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

Donating to Your Red Cross by Giving Your Time

During the Spring season, everyone is busy: busy gardening, busy cleaning out the garage, busy being outdoors, busy just being busy!

For the Red Cross, this is a busy season, too.

We’re preparing for the upcoming hurricane season, flooding season, tornado season and fire season.

We’re collecting blood, preparing supplies, and holding classes so you know how to care for yourself and your neighbors should a disaster occur locally.

We depend on you for help. Most people know about the Red Cross through blood drives and disasters. But did you realize that you could also help the Red Cross by teaching, taking or simply hosting one of the many Red Cross classes?

More than 9 million people will learn lifesaving skills through the Red Cross this year. Regardless of age or occupation, our health and safety courses offer peace of mind to all who participate. No one expects to be faced with an emergency situation. The Red Cross can help you to be prepared with the right knowledge and skills to respond when the time comes.

The American Red Cross also educates the American public about the principles of international humanitarian law. We promote Exploring Humanitarian Law curriculum for high schools and universities. Its adaptable resources give teachers easy-to-use information to bring alive lessons about human life and dignity.

Take a Class

Get involved with your local Red Cross by taking a class. From First AID and CPR to Disaster Preparedness and International Humanitarian Law, the local Red Cross can help you learn new skills and get prepared. And in the process, you’ll get a first-hand opportunity to see how the Red Cross is engaged within your community. Click here to find classes that are available in your area.

Become an Instructor

Red Cross Health and Safety instructors are a quality group of professionals who teach valuable lifesaving skills to more than 9 million people each year in businesses, schools and communities. American Red Cross Disaster Response instructors train volunteers to respond to disasters in a variety of specialized roles. And American Red Cross International Humanitarian Law instructors deliver presentations about the Geneva Conventions and their connections to current events. Click here to learn more about the types of classes for which we need instructors.

Provide Training

With full service training, community classes, authorized provider training or classroom and online options, the American Red Cross is the most trusted training provider of health and safety training that meets OSHA guidelines and many other professional and regulatory standards. Click here to learn more about training options.

Offer Disaster Safety Lesson Plans

The American Red Cross Masters of Disaster®curriculum is centered on a series of ready-to-go lesson plans that help organizations educate youth about important disaster safety and preparedness information. Masters of Disaster contains lessons, activities, and demonstrations on disaster-related topics that organizations can incorporate into daily or thematic programming. Click here to learn more about the Masters of Disaster coursework.

We know you’re busy but we could really use your help. If you’ve got an hour to spare, we encourage you to share it with us during this busy Spring season. And in doing so, you’ll be helping your family, your friends and your neighbors.

Friday in NYC: Delivering meals to Lower Manhattan

We have been on a hectic pace since Friday. We started delivering lunch to a local area that had been flooded; then, were then pulled from that assignment for an urgent assignment to lower Manhattan.

It’s easy to tell which areas were hardest hit by the piles of material removed from homes and deposited in the front yards.

We loaded up 300 meals and headed out. There turned out to be a lot of confusion regarding our feeding sites, but we eventually distributed most of our food by 8pm.

Wendy and Darell serving hot meals in Lower Manhattan.

Since we were in the area, we decided to grab dinner in Little Italy. After a long drive back, we arrived back to the shelter after 11pm.

Skyline of lower Manhattan

Saturday we will be making the same run, but will have more time to get there and get organized. Also need to find fuel, so will be heading to a site designated for first responders.

Neighborhood in Deer Park, NY that was flooded and is still without power.

Friday Morning: On the Road with Wendy and Randy

From Randy:

The lights came on at 6:30am and everyone is gradually getting ready for the day. It was another somewhat restless night due to the occasional fire alarm…one of the hazards of sleeping in a fire station!

There are only two showers for more than 60 volunteers so if you want a shower you need to be on the list. It’s a low priority for me at the moment; coffee sounds better!

You need to sign up for a time slot if you want a shower.

Looks like it might be a sunny day which would be nice as our feet were soaked most of yesterday. We have a meeting at 8am to get our marching orders for the day.

Holiday Mail for Heroes Mailbox is OPEN!

Between October 1 and December 7, Americans can give something that means something by sending a card of thanks and support to members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.

The Red Cross is inviting the public to send messages of thanks and holiday cheer until December 7 by mailing them to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Pitney Bowes screens, packages and ships the cards at no charge, and contributes thousands of volunteer hours at sites around the country.

Red Cross volunteers across the United States and on military installations overseas then sort and deliver the cards throughout the holiday season.

We Salute: Volunteer Charli Anderson

During May, we’ll continue the celebration of our wonderful and generous volunteers that we started during Volunteer Appreciation Month in April. We’re featuring a cross-section of the hundreds of volunteers who contribute time to the SW Washington American Red Cross.

Today’s story is about Charli Anderson, who was the first Pet Partner for SW Washington Red Cross.

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Red Cross: What made you decide to volunteer with the Red Cross?

Charli: I love people, I love going for walks and I love getting treats. Volunteering as a Pet Partner with the Red Cross allows me to visit veterans at the Vancouver VA facility where I can combine all three!

Red Cross: How long have you been with the Red Cross?

Charli: I’ve been a Pet Partner with the SW Washington Region for 12 years (that’s almost 2 in people years)!

Red Cross: What has been your biggest challenge while working with the Red Cross?

Charli: During the past year, I’ve lost most of my vision. And while it’s a challenge to get around in new places, I‘ve got a great sense of smell and that helps me out a lot. Having vision problems also helps me to relate to the veterans who are dealing with their own health issues.

Red Cross: What volunteer opportunity within the Red Cross gives you the most satisfaction?

Charli: Visiting at the VA facility. I love feeling the warm hands pet me and scratch my head.

Red Cross: What types of Red Cross activities have you participated in?

Charli: I visit veterans at the Vancouver VA facility. Currently, we visit the hospice wing and several rehab wings (it’s all pretty confusing for me but my partners know where we’re going).

My partners and I have also represented the Red Cross at the Tour de Lab in Portland, and we walked with other Red Cross volunteers and personnel in the Memorial Day parade to thank our Veterans for their service.

Red Cross: What other types of Red Cross activities would you like to participate in?

Charli: I’d like to go on a regional deployment with my partners. I could really help to calm children and adults who are staying in a shelter by letting them pet me (while they feed me treats), scratch me (while they feed me treats), and cuddle with me (while they feed me treats).

Red Cross: What’s your favorite Red Cross story?

Charli: When we started visiting at the Vancouver VA in 2010, we met a veteran who I really liked from the start, and I know he liked me, too. He was missing his small dog and I think I was able to fill that empty spot…if only a little bit.

He had a bit of a Southern accent and always called me “Miss Charli” so that everyone would know I was a female Lab. Every time we walked into the room, he’d give me a big smile and say “How’s Miss Charli today?” His laugh was loud and infectious – when he laughed, so did everyone else.

Red Cross: What piece of advice would you give new volunteers or pets who are thinking of volunteering with the Red Cross?

Charli: Wag your tail a lot – people like that. Oh, and remember not to cross that center line when you’re going through the Pet Partner’s final exam!

Tea Time Travel

The SW Washington Region Red Cross Youth Council recently annouced the date and place for its annual tea that has been themed “Tea Time Travel.”

The Tea is scheduled for May 20 at the Water Resouce Center in Vancouver. There are two seatings – the first at 11am and the second at 1:30pm. The cost to attend is $15 per person which includes food, tea and a historical fashion show featuring Red Cross uniforms of the past.

Tickets must be purchased by May 16 and are available at the Red Cross offices or from any Youth Council member. The Youth Council is responsible for all the planning and preparations that go into the annual event.

A silent auction will also be held. Proceeds from the annual tea and silent auction go to support our active military and veterans;  clients who recovering from single-family fires; as well as larger community disasters, and volunteer training.

For more information, contact Trish Osilla at 360-693-5821, ext. 107, or stop by the Red Cross offices at 3114 East Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver.

We Salute: Volunteer Brandon Sherrell

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, we salute Brandon Sherrell, who is a disaster services volunteer with the SW Washington Region. Brandon has been a Red Cross volunteer for just over one year.

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Red Cross: 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?
 
Brandon: I decided to volunteer with the Red Cross because I am studying Emergency Management. I wanted to get real life training and experience with dealing with emergency situations. I decided on the Red Cross because they have been around for so long. They have a proven track record of helping people and I enjoy working with people from all walks of life with one goal in mind. That goal is helping people when they need it most. 

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?

Brandon: The biggest challenge I face with the Red Cross is my work schedule. It is very difficult to work night shift, go to school and have a family life, all while being on call and coming in to the office on  a regular basis.

I love to come to a place where everyone believes in the Red Cross mission and enjoys working with people in a way that makes everyone feel comfortable. 

 

It is refreshing to see people come together to make a positive difference in peoples lives when their world is turned upside down. It is nice to know that people care about one another and I truly am blessed to have made many friends within the SWWARC family.

We Salute: Volunteer Colten Fox

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 Colten Fox. Colten is a volunteer with the SW Washington American Red Cross, and is a member of the Leadership Development Council. He is a senior at LaCenter High School.

Red Cross: What made you decide to volunteer with Red Cross? Did you look at volunteering with other agencies, and if so, what made you decide on the Red Cross?

Colten: I joined the Red Cross in April 2010 after attending the February Leadership Development Conference. I was on my high school ASB at the time and another officer was a then member of Red Cross. She brought to just one meeting and I was hooked. This April marks two years on the council for me. 

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?

Colten: The hardest thing I have faced on Red Cross was the initial few months on the council. I am from La Center, the smallest school on the council and one that no one had heard of. It took a while to really take the initiative to get to know others on the council and become a functioning part of the team.

I received the greatest satisfaction when we handed out cookies to the POW division of the Vancouver Veteran’s Administration (VA) hospital. Men shook my hand with tears and gave me the most tremendous thank you for something as simple as a cookie. I felt like all the work we have done as a council, no matter how small, really had been making a difference in the community around us; I just had not realized it before. 

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

Colten: To pick one favorite memory is quite difficult, as I have really come to enjoy my time on the council. I really cannot chose between three. 

The first was last years Tea, the seniors were going to leave soon and everyone hung out after the event dancing and laughing together, and talking about memories of the year. 

Second is the cookies; the impact we made in the lives of a couple dozen soldiers combined with the hours we all spent together made it one of the most memorable experiences I take from high school. 

The most recent memory would be this year’s LDC. As a senior, it was really important to host something people would not forget, and something we were proud of. We not only accomplished that but we trained 60 kids in CPR/First Aid, got the Mayor to stop by, and we made some great videos of youth just being youth. To me, it felt like a great addition to the conclusion of my final months on the council.

 

Jason Liu
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