Congratulations to a Red Cross Volunteer

Mercer County Chapter volunteer Cayla Hellwarth and was recently crowned the 2009 Miss Lake Festival, Celina, Ohio, and will be a contestant at the Miss Ohio contest for 2010.

Cayla chose the American Red Cross as her platform because she firmly believes in the Red Cross and it’s mission. Her goal is to increase support and awareness of the Red Cross and to encourage people to become blood donors. Cayla is not only a blood donor for the Red Cross, but has also assisted with fundraisers and blood drives for the local chapter.

The Miss Lake Festival contest involves talent, in which she sang, swimsuit, evening gown & interview (which she spoke about the Red Cross!). Along with being crowned, Cayla also won the interview and talent portion of the contest. She was awarded 2-$600 scholarships for each of the individual portions and a $3600 scholarship for being crowned queen. She will be a contestant at next year’s Miss Ohio pageant. The newly crowned 2009 Miss Ohio, Erica Gelhaus, also came from the Lake Festival pageant.

Cayla is a Freshman at Ohio State University. During the school year, she will also be volunteering for the Columbus Area Chapter in Ohio. Cayla is not only beautiful, but a determined, intelligent, hard-worker and is enthusiastic about the Red Cross. The Mercer County Chapter is proud of Cayla’s accomplishments and wish her the best of luck at the Miss Ohio pageant!

Annual 5K Hurricane Run/Walk to Raise Funds and Awareness

The Capital Area Chapter (Tallahassee, FL) held its annual Hurricane 5K Run on Labor Day. The Run is an annual fundraiser started by the Capital Area Chapter board members last year when the Chapter began looking for alternative fundraising ideas. In only its 2nd year, the Hurricane Run became the fourth largest run in the Tallahassee region with more than 650 runners. A well-known runner wrote an article for the local newspaper proclaiming the Run as “The New Kid on the Block”. The success of the Run can be attributed to community partnerships including Gulf Winds Track Club, sponsors, media partners, board members and volunteers.

Let’s Get Ready Taken to the Next Level

Two VISTA volunteers at the Oktibbeha County Chapter of the American Red Cross have taken the Sesame Street “Let’s Get Ready” program to the next level by adding a full size Super Grover suit, preparedness backpacks, and dressup outfits for community helpers. The program allows presentation of the “Let’s Get Ready” program in a group setting and sends a message to parents to prepare for emergencies. Local preschool directors, kids, and parents have all given it great revues and local television and newspapers have covered sessions.

Disaster Team Celebrated Statewide

The Cornhusker Chapter in Lincoln, NE has been honored by Nebraska’s Lt. Governor. The Lt. Governor’s BE PREPARED awards celebrate excellence by Nebraskans in making their communities safer through service focused on preparedness, response, recovery, leadership, and assistance related to disaster, emergency and/or crisis. The BE PREPARED AWARDS are sponsored by ServeNebraska and build upon the Lt. Governor’s role as the Nebraska Director of Homeland Security.

The Volunteers of the Cornhusker Chapter will receive two awards, Scott Zager, Disaster Chair will be awarded the Lt. Governor’s ‘Be Prepared’ Local Hero Award. Recognizing an individual or a group that exhibits extraordinary service and leadership in helping fellow residents in an emergency situation, during a disaster or at a crisis scene. The Disaster Team will receive the Lt. Governor’s “Be Prepared” Award in the Citizen Corps Partner or Affiliate Program of the Year

Ten Days. 146 People.

The Northwest North Carolina Chapter had three major apartment complex fires in ten days helping 146 people. Ninety-seven residents affected were low-income seniors. Other organizations and agencies in the city partnered with the Red Cross to make sure each client found housing, furniture, etc… The chapter also partnered with the Greensboro Chapter, Surry County Chapter, Watauga Chapter and the High Point/Thomasville Chapter for volunteers and resources. The chapter was invited to hand out certificates of appreciation at the City Council meeting.

North Central Florida Chapter Appreciates Staff Training

Everyday the American Red Cross helps people by responding to fires, but it isn’t often that we help extinguish them. On the morning of September 16, 2009 the lawn maintenance person for the North Central Florida Chapter had one of his lawn mowers catch on fire while working at the Red Cross office. The lawn mower which was in his trailer threatened to spark fires in his other lawn equipment. The staff and volunteers of the North Central Florida Chapter were quick to respond, grabbing two fire extinguishers and calling Fire Rescue. We were able to get the fire out prior to the arrival of the Fire Department, and were also able to move from the trailer other equipment that could ignite. The Chapter made certain that the maintenance person had a fire extinguisher in his trailer for future events. Through quick thinking and action, we were able to help our friendly lawn maintenance person and put into play one of this Chapter’s favorite mottos … In the event of a disaster you will not rise to the occasion, but default to your level of training.

Green Bay Packers Host Training Camp Blood Drive

The Green Bay Packers hosted a blood drive with the Badger-Hawkeye Region during Packers Training Camp. One week prior to the event, there were already 100 donation appointments. To accommodate more donors, the blood drive goal was increased from 125 units to 150 units. At the end of the day, nearly 200 people showed their team spirit by donating blood, with 180 pints collected. Presenting donors received a special “I Bleed Green & Gold” t-shirt and a chance to win hourly Packers raffle items. WPCK-FM in Green Bay also broadcasted live from the event.

Surviving Disaster TV Show

TV programs (USA) specific to disaster have been Homeland Security USA and The Colony (Discovery Channel) that might be of interest. A new weekly show started recently called Surviving Disaster that simulates a disaster situation and provides “how to / why” on various actions you can take to survive. This new show follows actors in the simulated incident and includes explanation and instruction from within the scene. There are also graphics to help demonstrate X, and comments from subject matter experts that may include the bigger picture or help clarify. Each incident uses items commonly found in that environment to aid with survival. The first show was a simulated terrorist hijacking of a plane and how the passengers and crew could survive. The second show was people trapped above the fire in a 10+ floor office building. Surviving Disaster is on the Spike channel, Tuesday evenings.

Ozarks Chapter Partners with Office of Emergency Management

The Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross kicked off Preparedness Month by partnering with the Office of Emergency Management and Red Cross Blood Services to promote emergency preparedness, Hometown Ready (OEM program) and hold a blood drive. The event was covered from 11-1 by a popular local radio station. Chris Harmon, Emergency Services Director recorded several PSAs that will continue to run throughout the month on a number of different radio stations. On September 22 the chapter partnered again with Blood Services and the Salvation Army to educate Seniors on the importance of being prepared. The chapter will also be holding a blood drive in the gym from 10-2 with local elected officials already signed up to donate.

Rolling Billboard Creates Buzz

Working with a local vehicle wrap vendor Eyedentity Graphics, the American Red Cross of Ventura County has made a picture worth a million words. During the chapters Cots, Blankets and Hugs Campaign this past year, it was decided to showcase the message on the chapters four vehicles. A lot of very positive buzz has resulted as well as a strong visual reinforcement of what we do.