing meals, bulk items to assist in the cleanup efforts and emotional support as families cope with the tragedy of such widespread devastation.  Red Cross volunteers in Kentucky are likewise engaged in damage assessment, providing safe shelter, meals and a strong shoulder to lean on in communities such as Liberty, where the scene has been compared to a war zone by some.

Sunday – another day of reaching out to provide comfort and assistance to those affected by disaster.

March 3, 2012

Even as Red Cross units across the Midwest and Southern part of the county are responding the the devastating storms that have impacted so many, the day to day work that every Red Cross chapter commits to continues.  Volunteers are out there responding to residential fires, working at community blood drives, providing life-saving CPR/First Aid training, presenting important (and often vital) information on being prepared for all types of emergencies….working to help their communities be more resilient and better able to meet emergencies head on.  So I thought I’d share a little glimpse of various Red Cross chapters in each state — one day at a time, for the remainder of my celebration of Red Cross Month.

I began my Red Cross career in Oklahoma, so I still have a pretty decent “soft spot” for the chapters there.  There are some pretty special folks down there doing some pretty special work…and I’m very proud to be able to call many of them “friends”. 

It absolutely thrills me to see an article in a newspaper braggin on the hard work of the Disaster Action Team members – those dedicated volunteers willing to meet with families and individuals displaced by residential fires at all hours of the day or night, in all kinds of weather.  A few days ago, the Board Chair for the Tulsa Red Cross submitted such an article — I guess you could say it was the lead volunteer writing about volunteers — VERY nice!

On the other side of the state, volunteers from the Central Oklahoma region have been working with families that were recently evacuated from their homes due to a propane leak near Medford.  It’s not always Mother Nature that forces people out of their homes — but Red Cross is still there providing a safe place to sleep and comfort while away from their normal routines. 

And of course there are other chapters in the state doing just as amazing and fabulous work – from the tip of the Panhandle in the Northwest part of the state to the very tip of the Southwest corner of the state — Red Cross is there for Oklahomans!

March 2, 2012

For today’s entry, I thought I’d bring focus to some of the Red Cross units in the Midwest that are responding to (what is now being referred to as) the Leap Day Outbreak.  I’m including some links to information about their efforts, so please be sure to check out some of their fabulous work!

Missouri (of course I have to start there!) -  The Southern Missouri Region Red Cross is providing assistance and support to those affected in the Branson, Buffalo and Labanon areas following the devastating storms.  You can find out more about their response efforst by visiting their Facebook page - lot of folks doing lots of good work!

Illinois - Over on the eastern side of the state we find the St Louis Area Red Cross region supporting the Central Illinois Chapter as they provide assistance to folks in the southern portion of Illinois as they too work to cope with the effects of this week’s storms.  Many thanks to the volunteers as they work with the residents of Harrisburg, IL cope with their losses and move forward into recovery.

Kansas – The Kansas Capital Area Chapter is just one of several agencies assisting residents of the small community Harveyville, KS cope with the massive losses experienced in that same outbreak of storms. 

Before I close today’s entry, I would like to pass on a reminder to all.  Today’s weather forecast is showing some very strong potential for active storms in several areas.  Be sure to keep an eye/ear on the weather situation wherever you are (Be Aware); Know the difference between a “Watch” and a “Warning”…and what each message means to you (Be Informed); and finally, Make sure to have a plan for yourself and your family in the event of severe weather (Be Safe).

More tomorrow folks –

March 1, 2012

As March rolls into view, so does Red Cross Month.  A month set aside to celebrate the humanitarian works of the American Red Cross, and the powerful impact this organization has on communities all across the country.

I had an idea for this year’s blog entries – (some of you may remember last year’s mammoth undertaking) – but I believe I’ll postpone some of that for a couple of days.  Instead, I think I’ll spend a little time recognizing the many Red Cross units in several states who find themselves responding to an early Spring outbreak of severe storms and tornadoes.

Volunteers and employees are working side by side out in the field working in shelters; gathering disaster assessment information; providing meals to those affected and responders alike; working in emergency operations centers ensuring the Red Cross is in the right places, doing the right things; and working behind the scenes coordinating all those efforts.  All the things that the American Red Cross is known for doing each and every time disaster strikes.

But let’s not forget that without the financial support of the public, the generous gift of all those volunteer hours, and the collaborative relationships with businesses and agencies in these communities – all that wonderful work could not possibly be accomplished.  So before we begin our month-long celebration of all that is Red Cross – let’s first say thank you.

Thank You to those who risk everything every day to help their fellow man – our First Responders.  The men and women of the Fire Service, Law Enforcement, Medical Services and  in Emergency Management; working so diligently to ensure the safety of the communities affected by this recent outbreak of storms.

Thank You to the Partner Agencies coming to the table in each state, county and community affected.  Working together to bring the most effective and efficient services to the communities trying to come to grips with the damage and loss.

Thank You to the Volunteers and Employees for the Red Cross who were ready to go at that moment’s notice to set up shelters, round up supplies, and go wherever disaster called – simply because that is what they do.

And Thank You to everyone who chooses to support the American Red Cross through financial donations, the gift of time, or the commitment of corporate support.  You provide us the opportunity to reach out and tell those affected by disaster that our help is simply their community reaching out and saying “Thank You” for being a part of that community.

Thoughts and prayers to those touched by this week’s storms – and for my Red Cross friends out there working to bring comfort to those affected….

Thank You, and Be Safe