Cross Blog

Category: Volunteer

Influenced to Change a Life

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Last month, while communicating with Kate Meier, Communications and Marketing Manager for the Carolinas Red Cross chapter, I glanced down and saw the tagline at the bottom of her email. It said: “Change a Life.”, “Ask me how you can change a life today.” I felt a catch in my throat. The Red Cross had changed MY life. I would not be here today without them.

On Jan. 15, 2009, when US Airways flight 1549 hit the Hudson River in New York, it hit hard. I was one of the last people off the plane and spent seven minutes in the frigid water before I was lifted aboard a nearby ferry boat. Sitting on that boat, freezing and with no feeling in my hands or feet, I suddenly felt a touch of warmth. My shoulders had been cloaked in a Red Cross blanket. Thankfully, the New York and New Jersey Red Cross chapter volunteers were among the first to arrive on the scene of the crash and someone made sure that I had gotten one. 

I treasured that blanket as if it were a fine gem, like a rare ruby with healing powers. It still reminds me of the care and compassion I was shown from those angels that day. Minutes later, I was rushed to the hospital and my wet clothes, now frozen to my body, had to be removed. Shortly after, a pair of sweat pants appeared as if out of nowhere.

Again, a responder with the Red Cross made sure I had something dry to wear. I felt relief; I was beginning to feel somewhat human again. I will never forget those simple acts of kindness and will be forever grateful. The moment I got to dry land, the Red Cross folks from the Northern New Jersey and New York Red Cross chapters were there. When I arrived home, the Red Cross in Charlotte met me off the plane and comforted my family. They also checked in with me later that night to make sure I was OK.

Today, I hold a very special place in my heart for the Red Cross. What they do is so very important and I believe in it strongly.  Through the “Miracle on the Hudson” experience, a new door in my life has opened; a mission if you will, to share gratitude, hope and faith. I have been able to share my story with so many people through speaking publically, in a variety of settings such as churches, senior groups, business meetings and conferences, fundraisers and most notably Red Cross functions.

I was truly honored to speak at the Tiffany Circle 2009 Women’s Leadership Summit this past June in Washington, D.C. In July, a fellow passenger, Barry Leonard, and I hosted a THANK YOU luncheon for the first responders on-site at Palisades Medical. Immediately following that event, I was honored to speak at a wonderful reception given by the North Bergen, New Jersey, Red Cross chapter.  Next, I will be the keynote speaker at the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter’s inaugural Heroes Breakfast on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Rivers Club in Downtown Pittsburgh.

I was recently a guest on the morning radio show for KDKA – NEWSRADIO 1020, The Voice of Pittsburgh helping to promote this event. On Oct. 21, I will be traveling to Charleston, S.C., to speak at the Tiffany Circle Recruitment for the Carolina Low Country Chapter.

As you can see, I am fortunate to be included in so many wonderful events, and I am happy to give back to a group that gave so much to me. Many times, church and senior groups that I speak to ask if they can bestow an honorarium. I always suggest that they make a donation to the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross in Charlotte. 

A family of fine gems makes up the Red Cross. I am now blessed to be a part of and contribute to such a treasured organization that I consider part of my own family.

Dave Sanderson
US Airways Flight 1549

Note: These thoughts (and more) are also captured in the forthcoming book, “Brace for Impact: The Search for Meaning in Near Death and Hope in New Life--Voices from Flight 1549.” Proceeds from the book will benefit the American Red Cross. Reserve your copy today!

Red Cross responds to chemical spill in Statesville

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Photo courtesy of Paul Webster with Iredell County Emergency ManagementThe Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross set up an evacuation shelter following a chlorine leak at a facility on North Center Street.

The shelter was located at the Statesville Civic Center on Broad Street, where Red Cross staff and volunteers provided food and drinks for those affected by the evacuation.

The following was taken from an article written by Donna Swicegood of the Statesville Record & Landmark:

A chlorine leak inside a South Statesville plant resulted in the evacuation of neighborhoods around the plant for about two hours Monday morning.

Statesville Fire Department Deputy Chief David Cline said the leak was in a 2,000-pound cylinder-like tank inside Bartlett Milling on South Center Street.

The leak was a small one, but those living southeast of the plant were evacuated as a precaution, Cline said. Most people were advised to stay inside and turn off the air conditioning, he said.

Between 50 and 80 employees were inside the plant when the leak was noticed, and all evacuated safely, Cline said.

The Mooresville Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials team responded to the scene and contained the leak, while SFD personnel helped wash down those firefighters who went inside the plant to contain the leak.

Cline said because of the potential problems with chlorine, the decision was made to evacuate neighborhoods to the southeast of the plant.

Statesville police officers went door-to-door telling residents about the situation, and asking them to go to the Statesville Civic Center, where the American Red Cross set up a shelter.

One person needed transportation and ICATS took them to the civic center. At one point, about 80 people, mostly Bartlett employees, were at the civic center.

The message sent out in a half-mile radius around the plant instructed people to stay inside and turn off air conditioners. Around 1 p.m., the message was sent that everything was clear and a/c units could be turned back on.

Cline said everything went as smoothly as possible. “Everybody did a good job,” he said.

Film crew captures Red Cross volunteer’s story

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Birman Productions, based in Los Angeles, is filming a documentary surrounding US Airways Flight 1549, which crashed into the Hudson River in January.

Lori Lightner (pictured), who recently started volunteering with the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross, was on that flight.

Dan Birman, the film company president, and his crew flew across the country to capture Lori’s story.

More photos from the filming
Read Lori’s Story here
Read about Red Cross response to the crash

Lori’s story

Written by Jim Prive, Red Cross Volunteer

Lori Lightner’s trip in January was typical. She and five others from the department store chain flew from Charlotte to New York on business and prepared for the return flight home on Jan. 15. Lori always had reservations about flying, but this day was especially worrisome as the weather was cold and snowy up until just before US Airways Flight 1549 departed.

As a tall woman, Lori always flew in the emergency exit seat on the plane, as it offered extra leg room. When the plane took off that Thursday morning, everything seemed normal. Then, according to reports, a few minutes into the air, the plane flew into a flock of geese, disabling both engines.

Lori recalled that time seemed to stand still until a voice came over the intercom and said, “Brace for impact.”

She said she figured, “This is it,” and began to pray, thinking about how devastating her death would be to her husband, Erik, and her family in California. But Lori said when the plane struck the Hudson River, it wasn’t as bad as she expected. She said it took a minute for passengers to realize they were OK and that they needed to exit the plane. 

Due to Lori’s seat, she was one of the first ones out of the plane and into the icy January waters of the Hudson River. Though she is a strong swimmer, the temperature quickly sapped her strength. When the rescue boats arrived, she was barely able to get herself out of the water and onto the boat. 

Within 30 minutes of splashdown, the Red Cross arrived at the restaurant where Lori and fellow passengers were taken. As one can imagine, people were scared and confused to the point where communicating their statuses with loved ones was difficult.  Therefore, Red Cross volunteers communicated on behalf of the passengers. Lori fondly recalls being assisted by a Red Cross volunteer named Gina, who was speaking with family members via cell phones one by one. Lori recalled Gina saying, “After what you all have been through, we don’t expect you to be able to think. We’re here to help you with that!”

Upon arriving at the restaurant, passengers were offered food and coffee. Lori had no desire for food – she only wanted to get warm, and she didn’t drink coffee. So Gina offered her tea. Unfortunately, Lori – and most of the other passengers – were shivering so badly due to the cold and rattled nerves that they could not hold onto the cups. Red Cross volunteers quickly produced straws.

Passengers were also in need of dry socks. Gina phoned her husband, who was on his way to assist in the Red Cross response, and he picked up athletic socks for the passengers. “You can’t believe how important those socks, a paper gown and a blanket were to me,” Lori said.

Gina and other Red Cross volunteers circulated the crowd to see if anyone had lost any needed medication. Lori said it dawned on her that she had lost her asthma inhaler, which was in her purse on the sinking plane. Again, Gina sprang into action. She contacted a pharmacy, explained the situation and made arrangements for the Red Cross to pay for and pick up the prescription. A short time later, Lori had her inhaler in hand.

The last item Gina gave Lori was a stuffed Mickey Mouse doll.  Lori admits that it was at least 30 years since she slept with a stuffed animal, but it was greatly appreciated that day.

“The Red Cross – and especially Gina – were quickly there and stayed with the passengers until every last one was safely on their way,” Lori said.

Post Splashdown

Lori said her experience caused her to reflect on what is really important in life. After taking time to settle down emotionally, she decided she was going to change the direction of her life. She discussed her ideas with her husband, and after lots of hard work and sacrifices, she came up with a new track for her future. Lori gave up her high-powered career and decided to focus her efforts on starting a family through adoption.

Next, she contacted the Red Cross to find out how she could volunteer with the organization. Before the Flight 1549 incident, Lori admitted she knew a lot about American Red Cross services and had the utmost respect for the organization. One of her aunts was very active with national disaster response, so Lori heard much about the need for Red Cross services. Additionally, Lori was a regular blood donor and dedicated 100 percent of her United Way donation to the Red Cross. She knew the Red Cross is a good steward with donations, having researched that only 6-8 percent of donations goes toward administrative expenses.

Lori said that prior to the crash, she would have liked to volunteer with the Red Cross, but her 60-hour-per-week job prevented that.

Now, having left her job, she has taken many Red Cross training classes and plans to look at all the opportunities there and decide where to focus her efforts.  It might be disaster response, transportation, fundraising or teaching. No matter where she settles, she will bring great Red Cross passion – for hers is truly from the heart!

Red Cross participates in Independence Day Parade

Monday, July 06, 2009

Photo courtesy of McBryde Website Design

On Saturday, June 27, the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross participated in the Independence Day Parade in Troutman, N.C.  Vic McIntyre, a volunteer for the Red Cross, pulled the float for the Red Cross Military Support Group.

The Greater Carolinas Chapter Military Support Group meets regularly in Statesville, N.C. In addition to those services, the Red Cross provides other services to our armed forces.

Originally, the Red Cross was founded to aid fallen soldiers on the battlefield. Today, around the clock and around the globe, during times of personal crisis, the Red Cross keeps the American people in touch with their family members serving in the United States military. Wherever United States military troops are located, Red Cross employees and volunteers are there to meet their special needs. The Red Cross provides reporting and communication services through a network which links members of the military any place in the world with their loved ones back home.

Find out more about Red Cross Military Services

Transportation Volunteers honored at luncheon

Monday, June 29, 2009

Photo caption: Richard Nice, a resident at Shads Landing, tells luncheon guests about how the Red Cross transports him to and from his critical dialysis appointments multiple times a week.

On Thursday, June 25, the wonderful staff and residents at Shads Landing, a retirement facility in Charlotte, held an appreciation luncheon for the Greater Carolinas Chapter Transportation Services Program.

Volunteers with the Transportation Services Program have been transporting several Shads Landing residents to and from their critical medical appointments - at no cost to the residents.

Cindy Brinson, manager at Shads Landing, thanked the Red Cross staff and volunteers, noting that the program has had a profound effect on the residents there.

Luncheon guests enjoyed a wonderful meal featuring filet, asparagus and raspberry white chocolate cheesecake.

“We could not do what we do without our wonderful volunteers,” said Sandra Peake, operations manager of the Red Cross Transportation Services Program. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

Learn more about the Red Cross Transportation Services Program and how you can get involved.
More pictures from Shads Landing

Local students make flowers to raise money for the Red Cross

Monday, June 15, 2009

A few dozen kindergartners from Myers Park Traditional Elementary School fidgeted in their seats, raising their hands to ask a question or playing with the handmade paper-flower crowns atop their heads. The children were eager to learn more about the American Red Cross, the nonprofit for which they’d recently raised $2,000.

“Who do firefighters rescue first, pets or humans?” one young student asked Dan Ogburn, a representative from the Red Cross.

“What is a paramedic?” asked another.

“How long does it take you to get to work?” came a third question.

These students are part of Irma Boyd’s class. Boyd has organized an annual fundraiser called the “Flower Fun Store” for the Red Cross for the past 18 years. Over the years, her efforts have brought in more than $20,000 for the Greater Carolinas Chapter.

“Students and their parents make paper flowers and then sell them at a booth at the school,” Boyd explained. The flowers, bursting with color, are the size of basketballs, and the students enjoy showing them off to visitors. “The kids also learn a bit about mathematics and inventory management through the project.”

On June 4, Ogburn visited the Myers Park school to teach the students about how the money they raised will be put to good use through the Red Cross.

“This money is going to help people right here in our community,” he told them. “Unfortunately, sometimes there are houses that catch on fire. And because of your donation, the Red Cross is going to be there to help the families that live in those houses.”

Boyd is very familiar with Red Cross services. In fact, it’s the reason she started the fundraiser. An earthquake in the early 1970s displaced Boyd and her family from their home. Red Cross Disaster Services was there to help. Later, the Red Cross was able to provide emergency communication between her family in the U.S. and her brother, who was serving in the military overseas.

Boyd wanted to do something to give back to the organization that had been there for her family during troubling times.

She began by showing her students clips of people who have been affected by major disasters. The students said they wanted to help, and came up with suggestions such as giving clothes or food, while the other students suggested donating money. And thus, the idea for the “Flower Fun Store” was born.

During the project, students learn about what the American Red Cross does as well as some key safety tips. During Ogburn’s visit, one of the young students reminded her class that “we should use the back of our hand during the fire to check the door knob.”

According to Boyd, this initiative will not only help the students academically but will also help them realize the importance of helping others.

Boyd noted other classes in the school started doing activities to help other organizations after seeing the success of the “Flower Fun Store.” For example, the first-graders at Myers Park collected 508 pounds of food for the Second Harvest Food Bank’s Backpack Program. Second-graders organized a drive for new or gently-used shoes for Soles-4-Souls, an organization created after the Hurricane Katrina.

Boyd said in addition to the “Flower Fun Store” the kindergarten class also takes up the “Reading for the Red Cross” in which the children collected donations for the amount of time spent reading or being read to for one week. Greta Davis co-chaired the effor for this initiative, which has raised about $1,000 for the Red Cross.

“It’s great to see young people such as these students realize the importance of helping their neighbors,” Ogburn said. “The Red Cross is truly grateful for everything Mrs. Boyd and her class do.”

Day of Service

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

St. Mark’s Catholic Church performed a day of service for organizations in and around Mecklenburg and Iredell counties on June 6.

The group opted to help wash cars at the Greater Carolinas Chapter. About 10 adults and 15 youth went to the Lake Norman office. They started at 9 a.m. and washed, vacuumed, cleaned the windows and inside of five transportation vehicles, two disaster vehicles, the disaster trailer and even cleaned the old ambulance and got it ready to sell on eBay.

They also inventoried all the health services classroom material, counted and cleaned up all CDE material making it easier to get to and find.

We are so thankful for all the work this group did. Groups like this help the Red Cross carry out its mission. Thanks to these wonderful volunteers.

It’s About Community

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

From Red Cross Chat
By Wendy Harman, American Red Cross.

I’ve been reading with interest Sarah Hall’s recent guest posts on Sean Stannard-Stockton’s Tactical Philanthropy blog. Her analysis centers around how women become effective philanthropists and what makes them engaged.

I mention these posts here because this week we’re hosting our Tiffany Circle Summit for women donors. These are women from all over the country who have invested $10,000 in the American Red Cross. The women have a packed schedule of events this week, and their impact over time has been felt throughout the organization.

With the Tiffany Circle, we are engaging women in many of the ways Sarah Hall is discussing.

Sarah Hall mentions 6 principles of Women’s high-engagement philanthropy. If you’re a woman and a budding or established donor/philanthropist, do you identify with these principles?

1. Women are passionate about their cause and they often come to it through an intense and meaningful personal experience.

2. Women act as connectors as well as grantmakers, linking partners, allies, advocates, and grantees. Building relationships and networks is a key component of women’s philanthropy.

3. Women are willing to start at the beginning, allowing their energy for the mission to propel them through the earliest learning stages. They become deeply engaged in the process of learning, are willing to be perceived as novices, and tend to be open not only to ideas, but to getting things done in unconventional ways.

4. Women’s philanthropy combines rigor with intuition. At an Association of Small Foundations lunch workshop in Los Angeles last week the attendees, all women, talked about how they balance due diligence with intuition, especially intuition about a grantee’s leadership qualities. “You can’t use metrics alone,” they said. “You have to use your judgment about people.”

5. Women are not only willing to mentor and share, they seek opportunities to do so. They engage the community of other philanthropists, grantees, and partners, and share their stories to inspire and guide others.

6. Finally, women use their philanthropy to enrich family life and promote connection—within the family, with the larger community, with the world. So their family philanthropy is not only a means to pay a debt to society and reinforce a family’s personal values and culture, but also a way for their children to have a direct experience of giving to the larger community, an experience that helps them become more fulfilled adults.

To find out more about our local Tiffany Circle, visit http://redcrosshelps.org/index.php/tiffany-circle/.

Assistance League donates much-needed backpacks for children

Monday, June 01, 2009

Pictured (from left) are John White, Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteer; Rick Schou, Red Cross Emergency Services Director; Wendy Way, Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteer; Renee Reese and Laura Royster, who are both with the Assistance League.

The Assistance League of Charlotte donated backpacks filled with school supplies to the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross. The donation came as part of the League’s “Operation Bookbag,” in which they provide the bags for children whose families have been victims of home fires and other disasters.

Each year, the League donates these packs to the Red Cross to distribute them to local school-aged children. Often, when a family is displaced, children lose their school supplies. Having these packs enables them to get back into school quickly.

The presentation was good timing, since the chapter recently ran completely out of these backpacks.

“We’re so thankful to have partner agencies like the Assistance League of Charlotte,” said Rick Schou, director of Emergency Services for the Greater Carolinas Chapter. “These packs are going to help local children return to a semblance of normalcy after being uprooted from their homes.”

The Assistance Leauge of Charlotte is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families through community-based philanthropic projects. To learn more about them, visit charlotte.assistanceleague.org.