Red Cross in Need of Volunteer Drivers

The American Red Cross-Lakeland Chapter provides a unique service to its community with its transportation services, which is only possible because of volunteer drivers. “It’s a wonderful service. You can help people be independent and they appreciate it,” says Casey Haese, Volunteer Driver.The American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter’s transportation services are provided to those 60 and over and to individuals with disabilities at a low cost allowing them to lead a fulfilling self-sufficient lifestyle.

 “All a volunteer needs is patience and a desire to help. We will provide everything else,” says Jennifer Nelson, Director of Transportation. Volunteer Drivers are trained by the Red Cross and use insured vehicles.

Haese says, “Everybody in transportation is so helpful and Bette cooks for us.” Every couple months the Transportation Office Coordinator cooks a big meal and they will all have lunch together. The drivers help each other out and answer each other’s questions.  You can meet a lot of people on the road and at the Red Cross.

The Red Cross has 4-hour morning and afternoon shifts Monday – Friday that need to be filled.  Some drivers are only available in the summer while others only drive in the winter. A driver can volunteer a few times a week or only once a month. “Its really up to them on how often they drive,” says Nelson.

Haese says she enjoys volunteering for the Red Cross and admires how much they do here in the community. “They do a lot of work and they need a lot of help.” For more information on how you can volunteer contact Jody Weyers at weyersj@arclakeland.org or 920-227-4287.

 

AMERICAN RED CROSS URGES CAUTION DURING HEAT WAVE:The Elderly and the Very Young are the Most Susceptible to Heat Illness

Northeast Wisconsin Region…When the dog days of summer deliver hot temperatures and high humidity, the American Red Cross urges residents to take precautions against the heat.

Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees but the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Victims of heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.

Red Cross Heat Safety Tips:

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.
• Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine.  Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.
• Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR. While the above tips can help prevent emergencies, it is crucial to know what to do if an emergency situation arises.

General Care for Heat Emergencies:

• Heat cramps or heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink. 

“Our primary goal is to mitigate emergencies by educating the community about how they can protect themselves and their families from heat-related illness,” said Steve Hansen, the Regional Chapter Executive.

Girl Scout Troop 4268 Lend a Helping Hand

Thank you to Troop 4268 of Gillett for helping create comfort kits to give out to clients affected by a disaster. A comfort kit, has your basic toiletry items in it: soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, comb, razor (for adult kits), stuffed animal (for children’s kits).

Thank you to Cathy Harrison, Disaster Team Volunteer, for coordinating with Connie Horsens and her troop to help with this great project!

Thank You St. Kilian/St. Thomas Religion Class

“Pay it Forward” Project

Thank you to Andy Jasmer and Robbie Krueger of Bayport High School for their donation of $52.00 to the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter. They raised the money from collecting aluminum cans and donated the money to “Pay it Forward”

American Red Cross responds to Duplex Fire in DePere

The American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter responded to a duplex fire in Depere, effecting one family with one adult and three children around 8:30am on Friday, June 12.  Only one side of the duplex was affected.

Three American Red Cross Disaster workers assisted the family with lodging, monetary assistance for clothing and meals. We also provided the family with comfort kits (which include soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, comb, facial tissue, deodorant, razors, shaving cream and lotion) and homemade quilts.

Red Cross disaster assistance is free and is made possible by community donations. You can help individuals of this disaster and others by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter’s local disaster relief fund. For information call the Lakeland Chapter at      920-468-8535 or visit www.arclakeland.org.

Mark Your Calendar to Participate in the Largest Blood Drive in NE Wis.

The American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter’s 23^rd Annual Super Donor Days will be on July 1, 2009 from 1 pm to 7 pm and July 2, 2009 from 7 am to 1 pm at Shopko Hall in Green Bay, Wis. This year the Super Donor Days goal is 400 pints. “There are people who need blood each and every day so if people can bring a family member or a friend when they come to donate that would be great,” says Dave Liethen, Donor Recruitment Representative.

Liethen says the blood drive is held at this time of year to make sure there is enough blood available over the holiday.  It isn’t that that there is an increase of need but with people going on vacation and preparing for the holiday there is a drop in donations.The blood drive is very important to make sure we have blood on hand for those who are in accidents, have heart attacks, need it for cancer treatments and all others in our area whose lives are saved by blood donations.

The Red Cross will be doing its best to make it easy and fun for donors who make it to Super Donor Days. For the convenience of blood donors there will be free childcare and free parking across the street from Shopko Hall. Glass Nickel Pizza Company will be providing free pizza and Schwan’s will be offering free ice cream. There will be give-aways to the first 50 participants and lots of other fun stuff.

Walk-ins are always welcome but scheduling an appointment is appreciated. To make an appointment: log on to http://www.givebloodgivelife.org/ or by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543).

A lot of people donate because there is a need and they want to help out. “In today’s economy this is one way people can help out without opening up their purse or wallet,” says Liethen.

American Red Cross Responds to House fire in Green Bay and Bellevue

The American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter responded to a two family house fire on S. Broadway in Green Bay around 3:00pm on Wednesday, June 3 effecting five adults and two teenagers.

Four American Red Cross Disaster workers assisted the families based upon immediate emergency need with lodging, monetary assistance for clothing, meals and medications. We also provided the families with comfort kits (which include soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, comb, facial tissue, deodorant, razors, shaving cream and lotion) and homemade quilts.

Last night, at 11:45pm the Lakeland Chapter responded to another house fire in Bellevue effecting two adults and two children.

Two American Red Cross Disaster workers assisted the family with lodging, monetary assistance for clothing, and meals. We also provided the family with comfort kits (which include soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, comb, facial tissue, deodorant, razors, shaving cream and lotion) and homemade quilts.

Red Cross disaster assistance is free and is made possible by community donations. You can help individuals of this disaster and others by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter’s local disaster relief fund. For information call the Lakeland Chapter at 920-468-8535 or visit http://www.arclakeland.org.

American Red Cross responds to Six Emergency Responses in Seven Days

The American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter has responded to five home fires and provided nourishment for two different responses to support local emergency personnel within the last week.

In total, we have assisted 19 adults and 16 children. Based upon immediate emergency needs, American Red Cross Disaster workers assisted the families with lodging, monetary assistance for immediate clothing needs, infant supplies, meals, bedding and linens as well as comfort kits (which includes soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, comb, facial tissue, deodorant, razors, shaving cream and lotion) and home-made quilts.

A breakdown of the responses include:

• Monday, May 25, West Side Green Bay, Apartment Fire and Home fire effecting 11 adults and eight children

• Monday, May 25, Shawano County, Trailer home fire effecting 2 adults and two children

• Wednesday, May 27, Green Bay, Apartment Fire effecting one adult and two children

• Thursday, May 28, Sturgeon Bay, Chemical spill in Sturgeon Bay where we were requested to support over 40 emergency workers with lunch, water, juices, and snacks for five hours.

• Saturday, May 30, East Side Green Bay, House fire effecting 2 adults and two teenagers. Red Cross workers also provided nourishment to support the 25 emergency personnel on the scene.

• Sunday, May 21, East Side Green Ba, Duplex fire effecting three adults and two children

 The American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter is in need of your help. Red Cross disaster assistance is free and is made possible by community donations. Your gift helps families with lodging, monetary assistance for immediate clothing needs, toiletry items, infant supplies, meals, eye glass prescription, medications and other immediate emergency needs.

If you would like to make a donation, please send to the address below or for more information call the Lakeland Chapter at 920-468-8535 or visit www.arclakeland.org.

 

American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter Local Disaster Relief 

PO Box 8295

Green Bay, WI 54308-8295

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, collects and distributes nearly half of the nation’s blood supply, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time, money and blood to perform its humanitarian mission.