Upstate Red Cross Responds to Train Derailment and Two House Fires in 12 Hours

Twenty Trained volunteers and staff with the American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina responded to a train derailment around 5:00 PM Thursday evening, June 10 near Liberty, South Carolina. Red Cross provided food, snacks and meals for response workers and evacuees from the surrounding area. A shelter was set up at Eastside Baptist Church in Liberty, South Carolina to shelter evacuees overnight.

The shelter was closed Friday morning, but reopened later that evening. The shelter finally closed Saturday as all evacuees have been allowed to go back to their homes. The American Red Cross will provide snacks, meals and beverages to emergency workers while the relief and clean-up efforts continue, probably through Wednesday.

A resident nearby the accident stated online that she knew it could happen, but did not think it would happen to her and her family. This incident reminds us all that we need to be prepared at home, at work and at school for disasters - they do strike at home. No one ever thinks it will happen to them.

What can you do to be better prepared at home, work, church or school? Sign up your group or family to take a FREE 1 hour Be Ready class that helps to prepare you and your family for disasters that are likely to happen here.

In addition to responding to the train derailment, there 2 house fires last Thursday night in Pickens County. The Red Cross provided over $1500 in emergency assistance to those families. As we continue to work with the fire clients over the coming days to determine their ongoing needs, that amount will increase.

Without the community's generous support, we would not be able to train our volunteers and staff to rise to the occasion during times of disaster. We are supported 100% by the communities we serve. Please consider a gift to help the families that lost their home to a fire or help us train our volunteers today.

12th Annual ARC Pickens County Golf Tourney Raises Over $10K

Wednesday, March 31st, the American Red Cross in Pickens County hosted its 12th annual golf tournament at Smithfields Country Club in Easley. The tournament netted over $10,200.

“We are especially appreciative of everyone who supported this year’s tournament. Times are tough and it is inspiring to see so many individuals and organizations give generously of their time and financial resources to help our neighbors during their time of need,” states Sarah Dow, Director Pickens County Red Cross.

Rex Rice gave the opening remarks. John Rasmussen, whose daughter lost her home in a fire in February, shared his family’s Red Cross story. Miss Easley, Miss Teen Easley and Miss Pickens Teen attended the event, served snacks and drinks to the players and were available for team photographs.

In first place for the men’s teams were Kyle Thompson, Chad Sexton and Matt Porter with Poinsett Cleaners. The team won 4 rounds of golf at each of the following courses: Pickens Country Club, Falcon’s Lair, Boscobel and Cobb’s Glen golf courses. Tommy Miller won the putting contest and took home a 4 day 3 night trip for four to Gatlinburg with amenities.

The Sheriff Team: Ron Alexander, Captain Dewey Smith, Sheriff C. David Stone

Karla's Team: Karla Kelley, Steven Stadtmiller, Trey MacDonald

The Red Cross of Pickens County would like to thank the our presenting sponsor – Modern Woodmen of America – and our sponsors: Servpro of Southern Greenville County and Pickens County, Easley Combined Utilities, TaylorMade, Walmart, Budweiser of Greenville, Coca-Cola, WCCP and the Easley Junior Women’s Club for their generous donations and support.

Red Cross Sunday Participation is Urged for Churches in Pickens County

March 14 is Red Cross Sunday

Karen and Adam Chastain arrived home the night of July 31, 2009 with their two sons to find their home destroyed by a fire. They thought they had lost everything they worked for – even though they were thankful no one was hurt. They were unable to afford insurance. That night they did not know what they were going to do. The Chastain’s discovered that more people cared about them than they ever could have imagined. In addition to the clothing, food, shelter, first months lot rent and other items received from the American Red Cross, the Dacusville Fire Department, family, friends and the community helped them get back on their feet. Karen states that, “we will always be grateful to everyone who made it possible for us to get back to normal in just a few months. God bless you all.”

Fires and other disasters can happen to anyone. By teaming up with the American Red Cross for Red Cross Sunday on March 14th, you can help our neighbors like the Chastains after a house fire, become better prepared in your own home or help the Red Cross be fully stocked to support those in need.

“The goal of Red Cross Sunday is to build awareness and support of the local services of the American Red Cross here in Pickens County,” states Sarah Dow, Director of the American Red Cross of Pickens County. “We are very excited about this campaign and the churches that have signed up to support us in this endeavor.”

Right now the following churches have agreed to participate in Red Cross Sunday: Crosspoint Church, Faith Lutheran Chapel, Easley Presbyterian Church, Gap Hill Baptist Church, Griffin Ebenezer Baptist Church, Keowee Baptist Church, New Hope Baptist Church in Clemson, Oolenoy Baptist Church, Pickens Church of God, Pickens First Baptist Church, Pickens View Wesleyan Church, Ridgeland Drive Baptist Church, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, St. Giles Presbyterian Church and Trinity Point Church.

To join these churches in Red Cross Sunday you simply need to contact the office at 878-0131 or email Sarah at DowS@usa.redcross.org and sign up for one of the following:
· Wear Red to church
· Have a love offering for the Red Cross and the fire clients we help
· Have a collection of new towels and sheets to be shared with fire clients
· Host a free one hour Be Ready presentation to help members be better prepared when facing disasters
· Sign up to be on the list of potential shelter locations during a disaster
· Sign up to prepare and cook hot meals to be distributed in times of disaster
· Place Red Cross Seasonal Preparedness Tips, or other information about Red Cross in your bulletin
· Offer American Red Cross Adult, Infant/Child CPR or First Aid to your congregation during the next 11 months

All participating churches will be featured in the Pickens County Courier, our April update to donors and on the American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina social network sites.
Help our neighbors, like the Chastain’s, by getting involved today.

Volunteer. Share Our Story. Donate.

Greenville's Vulnerability to Disaster

Disasters are not limited to catastrophic events like hurricanes and tornadoes. While Greenville is at risk for these large-scale events as well as hazardous materials spills and flooding, residents suffer daily from the devastating effects of single family fires. On average, we respond to 100-130 structure fires annually. In the past ten years, we have seen a 34% increase in the number of disaster incidents and a 41% increase in the number of disaster victims served. The total direct financial assistance provided to clients in 2009 is 74% higher than the direct financial assistance provided to those served in 1999. Many people are lulled into thinking that a large disaster just isn’t likely to strike our hometown. However, Greenville is vulnerable to a wide range of devastating disasters.

According to the SC Hazards Assessment:

We rank first in South Carolina for vulnerability to floods, flash floods, and ice storms.

We have the largest concentration of hazardous materials storage facilities in the state.

We rank second for vulnerability to hazardous materials incidents, particularly due to the transport of hazardous substance on area highways. Donaldson Center Industrial Complex is a primary concern as it is home to many chemical manufacturing and distribution companies and has a public airport.

The demand for disaster relief is expected to steadily increase. This trend is affected by aging structures and increasing population. Economic hardships increase both the need for assistance and the relief provided.

Over the past decade, there has been a 35% increase in incidents and a 185% increase in the dollars committed for disaster relief

Overall Goal:

The overall goal of our disaster program is three-fold: to meet the immediate emergency needs of disaster victims so that they can begin long term recovery; to ensure organizational readiness and to build capacity for response to disasters of varying size and scope through volunteer training, mentoring, and leadership development, drill exercises, and supply acquisition/maintenance; and to minimize loss of life and property through the coordination and training of community organizations active in disaster as well as educational programs designed to teach disaster causation, prevention, and preparedness to children and adults.

Our relief services are available at no charge to individuals throughout the Upstate who have verified disaster-caused needs. We do not know where disaster will strike and our target population is constantly changing. However, a profile of our clients shows that the majority of people we serve have an annual income below $20,000 and are uninsured fire victims. Many of these fires involve single families; however, we are seeing an increasing number of clients who share housing with extended family due to the difficult economic climate. We target both school age children and adult audiences with our preparedness information.

Down the Street. Across the Country. Around the World. Your Red Cross.

Please Donate Now

Marking 100 Years of First Aid Training

History of First Aid

Clara Barton herself was alarmed by the rise in injuries from industrial accidents and initiated the first Red Cross first aid program in 1903. By 1910, we had adopted first aid as a national program and partnered with the Pullman Co. to tour the country by train, teaching industrial workers first aid. Here in Greenville, a group of Red Cross volunteers designed their own first aid training under the direction of local doctors. At first, only physicians taught first aid. Red Cross recognized the need for more instructors and in 1925 launched its First Aid Lay Instructor program, allowing people who were not physicians to become certified first aid instructors. The results from this training were never more dramatically demonstrated than following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Knowing that war was spreading across the Pacific, volunteers organized by the Red Cross had practiced for months beforehand, carrying out air raid drills, learning first aid and preparing emergency medical facilities. When the attacks began, Red Cross volunteers from all walks of life were ready. Red Cross nurses and several thousand first aid-trained volunteers saved a great number of injured who were cut off from physicians by raging fires.

Over the years, the Red Cross has helped develop and incorporate the latest medical advances into its first aid and lifesaving programs. Mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing, CPR, abdominal thrusts for choking victims—often called the “Heimlich Maneuver”— and the use of automated external defibrillators have all been brought to the general public, in large part through the efforts of the Red Cross.

First Aid classes are offerred locally at all of our Upstate locations. For more info, call 271-8222 in Greenville and Laurens counties; 229-3102 in Abbeville, Greenwood and McCormick counties; 225-8666 in Anderson county; and 878-0131 in Pickens county. The investment of a few hours could change someone's life forever.

Down the Street. Across the Country. Around the World. Your American Red Cross.

Celebrating Red Cross Month

March is Red Cross Month, which has its origins over a half century ago.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation in 1943, recognizing the American Red Cross as a true reflection of the humanitarian and volunteer spirit and calling on Americans to “rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross.”

Every President since has issued a proclamation about March being Red Cross month, including President Obama: "Our Nation's leadership relies upon our citizens who are motivated to act by our common humanity. This month, let us come together to celebrate the American spirit of generosity, and the dedicated individuals and organizations who keep that spirit alive."

We are very thankful for your generosity -- down the street, across the country, around the world.

Volunteer. Donate. Share Your Story.

www.upstateredcross.org

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.”

American Red Cross Releases $1,000,000 in Aid to Help Communities Affected by Earthquake in Haiti

The American Red Cross has pledged an initial $1,000,000 to assist communities impacted by yesterday’s earthquake in Haiti, and is prepared to take further action as local responders assess the situation. “Initial reports indicate widespread damage in Port au Prince, with continuing aftershocks,” says Tracy Reines, director of international disaster response for the American Red Cross. “As with most earthquakes, we expect to see immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.”

The American Red Cross has made available all of the relief supplies from its warehouse in Panama which would provide for basic needs for approximately 5,000 families. In addition, it is deploying a disaster management specialist to Haiti, and has additional disaster specialists on standby if needed.

The American Red Cross has an extensive partnership with the Haitian Red Cross, which is expected to lead the Red Cross response to the earthquake.

The American Red Cross has staff on the ground in Haiti who provide ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention and disaster preparedness programs. At this time, all the three American Red Cross staff in Haiti have all been reported safe.

The Haitian Red Cross was founded in 1932 and is one of the primary organizations in the country responding to disasters. Although earthquakes are less common, Haiti is frequently impacted by hurricanes including those in 2008, and the Haiti Red Cross has developed experience in disaster response due those disasters.

We are not accepting local volunteers to travel to Haiti. We are very careful about getting our volunteers both the training and experience they need before they are assigned to a Disaster Response Operation. We cannot send untrained people into potentially dangerous disaster situations.

If you would like to volunteer for the American Red Cross LOCALLY, please contact Genean Berggrun at the ARC of Upstate South Carolina. The best way to be get involved with helping in a situation like this is to get involved with local Red Cross units and get trained.

The best way YOU can help RIGHT NOW is to donate financially. We are not accepting any items such as clothing or food here locally. We will collect and receive bulk donations of items such as water, non-perishable food, clothing, etc. as close to the affected area as possible to reduce both the cost of shipping and the time it takes to get it to those who need it. Also, we will use cash donations to purchase items in Haiti when possible to help the local economy.

For inquiries about relatives living and who have citizenship in Haiti, please be patient and call repeatedly until the lines clear or contact other family members who live nearby. Telephone, Internet and other communication lines are often disrupted in times of disaster. People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Haiti should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.

Holiday Mail for Heroes Program Gives Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families a "Touch of Home"

Now in its third year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program co-sponsored by the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes provides Americans with the opportunity to extend holiday greetings and thanks to service members and veterans.

Through December 7 the public is invited to send a “touch of home” through holiday cards that contain messages of cheer and appreciation. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will then screen, sort and package the cards, and deliver them to military bases and hospitals, veteran’s hospitals and family members during the holidays.

“It’s an honor for our community to help make the holidays special for American heroes,” said Ann Wright, CEO, American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina. “The American Red Cross serves and supports members of the military, veterans, and their families by providing emergency communications, comfort and assistance each day. The Holiday Mail for Heroes program continues the Red Cross tradition of service to the armed forces.”

“The men and women who serve our country in uniform deserve our thanks every single day, and sending just one card is all it takes to make a difference in the life of one of our nation’s heroes,” said Jon Love, President of Pitney Bowes Government Solutions. “We are honored to participate in this important initiative again with the American Red Cross and look forward to helping the public say happy holidays and thank you.”

Please make sure the cards have a non-specific holiday greeting (instead of Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah) since there is no way of knowing to whom your card will be delivered. For reasons of processing and safety, participants are asked to refrain from sending “care packages,” monetary gifts, using glitter or including any inserts with the cards. Please bring your cards to your local American Red Cross office by December 7, or if you wish you may mail them to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Visit Redcross.org/holidaymail for a full list of recommended guidelines and best practices on the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

Additional ways to become involved with the campaign include connecting with fellow card senders through Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcross and Twitter at www.twitter.com/redcross and #HMFH.

Visit upstateredcross.org to learn more about American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina Service to the Armed Forces.

We thank you for everything you do to support the American Red Cross of Upstate SC, now join us in thanking Service Members, Vets, and their families for all they do for all of us.


PS...
On a personal note, I was able to share the Holiday Mail for Heroes program with Girl Scout Troop 2452 this week. Most of the girls, ranging in age from 5 to 10, already are familiar with the Red Cross. They also, as it turns out, have an understanding of what it means to be a service member or veteran. Several mentioned their family members that are in the Service or have been. On one wall of the school's cafeteria is a painted world map, and pictures of service members related to the students were posted all over the wall to signify deployments.

The girls were excited to pick out different cards to personalize. The Tinker Bell cards were the most popular! Some of the youngest girls were only able to print their names and draw pictures, and some of the older girls made their own cards and personalized their messages. The Chipmunk's Christmas CD helped the festive mood. All of the cards are now full of drawings of snowmen and flags, wishes of good cheer and thanks.

Your local Red Cross office might have Holiday Heroes cards you can use, but if not many discount stores sells cards for $1 a box. You don't have to put the cards in envelopes, since the Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will be sorting and packaging them for you. Just return your cards to your local Red Cross office by December 7 and we will do the rest.

I encourage all of you to take a few minutes to write out a greeting or two for a service member, vet, or their families. Take this opportunity to your Scout groups, church groups, board luncheons, or any other place you gather with friends this holiday season. Bring a "Touch of Home" to someone this December, and I promise you will feel just as good as the person who receives your heartfelt card.

THANKS!

Stories from the Front in American Samoa (DAY 1-3)

Snohomish County Chapter American Red Cross volunteer Tim Serban was deployed
to American Samoa Friday, October 2 as member of the National Red Cross Response
Team. Tim is the Director of Mission Integration and Spiritual Care with Providence
Regional Medical Center Everett and has been a volunteer with Red Cross since 1999.
His first volunteer training with the Red Cross was in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing.
Tim is thumb-typing these reports and sending them home using his I-pod mobile
device--when connections are available.
..............................................................................
DAY 1: Saturday 10/3/09
Action report briefing from military included warnings about tsunami
washing sand away uncovering many unexploded WWII ordinance, advising
volunteers to shut off cell phones immediately, mark the spot and call
the military EOD teams. Not expected and not grounded here in the
island.
We arrived via USAF C-17 "Spirit of Kamehameh" into American Samoa
after an 11 hour hold in Hawaii and a 5.5 hour flight. We came to our
shelter, an outdoor, covered gymnasium aptly named Ionnnes Paules II
(John Paul II) at 4 a.m. A quick rest and wake at 7 a.m. off to the HQ--a
tent with a warehouse and office that was created by welding two 40 ft
cargo containers together side by side.
Connected with Mental Health, Client Services and Partner Services
leads. Was informed about VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster) meeting
at 1pm with Partner Services. Attended Partner Services meeting/call with
National VOAD. Local UCC (United Church of Christ) Pastor and key local leaders, 10
people including FEMA and DSHH Reps. Addressed need for emotional support of
those impacted. Plan to go out tomorrow to support men in grief with another MH
(Mental Health) ARC member. LBJ hospital to refer those who have been
hospitalized and released to us to follow, especially men and those
who have lost children for follow-up.
Also was able to check and confirm two local families living in high
impact areas were safe and well. They were families of staff from my
home hospital in Everett.
By the way I have connectivity in, where else, the only McDs (McDonalds) on the island
and primary source of sustenance for us.

..............................................................................
DAY 2: Sunday 10/4/09
Following a local invitation to attend Mass at Christ the King parish
it was truly moving as it was the community's first Sunday service since the earthquake
& tsunami.
Action items of the day. After teaming up with local Mental Health resources in
the community I went on to an area of Leone, A. Samoa. Being male
support people, we we're tasked with the job to attempt to reach out
to key men in the local community who have faced the greatest loss
ever, their children.
How, as a father would you face the grief of losing your children fleeing their school to
try to make it home? How would you handle the deep grief of not only losing your home
but also facing the reality that you could have lost your entire family and how do you
celebrate the fact that all survived except your little angel, your only daughter who was
just six years old? These were just some
of the realities we walked into today.
I can say one thing that really connects with kids is the fist bump and blow-up. If you
don't know what it is, ask your kids or grandkids. We met with a teacher of
preschoolers who is facing the reality of school starting tomorrow and
what to say or do to help them process the grief of who doesn't end
up showing up for school and the fear that those who didn't show may
not be ever coming back.
That will be our call tomorrow, as we have
been requested by local leaders to begin to meet with teachers and
helping them address their grief just before stepping into the
classroom.
Then there are us men. Two of us, another Northwest area Red Cross volunteer and
myself, the epitome of a grandfather and "younger" father who have found a
team approach in supporting men in grief and helping them know it's "for
their kids sake" and their own that they get help.
We are considering ways to connect leaders in the communities with
those who are in shock and trying to survive. Coming by this Friday
will be the work of two families to have the funerals of their
children, which means digging their own child's grave, all of which
are in the front yard of the family home. Then bringing family
together and hosting them in what would have been your home, but is
now uninhabitable and there are not many options for alternatives,
tradition, culture, honor, and history mandate that, for one to have honor
that they would do these things.
Call it part of the grief work, families with loss often are working tremendously hard and
they do have the love and support of amazing community family commitment. All will
surround them; the prayer of this community is a constant source of strength. They
welcome every bit of support and advice for
caring for their kids their children and themselves. The little we
provide is much when you have limited access to such support.
Today? One of those once in a lifetime over the top days that change
your life because you walk with people in places of loss and when we
leave we see a bit of hope and a child who with silent smiles wishing
you Tofa! (goodbye) with a fist bump-blow-up!

..............................................................................
DAY 3: Monday 10/5/09
Today began at 6 a.m. as we were requested to partner with Key DOH psych
leaders to start at two schools, one elementary academy and one
vocational high school. It (school) starts today and many emotions of the
teachers and students for the first day back.
300 students at an elementary school and one colleague covered this location;
I covered support to 400 students at the high school through the
morning. They had an assembly and I was the presenter on handling the
grief, stress and emotional aftershocks of a disaster. The students
were open, honest and asked deep questions. Many were personally
impacted and those who lost a family member came up to me directly to
process their grief.
Following the assembly at the high school I went back to the
elementary school and was invited into a 6 grade class who had lost
their classmate. They asked open questions about their fears, their
concerns and their hopes for the family of their lost classmate. They
decorated pictures and outlined the depth of this loss and how they
experienced the shock of the earthquake and tsunami.
They will be making a site visit with their classmates and teacher, to the site
where she (their classmate) was swept away and they will sing songs and leave flowers
in hopes that one day her body will be found. Such depth and incredible
honesty with what they need in order to grieve, is equivalent to adults.
The rest of the day was spent processing with teachers. Even the 5-
year-olds drew amazing pictures of their face after the tsunami and
bird's nest grief assessments. The faces: half were smiles and the
others were sad. When asked, the sad (faces) were Mad at the ocean and happy faces
were Happy that their homes were safe.
Still unpacking, next plan for coming day, possibly based at LBJ
hospital to assess support needed for families at the morgue
operations.
First priority, those in greatest need.

You never think it will happen to you...

When Rebecca was eight months pregnant, a fire broke out in her apartment. She and her husband lost everything—furniture, clothes, and the supplies they’d purchased for their new baby.

Rebecca’s local Red Cross chapter was there to help the couple pick up the pieces in time for their baby’s arrival—but only because supporters like you pitched in to make it possible.

“Red Cross was a tremendous help when we had only the clothes on our backs,” Rebecca says.“They were able to help us get clothes, toiletries, and even offered to help find us a place to stay while we got back on our feet.”

The need for funds is constant. Can you donate now, to keep your community safe and prepared and give help and hope to families like Rebecca’s when they’ve got nowhere else to turn?

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFO!

Sadly, Rebecca’s story is not uncommon. In fact, every eight minutes, a local Red Cross like ours responds to a house fire somewhere in the United States. And these fires are always devastating. But you can help a neighbor in need, like Rebecca, the next time disaster strikes, by making a donation to the American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina.


Thank you so much for your help. By getting involved and supporting our work today, you can change a life, starting with your own.

DONATE TO YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER!
CLICK HERE!



(Source: Susan McCracken, Regional Board Chair (ARC of Upstate SC Region)

Red Cross Volunteers Share Life-Saving Information During Fire Safety Week

EASLEY, SC - [October 8, 2009] – Every day the American Red Cross shares life-saving disaster education with children, individuals and families in the communities we serve. In fact, we reach over 13,000 individuals each year with community disaster education here in Upstate South Carolina.

During Fire Safety Week, scores of Red Cross volunteers gave their time to help children and families prevent fires at events across Upstate South Carolina. They also shared important information on how to make a plan in case you do have a fire in your home.

Robin Edens, Linda Raines, Dawn Burns and Carol Wardlaw, all Red Cross volunteers, provided information and training to almost 1000 children and families that attended the Easley Fire Department Open House. In fact, Robin Edens premiered the Pumpkintown Pumpkin mascot for use at events promoting fire safety. The pumpkin even carries Robin’s old firewoman number on his helmet. To get the community even more involved, a local elementary school is holding a contest to name the new mascot. We’ll let you know when a name is chosen!






You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disasters. Donations can be made by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or going to www.redcross.org to make a secure online contribution. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may also be sent to your local American Red Cross. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on voluntary donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.

St. Andrews UMC Donates Comfort Items to Local Disaster Clients

Pickens County, SC - St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Easley, South Carolina donated over 20 large comfort kits to the American Red Cross, Pickens County. These kits were full of comfort and hygienic items that individuals need after experiencing a disaster. Most of the time, the Red Cross provides these items when meeting with the clients at on scene at the time of the disaster. The kits contain soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, other hygiene items, washcloths and towels.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this project!

We’ve already expended their generous donation due to the number of fires we’ve experienced in Pickens County during the past 2 months. If your organization would like to help, we really need new towels to supplement existing items we have in stock to make more kits. Please email Sarah Dow at DowS@usa.redcross.org or call her at 878-0131 if your group can help

The Red Cross in Action

October 8, 2009

Several disasters have devastated communities in the U.S. and around the world over recent weeks—a reminder that disasters can strike at any time and with any frequency. Even before the disasters hit, American Red Cross staff and volunteers were preparing. Today, here in the States, we are ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­providing people with a safe place to stay, a hot meal and a shoulder to lean on. Overseas, we are supporting our global Red Cross and Red Crescent partners as they work to meet the needs of earthquake, tsunami and typhoon survivors.

Our local, national and international work is made possible by the generous contributions of individuals, corporations and foundations. Their support of our Disaster Relief Fund and International Response Fund enables the American Red Cross to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

Current Disasters in the U.S.

The American Red Cross responds to disasters by providing immediate services like food, shelter and emotional support, in addition to bulk distribution of clean-up supplies, as well as individual casework to help people begin their road to recovery. In 2008 we responded to more than 130 large-scale disasters, providing more than 18 million meals, and opening more than 1,400 shelters—helping people when they need it the most. No matter when or where a hurricane, massive flood, earthquake or any other disaster strikes, the Red Cross is ready to respond immediately.

American Samoa Tsunami

• A powerul 8.0 magnitude Pacific Ocean earthquake spawned significant tsunami waves that swept ashore American Samoa on Sept. 29.
• Some coastal villages on the eastern and northern part of the island are destroyed, affecting thousands of residents.
• FEMA is reporting at least 32 deaths and many missing persons.
• Most of the communities affected are without water and power.
• Widespread damage to infrastructure is estimated to take more than 30 days to repair.

American Red Cross Response:

• More than 80 Red Cross disaster workers are currently on the ground in American Samoa. These disaster workers are trained to organize and help set up a local response, working with the over 100 local volunteers on the ground.
• FEMA and the Red Cross will be partnering to distribute food, water and supplies. More than 5,100 meals and snacks have been served in total. An additional shipment of culturally sensitive food arrived yesterday.
• Safe and Well is activated to facilitate communication between loved ones, hundreds of registrations have been collected so far.

Georgia and Tennessee Floods

• Severe storms beginning on Sept. 21 led to flooding in many counties near Atlanta and in the northern part of the state.
• There are numerous power outages, road closures, uninhabitable homes and school district closings.
• Media reports at least nine deaths caused by the flooding.
• Federal disaster declaration issued on Sept 24 for 17 counties: Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker counties.

American Red Cross Response:

• Nearly 250 Red Cross disaster workers continue to operate shelters and provide relief items to emergency workers and affected residents. Simultaneously, the next phase of this operation has begun, including client casework and bulk distribution of clean-up supplies. In total, more than 800 Red Cross disaster workers supported these relief efforts.
• Shelter doors are open to welcome evacuees; as of Oct. 8th, the Red Cross has provided more than 3,700 overnight stays.
• Disaster workers in emergency response vehicles are delivering meals throughout affected communities and in shelters; as of Oct. 8th, the Red Cross has provided more than 109,000 meals and snacks.
• More than 7,800 clean-up and comfort kits were distributed to affected residents.

• As of Oct 8th, we estimate the cost for this relief effort to be $4–$4.4 million.

Current Disasters Overseas

When responding to a disaster overseas, the American Red Cross contributes to relief operations in three ways: deploying trained personnel; sending pre-positioned supplies from warehouses in Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and Panama; and offering financial assistance. Last fiscal year, the American Red Cross responded to crises in 33 countries, working with our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners around the world to help an estimated five million people.

Southeast Asia Typhoons and Floods

• Typhoon Ketsana hit areas of the Philippines on Sept. 26 with heavy rains and flooding in the capital city of Manila and northern areas of the country. The UN reports 295 deaths and more than 3.9 million people affected.
• Ketsana hit central and northern Vietnam on Sept. 29. The Government of Vietnam reports 170 deaths and approximately 3 million people affected.
• In both countries, Ketsana has created the worst flooding experienced in some areas for more than 40 years.
• Cambodia and Laos have also been affected, with the Lao Red Cross reporting 16 dead and more than 37,000 affected in that country.
• Typhoon Parma also affected the Philippines in the days after Typhoon Ketsana.

American Red Cross Response:

• The American Red Cross has committed $500,000 to meet emergency needs generated by the typhoon in Philippines and Vietnam, and stands ready to provide additional support, should it be requested.
• The American Red Cross continues to monitor the situation and remains in communication with our Red Cross partners in the area.

Pacific Islands Tsunami

• The Sept. 29 earthquake off the shores of American Samoa caused a destructive tsunami wave that struck Samoa and the island of Niuatoputapu in Tonga.
• Reports indicate that the wave that hit in Apia, Samoa was more than 2 feet high.
• Smaller earthquakes continue in the area.
• An early warning message was issued, and Apia was evacuated by police and Red Cross volunteers in advance of the tsunami with people sent to higher ground inland.
• The UN confirms 129 people dead, and a state of disaster has been declared by the Samoan government.
• Samoa Red Cross reports that up to 15,000 people affected.
• The Tongan government declared a state of emergency for Niuatoputapu, with a population of 1,400, and nine confirmed deaths.

American Red Cross Response:

• American Red Cross International Services is providing $100,000 toward the International Federation’s appeal for Samoa.
• The American Red Cross is monitoring the situation and is prepared to mobilize additional support, including relief supplies, trained personnel or financial assistance, if necessary.

West Sumatra Indonesia Earthquakes

• On Sept. 30, just after 5 p.m. local time, an earthquake, measuring 7.6, shook shook the Indonesian island of Sumatra, setting off a destructive chain of events—buildings caught fire, homes collapsed, airports closed, and residents and tourists became trapped.
• A second quake, measuring 6.6 magnitude, struck October 8, but did less damage.
• The two earthquakes combined, left more than 1,100 dead and thousands more trapped. In Padang alone, at least 500 homes have been destroyed.
• Search and rescue efforts continue to recover those buried under the rubble.

American Red Cross Response:

• The American Red Cross has committed at least $500,000 to meet emergency needs created by the earthquakes.
• The American Red Cross is monitoring the situation and remains in communication with our Red Cross partners in the area.

How You Can Help

To Help Nationally, Make a Financial Gift to the Disaster Relief Fund -

Help people affected by disasters like the recent earthquakes and floods, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food counseling and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting http://www.redcross.org/.

To Help Internationally, Make a Financial Gift to the International Response Fund – Help the victims of countless crises around the world each year, crises like the flooding and typhoons in Southeast Asia and the earthquakes in Indonesia, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Donations to the International Response Fund can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting http://www.redcross.org/.

To learn more about the work of American Red Cross in the U.S. and around the world, please visit

www.redcross.org.

Southern Comfort: East Side Baptist Church Donates Comfort Kits

Pickens County, SC - East Side Baptist Church in Liberty, South Carolina donated 15 large comfort kits to the American Red Cross, Pickens County. During the month of September, church members collected money to purchase the kits for their monthly mission project. The Red Cross gives the kits to individuals after they lose their home to a fire, flood or other disaster. They contain soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, other hygiene items, washcloths and towels. Thank you to the everyone who contributed to this project!

You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disasters. Donations can be made by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or going to www.redcross.org to make a secure online contribution. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may also be sent to your local American Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on voluntary donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.

The Red Cross Gets In The Red to Inspire Others In South Carolina: Baby Owen

A positive and uplifting story to help inspire others in our community to do their part in aiding those who are in need.

Courteousy of BabyPennington

You know, I’ve been a blood donor for as long as I have been legally able. When I gave blood for the first time at age 18, my motives weren’t quite as heroic as it sounds. It was a chance to get out of class and gain points for the USC vs. Clemson blood drive when I was in college . If you live anywhere near SC, you know giving blood for your SC Gamecocks to win against Clemson in ANYTHING is the least you can do! After that, I gave blood because I felt special. I have type O negative blood, and the Red Cross always called me when my 45 days between donations expired. They literally begged me to donate. Pretty selfish of me to actually think that I was special merely because I gave blood. The older I got, I began to realize that what I did made a difference. I began to feel that it was my duty to help out. In my naivety, I was proud of myself for donating blood. My hopes, back then, would be that one day if I needed blood, good karma would follow. Never in a million years, would I have ever expected that one day I would be at the mercy of other blood donors as my Mary Clare received multiple blood transfusions and received so many pints of blood during her hospital stints. My child, not myself. That certainly humbled me and brought me to my knees, literally. My youthful mind and immature ways of thinking often haunt me to this day.

I thank God for those that gave blood for my Mary Clare. Wouldn’t it be awesome to know exactly whose blood she received, so I could call them and thank them personally, although words would never begin to describe the gratitude I have.

All of this rambling about blood donations leads me to the article I mentioned previously. The mother is waiting on a heart for her son. She asks a bold question, “Why are people dying every day when perfectly good organs are being buried in the ground?” Good question. Her son is on a transplant wait list because he is in heart failure. His heart didn’t adjust well after his Fontan surgery, which is the exact same surgery that Mary Clare will have soon.

It is almost silly that everyone isn’t an organ donor. Thankfully, I have an outsider’s point of view. So many HLHS babies require heart transplants, and right now, Mary Clare is not one of those babies. Living with a half heart has it’s own downfalls, but she is overcoming those. I hope and pray that she’ll never need a transplant, but I’m not taking any chances. I’m an organ donor, and I would certainly give her my very own heart today if needed. I know that isn’t possible, but my hope is that if she ever needs a heart that somewhere, someone would feel the same way.

If you are not an organ donor, please go here. (There is even a USC vs. Clemson competition going on right now!)

…and if you need another reason, click on Owen’s button below. He is a sweet HLHS baby boy also waiting on a heart.

STATE FARM DONATES "GOOD NEIGHBEARS"

State Farm – Crosby Agency Donates Good Neighbears to local American Red Cross

EASLEY, SC - [September 21, 2009] - Everyday an average of 2 families in Upstate South Carolina lose their home to a fire. The American Red Cross is there providing food, shelter, clothing, life-sustaining medications, hygienic items, a shoulder to lean on and comfort items for children. “All comfort items for children impacted by a house fire or other disaster are donated by community partners,” states Sarah Dow, Director for the Pickens County Red Cross. Today, State Farm – Crosby Agency donated 100 cuddly bears, called “Good NeighBEARS”, to comfort children in the Easley/Pickens area after they lose their home, favorite comfort toy or blanket in a house fire. Sarah states that “it is amazing to see the joy in a small child’s eye after receiving such a simple gift. It truly provides them with some comfort during the crisis and perhaps a good memory of neighbors helping neighbors during their time of need for years to come.”

If your organization would like to partner with the American Red Cross to provide new items for local families that lose their home to a fire or other disaster, please contact Sarah Dow at DowS@usa.redcross.org or 878-0131.

Destructive chain of disasters - SE Asia victims need our help

Dear ARC Supporter,

As I write this, many lives have been lost and hundreds of thousands of people driven out of their homes by flooding in the Philippines and Vietnam in the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Ketsana. In addition, an 8.0 magnitude earthquake, and the resulting tsunami in Samoa, Tonga and American Samoa, destroyed entire villages and tore more lives apart. Two other massive earthquakes rattled Indonesia less than 24 hours apart, trapping thousands in their homes.

The American Red Cross, as a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, has been called on to help these communities in distress around the globe.

We’re one Red Cross, one compassionate community of people who care about our neighbors in need, whether they’re hurting down the street or on the other side of the world.

Can you help these disaster victims now by making a donation? Families need immediate support such as food, blankets, shelter and clean drinking water to stay healthy and recover.

http://american.redcross.org/site/R?i=-koiaHzsnVIFMcV5BNXEOQ..

• Typhoon Ketsana dropped a foot and a half of rain in just six hours in Manila, Philippines impacting 1.9 million people.
• 
  In Vietnam, in addition to precious lives lost, waters drowned cattle, flattened homes and destroyed thousands of acres of rice fields.
• 
  Up to 20 foot high tsunami waves came ashore on American Samoa after the earthquake in the South Pacific.
• 
  Two deadly earthquakes a day apart struck Indonesia, leaving thousands dead and even more homeless.

In response to these disasters, a network of thousands of Red Cross volunteers have mobilized to evacuate communities, carry out needs assessments and provide food, water, trained personnel and other relief assistance to the people affected by these disasters.

The American Red Cross is working with its Red Cross colleagues around the world to monitor the situation as the needs emerge and additional typhoons threaten.

Can you pitch in what you can now to help support our disaster relief work? You can choose the Disaster Relief Fund to support relief efforts in American Samoa or the International Response Fund to help in the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.

http://american.redcross.org/site/R?i=MfSLEOuSskrFBPpcDSe1XQ..

Our work is possible only because of the compassion and generosity of people like you. Thank you so much for your support. A gift of any size will mean the most to our global neighbors in such dire need now.

Sincerely,

David Meltzer

Senior Vice President

American Red Cross International Services

P.S. As these situations evolve, we will update you on the crucial relief work that donations like yours are helping provide. Also check RedCross.org for up-to-date information on these disasters.