Cross Blog

“The Haitians Are Leading The Way”

Friday, February 05, 2010

American Red Cross volunteer Winnie Romeril returned from Haiti this past weekend after spending two weeks working on relief efforts there. Winnie has been instrumental in providing information about her experiences to us for sharing on this blog. On Monday, she spoke at a round table briefing at our National Headquarters. Here are some descriptions of the work she took part of, and her impressions upon leaving the country.

The Red Cross firmly believes that we must work with the community to figure out their needs. One example is how our water purification teams talk to community leaders to figure out what’s going on. Outside Port-au-Prince in smaller cities and villages, there are many wells unscathed by the earthquake– so we test them to let people know if the water is safe. In communities where it’s not safe, we have set up water distribution points.

There is an incredible resiliency in the Haitian people. Since everyone has been affected by the earthquake, this has created a powerful sense of unity. This resiliency is particularly prevalent among children, many of whom continue to laugh and play despite the widespread devastation. The market economy has also started coming back with some banks, gas stations and stores now open. Food and other materials are coming in from the unaffected countryside. Relatives who live abroad are sending in money.

How well would we like to build back Haiti? We could bring them back to the standards they were at before the earthquake, but is that good enough? It’s not. Haiti unfortunately will have more disasters. We need to help them prepare for future events with better construction that can withstand hurricanes and earthquakes. We know how to do this: we’ve done it in Pakistan, Peru, and China, and we can do it in Haiti. For every dollar we invest in disaster preparedness, we save $4-8 in disaster response. The Haitians are leading the way in rebuilding their lives.

We need to support Haitians to be stronger for the future.

Read more about Winnie’s experiences

Update from the Ground: Haiti Earthquake

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Below are two video updates from American Red Cross Emergency Response Unit team members on the ground in Haiti. Watch to get a sense of how distribution at camp sites is assessed and carried out.

The Red Cross is focusing on three areas – food, clean drinking water and other relief items such as hygiene kits, blankets, tarps, sleeping mats, tents and water containers. The relief items are helping more than 10,000 families (50,000 people) to date – with plans to increase this number. About 79 percent of the funds spent or committed by the American Red Cross have been for food and water; 18 percent have been for shelter; and the rest have been for health and family services.

To read the latest updates on disaster relief in Haiti, please visit our Disaster Online Newsroom.

Bobcats, NASCAR Foundation and the Red Cross raise money for Haiti

Monday, February 01, 2010

On Saturday, Jan. 23, the Charlotte Bobcats, NASCAR Foundation and the American Red Cross worked together to raise nearly $10,000 for Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

Volunteers from the organizations - including more than a dozen from the Red Cross - collected money outside Time Warner Cable Arena prior to the Charlotte Bobcats vs. Orlando Magic game. Volunteers also staffed two tables inside the arena where spectators could make donations.

During the game, there were several reminders to text “HAITI” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. There was also a contest at halftime, which raised $2,500 for relief efforts. The Bobcats and NASCAR Foundation matched those proceeds, bringing the total to $5,000 from the halftime contest alone!

When you add that to the total amount raised from collecting donations outside, the efforts Saturday brought in nearly $10,000 for Red Cross response in Haiti.

Thank you to everyone who helped by either volunteering or making a donation.

Want to help in Haiti?

100 percent of the money raised that evening went to the Red Cross response in Haiti.

View pictures of Red Cross response in Haiti

Thursday, January 28, 2010

How you can help:

• Visit redcross.org
  
• Call 1-800-REDCROSS
  
• Mail a check to American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C., 20013

A day with Red Cross Transportation Services

Red Cross Transportation Services provide residents living in Mecklenburg and South Iredell counties free transportation to and from critical medical appointments.  There were 17,145 rides provided by more than 70 volunteers last year.

Coy Powell, a Red Cross volunteer driver for more than four years, said one of the most important qualities in a driver is being flexible.  Powell said some people may complain and want no assistance, while others are excited to see him.  He said it is their choice to receive assistance.  “We assist where we can; we do not force ourselves.”

Powell said his favorite element about this service is meeting different people.  He said he enjoys to hear their life experiences, where they have been and what they have done.  While volunteering at the Red Cross, Powell met a client that had coached baseball at his former high school when he had attended.

While on his route Thursday, Jan. 28, Powell picked up Lula Stewart, who moved to Charlotte in 1992.  Stewart has been using this service once a month for more than two years.  She said she enjoys the atmosphere, company and a pleasant drive with conversation.  Stewart’s most memorable moment was her second ride with the Red Cross.  No volunteer drivers were available to pick her up from her doctor visit, so Betty Burton, the scheduling coordinator, picked her up.  Stewart said she was amazed at how courteous Burton was.

The second client for Powell was Christine Leach, who has been in Charlotte since 1963.  Leach has been using this service twice a week for four or five years.  She said the drivers are very nice to her, and they always help her in and out of the car.  Leach said, “I could not ask for a better ride.”

The third client for Powell was Horace Matthews, who has been in Charlotte since 1962.  Matthews has been using this service twice a week for five years.  He said he likes the drivers, who are on time no matter what.  Matthews said laughing, “They need to be paid!”

Need transportation services or want to be a volunteer driver?

Belk raises money for Haiti relief

About 20 Belk employees helped coordinate employee fundraising drives and contributions for Red Cross relief in Haiti.

This is the first of several checks to come from Belk, Inc. and its store employees. All 314 stores across the Southeast and the headquarters have been coordinating Haiti disaster relief fundraising efforts.

Employees coordinated various fundraising drives and pitches and combined that with personal donations.  Belk has been a generous supporter of Red Cross disaster relief for several years. 

Pictured, John Luebke of the Greater Carolinas Chapter accepts a check for more than $11,000 from Belk employees.

Caption: Bottom:  Steve Kelly, vice president of marketing for Belk; Shanetta Spears, Jennifer Dyer, Amanda Hawley, John - Red Cross, Audrey Rabb, Lauren Fields, Bob Alexander
Top:  Paris Gormley, Shirley Rice, Denise Podavini, Bruce Fisher, Annette Brinson, Yolanda Johnson, Swantavia Graham.

Latino community raises money for Haiti relief

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

On Monday, Jan. 25, a ceremony took place at the American Red Cross, Sadie Fowler Disaster Center, to present a check for more than $40,000 to the American Red Cross. 

The money was raised this past Sunday by the Latino community.  They worked with Jesus Ministry Inc., Norsan Radio Group and Alex Ruiz Productions to collect funds during a radio-thon at the Compare Foods Supermarkets in Charlotte, Monroe and Gastonia. 

All of the money, raised in one day, will go toward helping the people in Haiti.

Pamela Jefsen, CEO of the Greater Carolinas Chapter, said, “We are in awe of how the Latino community came together this weekend to raise money for American Red Cross response efforts in Haiti.”

If you want to help:

• Donate Money
  
• Volunteer your time
  
• Give blood

For more pictures click here!

Red Cross dedicates Volunteer Personnel Office to volunteer

The Greater Carolinas Chapter proudly dedicated their Volunteer Personnel Office on Sunday, Jan. 17, to the memory of Sarah Lynn Kennelly, a Red Cross volunteer who passed away Sept. 21, 2009 from metastatic breast cancer at age 50.

Born and raised in Winston-Salem, Kennelly graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1981 and became an executive in patient communication systems for companies Executone, Dukane, GE and Hill-Rom.

Daughter of Jim and Eleanor Kennelly, “Lynn” was committed to many civic and volunteer organizations and displayed a positive and generous spirit throughout her life. In grateful acknowledgement of her life and good works, it is fitting that Kennelly’s name be associated with the American Red Cross.

Want to volunteer?

More photos

Haiti Relief: Report from USNS Comfort Volunteer

The below was written by American Red Cross volunteer Wilfrid from the Miami Chapter. He’s aboard the USNS Comfort providing assistance to Haiti.

Was crazy the trip from Miami to Guantanamo, then to airport p-au-p, then helicopter to the Navy ship. Full military operation. I have seen the hard work. So far about 48hrs without sleeping. We’ll talk another day…

Arrival to Guantanamo 3:35pm

Ready to fly from Guantanamo to Haiti Airport 2:15am.

Arrival in airport Haiti; 3:10 AM. Eat and drink then, lay down on the grass until morning. 7:50AM. we felt an aftershock (1sec). A lot of plans and moving…

Some of the team stayed at Guantanamo the whole night (w/ Dee). Took the helicopter to the USNS comfort by 3:15 pm and arrive at 3:30pm – while the team in Guantanamo went straight to the USNS by 12:00 PM.

The team is in the dining area with all the other Corps. An immense mass care operation. The ship can provide about 7000 hot meals. We had a meal and went to rest for tomorrow.

Sleeping area! We all got a chance to shower. Then, Saturday is in. 5:30 AM get ready for breakfast at 6:00 AM. I became a call center with my phone for many of the team. The rush started not too late after our lunch.

In the meeting after breakfast!

Celebrities support Red Cross relief in Haiti

Monday, January 25, 2010