Paying it Forward

LIBERTY, SC - On December 27, 2007 around 8:30 p.m. Heather Meeks and her family lost many of their belongings to a fire that destroyed their kitchen, attic and caused significant smoke damage throughtout the house. Heather distinctly remembers the American Red Cross volunteer, Linda Raines, arriving on scene and waiting patiently until Heather was ready to discuss how the Red Cross could help and provide guidance on her next steps. That day the American Red Cross provided Heather and her family new clothes, shoes, coats, food, tolietries, blankets and a week in a local hotel. A little over 2 months later, Heather and her daughter were able to move back into their home after extensive remodeling. Heather states that the American Red Cross was “a beacon of light and hope!...I was alone with my daughter and didn’t know what I was going to do, or where we would stay.”

In the summer of 2008, Heather reconnected with the Red Cross. She wanted the students in her summer program at McKissick Elementary to learn more about the services of the American Red Cross in their local community. In that conversation, Heather said, “I want to give back to the Red Cross, but I am not sure how.” From that conversation, a new program was born. Heather’s students would design and make thank you cards to be shared with donors. This year we took it a step further and turned it into an art contest.

Sarah Dow, Director for Pickens County says that “the program not only saves the Red Cross money on purchasing cards for donors but it also provides our supporters with a truly one of a kind thank you. It also allows the children to support the Red Cross in a unique way.”

Students in the Learning Lab Afterschool Program at Liberty Elementary participated in an American Red Cross art contest to design the next “Thank You” card for local supporters. First Place winner was Drayton Riddle and the Peoples Choice Award went to Audrey Reece. Both students were presented with a plaque from the American Red Cross of their original artwork. St. Jude Medical has agreed to print color copies of their artwork to be used as thank you notes during the 2010 calendar year.

Why the Goldfish Never Drowns

by Jill McLane Smith

Why is it that goldfish never drown? I asked myself that the other day when thinking about the large amount of drownings over the summer season 2009. As a Water Safety Instructor for the Red Cross you can’t help but feel a personal attachment when you hear that someone, someplace has drowned. It’s something that you know doesn’t have to happen.

While teaching the kids this year I noticed that more of them seemed afraid and unwilling to connect with the water. I am not sure why that is because usually in any class there are one or two that have trouble letting themselves go into the arms of the water. It could be that there are many more reasons to be fearful or that these particular children had not had any previous experience in the water. Under the best conditions sometimes parents have neither the time nor the extra income to give lessons to their children, and some people simply have no access to a pool.

Nevertheless, living here in the South where there are ample opportunities to swim at the pool, lake, and beach, not to mention our incredible weather, it’s very easy to be able to take advantage of the water for both sport and relaxation. Some of the parents I know often tell me that swimming is fundamental, just like reading, and that it is a necessary part of any child’s tool box to have that information and those skills. Looking back at my own life and the lives of my children I feel like swimming was as much social as anything else we did while growing up. There were many pool parties and trips to the lake, if not with our own family, with friends. Learning to water ski and having that experience of jumping into the water on a hot summer’s day just to cool down and float as if in a space place....I wouldn’t take anything for those times.

This summer season of 2009 was rife with drownings that were very dramatic indeed. One that sticks out in my mind was a family visiting another families’ home. There were two children, one four and the other six. The four year old fell into the deep water end of an inground swimming pool and was unable to swim, so his frightened father jumped in after him, and the father could not swim either, so then the mother who was observing the whole thing jumped in and all three of them drowned. The other child, the 6 year old, watched the whole ordeal. His world certainly will never be the same. The news clip showed three bodies covered on gurneys when the coroner got to the scene.

Another drowning involved a woman about 50 years of age who had gone swimming at her local community pool. There was no one around, either swimming or lifeguarding and she went in to swim at her own risk. Her body was found floating on the bottom of the pool a couple of hours llater by some people who showed up to the pool. They don’t say ‘never swim alone’ for nothing. Even though the signage was posted No Lifeguard on Duty and Swim At Your Own Risk, this tragedy could have been avoided.

There were countless other drownings in the white waters and lakes this year. College age kids that just disappeared under the water. Granted there are many differences when you are being carried by a rip current after falling off a raft or kyack versus swimming in a lake where there is no visibility but bottom line you must remember to ‘go with the flow’ because if you fight the water it will invariably win, sapping your strength, taking your breath, drowning you.

As a water person my whole life I have come to realize that there is great pleasure found in the waves holding you, supporting you, but without the proper respect and knowledge of the water you can have the life taken out of you quickly. So the goldfish does feel at home in the water, going with the flow, keeping a cool head. There is much to be learned from that.

If we keep a cool head in any emergency situation I think the end result can be positive. For instance if someone is having trouble in the water call the professionals, 911, and then try to find something that you can throw them. Improvise if there is no life ring, things that float until the professionals can get there and that way you make a difference rather than becoming another fatality. By using good old ‘common sense’ we can accomplish much. Don’t let a crisis take your brain and scramble it like eggs.

The medium of water is most responsive to ‘going with the flow’. When in a situation where you are being carried just let it happen and try to keep your feet in front of you to push if given the opportunity. The Navy Seals understand how to make the water work for them when taking a beach on a dark moon, by using resting strokes and letting the water carry them. This is very important information when you need to keep your power in the water.

And finally one of the most basic rules of the water is to never swim alone because no matter how good you are there are always things that can happen out of our control. Seizures, head injury, stroke, or just choking for some random reason can take someone down who otherwise has good command of themselves in the water. I am amazed that people will take a chance in a pool or the ocean when they know better. If you have a baby pool party with an inflatable pool remember to turn it upside down afterwards so not to tempt a child later to fall into it alone. It takes a small amount of water to be dangerous.

Let’s keep a cool head like the goldfish and be comfortable and safe in the water. That’s the way it was meant to be, fun.

Oh, and with all this talk of goldfish, please don’t go swallowing them!

Local Modern Woodmen Members Honor Hometown Hero

Pickens, SC – Tuesday, January 26, 2010 - On Tuesday, January 26, 2010, Jennifer Zerlaut was honored for countless hours of service to the community by local Modern Woodmen of America members. Jennifer was honored for giving her time to the American Red Cross of Pickens County to help with events, in the office and assist with local. In addition, Jennifer spends hundreds of hours each month volunteering at Gleaning House Ministries, the Pickens food pantry. In recognition of her efforts, members of Modern Woodmen’s camp 17423 presented Jennifer with a certificate and awarded a $100 grant to the American Red Cross of Pickens County.

Jennifer Zerlaut and Debra Blackston

“Improving the quality of life for our members, their families and their communities is Modern Woodmen’s mission,” says Debra Blackston, local Modern Woodmen camp secretary. “The Hometown Heroes Program helps us acknowledge and thank volunteers across the country for doing just that.”

Sarah Dow with the American Red Cross in Pickens County states that, “we are thrilled that Modern Woodmen of America has chosen to recognize one of our volunteers. Jennifer Zerlaut has been a valuable member of the American Red Cross in Pickens County for years. When I see clients she served from year past, they always ask about Jennifer. Jennifer has touched a lot of lives through her work with the Red Cross and Gleaning House Ministries. She is truly one of our Hometown Heroes.”