GREEN BAY vs. PITTSBURGH FOOTBALL FANS

Wednesday, February 02, 2011 at Bay Port HS

2710 Lineville Rd, Green Bay

2:30 PM-6:30 PM (Sponsor Code: 162)

Bay Port High School Pirates

Come join us in our challenge against Pittsburgh as our teams head to the Super Bowl! Bay Port is going head to head with a Pittsburgh school to see who can get the most blood donors! Let’s show them how Green Bay supports their team and their community!

Sign up for your appointment TODAY! Please click here and enter the sponsor code listed above, or call 1.800.Red Cross (1.800.733.2767) to schedule your blood donation appointment.

All presenting donors will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, will be entered to win Packer NFC Championship t-shirt or hat, and enjoy a Packer themed canteen!

Northeast Wisconsin to Celebrate Service

BY ADI REDZIC

The Richard Mauthe Center for Faith, Spirituality, and Social Justice has been selected by Youth Service America as one of 75 agencies in the entire country to lead Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) 2011 in Northeast Wisconsin, April 15-17, 2011.

“This is a special honor and a unique opportunity to live out our core value of social justice, which places service to others at heart of its principles,” said Hung Nguyen, executive director of the Mauthe Center.

Established in 1988, Global Youth Service Day is the largest service event in the world and the only such event dedicated to children and youth. Each year, the event mobilizes more than one million young people, ages 5-25, on all six continents and over 100 countries, in the effort to celebrate service, service learning and the impact youth makes in communities throughout the year.

The 75 Lead Agencies are awarded a $2,000 mini-grant to help offset costs associated with the event and are expected to partner with various community organizations in involving hundreds of young people in serving others during that weekend.

 The Mauthe Center hopes to engage one thousand young people in doing service during that weekend in our community and has already secured key partnerships with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Brown County, the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter, Girl Scouts of Northwestern Great Lakes, the Notre Dame de la Baie Academy, St. Norbert College, various UWGB partners, the Volunteer Centers of East Central Wisconsin, Brown County and Door County, and others.

This year’s effort in Northeast Wisconsin will place a special focus on the young people serving the elderly, however, organizations are encouraged to submit all types of service proposals.

“All 75 lead agencies participating in Global Youth Service Day have the common goal of providing youth with opportunities to serve their communities and solve the pressing problems of our time,” said Steve Culbertson, Youth Service America president and CEO. “I am delighted that the Mauthe Center and their partners in Northeast Wisconsin are creatively inspiring young people to build intergenerational relationships with senior citizens through service.”

Although the official kick off date for the effort was January 17 – the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – the solicitation for service sites began this week and it was marked with a service project planned by the Mauthe Center’s Doin’ Good for Others initiative in collaboration with the Danz Elementary afterschool program and the Boys and Girls Club. It engaged children in making handcrafted Valentine’s Day cards for the Meals on Wheels program, sponsored by the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Brown County.

Between MLK Day on the one end and the Global Youth Service Day on the other, the Mauthe Center’s Doin’ Good for Others will continue to engage dozens of UWGB students and others in doing service around the community. 

For more information or to join in the effort, please contact Adi Redzic, chair of the GYSD 2011 Steering Committee at aredzic@mcenter.org or (920) 465-5133. Or visit www.mcenter.org

Founded as the Ecumenical Center over 40 years ago, The Richard Mauthe Center for Faith, Spirituality, and Social Justice is a nonprofit organization, independent from the University of Wisconsin System, but located at heart of its Green Bay campus in service to its students, faculty, and staff and members of the Northeast Wisconsin community in their pursuit of spiritual development, faith exploration, and social justice.

 

VOTE To Earn your Shot at our Exciting Packer Backer Incentive Package!

Haven’t voted for your favorite star for the Dancing with the Stars for the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter Fundraiser? This is the week to do it! VOTE  January 28 – February 3 — All votes $25.00 or more will automatically be entered into a drawing for a very special package:

 Packers Backer Incentive Package!

 This is the package you need to be all set for your Super Bowl activities for next week.

• Mini NFL Packer Helmet signed by Edgar Bennett
• Signed Team Packer Football
• 2010 NFC Championship Green Bay Packers T-shirt
• Packer Blanket
• Packer T-shirt
• Packer Tote Bag

Winner will be drawn and notified on February 4.  Go on-line starting Friday and VOTE!!! 

Thank you to the following businesses and people for your contributions to make this package possible:

 The Green Bay Packers

Edgar and Mindy Bennett

Barb Vanden Langenberg

Dawn Watry

American Red Cross Issues National Appeal For Blood

Mounting effects of severe winter weather causes lowest January supply in a decade

Severe winter weather throughout much of the eastern half of the United States in recent weeks has already caused the cancellation of more than 14,000 blood and platelet donations through the American Red Cross. With more winter weather and a possible coastal storm predicted, the Red Cross is urging all eligible blood donors to help boost its blood supply back up to sufficient levels. 

The winter storms have already made a huge impact on the national inventory management system, which can typically move blood products to where they’re needed most.  In fact, the Red Cross says it has not seen its blood supply drop this dramatically at this time of year over the past ten years.

“Maintaining sufficient blood to meet patient needs is a delicate balance between supply and demand,” said Richard Benjamin, Chief Medical Officer, American Red Cross. “When severe weather disrupts that balance, the Red Cross puts out a call to potential blood donors across the country to give blood as soon as possible and help make up the deficit.”

The Red Cross has issued this appeal for blood donations to avoid the situation where there may not be enough blood available to continue to meet all routine hospital needs and at the same time respond to emergency traumas requiring large quantities of blood.

The Red Cross urges all eligible donors in unaffected areas to make an appointment to give blood or platelets in the coming days, and those in affected areas to donate as soon as travel is deemed safe, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by visiting redcrossblood.org. Donations will help replenish the Red Cross blood supply to ensure that blood products are readily available for patients with serious medical needs.

The need for blood is constant. Every two seconds a patient in the United States needs a blood transfusion. Blood is perishable and has no substitute. Red blood cells have a shelf life of only 42 days and platelets just five days – they must be replenished constantly.

Blood and platelets can be used for trauma victims – those who suffered accidents and burns – heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, premature babies and for patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases, such as sickle cell disease.

All blood types are needed, especially type O negative, to ensure a reliable supply for patients. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally 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.  Individuals should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when coming to donate.

 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.

 

Weyers selected as Part of Current’s Future 15!

Current created the young professional awards in 2007 as a way to honor those contributing to our mission to attract, engage, develop and retain young talent in Greater Green Bay. This year marks the inaugural presentation of the Future 15 to recognize the emerging leaders in our community who will serve as the next generation of leaders and who contribute significantly to Greater Green Bay’s overall quality of life. Read on to see the difference these individuals are making.

Click HERE to see the other 14 members selected.

Jody Weyers, Volunteer and Communications Director for American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter: In her role at the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter, Weyers relies on volunteers to help her make a difference in the lives of Brown County. Even after working at the ARC for 10 years, her passion for promoting volunteerism is as strong as ever. Weyers manages the chapter’s 500 volunteers and also works on a contract basis as the volunteer coordinator for the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon, Door County Triathlon, Fall 50 Distance Run and Festival Foods Turkey Trot. Weyers’ responsibility is to provide the channels and support to those wanting to give back to the community.

Two years ago, Weyers looked at the demographics of the chapter’s volunteer base and realized nearly 80 percent of them were over the age of 50. The stats spurred Weyers to establish two programs. The first was the creation of a Red Cross College Club on the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay (UWGB) campus designed to introduce young adults to the Red Cross and to promote civic and community engagement. The club, now entering its third year, has 40members.

The second program Weyers developed was the Red Cross Honor Guard, which pays final respects to deceased volunteers and staff members to honor their time, service and dedication. Weyers is always networking—she never knows if the next connection made may lead to her next volunteer. While she originally became involved in local organizations as a recruitment tool, she soon realized the benefits of getting to meet so many people in the community—great friendships have been made.

Attending a variety of events has allowed Weyers to tune into what is happening in Green Bay. She’s become a walking billboard, relaying opportunities to others to get involved. Weyers is an advocate for the volunteer management profession. She is a member of the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (ALIVE), a national organization on volunteer engagement. She is also entering her third term as president for the Bay Area Managers of Volunteer Service, a group of volunteer coordinators in the Brown County area that share best practices in recruitment and management. She has been asked to speak on various panels related to volunteerism and service at UWGB, the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and a handful of schools in the community.

When she isn’t organizing volunteers, Weyers is volunteering herself. She’s helped with the Bellin Run, Prevea 3-on-3 basketball tournament and downtown Green Bay clean-up events. Weyers said she feels blessed to be in a profession where she knows she’s making a positive impact on her community. And after 10 years, she is still learning. “Each volunteer that I come in contact with has a way of touching me or teaching me something new,” said Weyers. “I do what I do because I love working with people, helping them find their passion, and doing what I do best– supporting my community.”

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

You’re invited to an elegant evening of indulgence as we host our 14th Annual Chocolate Fantasia fundraising event at the Best Western Bridgewood Resort Hotel in Neenah.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the event will be held on Friday, February 11, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy a wide variety of chocolates, candies, tortes and pastries, along with assorted cheeses, fruits, complimentary champagne and flavored coffees. Ticket holders will also be able to participate in our exciting raffles, silent auction and live auction.

Contributions and ticket purchases to this gala event will help to support the many Red Cross programs and services provided to the members of our community.

Tickets are on sale now and are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Call the chapter at (920) 231-3590 to place your order or make a secure purchase online at newredcross.org.

Special thanks to the following major event sponsors: 

 

        

 

Red Cross Helps Eight Displaced in Apartment Fire on the East Side of Green Bay

Click on the link for Fox 11 News Story. Photo by Fox 11

The American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter responded to a 4-unit apartment fire on Walnut St. on the East Side of Green Bay around 11:30pm on Thursday, January 20. The fire displaced three adults and five children from their home.

The fire damaged just the one unit and the individuals from the other three units were able to return to their homes once power was restored.

Two American Red Cross Disaster workers assisted the families 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 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.

Burrr —- It’s cold out! What you need to do to Prepare!

We are all heated up waiting for the big game on Sunday, but as temperatures drop this week and wind chill advisory’s dip into the negatives numbers, we need to be prepared. Exposed skin in these temps is susceptible to frostbite in a short period of time. Here are some tips to prevent or watch for to see if you might be experiencing frostbite or hypothermia. 

 
Frostbite and Hypothermia
Frostbite and hypothermia are cold-related emergencies that may quickly become life or limb threatening. Preventing cold-related emergencies includes not starting an activity in, on, or around cold water unless you know you can get help quickly in an emergency. Be aware of the wind chill. Dress appropriately and avoid staying in the cold too long. Wear a hat and gloves when appropriate with layers of clothing. Drink plenty of warm fluids or warm water but avoid caffeine and alcohol. Stay active to maintain body heat. Take frequent breaks from the cold. Avoid unnecessary exposure of any part of the body to the cold. Get out of the cold immediately if the signals of hypothermia or frostbite appear.
 
Frostbite is the freezing of a specific body part such as fingers, toes, the nose or ear lobes. 
 
Signals of frostbite include—
lack of feeling in the affected area;  skin that appears waxy, is cold to the touch, or is discolored (flushed, white or gray, yellow or blue). 
 
What to do for frostbite—
1. Move the person to a warm place. 
2. Handle the area gently; never rub the affected area.
3. Warm gently by soaking the affected area in warm water (100–105 degrees F) until it appears red and feels warm.
4. Loosely bandage the area with dry, sterile dressings.
5. If the person’s fingers or toes are frostbitten, place dry, sterile gauze between them to keep them separated.
6. Avoid breaking any blisters.
7. Do not allow the affected area to refreeze.
8. Seek professional medical care as soon as possible. Hypothermia is another cold-related emergencies. Hypothermia may quickly become life threatening. Hypothermia is caused by the cooling of the body caused by the failure of the body’s warming system. The goals of first aid are to restore normal body temperature and to care for any conditions while waiting for EMS personnel. 
 
Signals of hypothermia include—
shivering, numbness, glassy stare; apathy, weakness, impaired judgment; loss of consciousness. 
 
What to do for hypothermia—
1. CALL 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
2. Gently move the person to a warm place.
3. Monitor breathing and circulation.
4. Give rescue breathing and CPR if needed.
5. Remove any wet clothing and dry the person.
6. Warm the person slowly by wrapping in blankets or by putting dry clothing on the person. Hot water bottles and chemical hot packs may be used when first wrapped in a towel or blanket before applying. Do not warm the person too quickly, such as by immersing him or her in warm water. Rapid warming may cause dangerous heart arrhythmias.  Warm the core first (trunk, abdomen), not the extremities (hands, feet). This is important to mention because most people will try to warm hands and feet first and that can cause shock

Be Red Cross Great In 2011

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve.” Every January we remember the birthday of a great man by recognizing it as a National Day of Service. Take time this January to think of how great you can be.

Last year the American Red Cross of the Northeast Wisconsin Region did great things because you joined us by giving blood, taking or teaching a classes, donated funds or gave your time. The Red Cross and the people who make up the organization were able to be there when there were fires in our community, they supported military families, train people in lifesaving classes, they were able to give rides to neighbors who needed them and were there for other events that make us a community.

Thank you for your part in making great things happen.

Don’t forget there are many ways to serve your community and recognize the greatness in us all. The greatness Martin Luther King, Jr. saw. You can make a direct impact on the well being, safety and readiness of friends, family and neighbors in your own community.

From volunteer opportunities and local blood drives to safety courses and monthly donations, there are countless opportunities for you to touch lives, change lives, and make a difference down the street, across the country, and around the world.

This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day take some time to take a Red Cross class or donate blood to make it a day on, not off. If you want to talk about other volunteer opportunities to be Red Cross great throughout the year contact your local American Red Cross!

Fox 11 News Story: Careless smoker causes apartment blaze

Click on photo to see video of the story.

GREEN BAY – A mattress caught fire at a Green Bay apartment complex Sunday afternoon forcing residents to evacuate.

Fire officials responded to the blaze at 1633 Janice Avenue on the city’s west side around 4:00.

Battalion Chief Dan Truckey said careless use of smoking materials caused the blaze.

The fire was contained to a bedroom in the 24 unit building.

Smoke alarms alerted residents and most self evacuated the building.

A police officer suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to a hospital.

Residents returned to most of the units in the building after crews extinguished the blaze.

Authorities said the fire caused an estimated $20,000 in damages.

The Green Bay Police Department, the Red Cross, Green Bay Transit, and Wisconsin Public Service all assisted with the fire.

Red Cross Assistance: Thank goodness only four units damaged. Red Cross is helping two adults displaced with lodging and money for clothing and food. The two other people displaced are staying with friends. 20 Residents in the near by apartments able to return after a few hours. Seven volunteers in total helping at the scene and supporting the emergency crews with coffee and snacks.