American Red Cross Offers “Trick” to Safety this Halloween

Everyone Should Follow the “Lucky 13”

Ghouls and goblins will take over the night. But even scary creatures need to be safe and celebrate Halloween right. Halloween’s greatest hazards aren’t vampires and villains, but falls, costume mishaps and automobile collisions. Local Red Cross Chapters want your family to have a safe Halloween so we’re providing these tips, the lucky 13:

• Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home! 

• From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!

• If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don’t go inside.
• When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.
• Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing to be seen in the dark!  (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, skateboards and brooms!)
• Whether you walk, slither or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.
• As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And cross from the corner!)
• Wigs, capes and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!
• Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn’t a safety gamble!
• You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (And don’t hide between parked vehicles).
• Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!
• You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.
• Have a grown-up inspect your candy when you’re done trick-or-treating to remove open packages and choking hazards before eating.

For a detailed list of Halloween safety tips for motorists, parents and homeowners visit www.redcross.org.

2010 “Dancing with our Stars” Lineup is announced at Kick-off Event!

American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter Announces Dancers for the 2^nd Annual Dancing with Our Stars Fundraising Event

 On Wednesday, October 14 the ten celebrity all-star dancers were announced for the 2^nd Annual “Dancing with Our Stars” fundraising event sponsored Oneida Nation and Nicolet National Bank. This event will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at the Radisson Hotel, Green Bay, program beginning at 5:30pm.

 The 2010 “Dancing with Our Stars” celebrity line-up is:

•  Mindy Bennett, Balance for Body and Soul, Owner

 

• David Burns, WIXX Midday personality, Music Director and Assistant Program Director

 

• Michael Frohna, The Bellin Foundation, President

 

• Crystal Holtz, Oneida Nation Tourism Department, Marketing Manager

 

• Julie May, Chestnut Gallery & Gifts, Proprietress

 

• Chris Roth, WBAY, Sports Director

 

• Diane Roundy, Schenck Business Solutions, Director of Business Development

 

• Sarah Thomsen, Action 2 News at Four, Anchor/News Reporter

 

• Dana VanDen Huevel, Marketing Savant, Director

 

• Eric Witczak, Nicolet National Bank, Retail Banking Manager and American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter Board of Directors, Vice Chair

 These ten Northeast Wisconsin celebrities will be participating in this fundraising event. Celebrities will be trained in two ballroom dances by DanceSport of Green Bay under the direction of Janet Gollnick, former Midwest champion. Their dance partners will be accomplished and skilled college-aged dancers from DanceSport.

 Winner of the dancing trophy will be the dancer who scores best on the dance floor and who is supported by public and event votes. Votes will be in the form of dollars donated in support of the star dancer, both at the Dancing with Our Stars event and dollars pledged in the name of the Dancer prior to February 21.  

 We are honored to have Ivan Seleznev of New York City, an eight time Russian champion, Rebecca Messenger, nationally acclaimed Ballroom Judge and Dan Messenger,  former National Champion and Ballroom Judge both of Milwaukee.

All proceeds for the event go to support local programs and services for the American Red Cross.

 Tickets for the event will be on sale at the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter, starting January 4, 2010.

Sarah Thomsen, Chris Roth Named to “Dancing With Our Stars” Lineup

By Cami Rapson

Earlier this year, George Graphos and I had the chance to test our dancing skills, and now it’s time to pass on the dancing shoes.

We’re proud to announce that Action 2 News anchor Sarah Thomsen and Action 2 Sports director Chris Roth will take part in the American Red Cross’s second annual Dancing With Our Stars event.

The celebrity dancers met their dancing partners Wednesday night.

Tune in to WIXX’s morning show Thursday to hear the full line-up.

The pairs will put months of lessons to the test in February, and of course we’ll be cheering them on.

Click here for link to WBAY: http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=11317568

Dancers Announced!!

Dancers for the 2nd Annual Dancing with Our Stars benefit for the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter will be announced tonight….watch WBAY TV-2 and listen to WIXX-Murphy in the Morning Thursday, for the full line up!

Green Bay Press-Gazette Story on Teens Donating Blood for the Red Cross

Click Here To Read Full Story To find a blood drive near you www.givebloodgivelife.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE

 

Jean Goffard, right, and her daughter, Sarah Perrigoue, 17, give blood on Monday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in De Pere. Perrigoue, who was donating for the first time, is being tended to by phlebotomist Kelly Allport. M.P. King/Press-Gazette

15 Years of Making Volunteer Service a Part of Her Life

Val Szymanski lived through not one but two fires in her lifetime. For the past 15 years she has been on the disaster action team helping others. As a member of the disaster action team, Val has received specialized training to provide relief to those affected by disaster. She has helped those in the Lakeland Chapter’s eight county jurisdiction and also represented the Lakeland Chapter during national disasters. Having lived through tragedy herself Val says, “It made me appreciate what I could do for someone else in that situation.”

Val and her son JJ cheering on the Packers in a box seat donated by the Green Bay Packers.

15 years ago the Red Cross came to Val’s employer and provided a learning session for the employees, describing the unique services the Red Cross provides and offered to train the employees on-site so they could help their neighbors. “For me something struck home when they talked about what they did in disaster services,” says Val. “I was there. I remember the feeling of watching your home burn and being lucky to have the clothes on your back.”

“I thought if I could help one or two people in that situation, I would feel like I was making a difference,” says Val. The learning session by the Red Cross hit home and Val received continued training. She has now helped many fellow citizens during hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and fires, as part of the team of dedicated volunteers.

The company, now known as Humana, has changed hands over the past 15 years but Val is still there as an IT Manager. She says the company is very supportive of her volunteerism. They allow her to leave work when a national or local disaster occur without losing compensation.

Val says volunteering is an internal need and when it’s something you feel like you want in your life then you fit it into your life no matter what the obstacles are. Val and her husband, Geno, tried to have a baby for five years. During the tragedy of 9-11, Val felt like she had to help out despite the fact that they were going through fertility treatments. Val went to the Red Cross Headquarters in Virginia to assist with the Family gift-giving program. While there she assisted by helping families from 9-11 tragedy emotionally and financially with the donation from the American people but she had to return home early when she discovered she was pregnant with their first child.

Geno and Val now have two children and still try to make volunteerism an important part of their lives. Her husband Geno has been a volunteer fireman for Little Suamico for twenty-four years. Val hopes their children pick up some of their core values. “There is more than just yourself. There is community and volunteering is a good thing.”

“You can give them food, shelter, and clothing but you’re not replacing what they lost.” Val says working on the disaster team is not always easy because you are helping people at their worst moment. It’s hard but it’s important to walk away knowing you made a difference.

Val says one of the reasons she has been a volunteer for so long is that she found a way to help people she can relate to their loss and has the skills to do so. She says there are so many ways to help out at the Red Cross because they perform so many important functions but it’s important to find your niche. “You have to do it for yourself, not anybody else. That’s what volunteering is about and how it becomes a part of your life.”

National Fire Prevention Week October 4-10

Check out these fun & free community activities to teach children about fire prevention safety. For additional children’s activity sheets and interactive games log on to: www.fireprevention.org

Community Fire Prevention Events:

• Saturday, October 10, 10:00am-1:00pm

De Pere Fire Station, #1

400 Lewis St. De Pere

Open house will have stove top fire extinguisher demonstrations. Children will learn ‘stop, drop, and roll’, ‘crawl low under smoke’, and more. There are games, and tours of the fire station. All fire deparment apparatus and equipment will be on display for the children to look at and ask questions.

• Saturday, October 10, 10:00am-3:00pm

Howard Fire Department

4165 Shawano Ave, Green Bay, WI 54313

Open house including educational material, tours of the fire station and demonstrations.

• Monday, October 5, 10:30am

Ashwaubenon Library, 1060 Orlando Dr.

Listen to a story about what firefighters do, then meet a real firefighter who will demonstrate the gear they wear and the equipment they use to put out fires.

• Wednesday, October 7, 6:30pm

Wrightstown Library, 615 Main St. 

Two village firefighters will talk about fire safety and they are bringing the firetruck!

• Wednesday, October 14, 10:30am

Pulaski Library, 222 W. Pulaski

Listen to stories about firefighters and firetrucks. Meet a firefighter and see a real firetruck.  

Summer Successes For Blood Services

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Thanks to generous blood donors and community supporters, the Red Cross collects and distributes half the nation’s blood supply. The Red Cross would like to take a look back at some of this summer’s highlights brought about by the support of its community.

Thanks to the donors and volunteers at the 23rd annual Super Donor Days event held July 1st and 2nd at Shopko Hall, Green Bay. With the help of the community, the American Red Cross was able to collect 419 pints of blood. This did not meet this year’s goal but was nearly 30 pints more than last year.

On August 31, the American Red Cross and the Green Bay Packers teamed up for the first Training Camp Blood Drive. The public response was outstanding as 100 appointments were made a week before the blood drive. Due to the huge response, the Red Cross increased the blood drive goal from 125 to 150 pints.

At the end of the day, nearly 200 people showed their team spirit by presenting to donate blood, with 180 pints collected.  Presenting blood donors received a special “I Bleed Green & Gold” T-shirt and a chance to win popular Green Bay Packer raffle items.  Levy Restaurants at Lambeau Field also donated special refreshments.

Radio station Q90FM partnered up with the American Red Cross blood services once again this summer to encourage at least 90 of their listeners to donate blood between Memorial Day to Labor Day.  This was the most successful campaign yet as 97 donors turned out to donate blood during the summer months. Thanks to Kid Raider and Scotty for publicizing the upcoming blood drives every Monday morning on theradio.

Thank You to all the volunteers, blood donors and area businesses that continue to show their support to help their neighbors.  To find a blood drive near you www.givebloodgivelife.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE