Fire destroys Manitowoc bar, families displaced

Happened at Glenn’s Bar & Grill on Monday evening

• Reporter: Emily Deem, WLUK Fox 11 – Click HERE to view video.

MANITOWOC – A Manitowoc bar has been destroyed in a fire.

It started around 10:30 Monday night at Glenn’s Bar & Grill on South 14th Street.

Officials say the building included living spaces upstairs with 12 rooms. 11 people lived in those rooms and all of them have been accounted for. Officials say some of the tenants had to be rescued from a balcony.

The Red Cross and Salvation Army are helping displaced residents.

The Red Cross is helping seven families right now. They are trying to contact people who haven’t been helped yet. Victims are getting lodging at a local hotel, food, and all the essentials.

The bar was open at the time, but everyone was able to get out safely.

Officials believe the fire started in one of the tenant’s rooms and it doesn’t appear suspicious.

There were some power outages related to the fire, but all power has since been restored.

Five fire departments responded to the scene.

Packers hosting Red Cross blood drive

2009 Green Bay Packers Training Camp Blood Drive

August 29, 2010: Repost from the Green Bay Press Gazette

The Green Bay Packers are teaming up with the Lakeland Chapter of the American Red Cross for a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday in the Lambeau Field parking lot, 1265 Lombardi Ave.

 “We encourage fans who have time before or after practice to stop by and donate, and make it part of a fun and rewarding day at training camp,” said Mark Murphy, Packers president and CEO.

All donors will receive a special Red Cross “I Bleed Green & Gold” T-shirt while supplies last at the Tundra Tailgate Zone on the east side of the lot near the Oneida Nation gate. Donors also will be entered for a chance to win a $500 gas gift card.

All blood types are needed, especially O negative, B negative and A negative.

For information or to schedule an appointment, call (800) GIVE-LIFE (4483-5433) or visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Red Cross chapter to receive $100,000 in grants to buy buses

August 27, 2010 – Reprint from Green Bay Press Gazette: click HERE for article link.

This is a 7 ambulatory and 1 wheelchair accessible van. This is one of the vehicles that the grant money will help replace.

The Lakeland Chapter of the American Red Cross, headquartered in Green Bay, will receive nearly $100,000 in federal and state funds to buy three buses that will transport elderly and disabled individuals.

The grants are part of the $3.8 million in grants to Wisconsin counties announced Thursday by Gov. Jim Doyle. It’s part of the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Capital Assistance Program.

The local Red Cross will receive $66,064 this year and $33,032 in 2011.

Red Cross Commemorates Five-Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

The American Red Cross is marking the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with a dinner honoring first responders, commemorative events in Mississippi and a canvassing event in which volunteers will distribute information and resources to help be better prepared for future disasters.

When hundreds of thousands of people needed help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and two other major hurricanes that followed in the 2005 hurricane season, many individuals, foundations and corporations stepped forward to help. This incredible generosity – as well as the relief efforts of the Red Cross – is detailed in “Bringing Help, Bringing Hope,”an American Red Cross report covering the response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma and the ensuing years of recovery for the survivors.

 “Five years ago, the American public responded to Katrina with unprecedented generosity,”said Russ Paulsen, executive director of the Hurricane Recovery Program at the Red Cross. “Looking back, I think they can be proud of what their contributions accomplished.”

The American Red Cross will be participating in events across the Gulf Coast over the next several days to commemorate the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. 

• The Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross will host a Day of Service Readiness Canvassing Event on Saturday, August 28. American Red Cross and Target volunteers will team up to distribute bags with information and resources on preparedness and recovery to homes in neighborhoods heavily impacted by disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and home fires. A similar Day of Service project will also take place in New York City. 

• The Southeast Louisiana Chapter later will host “Heroes of the Storm,” a fundraising gala on Saturday, August 28, that will honor first responders and pay special tribute to Gen. Russel Honoré, who mobilized the response. American Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern will introduce Honoré and present him with a special gift. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, National Guard, employees at Lockheed Martin, Entergy, local police and fire departments, and Red Cross volunteers from across the region will also be recognized.

• The South Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross participated in the August 21st Tears to Cheers Music Festival. The event, held in Biloxi, kicked off a weeklong series of Phenomenal People Celebration of Healing events in observance of the five-year anniversary. All proceeds collected by the vendors at the week of events will go to support the American Red Cross, Hope CDA and other area nonprofit organizations.

• The South Mississippi Chapter will be recognized for their achievements on Sunday, August 29, at a reception hosted by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour in Gulfport. Later that evening, the Governor and First Lady will host the Governor’s Cup in Biloxi. The American Red Cross is one of the recipients, along with several other agencies. These awards, one of the highest given by the Governor, are given to honor businesses for their contributions during the past calendar year, raise general awareness about their successful efforts, and showcase their results.

Donors gave the organization a total of $2.2 billion for people affected by the storms, which helped the Red Cross provide: 

• Shelter for survivors across 31 states and the District of Columbia
• Hot meals and snacks
• Financial assistance for 1.4 million families to purchase groceries, clothing, diapers and other basic needs; and money for people to return home, make home repairs and get back to work
• Physical and mental health services to help them cope with stress and ease the trauma
• Tools to help survivors chart a path to recovery
• Disaster preparedness training so people know the steps to take to protect themselves and their families

“The hurricanes of 2005 tested us all,”said Paulsen. “Although we’re on better footing than we were five years ago, every individual and community has to be on board in order for our country to be more disaster-ready. There is much more that we as a nation can do. Everyone—government, businesses, non-profits and the faith community—needs to work together to have better prepared communities.”
The report, “Bringing Help, Bringing Hope: The American Red Cross Response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma,”is available at http://www.redcross.org/Katrina5Year.

 You can help people affected by disasters like floods, fires, tornadoes and hurricanes, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

 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.

Be Red Cross Ready: Back to school tips

Bike and car safety: Fox 11 Good Day WI Segment

The American Red Cross wants you to “Be Red Cross Ready” when it comes to back to school.

As summer vacations come to an end, students across the country are readying themselves for the start of a new school year. With all of the excitement this time brings, safety may not be the first subject that springs to mind. The American Red Cross encourages parents to take time to talk with their children about safety before school starts.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 24 million students nationwide start their school day with a trip on the school bus. Although NHTSA reports that riding on a school bus is nearly eight times safer than riding in a passenger vehicle, an average of 11 school-aged pedestrians are killed by school transportation vehicles each year. Whether they walk, ride the bus or travel by car, teach your kids these few tips to ensure they get to and from school safely.

Tips for School Bus Riders
• Line up facing the bus, not along side it.
• Do not play in the street while waiting for the bus.
• Carry all loose belongings in a bag or backpack.
• Never reach under the school bus to get anything that has rolled or fallen beneath it.
The bus driver may be sitting too high up to see you.
• After getting off the bus, move immediately onto the sidewalk and out of traffic.
If there is no sidewalk, try to stay as far to the side of the road as possible.
• Wait for a signal from the bus driver before crossing the street.
Walk at least 10 steps away from the front of the bus so the driver can see you.
• Never cross the street or play behind the school bus.

Click HERE to view video

Tips for Pedestrians or Bike Riders
• Never walk alone—always travel with a buddy.
• Pay attention to all traffic signals and crossing guards along the way.
• Never cross the street against a stop light. Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
• Avoid ill-fitting clothing that could get caught in spokes or pedals or restrict movements, and wear reflective colors and material to be more visible to street traffic.
• Walk your bicycle across all intersections.

Click HERE to view video

Tips for College-Bound Students
• Students heading off to college—perhaps for the first time this year—may be inexperienced at driving long distances or driving alone. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, according to NHTSA. The risk of crashes is higher among 16- to 20-year-olds than among any other age group, and, unfortunately, young adults also are less likely to be buckled up than any other age group.

When preparing college-aged children for a long drive to school, make sure they take these precautions:

Preparing for the Trip
• Before packing the car, do a simple safety check. Turn on the lights and walk around the vehicle to ensure that all lights are in working order. Also check turn signals and look for any fluid leaks or things hanging from the vehicle. Make sure the tires are properly inflated.
• When packing your belongings in the car, make sure you pack carefully so there is nothing blocking your view through the rear window. Check your mirrors before you leave to be sure you have an unobstructed view of the road.
• Prepare an emergency supplies kit for your vehicle and keep it in your car at all times. Include a first aid kit and manual as well as items such as a blanket, flares, a flashlight and batteries, jumper cables that can be helpful and may even be lifesaving in the event of an emergency.
• No matter how far your trip is, be sure you are well rested before you hit the road.
Hitting the Road
• Leave early and give yourself enough time to travel at a comfortable pace. Remember, speeding does not increase your ability to arrive on time; it only increases your chances of not arriving at all.
• Should you find yourself getting tired from the drive, pull over to a rest stop or gas station to walk around and refresh yourself.
• Do not talk on your cell phone while driving. Phones are distracting and impair your ability to concentrate on the road. If you must use the phone, pull over to a safe, well-lit parking lot and place your call there or at least use a hands-free earpiece.
• When driving in inclement weather such as rain storms, reduce your speed. Don’t make sudden moves if the roads are wet. Applying the brakes slowly and steadily will help you keep better control of your vehicle.
• And, remember to always wear your safety belt and require any passengers who ride with you to do the same.

For more information about preparing for emergencies or for facts and tips about safety, visit www.redcross.org

American Red Cross Increases Pakistan Flood Support to $5 Million

  Aid includes supplies and financial assistance as two disaster experts leave for Pakistan

Washington, D.C., Tuesday, August 24, 2010 – As flood waters continue to wreak havoc on communities across Pakistan, the American Red Cross is increasing its support to $5 million to help families who have lost their homes and jobs and have little access to clean water and food.

“The need for increased support could not be more urgent, given that more than 10 million people in Pakistan are in need of humanitarian relief,” said David Meltzer, senior vice president of international services for the American Red Cross. “Given this dire need, we are using reserve funds in addition to donations received for Pakistan to get more aid into Pakistan more quickly.”

The American Red Cross had previously committed $1 million in supplies and financial support to Pakistan relief, and today’s announcement is for a $4 million increase in support for the flood-ravaged country. The aid will go to support the efforts of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network on the ground in Pakistan. In addition to aid, two disaster experts are being deployed to Pakistan to help coordinate the relief efforts.

Tens of thousands of Pakistan Red Crescent staff and volunteers continue to work around the clock to distribute relief items, such as tents, water, and food to nearly 400,000 people. Thirty-seven Red Crescent field medical teams are now working up and down the flood zone and have treated more than 48,000 people, including – with epidemic fears growing – nearly 12,000 cases of diarrhea.

“One of our major concerns is that when people, especially children, are desperately thirsty they will drink from contaminated water sources, which can result in water-borne diseases such as cholera,” said Alex Mahoney, Asia disaster response manager for the American Red Cross.

The Pakistani government has not confirmed any cases of cholera, but tens of thousands of people are said to be suffering from the acute diarrhea that invariably follows major floods, which instantly contaminates natural water sources.

The global Red Cross and Red Crescent network is also increasing its response, with an increased appeal to help more than 900,000 people for 18 months. Seven Red Cross Emergency Response Units for relief, logistics, water and sanitation, and health are being deployed to support the ongoing relief efforts.

 The Pakistan Red Crescent Society, the equivalent of the American Red Cross in Pakistan, was formed in 1947 and similarly responds to floods, fires, droughts, earthquakes and other natural disasters in the country. It has approximately 130,000 volunteers and provides first aid and CPR training, blood collection, ambulance services, HIV/AIDS education and prevention and operates several auxiliary medical service centers.

 To help those affected by the flooding, please make a donation to the American Red Cross online at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

 You can help people affected by disasters, like the floods in Pakistan, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief.  Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.  Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Five years later; Local Reflection about Hurricane Katrina Response

Special blog post: Steve Maricque, Executive Director, American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly time flashes before our eyes. Five years has passed since the power of Hurricane Katrina blasted our Gulf Coast. The impact of which changed many lives. Katrina had a wide reaching impact on our country like many had never seen before.

WLUK, WBAY, WFRV tv stations and Cumulus, Midwest and Woodard radio coming together on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 for Operation Broadcast Hope. This one day event helped raise $126,029.35 for hurricane relief.

I think back to the incredible human tragedy and destruction seen on television and the water flowing into New Orleans when the levees were breached. The impact was far reaching as shelters were being established across the country to help people from the Gulf Coast Region that were relocating to find safety. This relief operation was of a magnitude never experienced by the American Red Cross. I remember the constant media calls and interviews as media outlets locally worked to find a local story they could share.

Despite all the human tragedy and destruction that occurred, I remember how people came together to help like I’d never seen before in our country. Thousands of people came forward to volunteer in some way, give blood and give of their hard earned dollars to help those in need. Our Chapter alone collected over $1.2 million dollars locally. Fifty-two volunteers were organized, trained and sent to help in the Gulf. Some of those same volunteers remain with us today helping now locally to respond to disasters.

Major disasters can strike at any time and change lives in an instant. We need to be prepared as best we can by having emergency supplies on hand and families need to talk and prepare a plan in the event of a disaster.

(l-r) Steve Maricque, Executive Director, Carol Ingram, Jan Traversa and Mary Roellchen, Disaster Volunteers in front of one of three semis loaded with water and other supplies courtesy of Festival Foods and their customers.

I learned that the human spirit is far reaching. The willingness and need to help others still exists. The American Red Cross helps individuals fulfill that need. We provide the opportunity for those that want to help. We deliver hope for those impacted by disaster that a better day is on the horizon.

Hurricane Recovery Program: Domestic Programs

Overview:

When nearly 4.5 million people needed help following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, millions of people, foundations and corporations rose to the occasion. In just a few months, the American Red Cross was entrusted with nearly $2.2 billion for those affected. Hundreds of thousands of individuals and families looked to the Red Cross…and we responded. Following the storms, the Red Cross:

• Opened nearly 1,400 evacuation shelters in 31 states and the District of Columbia, with overnight stays totaling more than 3.8 million.
• Sheltered nearly 450,000 evacuees.
• Served more than 68 million hot meals and snacks to evacuees and responders.
• Provided emergency assistance to more than 1.4 million families – approximately four million people. This helped hurricane survivors purchase urgently needed items such as food, clothing, diapers and other essentials.

The Red Cross continued support of those affected by the 2005 hurricanes through the Hurricane Recovery Program (HRP): a nationally-developed, locally-tailored initiative addressing the long-term needs of survivors of – and communities affected by – Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. It was clear that the only way to come close to meeting the needs of survivors would be for all agencies to work together more closely than ever before. Working alongside local and national nonprofits and other partner agencies, the Red Cross ultimately helped tens of thousands of people obtain emotional support, create recovery plans and meet housing or occupational needs through the HRP services. Additionally, HRP built new partnerships and communities…and helped empower families and neighborhoods alike.

The Hurricane Recovery Program is a story best told by the thousands of families who received support – the thousands of faces that share equal parts grief and hope every day. It is often best told one story at a time.

Click HERE to read about the entire Hurricane Recovery Program.

To view the report, “Bringing Help, Bringing Hope: The American Red Cross Response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma,” is available at http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/corppubs/Katrina5Year.pdf.

This is why you do not drive through flooded streets!

Click here to see other flood safety tips:

 

Corner of Military and Shawano, Green Bay, WI

Volunteers Past and Present are the Strength of the American Red Cross

Special Blog Post by Kerri Hah in Honor of the Five Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina:

As a new volunteer for the Lakeland Chapter, I am amazed by the commitment and generosity of the volunteers in the eight county area.  Many of you have been giving your time for decades and new ones join every day.   By far though, the largest number of volunteers reached out to the Red Cross to help five years ago when they saw the devastation of Hurricane Katrina on the news.  The fact that so many of you are still with the organization is a true sign of the important work the Red Cross performs and the strong leadership in place. 

During Hurricane Katrina, I was the assistant executive director for a chapter about the same size as the Lakeland Chapter out East.  In talking with staff here in Wisconsin, I quickly realized that we had similar amazing and heartbreaking experiences during these weeks five years ago.  Both chapters had an influx of clients coming to their doors needing assistance, both had donations pouring in from the community, and both had thousands of local residents interested in learning what they could do to help.  I recently learned the Lakeland Chapter deployed over 50 volunteers to the Gulf Coast, many of whom were new volunteers that would be going out on tough assignments for two to three weeks.  As a former staff person who knows all too well the complexities of this process, this is an astounding number of volunteers to train and get deployed in such a chaotic and short time frame. 

 My staff and I were able to deploy 32 volunteers, all of whom came back to the chapter with tearful and joyous stories of the families they helped.  As I look back five years later at many of the volunteer leaders at my former chapter, I am not surprised at all that many of them are the same volunteers who showed up at the Red Cross doors five years ago willing to do anything to help; I’m confident that Lakeland Chapter has the same situation. Today many of these are board members, DAT leaders, fundraisers, and committee chairs.  Red Cross chapters all over the country are stronger today in large part because of these volunteers. Although the fifth anniversary of Katrina should be a reminder that the unthinkable can happen and that we all must do our part to get our homes, communities, and nation ready, it should also remind us of the importance of volunteerism. 

 Kerri Hah

Red Cross volunteer & former staff member

About Kerri: Kerri Hah has been either volunteering or working for the American Red Cross for the last 13 years.  She started her career at the Outagamie County Chapter as assistant to the executive director/volunteer coordinator and over the years has worked for six different chapters in all lines of service including health and safety, volunteer services, disaster services, financial development, public relations, and chapter management.  In addition to her Red Cross work, Kerri is a full-time grant writer, currently acting as the development director for Creative Energy & Data, a Green Bay based renewable energy company.  She and her husband lived out East for the last ten years and recently moved back to Appleton to be closer to their families.  They have one daughter and are expecting another child this winter.