Learning CPR: It’s not Just for People!

Published : Thursday, 25 Feb 2010, 8:58 AM CST: WLUK Fox 11, Good Day Wisconsin 

It can be a life-saving technique, but do you know how to perform CPR? You can make sure you’re “Red Cross Ready,” by signing up for a CPR class.

Ellen Knight was live on Good Day Wisconsin Thursday with some tips. Click HERE for video.

Dr. Becky Krull also gave tips on performing animal CPR if your pet is ever in need.

For information about signing up for classes, click here.

American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter Receives Support from The Grainger Foundation for Local Disaster Relief

(left) Greg Schwister and Steve Maricque

The American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter is honored to be presented with a $10,000 donation from The Grainger Foundation, based upon a recommendation from the local W.W. Grainger, Inc. Branch Manager, Greg Schwister, for local disaster relief.

“We are proud to recommend continued support of the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter,” said Schwister. “At Grainger we understand the importance of Red Cross and the vital services they provide to our local community.

We are very grateful to The Grainger Foundation for their generous support that helps to aid the immediate needs of families impacted by local fires,” said Steve Maricque, Executive Director, American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter. “The donation timing could not have been better. This is the time of year when we typically see an increase in family fires.”

Grainger has been a part of the Green Bay business community for more than 40 years as the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products.

Local stars dance to benefit American Red Cross

$96,700 raised at 2nd annual event for the Lakeland Chapter

By Kelly McBride • kmcbride@greenbaypressgazette.com • February 22, 2010

Click HERE to view the story online at the Green Bay Press Gazette Website.

Eric and Janet (Corey Wilson/Press-Gazette)

A group of local celebrities got to shake, shimmy and sway their way to $96,700 in charitable contributions Sunday during a fundraiser for the American Red Cross.

Radio and television personalities joined local businesspeople for the second annual Dancing with the Stars event benefiting the Lakeland Chapter of the American Red Cross. Held in conjunction with DanceSport of Green Bay, the sold-out event paired the celebrity dancers with local ballroom experts for an evening of fun and fundraising.

“It’s a great, fun event,” said Mauree Childress, director of development for the Lakeland Chapter, “and the people who participate make lifelong friends, and a have a great deal of fun — and really serve as community leaders. They really are community leaders for stepping out there.”

Tickets for Sunday’s fundraiser, based on the popular reality TV show of the same name, ran $50 for individuals and $600 for a corporate table. Dancers brought in additional funds by soliciting $1 votes prior to and during the competition.

Most of the celebrity dancers started practicing for the event around Jan. 1, said Janet Gollnick, production director for the show and owner of DanceSport of Green Bay. She and the DanceSport interns who pair with the celebrities donate their time for the event.

“The routines are entertaining, but they’re not cartoonish,” Gollnick said. “They’re filled with real dancing technique. … It’s real good ballroom dancing with an entertaining focus, and playing to each star’s individuality.”

Mindy and Ben (Corey Wilson/Press-Gazette)

None of the stars had any prior ballroom experience, Gollnick said. For star dancer Mindy Bennett, owner of Balance for Body and Soul, learning the routines was a great chance to try something different.

“It’s been a blast,” she said before Sunday’s show. “I just thought it would be something new, an enjoyable experience. And it’s definitely lived up to that expectation.”

Watching the stars go from no experience to performing full routines is the best part of the experience for DanceSport intern Ben Wolf, who was Bennett’s partner Sunday.

“To see that transformation as the process goes on … it’s just the neatest experience to see them through that whole process, from start to finish,” he said.

Eric Witczak, a senior vice president at Nicolet National Bank, teamed with Gollnick to win the competition.

In its second year, the dance competition has become the Lakeland Chapter’s biggest special event. After exceeding expectations by raising $50,000 last year, organizers were optimistic for Sunday’s event, Childress said.

Raising awareness also is important, she added. Organizers plan to hold a third Dancing with the Stars event next year.

“You usually think of the Red Cross and you think of disasters and blood collection,” Childress said, “but we do so many other things.”

Congratulations to Kimberly Sawyer, Crowned Miss Green Bay & Red Cross Volunteer

BY MALAVIKA JAGANNATHAN • mjaganna@greenbaypressgazette.com • February 20, 2010

Link to news story and video published by the Green Bay Press Gazette:

Kimberly Sawyer’s plans for the rest of the year took a new direction on Saturday night when she was crowned Miss Green Bay Area 2010 at Bay Port High School.

The St. Norbert College graduate has the responsibility of being an ambassador to the Green Bay community and a representative to the Miss Wisconsin pageant in Oshkosh this summer. The Miss Green Bay Area pageant is a local preliminary to the Miss Wisconsin and Miss America pageants.

A panel of judges chose Sawyer from a group of eight women based a score on different factors, including a judges’ interview, an on-stage talent performance, lifestyle and fitness competition and an on-stage question-and-answer session. The interview with the judges, which counts for 30 percent of the final score, took place earlier in the day.

Sawyer, who was Miss Door County 2008, said the interview portion is not only the most important part of the competition, but also better prepares contestants for the real world.

“Once you’ve been through a pageant interview, you can walk into a job interview and not be scared,” said Sawyer, who works for a fuel consulting company in De Pere after graduating with a degree in business finance in May 2009.

Kristi Trampf-Bares, a former Miss Green Bay Area winner and a member of the pageant committee, attributes some of her career success to the preparation she received for the pageant.

“You have to be able to for an opinion and express that in an articulate way,” said Trampf-Bares, who works as a human resources manager. “The ability to express myself really helped me in interviews and in my field.”

Participants in the competition also choose social issues to advocate during their reign. Sawyer wants her focus to be on volunteerism.

“I started working with the Red Cross two years ago and that’s what inspired the platform,” Sawyer said. “My goal is to help (people) find resources and get matched up with organizations, so that they can find a passion for something just like I did.”

Amanda Garrity, a St. Norbert College student, was named first runner-up. Other contestants were Jennie Collins, Michelle Keehan, Courtney Strombach, Tara Hellmann, Maggie Hill and Nadine Wery. Both the winner and runner-up receive scholarship money.

Next year’s pageant will have two crowns, instead of one. The Miss America Outstanding Teen pageant, which was started in 2005 for girls ages 13 to 17, will add a Green Bay area preliminary competition.

Thank you to Pioneer Credit Union and Its Members!

Thank you to Pioneer Credit Union’s members for raising $8,188 for Red Cross Haiti Relief Efforts and for Pioneer Credit Union for stepping up to match that amount with a $5,000 company gift.

(l-r) Mauree Childress, Director of Development, American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter and Tom Young, President, Pioneer Credit Union, holding the big check. Thank YOU!

Kim Kissel -Transportation Office Coordinator

Kim Kissel’s 17 years of experience in transportation will be greatly appreciated at the Lakeland Chapter as she settles in to her new position as Transportation Office Coordinator. Before working at the Red Cross, Kim worked for Excel Express, Inc., as a member of the trucking company’s operations department.

Kim was raised near Casco, WI and graduated from Luxemburg-Casco High School. After college graduation she was married and has lived in Green Bay. As a Northeast Wisconsin native she is familiar with the local efforts of the Red Cross. “I have always felt that the Red Cross is a wonderful organization.  I’m very impressed with all of the services that they provide for the community,” says Kim.

As Transportation Office Coordinator, Kim has the opportunity to get to know the volunteers and staff at the Red Cross; she says she has really enjoyed all of the friendly people.

The Lakeland Chapter provides a unique service to its community with its transportation services, which is only possible because of volunteer drivers. The transportation services are provided to those 60 and over and to individuals with disabilities allowing them to lead a fulfilling self-sufficient lifestyle.

When Kim is not at the Red Cross she might be found at her part-time job at the library. If you don’t find her there she is probably with her family. “I am most proud of my loving family and all of the support they give me.”

Writers Relief for Haiti

February 5, seven local writers shared their talents and performed readings at the Readers Loft  in Green Bay. There were nearly 60 people in attendance and they raised money through a “free will” donation collection and from auction items. This evening event raised an incredible $2,031 for Red Cross Haiti Relief Efforts.

From left to right: Nancy Nabak, Jan Compton Pilar McDermott, Tomi Nelson, Sandra Shackelford (our Writing Circle facilitator), Jeanette Tarkowski, and Peggy Jensen.

Student’s Mission: Save Haiti with 25 Cents

By Sarah Thomsen, WBAY 

Click for Video of Story  Teen Wants 25 Cents to Help

Have a quarter to spare? Twenty-five cents is all it takes to change lives when you see the world through Jonathan Gor-Don’s eyes.

The disaster in Haiti last month has sparked this Green Bay teenager into action.

“I think if everybody did come together and gave the gift of one quarter and knew it was going to, like, giving a child clean water or building a school or helping to gain some type of self reliance, I think the world would be a better place.”

This Green Bay East High School senior is trying to prove one person can make a difference.

He’s working hard to start a non-profit organization he thought of last summer called JustOne25.org. [Editor’s note: The web site is temporarily down.]

“I seen the statistic about how many people don’t have toilets in other countries, thought about 4th-12th grades just because young people would donate and thought about a quarter and just started multiplying.”

He says just one quarter from everyone at a home Packers game would raise $18,000. One quarter from every Wal-Mart employee would raise $333,000.

Or every student in Wisconsin in 4th through 12th grade, that’s $146,232.

To prove this can work, he’s starting close to home. Teachers at East High School encouraged him to help Haiti.

Friends helped him spread the message with a song on YouTube.

In one week, with Gor-Don’s message of donating just one quarter, 19 Green Bay schools raised more than $16,000 for Haiti disaster relief and donated it to the American Red Cross.

It’s a start, but clearly only the beginning of this 17-year-old’s mission.

“And it’ll work, you know,” Gor-Don said. “You take the dollar amount and divide it into quarters, and those quarters are dispersed out evenly, and it’s going to go to something positive.

The idea is big and bold, but then again, so is his heart.

Culver’s and Red Cross Partner to Help Support Haitian Relief Efforts

Ten Percent of Sales Day Announced

Culver’s will donate 10 percent at participating restaurants on Tuesday, February 16, to the International Disaster Relief Fund of the American Red Cross to help aid the relief efforts for Haiti. Culver’s will also collect personal donations at restaurants if guests are interested in enhancing their contribution.

From Culver’s inception more than 25 years ago, community support has remained a continued emphasis for the family of restaurants, which number 400-plus across 17 states. Culver Franchising System, Inc., has a solid focus on charitable giving, which is shared by each their locally owned and operated franchise partner.

“Doing the right thing is part of the fabric of the Culver’s organization. Supporting causes-whether they help build strong ties to the communities we serve, or  in this case, provide aid to the thousands of people affected by last month’s earthquakes-is one of our core values,” said Culver’s co-founder Lea Culver. “Together, we can help make a difference in Haiti.” Lea is also a member of her local Red Cross Board of Directors. 

Throughout the years, Culver’s has been an active supporter of American Red Cross’s initiatives. “Our collaborative efforts have supported our neighbors next door and now around the world. Together, we will provide more food, water, shelter and more as the disaster response effort continues. On behalf of disaster victims in Haiti, they thank you for the support,” stated Steve Hansen, the Regional Chapter Executive. 

About Culver’s
Culver’s takes great pride in doing it right for its guests at more than 400 independently owned and operated restaurants in 17 states. The owner/operator concept has been a cornerstone of growth for Culver’s since the first location opened in Sauk City, Wis., on July 18, 1984. Culver’s invests deeply in partnerships and programs, including its VIP scholarship
program, Culver’s Cares(tm) charitable program and countless other franchise-driven local efforts. For more information on Culver’s locations, franchise opportunities, promotional programs, menu selections and other areas of interest, visit Culvers.com. All trademarks belong to Culver Franchising System, Inc.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more
information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

What Have American Presidents Said About the American Red Cross?

Since President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed the first Red Cross Month in 1943, every American President has had something to say about the American Red Cross and its contributions to the United States.

“I request that during that month (March) our people rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross. I summon the men, women, and young people of our country, in every city and town and village, in every county and state throughout the land, to enlist in the army of mercy mobilized under the banner of the Red Cross and to contribute generously to the Red Cross War Fund.” –President Franklin D. Roosevelt, first Presidential Proclamation, 1943

“In order to help meet a growing post-war need, which would be multiplied in the event of a national emergency, this agency has inaugurated a national blood program intended to ensure eventually the availability of lifesaving blood to the entire nation.” –President Harry S Truman, 1949 Red Cross Month Proclamation

“The services of the Red Cross demonstrate our nation’s tradition of neighbor helping neighbor.” –President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1959

“Today as the Red Cross embarks upon its second century of service, each of us has an opportunity and an obligation to become a part of this humanitarian tradition. For only through our help is this important work made possible.” –President John F. Kennedy on the 100th anniversary of the Red Cross Movement, 1963

“On every battle field, a flag of mercy flies. Its white field bears a Red Cross-the universal symbol of human compassion. Under that flag, there are no enemies, no racial or religious animosities. There are only brothers.” –President Lyndon B. Johnson, 1968 Proclamation

“Born of war and raised in adversity, the American Red Cross has evolved many traditions in its universal quest to ease human suffering, but none have served it so durably as its tradition of flexibility.” –President Richard M. Nixon, 1970 Proclamation

“Through the years, the American Red Cross has maintained an outstanding record of voluntary humanitarian services, fulfilling with high dedication and skill the obligations of its congressional charter.” –President Gerald R. Ford, accepting position of Honorary Chairman, 1974

“Traditionally, March is Red Cross Month. During this period I hope all Americans will reflect of the selflessness that has led so many of our neighbors to serve the Red Cross-and their fellow Americans- with their time, their energy, and their love. We can follow their example by supporting our local Red Cross chapter.” –President Jimmy Carter, 1977 Proclamation

“With unfailing resourcefulness, zeal, and compassion, Red Cross volunteers have proved equal to the challenges of our time. In peace and in war, they have reflected the humanitarian instincts of the American people.” –President Ronald Reagan, 1981 Proclamation

“[F]or millions of people in need. . .the Red Cross is a brilliant point of light-part of that vast galaxy of individuals, businesses, schools, churches, synagogues, and voluntary associations working together to solve problems. . . . For 109 years that star has shone anytime there has been a need-anywhere there is a need. And today it dazzles still. . . .providing light at the end of the tunnel, a rainbow through the clouds.” –President George Bush, at a ceremony at national headquarters, 1990

“Its [the American Red Cross’s] commitment to caring for others enables us to restore hope in the lives of injured citizens, and its example challenges us to revitalize the covenant of American citizenship. The long-term strength of our nation depends upon our willingness to live out the ideals long embodied by the American Red Cross. To celebrate our past and to safeguard our future, I am proud to commend the countless individuals whose courage and selflessness have sustained this organization for more than a century.” –President Bill Clinton, 1995 Proclamation

“By donating their time and energy to selflessly serve others, American Red Cross volunteers demonstrate the compassion and generosity for which Americans are known. Their service paves the way to a brighter future for our citizens and people around the world.” –President George W. Bush, 2006 Proclamation

“The Red Cross has continued to serve those suffering from large- and small-scale disasters. The organization is best known for its work helping communities deal with major disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. These large-scale disasters represent a major part of the work of the American Red Cross. Just as important are the tens of thousands of small-scale disasters that occur every day in communities nationwide, and the volunteers who respond to them. These efforts include supporting our military and their families, collecting and distributing blood, helping the needy, delivering health and safety education, and providing aid abroad.” –President Barack Obama, 2009 Proclamation