Cross Blog

Board Chairman Mike Rash asked to serve on National Leadership Council

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The following message is from Gail McGovern, President and CEO:

I’m pleased to announce the final selection of National Leadership Council members. The final selections were based on many factors including: geographic diversity, Regional versus Community Chapters, nominee’s time with the organization and other leadership experience. I also wanted to insure that there was representation from each of the newly formed Chapter Network Divisions as well as a mix of current and former Chapter Board Chairs.

This group of high-level advisers will provide me and the senior management team with insight and advice, bringing their diverse experience and tremendous success in their respective fields. They will also serve as ambassadors in the field and be available to all volunteer leaders to insure that everyone continues to have a voice as we move forward with One Red Cross. 

It is a pleasure to share with you the list of members of the newly formed National Leadership Council:

Michael Rash, Greater Carolinas Chapter, Charlotte, NC
Susan Atherton, American Red Cross Bay Area, San Francisco, CA
Henry Bayshore, Dallas Area Chapter, Dallas, TX
Mary Ann Conrad, Roanoke Valley Chapter, Roanoke, VA
Timothy Deane, St Croix Valley Chapter, Bayport, MN
Kellie Hitchey, Greater Somerset County Chapter, Somerville, NJ
Timothy Hughes, Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter, Atlanta, GA
Rex Linder, Central Illinois Chapter, Peoria, IL
Mary Dee Martoche, Greater Buffalo Chapter, Buffalo, NY
Stephen McIntosh, Anacortes-San Juan Islands Chapter, Anacortes, WA
Ira Millstein, American Red Cross in Greater New York, New York, NY
Tammy Moore, Service to the Armed Forces, Washington, DC
Robert Proctor, Mid-Michigan Chapter, Lansing, MI
Edgar Smith, Cincinnati Area Chapter, Cincinnati, OH
Samuel Thumma, The Grand Canyon Chapter, Phoenix, AZ
James (Jay) Young, Southeast Louisiana Chapter, New Orleans, LA
Pamela Farr, Office of the National Chair of Volunteers, Washington, DC (ex-officio)

For more about Mike Rash, click here.

Erie Insurance gives back to our community with comfort kits

Thursday, March 26, 2009

On March 5, Antoinette Johnson’s Charlotte home went up in flames.
Scared and shaking, she sat in a Red Cross vehicle, providing information for the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team captain – how many people were living in the house? Did they have anywhere to go? Had they lost any medication?
As tears ran down her face, Johnson told the volunteer that she was worried about where she and her daughter would sleep that night.
Another volunteer reached for a Red Cross comfort kit and handed it to Johnson.
“Here you go, ma’am,” the volunteer said. “This has all your toiletries, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
Johnson looked at the volunteer and smiled. “Thank you so much. You have no idea how much it means to me that you’re here.”
Red Cross comfort kits are meant for just that – comfort. When families lose their home to a fire or other disaster, the Red Cross can give them one less thing to worry about by providing a kit with a toothbrush, soap and other basic necessities.
Erie Insurance, based in Erie, Pa., has an agreement with the American Red Cross that their 18 offices in the eastern United States will assemble comfort kits for the local chapter.
Dan Pierson, a supervisor at the Charlotte office, said it’s easy to set aside one week a year to help the Red Cross.
“It’s a way for our employees to give back to the local community,” he said.
Rick Schou, director of the Red Cross Emergency Services, noted it’s people like Erie Insurance employees that help the Red Cross continue its mission.
“We can’t say ‘thank you’ enough to the men and women who volunteer their time to help our organization,” Schou said. “These kits really do make a difference in the lives of people who live right here in Charlotte.”

Red Cross joins determined North Dakota residents in battle against flood

With the residents of North Dakota facing a double whammy of snow and flooding, the American Red Cross is also working furiously to place workers, food, and sheltering supplies across the state to support the fight against flood waters and keep people safe from heavy snow fall.

Sandbaggers gather by the hundreds at the Fargo Dome. Local officials say the goal is to fill nearly two million bags. Photo by Claire Sale/American Red Cross.Shelters are already open in Bismarck to care for people evacuated from their homes in the midst of a blizzard – their homes threatened by flood waters from ice jammed rivers.  That same storm is producing snow that may actually slow the progression of flood waters on the Red River in Fargo.  There, local volunteers are taking no chances.  “This time it came so fast,” said Fargo resident Viki Zimmerman, “Last time [1997 flooding] we had three weeks.  It’s pretty nerve racking.  The enormous community effort is amazing to see.”

Fargo residents are determined to win their fight against the river.  Kit O’Neill has been a Red Cross Mental Health volunteer since 1993 and has helped the Fargo community cope with several major floods.  O”Neill commented, “The resilience of the community, the vast outpouring of support for the flood-fighting effort, the knowledge of facing difficult floods successfully in the past, they all contribute to an overall feeling of hopefulness and strength.  We can’t control the weather or where the water goes, but we can control how we respond.”

The Red Cross is working a double play, combining the strength of its local chapters and American Red Cross national headquarters.  The organization is preparing for what could be a long disaster relief operation if the snow delays the river crest and water levels stay high for an extended time.

“It’s important that we beat the clock in getting supplies into Fargo,” said Joe Becker, senior vice president of disaster services for the Red Cross “But what we place in the state may need to stay there for days and days.”

More than 300 Red Cross workers are already on the scene and 12 volunteer teams will arrive today to operate shelters. Emergency Response Vehicles are providing meals to sandbagging volunteers and more trucks are on the way.  More than 50,000 ready-to-eat meals are already on site, as well as cots and blankets.  The Red Cross is coordinating all of these efforts with the governor’s office, as well as state and local emergency managers.

For more on this, visit http://newsroom.redcross.org/.

American Red Cross featured in Extreme Home Makeover

Thursday, March 19, 2009

March 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The American Red Cross and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” work tirelessly to change lives in communities nationwide. Every two seconds someone in this country needs blood, and for most of her young life, 14-year-old Lizzie Bell has depended on regular blood transfusions for survival. Lizzie and her mother, of Tucson, Arizona have made it their mission to raise awareness about the ongoing need for blood donations.

Friends in the Tucson area nominated the Bell family to receive a home makeover. In an episode just filmed, and slated for a March 22 release, the American Red Cross joined the hit reality show not only to change this family’s life but to change the lives of thousands of others. As part of the show, the American Red Cross dedicated blood drives throughout the country in Lizzie’s honor on Jan. 31, resulting in the donation of more than 11,000 pints of blood in 38 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. While the blood donated on that day did not go to Lizzie directly, it did help save the lives of thousands of patients.

“We were thrilled to join with the American Red Cross,” said Diane Korman, senior producer of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” “Its work helps patients such as those undergoing treatment for cancer, accident victims and premature babies — and we were honored to take part as we made over the Bell family’s home.”

On average, 39,000 blood donations are needed each day across the United States to treat injuries and illnesses. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” chose Lizzie and her family to be the lucky recipients of a brand new home to honor the young hero and to shine a spotlight on the importance of ongoing blood donation.

The “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” episode featuring Lizzie is scheduled to air SUNDAY, MARCH 22 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

For more information or to make an appointment to give blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit givelife.org.

SOURCE American Red Cross

On a Mission for the Red Cross

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

There has been a lot of media coverage this week about an allegedly leaked report by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on conditions for prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in 2006.

Some who have read the story have wondered about the role the American Red Cross in this matter. The short answer: none.

Many people do not realize that the American Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross are completely separate organizations that each serve a humanitarian purpose but differ in mission.

Both organizations are guided by the Fundamental Principals of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement — including impartiality, neutrality and independence.

But the missions are different:

The American Red Cross is committed to helping Americans prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies, facilitates training classes on things such as CPR and first aid, collects and processes more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and provides support to military personnel and their families.
The ICRC has an exclusive humanitarian mission to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war, conflict and internal violence from all nations and to provide them with assistance. Its mission is set forth by the Geneva Convention, which has been signed by virtually every government in the world, including the U.S. As part of this mission, the International Committee of the Red Cross visits people detained in relation to conflict around the world. It has visited American service members held in conflict-including in the first Gulf War.
It’s important to know that the ICRC does not release, leak or comment publicly on its reports or the discussions it has with governments. The ICRC has said it regrets that information from a confidential report has been made public in this matter, and is not commenting on the matter.

We know that all the jargon can be a little confusing, but hope this post helps to clarify our roles.

Strategic planner commends Greater Carolinas Chapter

Monday, March 16, 2009

This entry written by Patton McDowell of Patton McDowell and Associates, LLC. To learn more about Patton and the company, click here.Working with the staff and board of the American Red Cross Greater Carolinas Chapter, I grew in my appreciation for what that organization does for our community - in ways most of us don’t even realize.  The theme of preparedness is part of everything they do, and they remain ready to help communities and families in times of great distress.  For many nonprofits, current economic conditions feel very much like a time of distress, but they can learn a lot from the Red Cross.  While many boards acknowledge they should be doing more focused planning, the Red Cross board proactively organized a retreat to make sure they are prepared for current and future conditions.  What did we talk about? Three keys to their preparation:

• Evaluate economic conditions and tactics to address them
  
• Consider new approaches to individual and committee involvement
  
• Address external impact on organizational programs and structure

While the Red Cross has shown the world for nearly 150 years how to be prepared, it is impressive to see the local leadership have the discipline to invest both time and energy into strategic assessment and planning.  To learn more about the great work this organization is doing in the Carolinas region, put April 1 on your calendar and join them at noon at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte.  For more information, click here.

Red Cross, Charlotte Fire Department are “like family”

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

A few years ago, Greater Carolinas Chapter Disaster Action Teams (DATs) were only called out by the Charlotte Fire Department (CFD) well after the fire had been brought under control.  Not only did this delay the chapter’s response to displaced clients, but canteening for first responders was almost non-existent because they left the scene before the time the DAT team arrived.  In September 2007, chapter staff and senior volunteers met with the CFD and arranged to carry the same pagers that CFD uses internally for the notification of large (2+ Alarm) fires.  The CFD further authorized senior chapter volunteers who “knew their way around a fire scene” to respond directly to the fire in their own vehicles once they received the pager notification.  Now, the responding volunteer frequently arrives before some of the firefighters, quickly determines what type and size of canteening and first responder meals will be required, performs an initial damage assessment, and determines the type and size of casework response that will be required.

Since the program’s inception a year and a half ago, the Chapter has responded to 56 2+ Alarm fires.  In the case of multi-unit residential fires, client casework now starts two to three hours earlier than before the program began, and on commercial fires, the chapter has become the default provider of snacks, drinks and meals to all first responders.

On a recent 3-Alarm fire response, a mis-informed private security guard refused to allow one of our Red Cross trucks onto a fire scene. He was quickly informed by a CFD Captain that the Red Cross was supporting the CFD, and the guard could either let us pass or go to jail for interfering with a firefighting operation.  When later thanked for his support, the CFD Captain replied, “The Red Cross is family, and you belong on any fire with us.”

The chapter has come a long way from just 18 months ago when the CFD had forgotten that the Red Cross even provided canteening services.  This example further shows that even in a relatively large metropolitan area (CFD has 38 fire stations and the chapter’s jurisdiction covers over a million people), organizations with complementary goals can work closely together to everyone’s benefit.

For more information on this program, contact Keith Partin, , 704.378.4636.

Girl Scouts learn more about Measles and Malaria initiatives

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

On Saturday, Feb. 28, Girl Scouts around the nation, including Girl Scouts in Charlotte, Mecklenburg District 19, celebrated different cultures from around the world and raised monies to support local, national and international charities. The American Red Cross, Greater Carolinas Chapter, will be one of the organizations that will receive a donation from the World Thinking Day event. The girls, from Daisies to Teen Girl Scouts, researched different countries, learned about the cultures of the nations and made delicatesses to sell to one another and participating parents.

Sam Migit, a volunteer from the American Red Cross, raised awareness during District 19’s World Thinking Day by talking to the Girl Scouts about the Measles and Malaria Initiatives the American Red Cross implements worldwide. The girls learned what measles and malaria are, how awareness of vaccinations is raised internationally and how important it is for children worldwide to be vaccinated to eliminate these deadly diseases. District 19 also learned how their school, church or other youth organization can get active and get involved in promoting the Measles and Malaria Initiatives.

The Measles Initiative is a partnership committed to reducing measles and malaria deaths globally. Started in 2001, the Measles Initiative - led by the American Red Cross, the United Nations Foundation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and the World Health Organization - provides technical and financial support to governments and communities on vaccination campaigns worldwide.  For more information or to make a donation, visit www.measlesinitiative.org.

March is Red Cross month

Monday, March 02, 2009

On Friday, Pres. Obama signed a presidential proclamation declaring March as American Red Cross Month. The President of the United States has signed one of these proclamations every year for 66 years, and it’s become a big part of the history of the Red Cross. Each U.S. President also holds the title of Honorary Chairman of the Red Cross, and we often get the chance to work closely with the White House—last year former First Lady Laura Bush signed and sorted cards for soldiers as a part of our Holiday Mail for Heroes program, and Pres. Bush visited our disaster operations center in Washington, DC after Hurricane Katrina.

Visit http://www.redcrosshelps.org to find out what your Red Cross is doing this month.

While volunteers and staff are always excited for the chance to meet our government officials, we want people to remember that the Red Cross isn’t a government agency. We are a part of an international movement of organizations that follow seven fundamental principles:
• Humanity
• Independence
• Neutrality
• Universality
• Voluntary Service
• Unity
• Independence

Regardless of political beliefs, religious background or anything else, the Red Cross is there for everyone. In this year’s proclamation, Pres. Obama encourages “all Americans to support this organization’s noble humanitarian mission.” When you do, you should know that you are part of a movement that exists around the world, created to help all people. To get more information on March is Red Cross Month, and how to join the Red Cross in your community, visit Redcross.org.

Lesly Simmons, American Red Cross Communication & Marketing