Historic Fundraising Concert to Benefit Disaster Victims

UMOS, Dist. 12 Alderman José G. Pérez and El Conquistador

Newspaper to Co host: HISTORIC FUNDRAISING CONCERT TO BENEFIT DISASTER VICTIMS featuring Multiple Grammy Winner and Living Legend Eddie Palmieri & his Latin Jazz Ensemble in a unique once-in-a-lifetime concert performance with local salsa musicians and a special appearance by Afro-Puerto Rican Jazz Virtuoso Dr. William Cepeda direct from Loiza, Puerto Rico. 

International and Locally known Puerto Rican Artists unite and donate their services to raise funds to aid victims of Hurricane Maria and Mexico Earthquakes

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (October 13, 2017) – UMOS, together with 12th District Alderman Jose G. Perez, and Publisher Victor Huyke will welcome Grammy Winner, Music Icon and Living Legend Eddie Palmieri & his Latin Jazz Ensemble in a special benefit performance to raise funds for victims of the natural disasters in Puerto Rico and Mexico on Saturday, October 28, 2017 10:00pm at the Potowatomi Hotel & Casino- Woodland Dreams Ballroom, 1721 W. Canal Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233. ALL ticket proceeds will be donated to charity thanks to the generosity of Mr. Palmieri, his sidemen, and all of the participating artists and volunteers.

The recent catastrophic natural disasters in Central America and the Caribbean have directly impacted friends and families of many residents of Milwaukee County and Southeastern Wisconsin. An important humanitarian effort to aid victims has emerged from high profile musicians who are donating their time, talent and artistry to provide a dynamic entertainment experience while generating much needed monetary funds. The City of Milwaukee was honored to be the recipient of legendary musician Eddie Palmieri’s offer to donate 100% of his services on a precious Saturday evening time slot together with local and regional musicians in order to send aid directly to victims. Mr. Palmieri, winner of 10 Grammy Awards, an NEA Jazz Master Award-America’s highest honor for lifetime achievement in Jazz, is currently on a national tour entitled: “EP @ 80” celebrating his 80th birthday with innovative new music and a selection of classic hits most of which have become anthems throughout the US, Latin America, Europe and Asia. A volunteer committee of artists, elected officials, educators, and community activists quickly mobilized to produce and market the event. All three event co-hosts have a distinguished record of providing outstanding leadership and support to underserved communities. UMOS, a leading nonprofit community based advocacy agency has generously offered to support this humanitarian fundraiser and concert which follows its acclaimed annual Hispanic Awards Banquet scheduled to take place earlier that evening in an adjacent ballroom. The Palmieri Concert will take place promptly at 10 p.m. in the Woodland Dreams Ballroom of the Potowatomi Hotel & Casino, 1721 W. Canal Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. Advance tickets available online at: www.eddiepalmiericoncertforprmx.mivoz.com. Donations will also be taken at the door and a select number of Special Discount Coupons will be available on a first come- first served basis to all patrons who attend the UMOS Hispanic Awards Banquet. A VIP package is available with premium seating and perks which include a private meeting with the artists, and signed poster or CD. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross whose representatives will be on-hand to meet and share information about their relief efforts. It is anticipated that one or two actual Red Cross volunteers who are serving currently in Puerto Rico will be on hand to describe first hand accounts of relief efforts on the island.

Ticketing // Admission: Seating capacity is limited. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. Minimum advance donation is $40.00. Special VIP package $150.00 includes premium reserved seating, private meet and greet with artists and complimentary signed CD or Poster while supplies last. ONLINE TICKET PURCHASE AT: www.eddiepalmiericoncertforprmx.mivoz.com.

The event organizers and artists have set a minimum goal of $25,000.00 for disaster relief. All proceeds donated to: The American Red Cross. Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation. Artist websites: www.eddiepalmierimusic.com www.williamcepeda.com

Attorney Michael Reyes, event coordinator: 414-350-5522 michaelreyesmusic@gmail.com

AmeriCorps Volunteers Answer the Call in Houston

Story and Photo by Chris Genin, American Red Cross volunteer

From left to right: Jeremy Holm, Alex Unger, Juliana Stahle, Scott Sobocinski, Joshua Haisch, Emma Harvey

Unless you’ve resided or worked in an American Red Cross shelter, it’s difficult to get a sense of what goes on to ensure the comfort and safety of people who have come to the shelter for help. Volunteers work around the clock to maintain a positive environment and guarantee people’s needs are met. This is a huge job and the Red Cross often works with partner agencies in the shelter so that things run smoothly.

Alex Unger, an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Core (NCCC) team leader, is one such volunteer who represents a partner agency and is working side-by-side with Red Cross volunteers to efficiently run one of the remaining Red Cross shelters at Houston’s Greenspoint Mall.

AmeriCorps is a team-based national community service program run by the federal government and Alex and his team operate under the NCCC. Teams are usually comprised of eight to 12 people who travel around the country building homes, responding to disasters, working with kids and performing energy and environmental conservation work. They operate under 10-month commitments and typically focus on one region unless a disaster strikes. The AmeriCorps campus in Baltimore sent 12 teams to Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Prior to deploying to Houston, Alex’s team was in Idaho aiding relief efforts during the Hanover Wildfire.

Alex’s team of 11 AmeriCorps members helped spearhead the shelter set up and had the big task of unloading and organizing 16 trucks packed full of resident’s’ personal belongs. Most Greenspoint Mall residents moved there from another shelter and a system had to be implemented to make sure personal belongings went with them. Alex’s team sorted totes and boxes and created a system for where their belongings went.

Nearly 500 people descended on the shelter, some traveling with 10 massive boxes and others bringing one small tote, Alex’s team organized these things in an orderly manner, while at the same time remaining readily available to help in other areas. No matter the quantity of what came with a resident, Alex handled all belongings with care, keeping in mind that what they were unloading could be all the material things that remained for some people.

Thirteen AmeriCorps team members are still supporting Red Cross shelter operations. These volunteers help manage laundry service, sorting and distributing donated items, serving meals, unloading deliveries and maintaining general cleanliness. All of this is done in support of the 400 residents who call this shelter home nearly seven weeks after Hurricane Harvey.

Alex, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin, joined AmeriCorps because he wanted to experience this unique way of life and to develop his leadership ability. He and his team are going to continue their work in Houston until they graduate their service year on November 15.

A lot of the people are really appreciative of the work that we’re doing here,” Alex said. “Whether it’s serving meals or passing out clothes, a lot of people basically have nothing. It’s humbling to be a part of it all, to sit with someone and hear their story. It’s great to see people getting back on their feet.”

It’s Experiences Like These That Make a Difference

By Patty Flowers, Wisconsin Region American Red Cross CEO

As I was winding up my 3+ week deployment in Houston, I felt a little bittersweet because I was leaving some ‘family’ behind.  It’s amazing how you become so close to people from all over the country when you work beside them for 12-14 hour days.  Servant hearts comes to mind because that is what I was surrounded by and had been for more than 3 weeks.  You don’t have to ask ‘what is the right thing to do’ because it’s already being asked by each person.  It was an amazing team down in that great state and I’m so proud to have been a part of it.

One of the days some special visitors came to visit us at headquarters!  What an uplifting 15 minutes for so many tired people! Animals can make you smile and calm your brain so quickly.  I am so grateful for the group that came in with their special critters.  So much happiness and it was needed.  There was not a face without a smile!

 

 

So much had been done at the end of my deployment that some groups had closed up shop, including Disaster Assessment.  Their group accomplished what they had to do using drones to help with the flooded areas and it was amazingly efficient.  However, there’s still so much that needs to be done.  Over 3,000 people were still in shelters and these people are truly the ones who needed us the most.  They may have had family they could go to but they couldn’t get there because they couldn’t afford a bus ticket or gas for their car.

***Warning, tissues may be needed****

I met a incredible woman, Maria, in one of our larger shelters and she was waiting for the Individual Assistance program to come back online.  Maria told me that she had a miscarriage just a few days before the hurricane hit and one of the things she was desperate to do is buy some flowers and put them on her baby’s grave.  When she heard the good news that our assistance was coming back online, she started to cry and thanked me for all we were doing for them.  As I received one of the biggest hugs I’d ever gotten down in Houston, all I could think of is how incredibly cool it was that we were giving our donors’ gifts to someone like Maria.  Fulfilling a wish like this and allowing her to grieve and recover is what we were there for.  Please remind every donor that their donations are bringing smiles to people who have every reason not to smile during times like what Maria went through.

Another shelter resident I met, was James.  He had relatives in the Detroit area but he can’t afford to get there.  He told me he didn’t need any help with housing if he could only just get to Detroit.  I watched the smile on his face build into the biggest grin ever when he found out that we had bought him a plane ticket to get him up to his relatives.  I’ve quite honestly never seen anyone so excited.  Again, this is why we were there.

Below is a photo of Steve Hansen (Chapter Executive in Northeast Wisconsin), Michelle Goodwill (Bilingual Donor Recruitment Supervisor in Northeast Wisconsin), and myself at headquarters down in Houston.  Steve served as an EOL (Elected Officials Liaison) where he did really good work keeping communication channels open and making sure small mud puddles didn’t turn into quicksand for the Red Cross.  One day when his work was finished for the day, he very happily said yes to helping us set up a shelter in 96 degree heat with 96% humidity.  Steve worked tirelessly ALL day long with not one complaint.  He is amazing.  Michelle was on her first deployment working with the Latina Engagement Team and she has been able to take her skills in putting together blood drives to help her team with event planning in the community creating efficiencies and the ability to cover more people in need of our outreach.  AWESOME One Red Cross in action!!!

Shout outs to other disaster workers & volunteers that were deployed down to headquarters doing great things and working LONG hours but I hardly saw, are Nick Cluppert (Disaster Program Manager for Northeast Wisconsin), Marytha Blanchard, our Division Disaster guru Megan Chamberlain, Wendy Savage (Executive Director for North Central Wisconsin), Charise Smith who rocked her first deployment handling in-kind donations, and Laurie Nehring from Blood Communications.  Last but certainly not least, Dave Gutierrez, our Division Disaster Executive who was the Job Director down in Texas. He is an amazing guy with the ability to handle such a complex operation and never get flustered.  I enjoyed getting to know Dave and my admiration for him grows each and every day.  Megan and Marytha were the leads for our amazing individual assistance program and literally lived at HQ for several days straight.  While they had a few bumps in the road, I am in awe of what they, along with the National team, put together.

Lastly, a few tidbits for you about Houston:  Traffic is a nightmare, gridlocked at most hours of the day.  Instead of bars on every corner, there are donut shops. Kolaches are a specialty, with different (usually some type of meat) fillings in each one.  I tried an egg and bacon one for breakfast and it was quite good!  There are even kolaches shops here and that’s all they sell…very popular.  And it is hot.  OMG, I have never been so hot at the end of September!!!  I couldn’t wait to get back and enjoy Fall.  90+ degrees does not equate to Fall in my view!

While I’ve been privileged to be able to deploy down to Texas, I am so very happy to be home. I want to thank each and every one who made a difference during this tough time, including those who stayed behind to keep Wisconsin going.  Our team rocks!

 

Reflections on Hurricane Irma Relief

By Viv Chappel, Wisconsin Region Grants Specialist

I just returned from my deployment in Florida, where I spent the better part of two weeks bringing hot meals to people impacted by Hurricane Irma. Mobile feeding of this nature is done with our fleet of Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs), trucks designed to move and distribute large quantities of food, drinks and other relief supplies.

My driving partner Terry and I brought our ERV from Wisconsin to assist with the disaster relief efforts. Each morning, we reported to a large kitchen in Lutz, Florida (near Tampa). There, we would receive our route assignment for that day, load up with food and supplies, and hit the road to bring hot meals to residents in need.

Viv Chappell with the Emergency Response Vehicle from La Crosse, Wisconsin. Parked near the kitchen in Lutz, FL, awaiting the day’s route assignment.

Our Wisconsin ERV provided thousands of meals in communities primarily between Tampa and Orlando, where many residents were still without power a week or more after Hurricane Irma struck. We saw considerable wind damage and some flooding throughout these areas. With many people having lost the contents of their refrigerators, and the difficulties of storing and cooking food without electricity, the hot meals provided by the Red Cross were a welcome sight.

An ERV driver from Washington serves meals to some young Floridians.

The gratitude expressed to us by the people we served was overwhelming and humbling. I want to pass this gratitude along to you and the donors and partners with whom you work—because each and every one of you plays a part in making these moments of relief and hope possible. Some memorable moments while we delivered free hot meals to communities in need:

• One young woman did a double take when she saw we were serving food, and said, “You’re serving hot meals? You’re going to make me cry.” And tears of joy came to her eyes.
• A boy about 12 years of age was so happy he kept saying, “You guys are so nice, you guys are so nice! Thank you!”
• A woman in an apartment complex that was still without full power over a week after the storm said, “Y’all are a blessing.”
• On a couple of occasions, we came across mothers that needed baby supplies such as diapers and milk. We embraced the motto “Get to yes” and made it happen right away, even though these requests were outside of our truck’s day-to-day hot meal service delivery. The moms were so grateful for our help.
• Too many “Thank you’s,” “Bless you’s” and smiles to count.

Viv Chappell serves meals outside of a community center in Dade City, FL.

Throughout my deployment, the power of the Red Cross Chapter network was clear. Our ERV was one of about ten trucks operating out of just this one kitchen on any given day—not to mention all the activity occurring in other parts of the state and beyond. Red Cross ERVs and volunteers came to Florida from all corners of the country. I met Red Crossers from Washington state, New England, and just about everywhere in between. We were brought together by a common purpose, to fulfill the mission of the Red Cross and help alleviate human suffering in the face of disaster. It’s comforting to know that people will come to help whenever and wherever needed.

Click here for more pictures of the Hurricane Irma relief efforts in Central Florida. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do here in Wisconsin to bring relief to Florida and other areas impacted by recent disasters. Your support and hard work makes a difference!

ERV drivers near the kitchen in Lutz, FL.