Red Cross Response to Marinette High School Hostage Situation

During man-made or natural disaster the American Red Cross deploys trained personnel, to assist local officials during a time of crisis.

This was exactly why we were called to assist with the hostage situation in Marinette, Wisconsin. Within minutes of receiving the call for assistance, we deployed mental health professional to assist with the emotional toll this was taking on the families and our Emergency Response Vehicle filled with food and beverages for first responders.

Ron Haduch, Lead Red Cross Disaster Volunteer for the Marinette/Menominee area stated that he appreciated the efforts of the Marinette/Menominee and Green Bay disaster team pulling together with the people and businesses in the community.  

As a member of the Marinette community Ron said “I am very proud of my community for the support that was given during this trying time. Everyone did an amazing job in keeping a stressful situation under control.”

Just like local officials, we must practice emergency situation so we are ready to respond with efficiency and maximum benefit for the community we serve. We thank our staff, volunteers and donors for their support so we are ready to respond anytime, anywhere for any reason.

Happy Cyber Monday; We have the Perfect On-line Gifts

Red Cross Survey Finds Three of Five People Planning Charitable Gifts this Holiday Season Will Give More Than $50, Even in Tough Economy

Red Cross offers online giving catalog to help families make charitable gifts in the name of others

Donating to charity is an important holiday tradition with many families planning to give at least $50 to charitable groups during this holiday season, according to a survey by the American Red Cross.

The national survey, taken October 21-24, found that nearly six in 10 of those surveyed plan to donate to charities between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. Of that group, 57 percent said they would give $50 or more, including 31 percent who said they plan to donate more than $100 this holiday season.

“It’s heartening to see that even in this tough economy, charitable giving remains important to people during this holiday season, and the American Red Cross is encouraging people to make a gift to the Red Cross that can save the day for those in need,” said Steve Hansen, Northeast Wisconsin Regional Chapter Executive.

During the past year, the Northeast Wisconsin Region of the American Red Cross responded to 163 local disasters – primarily residential fires. We also collected 38,404 units of blood, made 10,356 disaster education presentations, taught 45,503 individuals lifesaving skills, taught international humanitarian law to 448 students of all ages and served 676 military families.

“We are working very hard to raise money now so the Red Cross will be there tomorrow with help and hope when people need it most,” Hansen said.

Red Cross offers “Gifts that Save the Day” in Holiday Giving Campaign

With many people doing their holiday shopping online, the Red Cross is offering a range of more than 20 giving options in its holiday giving catalog (www.redcross.org/gifts) for those who want to make a donation in the name of someone else. The Red Cross also offers a Spanish-language version of the online catalog (www.cruzrojaamericana.org/catalogo).   

The gift ideas include donations equal to the costs of providing food and shelter to someone in a shelter, vaccinations, blankets, and phone cards and comfort kits for members of the military.

The purchase of each gift item is a tax-deductible contribution to the overall mission of the American Red Cross. On the rare occasion when donations exceed the need in a particular area, we will use your contribution to help others where the need is greatest.

Helping Less Fortunate Important Part of Holiday Tradition

The Red Cross survey found that 78 percent of respondents said that that helping someone less fortunate is an important part of the holiday tradition for them, and more than half (54 percent) said that that donating to charity helps them get into the holiday spirit.

About a third (32 percent) said they are not planning charitable donations over the holidays, with half of them (52 percent) saying this is because they just don’t have the money to donate. The Red Cross survey found that 86 percent of respondents said their personal finances were worse or the same as last year. However, 72 percent plan to donate more about the same to charity this holiday season as last year.

Practical Gifts More Popular in 2010

The Red Cross survey found that more than a third (36 percent) said they plan to buy more useful and practical gifts such as clothing, gift cards and household items, with less than one in 10 (7 percent) planning to buy more unique and fun gifts. More than half – 51 percent – said their gift-buying would be about the same this year as last.

In addition, the Red Cross survey found that more than half (53 percent) agreed that a good way to give more to charities is to ask someone to donate to charity instead of buying gifts.

*These results are based on a national probability sample of 1,005 telephone interviews among adults 18 years and older living in private households in the continental United States, conducted from October 21-24, 2010.  The margin of error for data based on total sample is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.  The survey was conducted by CARAVAN®, an omnibus service of Infogroup | ORC for American Red Cross. 

 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.

Red Cross Helps Two Adults Displaced in Early AM House Fire in Shawano County

The American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter responded a house fire in the Town of Grant in Shawano County around 1:30am on Sunday, November 28. The fire displaced two adults from their home.

Three American Red Cross Disaster workers assisted the family based upon their immediate emergency needs. We provided the clients with hotel stay, monetary assistance for clothing and food. We also provided comfort kits (which include soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, comb, facial tissue, deodorant, razors, shaving cream and lotion) and homemade quilts.

Red Cross volunteers were also called to assist the 75 emergency personnel on the scene with water, coffee, snacks and sandwiches to provide them with comfort and support.

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 for local disaster relief. For information call the Lakeland Chapter at 920-468-8535 or visit www.arclakeland.org.

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.

American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter Helps Couple Displaced from a Home Fire in Ashwaubenon

Crews battle a house fire Saturday night on Dorothy Lane in Ashwaubenon. (Charles Davis/Press-Gazette)

The American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter responded a house fire in Ashwaubenon around 7:30pm on Saturday, November 27. The fire displaced two adults from their home.

Two American Red Cross Disaster workers assisted the family based upon their immediate emergency needs. We provided the family with hotel stay, monetary assistance for clothing and food. We also provided 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 for local disaster relief. For information call the Lakeland Chapter at 920-468-8535 or visit www.arclakeland.org.

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.

Fire damages Carlsville home of Bill and Sarah Anschutz

Firefighters able to contain blaze and save most of house

By Ramelle Bintz • rbintz@doorcountyadvocate.com • November 24, 2010

Fire broke out at the home of Bill and Sarah Anschutz at 5594 Daubner Lane north of Carlsville about 11 a.m. Wednesday, leaving a gaping hole in their roof and exposing the side of their house as temperatures outside continued to plummet.

Bill Anschutz said he worried what damage may come to the home if heat could not be restored because the home’s primary heat source was hot water heat fueled entirely by a woodburner in the basement.

By Wednesday afternoon, PortSide Builders was on the scene taking measurements to help secure the home and a backup gas boiler in the basement was being readied as an alternate fuel. An electrician had also been called to check wiring and Wisconsin Public Service also was called to restore power to the home.

Anschutz said he was outside the couple’s rural wooded home when his wife came out to tell him she could see smoke and called the fire department.

Flames were already coming from the chimney and heavy smoke from the roof with fire in the attic, Egg Harbor Fire Chief Steve Schopf said, when the Egg Harbor fire department arrived along with mutual aid from fire departments in Baileys Harbor, Ephraim, Gibraltar, Jacksonport, Sister Bay/Liberty Grove and Sturgeon Bay.

Schopf estimated the damage to be moderate and said the cause was a faulty chimney flue used by the woodburner. The home had three chimneys, he said, but only one masonry chimney was being used by the woodburner at the time of the fire. There was no visible build up when the flue was taken down, he said, but there was no way to know if it was cleared or cracked previous to the fire.

Both that flue, the chimney and much of the sidewall next to the fireplace was completely cut away by firefighters to contain the fire near the fireplace in the living room, he said. The fireplace was not being used at the time of the fire.

“We’ve been here 24 years heating with wood,” Anschutz said, “and I just had my chimney cleaned last week.”

The two-stall attached garage appeared normal and the family was able to stand in the right side of the home Wednesday afternoon while firefighters were still at the scene pulling insulation and tamping out what remained of an almost barren backside of the living room wall on the left side of the house.

“My guys did a good job,” Schopf said. “This could have gone the other way. They got aggressive and we saved his house and his possessions.”

Heavy smoke and water damage, he said, made the home unlivable but the family had insurance and opted to stay at a hotel. Red Cross assistance was available for both the family and emergency workers with two Door County volunteers providing water, Gatorade and lunch for about 50 emergency personnel.

The Door County Sheriff’s Department directed traffic nearby on Wisconsin 42 and Emergency Medical Services also responded to the call. The fire department cleared the scene at 2:37 p.m.

Keep Your Thanksgiving Fire-Free

Dry turkey. Watery mashed potatoes. Family feuds. Beyond these holiday “hazards,” what makes the most trouble over Thanksgiving is a real hazard: cooking fires.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Unfortunately, Thanksgiving is prime time for these accidents, since many people break out the pots and pans for the holiday.

To keep your Thanksgiving safe and fire-free, follow these tips.

Mind your pan

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen even for a short period of time, turn off the stove. Unattended cooking causes nearly 90 percent of all kitchen fires.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
• Be alert. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.

Keep it clear

• Keep anything that can catch fire—potholders, wooden utensils, food wrappers, towels or curtains—away from your stove top.
• Make sure your sleeves are out of the way when cooking. Wear tighter fitting clothing with shorter sleeves. 

Kids and pets

• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
• Never hold a child while cooking, drinking or carrying hot foods or liquids.
• Turn the handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents.
• Keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.

Keep your Thanksgiving safe and fire-free

Fire prevention isn’t just for the holidays, though. To keep you and your family safe, it’s important to follow some safety tips year-round.

• Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach.
• Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Smoke Alarms Save Lives
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Check monthly that smoke alarms are working properly by pushing the test button.

At least once a year, replace the batteries in your smoke alarms; every 10 years, replace the entire smoke alarm.  

Make a Fire Escape Plan
If the unthinkable does happen, you want to make sure you’re prepared. Sit down with your family and make a fire escape plan:

• Make sure all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home.
• Decide where you will meet outside in case of fire.
• Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
• Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

Read more about fire safety and prevention at Redcross.org.

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.

Packers/Vikings Fan Challenge Blood Drives a Huge Success for Patients in Need

MADISON,Wis. – On Friday, November 19 the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings squared off in a competition to help patients in need by encouraging their fans to donate blood and platelets through the American Red Cross.

The community response was overwhelming with 1,687 donations in Minnesota and Wisconsin in one day.

“Patients who rely on blood transfusions were the winners of this friendly competition,” said Greg Novinska, CEO of the Badger-Hawkeye Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “Having the support of the Packers and Vikings helped raise awareness about the importance of blood donations.”

The Packers won on the field on Sunday, and Friday’s blood drive challenge was nearly a tie. In Wisconsin, donors gave five more blood and platelet donations, edging out Vikings fans.

How to Donate Blood: Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.  Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are generally in good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.  

About the American Red Cross: Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation’s blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.

Red Cross Warns Community about Cooking Fires

With Thanksgiving approaching, the American Red Cross is advising people to be cautious when cooking.

Local Red Cross chapters are urging everyone to help save lives by being prepared for home fires while cooking this Thanksgiving.

“Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries,” said Steve Hansen, Northeast Wisconsin Regional Chapter Executive. “Having a working smoke alarms provides a few minutes of advance warning in the event of a home fire, and that extra time can save lives.”

To prevent cooking fires this holiday, follow these tips:

• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, boiling, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
• Keep kids away from cooking areas by enforcing a “kid-free zone” of three feet around the stove.
• Keep anything that can catch on fire—pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from your stove top and oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.
• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
• Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen. Contact your local fire department to take training on the proper use of extinguishers.
• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.
• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least twice a year.

The Red Cross also recommends families create and practice a home fire escape plan, which should include at least two escape routes for every room in the home. Families should choose a convenient meeting place outside of the home and practice their escape plan at least twice a year with all family members.

Nationally, the Red Cross responds to thousands of local fires throughout the country every year. In the past year, the Northeast Wisconsin Red Cross Chapters responded to 163 local disasters, most of which were residential fires – which is nearly one every other day.

The Red Cross reminds people of the following fire safety tips they should take:

If a fire occurs, get out and stay out.  Call the fire department from a cell phone or neighbor’s home.

• If smoke or fire blocks the first escape route, use a second way.  If someone must exit through smoke, they should crawl low under the smoke to the exit.  If escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it.  If the door is warm, get out a different way.
• If smoke, heat, or flames block the way out, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a brightly colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them the location

Visit www.redcross.org/homefires for more information on how to prevent home fires. People can help those affected by home fires and other emergencies by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross.

 About the Northeast Wisconsin Region:

The Northeast Wisconsin American Red Cross is a regional grouping of four chapters serving 20 counties with a mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters throughout the East Central Wisconsin, Lakeland, Outagamie and Scenic Shores Chapters. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the Northeast region at 920-231-3590 or visit www.NewRedCross.org. Find us on Twitter and Facebook at @NEWRedCross.

 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.

November is National Youth Involvement Month….

As a way to celebrate starting next Monday, November 22, anyone who is a part of the American Red Cross Youth Facebook Group will get the chance to win special prizes each day by answering this question: “I volunteer with the American Red Cross because______________.”

By answering this simple question and posting it on the Facebook group page (click HERE to view page), you will be entered into a Red Cross drawing to win a prize from Eton radio!

Looking for other ways to get involved?  

Join YouthWire!

Stay Informed. Empower yourself. Join Red Cross YouthWire. If you are an American Red Cross youth volunteer or adviser, sign up now to receive up-to-date email announcements about important Red Cross youth news, stories, and opportunities. Make the most of your Red Cross experience – and tell your peers to join

Members from the UWGB Red Cross Club at the March Community Awareness Concert

Green Bay Packers Receive Outstanding Corporation Award at National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon

 

(l-r) Mary Bartels and Margaret Meyers, from the Green Bay Packers with Steve Maricque, Executive Director, American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter

National Philanthropy Day (NPD), November 10, is the special day set aside to recognize and pay tribute to the great contributions that philanthropy – and those people active in the philanthropic community – have made to our lives, our communities and our world.

More than 125 communities and 50,000 people around the world will participate in NPD events and celebrations.

Donors, volunteers, corporations, foundations, small businesses, youth in philanthropy and others will be honored on NPD in recognition of their work in improving their communities and their world every day.

The Northeast Wisconsin Chapter of AFP (Association for Fundraising Professionals) held a National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon and workshops at Fox Valley Technical College.

The American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter nominated the Green Bay Packers to receive the Outstanding Corporation Award for all they do in our communities. Margaret Meyers, Secretary of the Green Bay Packers Foundation accepted the award.

Outstanding Corporation Award: presented to a corporation or its corporate foundation that has demonstrated outstanding commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles toward philanthropy and community involvement.