Local Disaster Response: A Year in Review
Since July of 2008, the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana has responded to 154 local disasters, assisting 1,215 clients in Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio. Our volunteers have responded to a wide range of disasters, including the December ice storms, a tornado in Whitley County in March, flooding in 5 local counties, a tragic bus/car crash in Steuben County in June, and135 single family fires.
Many thanks to our disaster volunteers for their dedication. We value each and every one of you! Looking for more ways to get involved? View our volunteer opportunities and upcoming disaster training courses.
It's All About the Lincolns
Help us raise one million pennies for local disaster relief by September 30, 2009! Last year, local disaster response expenses exceeded $85,000. Help us replenish our disaster relief fund by donating your spare change during our It's All About the Lincolns penny campaign.
Your donations make a difference:
- 500 pennies provides a warm, comforting blanket for a child.
- 1,400 pennies provides one day of emergency food and shelter for an individual affected by disaster.
- 11,000 pennies provides one week of groceries for a family of four displaced by a house fire.
Look for Red Cross canisters at your favorite local establishments, including Coney Island, Cookie Cottage, and Jamison Specialty Meats. Visit our website for a full list of participating locations. Online donations are also accepted. Remember, every little bit helps!
Enter our Look Like Lincoln photo contest! Download and customize your very own Lincoln mask. Then, snap a photo of yourself, your friends, or family doing something good in the community while wearing your Lincoln mask. At the end of the contest, visitors will vote for their favorite photo. For complete details, click here.
Masters of Disaster
In late July, the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana collaborated with Easter Seals ARC to teach Masters of Disaster youth preparedness lessons at Stepping Stones, a child development center at Easter Seals ARC. Over the course of two weeks, students ages 5-12 learned how to build a disaster kit and respond to weather emergencies such as severe storms, tornadoes, and floods. Each student also received disaster preparedness handouts and activities to share with their families. As a supplement to the final lesson, students learned more about how the Red Cross responds to disasters through a hands-on tour of our Emergency Response Vehicle.
Photo: Stepping Stepping students and Red Cross volunteers [view more]
Volunteers of the Month: Jeri Elliott and Candy Inskeep
Congratulations to Jeri Elliott and Candy Inskeep, our
"TinCaps Superstars" and August/September Volunteers of the Month! To date,
Jeri and Candy have represented the Red Cross at 8 games/events at Parkview
Field, totaling over 42 hours of volunteer work each!
Jeri is a full-time employee at the Red Cross and she has also been a very active volunteer since 2004. On the job, she works as Program Assistant for Emergency Services, Health and Safety, and Service to the Armed Forces. Jeri is also a disaster volunteer and helps the Red Cross out at various events. Jeri states that "I have always done things to help other people, and that is what the Red Cross is all about, whether it be helping someone that has been affected by a disaster or teaching someone how to respond in an emergency. The Red Cross is truly a Humanitarian organization and I love it. That is where my heart is!"
Candy has been helping the Red Cross by volunteering for the TinCaps games and events after work, and states that the opportunity has "allowed me inside the beautiful park to enjoy the ballpark atmosphere and keep in contact with Red Cross staff and other volunteers." Congratulations to our "TinCaps Superstar" Volunteers of the Month! Thank you for representing the Red Cross as we serve our community!
The American Red Cross would also like to thank ALL of our wonderful volunteers and supporters who have helped out at the concession stands for the TinCaps games. The Red Cross has raised over $2,500 for our local chapter, not including proceeds from August games and concerts (total pending). Great job, volunteers! Keep up the excellent work!
Photo: Jeri Elliott working at the TinCaps concession stand. [view more]
Thank You, AmeriCorps Members!
In late August, our AmeriCorps members and Summer AmeriCorps
members officially completed their terms of service. Over the past year, the American Red
Cross of Northeast Indiana has been able to reach thousands of people as a
direct result of the AmeriCorps members' efforts. Thanks to our AmeriCorps
members, we've been able to expand new programs and services, including Family
Caregiving, Pet First Aid, Masters of Disaster, and Ready When the Time Comes.
AmeriCorps members have assisted with disaster response, represented the Red Cross
at various community outreach events, recruited new volunteers, and provided
valuable office support throughout the past year. Our summer AmeriCorps members
helped us expand our Heroes Campaigns in Steuben and DeKalb counties, raising
funds for Red Cross services in their respective counties.
Two AmeriCorps members, Amy Simpson and Renee Bentz, have signed on for another year of service. All of our AmeriCorps members have been very valuable to our chapter and community, and will be missed. Thank you all for your dedication and service. We hope you continue your relationship with the Red Cross. You should be proud of your wonderful accomplishments!
September is National Preparedness Month
This fall, make preparedness a priority. With just a few simple
steps, everyone can learn to be Red Cross Ready.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Check and replace the batteries in your smoke alarms
2. Build or update your disaster kit (store a kit in your car, too!)
3. Tune up your vehicle before winter arrives
4. Get certified or re-certified in CPR and First Aid
5. Stay up-to-date on all routine health screenings and vaccinations
These small but worthwhile steps are an important part of keeping you and your family safe and ready in the event of a disaster. Click here for more Red Cross preparedness tips. Keep checking our blog, Facebook and Twitter for additional preparedness tips throughout the month of September.
September also marks our first annual Run 4 Red on Sunday, September 13. It's not too late to register! Form a team to compete in our unique 5K cross-country run or join friends and family for a 1-mile family fun walk. Prizes will be awarded to top 3 teams and top individuals in each age range. Visit our blog for details and registration information.
Calendar of Events:
September 7: Office closed in observance of Labor Day
September 10: Changing Lives Tour @ 12:00pm
September 10: TinCaps Playoff Game @ 7:05pm (fundraiser)
September 13: Run 4 Red @ 1:00pm
September 21: DAT Meeting @ 7:00pm
September 24: Changing Lives Tour @ 12:00pm
September 30: Look Like Lincoln photo submission deadline
October 3: Don't Miss a Beat CPR event
View more events and classes at redcrossofnei.org.
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