Youth Council Hosts 10th Annual Tea & Fashion Show

Christiana Lee, Giselle Kiraly, Waverly He, Allyse Ripley dressed in period uniforms lead Elvis Presley (Adam Griffis) down the runway.
(Photo by Dan Osilla)

The Red Cross Youth Council’s 10th Annual Tea and Historical Fashion Show raised $2400 that will go to support the missions of the Southwest Washington American Red Cross. There were 106 people in attendance at this year’s event which was held at the Firstenburg Center on May 19.

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 through the 1980s.

The presentation included a slide show featuring Red Cross history and Hollywood stars of each decade, accompanied by music of the period.

Assisting the Youth Council were members of area high school Red Cross clubs who served tea, sandwiches and desserts, all of which were provided through the generosity of Lynn Rullman, The Grant House.

This year’s tea was sponsored by Southwest Washington Red Cross Board Member Delano Morgan.

Jim Boline
SW Washington Red Cross Media Team

We Salute: Volunteer Jan Riske

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month. In celebration of our wonderful and generous volunteers, we’ll be featuring a cross-section of the hundreds of volunteers who contribute time to the SW Washington American Red Cross.

Today’s interview features Jan Riske, who volunteers at the Clark County Blood Donor Center in Vancouver.

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Red Cross: Jan, what made you decide to volunteer with Red Cross? Had you looked at volunteering with other agencies, and if so, what made you decide on the Red Cross?

Jan: I had looked at other organizations and got applications from them, but I always kept coming back to volunteering at Red Cross. It is a world-wide organization and respected by all for what they do. I had always given blood and decided that was where my heart to serve was, so I filled out out the application and my journey with the Red Cross began.

Red Cross: What has been your biggest challenge in working with the Red Cross, and what within your volunteer work with the Red Cross gives you the greatest satisfaction?

Jan: My biggest challenge in working with the Red Cross, has been to hold myself back from over-volunteering, and leaving space open for others to volunteer and experience the joy of serving others. 

I enjoy interacting with donors who come in to donate their blood at the Vancouver Fixed Site - to encourage them, have a ready smile, to try and answer any questions they might have, and to thank them for donating their life-saving blood. Working at the Red Cross gives me a sense of self-worth and makes me happy to give back to the community by volunteering my time with this great organization.

Red Cross: Do you have a favorite Red Cross story to share?

Jan: I have many wonderful things I could share that would fill a book. But I want to share that the staff and other volunteers at the Fixed Site have become very dear to me. 

In January 2010, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and the fight-for-my-life was on, I was afraid that I would have to give up volunteering. 

The other volunteers, volunteer coordinators, and the Red Cross staff came to my rescue by keeping me on as a volunteer. 

During a shift, if I didn’t feel 100% or was discouraged, they came alongside, encouraging me and giving much-needed hugs and good wishes. 

Through the next year and a half of chemo, surgery and radiation, I was able to continue to volunteer my double shifts on Monday and Wednesday. The Fixed Site has become my home away from home, and the staff and volunteers have become like a second family. 

Thank you to the Red Cross for the great opportunity.

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And our thanks to you, Jan, for your dedication and service to the SW Washington American Red Cross. It’s volunteers like you who make the American Red Cross a wonderful organization!

Susan Schneiderman
SW Washington Red Cross Media Team

Red Cross Month: Kalama Proclamation

March is Red Cross Month. 

Throughout the month, we’ll highlight cities throughout our region who are celebrating with us by signing March is Red Cross Month proclamations.

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Our thanks to Mayor Pete Poulsen and the City of Kalama for proclaiming March 2012 as American Red Cross Month. We are proud to serve the the SW Washington Region, and to provide help and assistance when needed.

Red Cross Month: Ridgefield Proclamation

March is Red Cross Month. 

Throughout the month, we’ll highlight cities throughout our region who are celebrating with us by signing March is Red Cross Month proclamations.

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The following proclamation, naming March 2012 as American Red Cross Month, was signed by Ridgefield Mayor Ron Onslow.

Our thanks to Mayor Onslow and the citizens of Ridgefield for their support.

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!

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!

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!