Welcome Paige – Disaster Services Intern

My name is Paige Burgess. I am currently a junior at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. I am majoring in Human Services Leadership and hope to go on to graduate school. Currently I am a part of the Human Services Leadership Organization, along with going on my fourth year in the University Honors Program and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Swim team. I have always wanted to help as a profession, even as a child. When I was younger I wanted to help animals and now my interests have grown to helping anyone I can. When I learned about this major I knew I had found what I’ve been looking for. I have been a lifeguard for about five years and knowing that Red Cross does the training was about all I knew about this organization until I did my research. I am truly honored to be interning with the Northeastern Wisconsin American Red Cross team. The amount of work and dedication they have for helping people in need is overwhelming and I am happy that I get to be a part of it.

A little bit about me: I am from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin where my love for helping started. In high school I joined my church on several mission trips. We went to New Orleans twice to help with the destruction from hurricane Katrina and we went to New York to volunteer with multiple soup kitchens and other churches. Coming from a smaller town these experiences really allowed me to see another side of life. Although I am unsure on what I want to do as a profession, I am excited to experience as much as life will offer.

Being given the opportunity to intern with the Red Cross I believe will show me many aspects of my major that I have not considered yet and hopefully this will lead me in the direction of what I would like to do in the future.

Help the American Red Cross Save Lives!

Seven times a day in the United States, someone dies in a home fire. Even more frequently, American Red Cross volunteers provide help to families who have lost their homes to devastating fires. It is more important than ever that we all join together to save lives, reduce injuries and cut down on needless losses from home fires.

We are asking you to join us in this nationwide public initiative that aims to reduce the number of fire deaths and injuries in the U.S. by 25 percent within five years.

Register today for the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign in Green Bay, WI! Dates we are looking for volunteers to help with this campaign:

• Saturday, February, 21st, 9am – 11am (distributre  door hangers)
• Saturday February, 28th, 8:30am – 12pm  (install smoke detectors) 

For both of these dates we will have volunteers meet at Fire Station #3, 885 Shawano Ave. Green Bay, 54303

Click the button to sign up!

 

The Pillowcase Project — Learn. Practice. Share.

Origin:
The Pillowcase Project was created by the American Red Cross’s Southeast Louisiana Chapter and implemented in New Orleans schools following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. New Orleans CEO, Kay Wilkins, had learned that Loyola University students carried their valuables in pillowcases when they were evacuated for Katrina. This inspired Wilkins and her team to work with an art therapist to create a program in which children living in makeshift communities across New Orleans during Katrina recovery decorated pillowcases to hold their belongings. Soon, their Pillowcase Project became a preparedness education program for elementary school students, and in just a few years had been adapted and implemented by several other Red Cross chapters with substantial success.

In early 2013, the Walt Disney Company funded the design and development phase of a multi-year effort to build on this success by creating a standardized, state-of-the-art preparedness education program. As a result, the Pillowcase Project can now be customized for use by Red Cross chapters across the United States.

Vision:
To create a generation of children who understand the science of hazards, are empowered to take action by practicing how to prepare for emergencies, and understand that by sharing what they have learned with family and friends, they can help create a prepared community.

Goals:
The Pillowcase Project is a multi-year effort that aims to:
• Increase youth awareness of hazards and the importance of personal preparedness
• Build skills in hazard-specific protective actions to reduce the impact of emergencies on youth and their families
• Increase coping skills to manage emergencies and build resilience in youth
• Increase household preparedness levels
• Incorporate preparedness education into the elementary school curriculum

Learning Objectives:
Students who participate in The Pillowcase Project will be able to:
• Increase youth awareness of hazards and the importance of personal preparedness
• Use their knowledge to act as advocates for emergency preparedness in their homes and communities
• Identify the best ways to stay safe during emergencies that occur in their region
• Use coping skills to help manage stress during emergencies and in every day situations
• Gain confidence in their abilities to be prepared for emergencies through hands-on activities
• Create an enhanced sense of community through collaborative preparedness activities
• Discuss the role science plays in emergency preparedness
• Understand and communicate the work of the Red Cross in their community

To learn more about the Pillow Case Project check out the segment on Oshkosh Today!

To sign up to be a volunteer click here.

To have a presenter come to your school or group contact Bob Mayer, Disaster Program Specialist at robert.mayer@redcross.org or 920-227-4281.

Needed: Donors of all Blood Types to Help Maintain a Diverse Blood Supply

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to help ensure a sufficient and diverse blood supply by giving blood this February.

Since the beginning of the year, widespread flu and inclement winter weather in some parts of the country have prevented many regular donors from making or keeping their blood donation appointments. Healthy and diverse blood donors are needed to help maintain a sufficient blood supply.

Diversity among blood donors is important because red blood cells carry markers that determine one’s blood type, and certain blood types are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups. Blood must be matched very closely for those patients with rare blood types or for those who need repeated transfusions. Patients are less likely to have complications from blood donated by someone with a similar ethnicity.

All blood types are needed, especially types O negative, A negative and B negative. To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Results in for FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year

Omar Vega/Invision for FedEx

After weeks of anticipation, the results are finally in. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell were voted FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year, thanks to votes from fans across the country.

FedEx announced the 2014 FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year winners at the 4th Annual NFL Honors awards show in Arizona, aired nationally on January 31.

Each week during the football season, all eyes were on the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week program, where fans voted on their favorite air (quarterback) and ground (running back) player. As part of the program, FedEx made weekly donations to local Red Cross chapters in each of the winning player’s names to support disaster preparedness and relief efforts around the world.

FedEx has donated a total of $130,000 to the American Red Cross during the 2014-15 NFL season through the FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year Awards program.

Last week, nominee Le’Veon Bell even helped teach Phoenix-area children about home fire emergencies at the Kid’s Day at NFL Experience hosted by FedEx and the Red Cross.

Red Crossers across the country appreciate contributions from FedEx and the players to Red Cross chapters throughout the season.

HOW FEDEX HAS HELPED, AND HOW YOU CAN JOIN For nearly two decades, FedEx has supported the mission of the Red Cross by providing access to relief supplies for victims of disaster through in-kind shipping and storing, financial support and trained volunteers. In 2014, FedEx contributed more than $1.8 million in cash and in-kind donations to the Red Cross and its chapters.

You can join FedEx and help people affected by disasters like winter storms and countless other crises by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.