Help us help Moore

Yesterday, as I watched the live news feed from Moore, OK, after the city and surrounding area were decimated by a tornado, I wanted to cry.

I wanted to be there to comfort those who lost loved ones.

I wanted to grab a shovel – or a pick – or anything to help dig through the rubble to look for people who might be trapped.

I felt hopeless to do anything but watch. I felt numb.

Yet, through all of the devastation; through all of the turmoil and tears, people immediately reached out to help.

First responders who lived close to the devastated area rushed in to help. People from throughout the country asked what they could do to provide relief and bring comfort to those thousands who were affected.

While it’s not possible for most of us to help in person, there are still a number of ways you can help:

• Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
• Click here to donate to the Red Cross online. You can select whether to have your donation applied where the need is greatest or give it directly to your local chapter.
• Download the Red Cross Tornado App available from the Apple Store for Iphone devices, or from Google  Play for Android devices. If you know someone who lives in Tornado Alley, make sure they have the app downloaded on their mobile devices, too. The app sounds an alert when severe weather is in the area, shows the nearest Red Cross shelters, and provides checklists to help you prepare for and recover from a tornado.
• If you were in the Moore area during the tornado, or if you are looking for someone who was in the Moore area during the tornado, to go to the Red Cross Safe and Well site to list yourself as safe and well or to search for others.
• Give blood. The need is always great but it is especially important to ensure blood supplies are available after disasters occur. Many people were injured in the Moore area because of flying debris. Many pints of blood and blood products will be used in the coming days to help those people recover. Click here to find the nearest blood donation center. The need is constant; the gratification is instant.
• Become a volunteer with the SW Washington Region of the American Red Cross by calling 360-693-5821 or stopping by the local Red Cross headquarters at 3114 East Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver.

Right now, anything you can do will help. Please help us help Moore.

Sue Anderson
SW Washington Red Cross Media Team

2012 Real Heros: Water Rescue

March is Red Cross Month. During this time of celebration, SW Washington Red Cross along with corporate sponsor Fred Meyer, is honoring Real Heros in our region. Today, we salute the recipients of the Water Rescue Heros award which is sponsored by Waste Connections.

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Water-rescue-trained volunteers Doug Knutzen and Eddie Mendez were notified through a 911 dispatch that a 12-year-old boy was under the surf in Long Beach, Pacific County, WA.

Nicole Kissel, also 12, had tried to help Dale Ostrander after he was swept off his board. She’d quickly paddled toward him; then, held on to him while he climbed back on his board.

Paddling ferociously toward shore, another wave knocked the pair off their boards, this time pulling Dale underwater and out of Nicole’s reach.

Nicole was able to get back to shore safely. Doug and Eddie arrived with their gear and a water craft to swiftly get into the surf where they saw Dale’s lifeless body two feet below the surface.

By then, the riptide had kept Dale underwater for at least 15 minutes.

Eddie dove into the water to retrieve Dale; then, Doug pulled Dale onto the water craft and jetted to shore. Doug carried Dale’s lifeless body to a paramedic who was standing by to administer CPR and First Aid.

Many other trained responders continued to keep Dale alive as he was Life Flighted to the hospital.

Miraculously, Dale survived and is working his way back from death’s door. Thank you, Doug and Eddie!