2013 Real Heroes: Youth Good Samaritan Hero John Clark

Each year, the SW Washington Region of the American Red Cross along with local business partners celebrate everyday Real Heroes at a reception and breakfast held in their honor.

Nominations for Real Heroes are received by the SW Washington Red Cross from people throughout the region. The 2013 Real Heroes were announced during a reception this week and will be honored March 8 at a breakfast in downtown Vancouver. For more information, or to reserve seating at the breakfast, contact the Red Cross offices at 360-693-5821.

Please note that while there is no charge for the breakfast, donations to the SW Washington Region of the American Red Cross will be requested at the end of the meal.

Our next honoree receives the Youth Good Samaritan award that is sponsored by TwinStar Credit Union.

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John Clark

John Clark, 17, was flying kites while vacationing with his family at Rockaway Beach, OR when he heard screaming.

He quickly scanned the area and saw a boy about age 12 thrashing in the ocean.

John, who had just completed his life guard certification, ran into the water and swam out to the boy to tow him back as he had been trained.

Upon reaching him, John discovered that the current was too strong for him to swim against it.

John comforted the boy, instructed him how to breathe and promised to hold onto him until help arrived.

The waves crashed against them continually, pushing them under the surf. They responded by pushing off the sand and springing back to the surface.

Help arrived about 20 minutes later to pull John and the young boy back to the beach – safe and sound!

Teedara Garn of TwinStar Credit Union introduces
2013 Youth Good Samaritan Hero John Clark

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A Red Cross thank-you to:

• John for his heroic efforts to save a young boy from drowning
• Fred Meyer (Presenting Sponsor)
• TwinStar Credit Union (Youth Good Samaritan Hero Award Sponsor)
• iQ Credit Union (Real Heroes Reception Sponsor)
• The Grant House and co-owner/Red Cross Board Member Lynn Rullman for providing appetizers during the Real Heroes reception

About the Real Heroes Breakfast

The Annual Real Heroes breakfast began 16 years ago to recognize those whose actions resulted in saving the lives of others. In addition, it serves as a signature fundraising event for Southwest Washington American Red Cross.

The Real Heroes Breakfast grew out of the desire to develop an event that closely aligns to the Red Cross mission: Saving lives through prevention, preparedness and response.

The program honors ordinary people and animals who have performed extraordinary heroic actions with the communities of Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania, Pacific and Wahkiakum Counties.

Tidewater to match July monetary donations

Dear Friends,

The photo depicts a local volunteer witnessing total destruction of a family residence in Southwest Washington. The family received Red Cross Services (always free) to start the process of getting back on their feet. Scenes like this one will occur more often during the current dry season, when conversely, donations are lower in the summer months.

Scenes like this one will occur more often during this time of year. When a disaster strikes, the Red Cross will respond immediately, regardless of time of day, location, or cost. Large disasters such as the fires in Colorado or the flooding in Florida, or small disasters such as a house fire, the Red Cross is always on the scene to provide food, shelter, clothing, comfort and care to those who have nowhere else to turn.

One of our local businesses who stepped up to help is Tidewater. They have presented us with a $5,000 matching gift challenge. For every dollar we receive from individuals and businesses during July 2012, Tidewater will match up to $5,000. We are so grateful for their compassion and leadership.

Please consider a gift to the American Red Cross and join us in helping to turn heartbreak into hope.

Sincerely,

Sheryl J. Beauchaine
Regional Executive Southwest Washington

Youth Council Tea & Fashion Show raises funds for Red Cross

The SW Washington Red Cross Youth Council held its 9th Annual Tea and Historical Fashion Show on May 20 at the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver. 

Youth council members, all students of local high schools, presented a fashion show of both period clothing and Red Cross volunteer uniforms for each decade from 1910 up to the present day.

The presentation included a slide show of decade history accompanied by music of the period.

All proceeds from this event go to support the SW Washington American Red Cross; this year’s tea is expected to raise about $2,000.

Area high schoolers who volunteer with the American Red Cross planned and participated during its 9th Annual Tea and Historical Fashion Show.

Jim Boline
SW Washington Red Cross Media Team

2012 Real Heros: Workplace Hero

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 recipient of the Workplace Hero award which is sponsored by the Stichman Family.

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Early one morning, Waste Connections employee Brian Croft was driving his garbage truck in a residential area when he noticed something odd on the sidewalk; two ladies distraught and starring across the street , one of them holding a kitchen fire extinguisher. 

He hurriedly parked and ran to the ladies where the home owner said a grease fire had started in her kitchen.

Brian quickly retrieved the commercial fire extinguisher from his truck and cautiously entered the house.

Inside, flames were licking up the wall above the stove. He kept yelling for everyone to get out while he worked to extinguish the flames.

The residents were so lucky that Brian jumped into the fray, as several family members were upstairs with no clue about what was happening downstairs. Thank you, Brian!

2012 Real Heroes: Animal Rescue Hero

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 recipient of the Animal Rescue Hero award which is sponsored by Corwin Beverage.

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In September, Goldendale suffered a major fire, creating massive evacuations of not only people but animals.

Although the Red Cross had set up a shelter at the fairgrounds for humans, there was no place to shelter the countless homeless animals nor was there a plan how to evacuate animals from ranches and farms threatened by the rapidly spreading fire.

Animal lover Melody Bazzel volunteered to take on this overwhelming responsibility. Immediately, Melody secured a safe place at the fairgrounds for the animals in barns and fenced areas.

Melody coordinated evacuations, obtained donated food for each breed, and kept track of their owners all the while ensuring each animal was fed and watered daily.

At one time Melody had over 300 animals in her care, including: horses, llamas, alpacas, turkeys, chickens, ducks, goats, rabbits and sheep. Animals would have perished without Melody’s unique skills and unwavering passion for animals. Thank you, Melody!

Youth Leadership Development Conference

The SW Washington Red Cross Youth Leadership Development Conference was held recently in Vancouver. 

And thanks to the sponsorship of Gary O’Connell and Quantum Residential, many youth were able to attend this two-day event where they learned leadership skills, diversity, team building, and were also certified in CPR and First Aid.

Thank you, Gary and Quantum Residential, for your support of the American Red Cross youth programs!

2012 Real Heros: Education Hero

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 recipient of the Education Hero award which is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente.

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Heather Stackhouse was working for Hockinson High School as a Para Educator in Leslie Ruby’s classroom.

While having lunch, Leslie choked on a piece of vegetable. Unable to dislodge it by herself, and unable to cough, breathe or speak, Leslie went quickly into a nearby classroom for help.

Knowing she only had seconds to respond, Heather used abdominal thrusts until the object dislodged and flew out of Leslie’s mouth. Thank you, Heather!

2012 Real Heros: Fire Rescue Hero

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 recipient of the Fire Rescue Hero award which is sponsored by Tidewater.

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James Bray was awake at 2 am, when a vehicle struck a power pole at high    velocity across the street from his home in Vancouver.

James ran outside to see the vehicle burning with the driver trapped inside; however, James was unable to open the door. The survivor was yelling because he knew he was trapped in an inferno.

James used a knife he keeps on a key chain to slice through the driver’s seat belt, and with the help of two passersby, pulled the driver out of the car window.

According to Capt Bob Carroll, “He saved the driver from burning up.” Thank you James!

2012 Real Heros: Youth Good Samaritan Hero

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 recipient of the Youth Good Samaritan Hero award which is sponsored by Rehrig Pacific Company.

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Hunter Nelson, 17, and friend Danny Riat went hiking near Archer Mountain in rural Skamania County. The boys decided to ascend imposing cliffs to the top using a different path.

Suddenly, Danny was stuck on a tiny ledge above Hunter, unable to move. The ledge gave way and Danny slid, hitting the ground 50 feet below and rolling into a tree trunk. Hunter hurriedly climbed down to find Danny unconscious but still breathing.

For more than five hours, Hunter gave Danny water, and kept him immobilized and as warm as possible to prevent him from going into shock. He repeatedly called the rescuers who were searching in the dark, until the rescuers located the two young men.

Hunter’s unshakeable calm and knowledge of survival skills helped keep his friend alive until emergency responders could reach him. Thank you, Hunter!

Wrapping up and Going Home

For the past week, volunteers from the SW Washington Red Cross have been welcoming people from the White Salmon area into a warm shelter, complete with food, snacks, cots and lots of friendly faces.

The shelter was established last weekend when approxinately 3,000 homes lost power due to winter weather conditions in the Columbia River Gorge.

But it’s not only Red Cross volunteers and employees who have given this week; local businesses, families and organizations have donated their time, food and smiles…without asking for anything in return.

It’s the way things run here in SW Washington. When someone needs help, everyone else steps up. It’s only one of many reasons people choose to live here.  

As I write this, volunteers are folding up cots, washing down tables, packing up food and clothing supplies, and filling out paperwork because today is clean-up day at the shelter. Power has been restored so the shelter is no longer needed.

Residents are returning to their homes and life is going back to normal… until the next time the Red Cross gets a call to help.

Sue Anderson
SW Washington Red Cross