Disaster Volunteer, Dave Mooney on His First National Disaster Assignment

Local volunteer, Dave Mooney, is off on his first national disaster deployment. He and another trained Emergency Response Vehicle driver are on the road to Fargo, North Dakota. They will be providing food, water, hot coffee to the thousands of volunteers who are supporting sand bagging efforts, first responders and the community at-large. With the Red River near the flood stage, massive efforts have been taken to limit flood damage and the American Red Cross has shelters, food, clean-up kits and more ready if needed.

Alumni Rising: Weyers calls Red Cross volunteers to action

Jody Weyers stands by the well-worn adage, “Volunteering is good for the soul.”

She should know. As volunteer and communications director for the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter, Weyers calls on more than 450 registered volunteers who commit their time, talent and treasure to aid people they’ve likely never met, during circumstances most often beyond their control.

“Every day I am amazed at the dedication of our volunteers, their commitment and caring nature for what they do and how they support the organization,” said Weyers.

For her own service to the community, Weyers, a 1996 UW-Green Bay graduate (communication and history) will be recognized with the Outstanding Recent Alumni Award at Alumni Awards Night, Saturday, April 30. The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Weidner Center for Performing Arts at UW-Green Bay.

When international disasters occur, such as the recent earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, the role of local Red Cross chapters is to lead communication efforts on behalf of American relief efforts. Weyers said that Japan has its own strong Red Cross chapter responding to the tragedy but is asking for financial help from around the world to support the large relief operation.

But when disaster hits in the local community, local, trained volunteers are ready to respond quickly with flexibility to the situation.

“There is no convenient time for a disaster,” she says. “As the communications director for the chapter, I am technically always on call. Fire, flood, tornado, whatever the disaster, the information needs to get out immediately. That may involve working long hours, weekends and changing personal plans because of a disaster situation.”

Weyers thrives in an organization that is not about giving a “hand out” but about giving a “hand up.”

“No one is exempt from the possibility of a disaster happening to them,” she explains. “I am comforted knowing that there is an agency out there to support people if something of this nature does occur to them. I am also proud of the fact that we are a volunteer-led organization.

“In September of 2008, I went on my first National Red Cross deployment to Houston, Texas, to support the relief efforts following the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. I find it so incredible that it is volunteers who are running and sometimes in charge of these large disaster recovery operations. I was amazed at how organized and structured the operation was in the midst of the chaos a disaster brings to a community.”

The job doesn’t come without its challenges.

“Money is always a challenge,” Weyers says. “As a nonprofit organization, we have also felt the hit of the economy in regards to donations. I have to be very conscious of working within our budget and get creative sometimes to make our dollars stretch as far as possible.”

A native of Black Creek, Wis., Weyers said she grew up in a family that always seemed to be doing something to help someone else out. She credits her parents and grandparents for modeling a hard work ethic and caring nature — skills that suit Weyers in her Red Cross role.

“I have discovered that volunteering is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, and is good for the soul,” she says. “Our oldest volunteer at the Red Cross just turned 95, and she always says, ‘I can sit home and worry about every little ache and pain or I can come in to volunteer and it seems like all those aches and pains go away, because I am around people I enjoy.’

“That’s the thing. It’s never too late to start volunteering,” Weyers says. “It’s about finding that passion, and connecting with an organization that you can channel that energy through. It is a magical thing when I see that connection in a volunteer working for the Red Cross.”

Donating blood to save lives

March 28, 2011 – By LISA M. HOFFMANN, Staff Writer, The Daily News

IRON MOUNTAIN – March is Red Cross Month, and what better way to help the American Red Cross than to donate blood.

In the United States, nearly 5 million people need blood transfusions each year. By making an appointment to give blood this month, donators can help the Red Cross meet the needs of patients in the community and across the nation.

Bobbie Snethen, primary communications spokesperson for the Mid America Blood Services Division, said a first time donor will be given a donor manual and will then have to answer health history questions about their travel experience and any medications they’re taking.

The donor’s temperature, pulse, and blood pressure are then taken. An iron test, which is a prick of a needle on one of the donor’s fingers, is also administered.

If the donor’s iron levels are too low, the donor must wait 24 hours before testing.

They are then given a list of ways to incorporate iron-rich foods into their diet.

Some of those foods are spinach, bran cereal, fish, meat, eggs, and beans. A complete list can be found on the American Red Cross website.

If a donor is determined eligible to donate, they lie down a donor bed and choose the arm from which the blood will be drawn.

Staff then gauge the best vein and perform the blood draw.

“The actual donation time is 10 to 20 minutes,” Snethen said.

The Red Cross recommends those who wish to donate blood to make an appointment and allow one hour in their schedule.

After giving blood, donors go to the refreshment area for 15 minutes or so. This is to make sure they are feeling OK, and enjoy cookies and juice.

An Iron Mountain Blood Drive, sponsored by the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Kiwanis Club, will be held on Tuesday, March 29. The blood drive will be at the First Presbyterian Church (fellowship hall), 395 Hamilton Ave. in Kingsford, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Local Red Cross members include, front row from left, Bernice Siegler, Faith Peterson and Dawn Comer. In back are Greg Honeywell, Mary Martinucci, Joe Testolin, John Wilson, Mike Petrick, Vic Seppi, and Bob Haglund. Theresa Peterson/Daily News Photo

To donate blood, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.

Snethen said that it is important to note that 38 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood, yet 8 percent actually donate.

“We encourage all blood types at this time, especially O negative,” she said.

O negative is the type of blood in which anyone can receive.

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 identifications are required at check-in.

Individuals who are 17 years of age, weight 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.

“The Red Cross relies on the support of the American public in order to provide all of the services we offer,” said Greg Novinska, CEO of the American Red Cross Badger Hawkeye Region. “By giving blood, you support the Red Cross and help patients in your community and across the country.”

Residents can also donate to the earthquake relief efforts in Japan by visiting www.redcross.org.

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 ensures 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.

March was declared Red Cross Month in 1943, when President Roosevelt reminded the American public that the Red Cross is committed to providing blood and blood products, disaster assistance and emergency social services across the United States and internationally.

Lisa M. Hoffmann’s e-mail is lhoffmann@ironmountaindailynews.com.

Writers’ Relief Raises Nearly $2,000 for Japan

To benefit Japan, local writers and authors offered a night of storytelling and prose at the Reader’s Loft on Friday, March 25, 2011.  The group raised $1,919.51 to support the Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Response efforts.  

“People came out to listen to our stories, bid on auction items, and get involved as a community to help Japan recover,” stated Nancy Nabak, one of the organizers of the event.

Special guest, Mayuko Usui, who is from Japan, spoke to the group about her experience of the quake and tsunami.  Usui , whose mother-in-law lives in Green Bay, came to the U.S. one week ago with her daughter to have a safer place to live while things are yet uncertain in Japan.  Her husband, a teacher in Tokyo, stayed behind. 

Usui talked about escalating prices and said it cost $3,000 for airline tickets for her and her one year old.  Continuing tremors, radiation, water safety concerns, and rolling black outs were a part of her everyday life.  Though, throughout all of this turmoil, she noted, “No one is complaining.”

Legacies Arts Project, LLC also got involved by donating for auction watercolor depictions of the earthquake and tsunami created by people with early onset dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  

The event was sponsored by the Writers’ Relief Group of Green Bay.

UW-Green Bay Red Cross Club to Host 3rd Annual Community Awareness Concert

Join the UWGB Red Cross Club members and local musician, Rob Anthony, for an entertaining evening on the campus of UWGB.

This is the third year the club has hosted the signature event to promote March is Red Cross Month and to spread the word to the community about the impact the Red Cross has on our neighbors.

Enjoy Rob’s inspiring and heartfelt music and listen to people share their life-saving Red Cross stories.

When: Thursday, March 31

Time: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Where: Phoenix Club Room, 1st floor of the University Union on the campus of UW-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive.

This event is open to the public.

Partnerships Key in Helping Families Recover from Disasters

Guest Blog Post by Dawn Comer, American Red Cross, MI-WI Border Area Service Unit

Ask the average person about the Red Cross and chances are they will mention disasters like hurricanes and floods. But the majority of the disasters the local American Red Cross respond to are apartment and house fires, which affect families here.

At a scene, Red Cross volunteers work side-by-side with firefighters and other emergency personnel to ensure victims are given immediate relief. Immediate relief means getting them what they need most without waiting a day or more — food, lodging, clothing, medication replacement, and mental health counseling. In the days following a disaster, the Red Cross continues to work with families while they find ways to rebuild their lives.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is a free gift, made possible by the financial generosity of local citizens.

Recently there was a fire in Florence County, WI. Contact was made with the family affected by this fire by Disaster Action Team member Mike Petrick. In addition to the financial assistance given for food, clothing and bedding, arrangements were made to provide the client with a CPAP machine (CPAP is the safest, most effective treatment for sleep apnea) free of charge through the Reggie White Foundation in West Allis, Wisconsin. It is through the combined efforts of generous organizations such as these that families can start the process of recovery from such disasters and get the help they may so desperately need.

Please support your local

American Red Cross MI-WI Border Area Service Unit

427 South Stephenson Ave., L108

Iron Mountain, MI   49801

906-774-2494

http://www.newredcross.org

“I am the Change”

 

Photo Credit: Jim Grider

Operation “I am the Change” is a penny challenge between classes in the North Dickinson school district in Felch, MI. This very small school has already raised $1,300 dollars after only two days!  Shown here is Mrs. Johnson’s 4^th Grade Class. In their 5-gallon buckets they have weighed them at 130 pounds of change. All funds will be donated to the Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Response efforts.  

Writer’s Relief for Japan at the Reader’s Loft

Where:  Reader’s Loft, 2069 Central Ct., Green Bay

 When:  Friday, March 25, 2011, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

 Admission:  Cash Donation Suggested

 Join us for a night of Storytelling, Humor, Poetry and Prose to raise awareness and funds to support Japan.

For more information or if interested in reading, call Nancy Nabak at (920) 655-4185.

 Sponsored by:  Writer’s Relief Writing Group of Green Bay

All funds will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief and are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Wildnerness First Aid Class Offered at the American Red Cross

The Lakeland Chapter and Green Bay Park, Recreation & Forestry Department are working together to provide YOU with the NEW American Red Cross Wilderness First Aid course.  If you work, live or play in remote areas away from the usual EMS service, this is THE class for you! This two day course encompasses classroom discussion, skills practice and role play scenarios to pull together all the elements of response steps and treatment of injuries and illnesses in a delayed-help situation.  This class covers assessment and first aid techniques.

Course Objectives: 

• Identify how to respond to emergencies in delayed help situations
• Identity causes of injuries and how to prevent them in wilderness areas
• Learn proper preparation for journeys into the back country
• Learn proper steps when EMS is not available
• Learn basic and more advanced first aid techniques
• Learn how to respond to an emotionally upset victim
• Learn short distance transfer techniques

WHEN:  April 16^th from 8:00a.m. –  5:00p.m.  &  April 17^th from 8:00a.m. –  5:00p.m.  (Class time includes lunch and other breaks)

WHERE:  Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary – 1660 E. Shore Dr., Green Bay, WI  54302

WHAT TO BRING:  Please bring a lunch and dress accordingly; scenarios will take place  outside.

PREREQUISITES:  Must be currently certified in Adult CPR/AED and a minimum age of 14 is required for participants due to the serious nature of the course and scenarios. 

COST:  $110.00 for two days of training.

HOW TO REGISTER:  Please call the Health & Safety Services Department at (920) 227-4290 to register or for more information regarding this course

Class size is limited so register early!!!

Gasoline Prices Impacting Transportation Service

Guest Blog Post: Steve Maricque, Executive Director, American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter

The steady increase in gasoline prices has impacted the lives of many in our community.  This impact is no different on our Transportation service here at the American Red Cross. Our service provides rides to medical appointments, the grocery store or employment for individuals over 60 or with a disability to enable those individuals to maintain a self-sufficient lifestyle.

Typically in a month, we will spend $8,000 on gasoline.  The increased gasoline price has raised that expense 25% to now $10,000 a month.  The Transportation service is primarily funded through state funds that are passed down to the local level and managed through Brown County via the Aging and Disability Resource Center.  This is where the majority of funds are provided to support the service.  Additional funding is provided by the United Way of Brown County, individual donors and a minimal rider fee. 

This overall funding and our investment several years ago in an automated transportation scheduling and routing software and staffing changes has enabled us to manage the increasing cost of gasoline and maintain our fee of $2.00 a ride at this time.

It has been almost 5 years since we last raised our rider fee 50 cents to its current level.  We understand the need to maintain a low cost transportation option for those on fixed incomes.  If gasoline prices continue to rise, we will engage our current funding partners to request additional assistance along with asking for help from our community donors.

We will continue to do everything we can to maintain our service at its current fee level to meet the transportation needs of our clients. 

Your support and help is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Steven J. Maricque