News from the American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina

American Red Cross Honors Local Volunteers

2009-05-26T11:22:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday, May 12th the American Red Cross of Upstate SC in Pickens County hosted its annual volunteer recognition dinner. The theme for the dinner was an Oscar Party – Pickens County style. The paparazzi even showed up to take photos of the Red Cross celebrities.

Every May, American Red Cross volunteers, partners and friends gather to celebrate and reflect on the past year. Usually we share a few statistics and highlights, perhaps reveal a few of the quirks of our staff and volunteers and recognize everyone for their commitment to our mission.

During these difficult and often stressful times, each of us is continually asked to do more with less at home, at work and with our families. Sarah Dow, Director of The American Red Cross of Upstate SC in Pickens County states that she “finds focus by remembering why she is here.” You see for Sarah, her passion for the mission of the Red Cross predates her service to the organization. Despite the fact that it has been over 15 years, the story she shares is still as clear and emotional today.

It is one of the very many stories that bind her so closely to the mission of the American Red Cross.

Katie, one of Sarah’s high school classmates, lost her home to a fire. The fire department arrived on scene that Friday night but could not save the home – it was completely destroyed. Her family did not have homeowner’s insurance. For two days her family of five lived out of their car in the driveway of their destroyed home - alone. She went to school the next Monday wearing the same clothes she had been wearing all weekend. The clothes were wrinkled, dirty with soot and sweat and reeked with the unique smell of a burned home. You see at that time there was not a Red Cross in the community where Sarah lived. She remembers her mother, with tears in her eyes, handing Katie $200 after school that Monday to buy clothes wishing she could do more to help. Sarah also saw the struggle in Katie's eyes before she looked down at her feet as she decided to accept the gift with embarrassment.

10 years later Sarah had the opportunity to work with the American Red Cross in her new community ensuring families, unlike Katie’s, would have a shoulder to lean, new clothing, shoes, shelter and food after a disaster.

Sarah is proud to be a part of the American Red Cross of Upstate SC, which serves Greenville, Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick and Pickens counties, was founded in 1917, nearly 100 years ago.

Every year we face a new set of challenges. Each time the Red Cross rises to meet the challenge head on – never wavering from our commitment to help people prepare, prevent and respond to emergencies.

In a time when change and uncertainty reign, Sarah believes the following statement speaks to the spirit and very nature of the American Red Cross,

“Although its growth may seem to have been slow, it is to be remembered that it is not a shrub, or plant, to shoot up in the summer and wither in the frosts. The Red Cross is a part of us – it has come to stay – and like a sturdy oak; its spreading branches shall yet encompass and shelter the relief of the nation.”

Clara Barton shared these thoughts on May 14, 1904 at the ceremony for her retirement as the President of the American Red Cross. Those words still ring true today and the Red Cross symbol continues to provide comfort and shelter to those in need - especially during these challenging times.

Many volunteers were recognized Tuesday evening for their service. Four special volunteers were recognized for their years of service to the American Red Cross. Each of them has 15 years of service with the American Red Cross for a combined total of 60 years! Those volunteers are: Bill Penn, Joan Penn, Mike Little and Gloria Little.

The Female Volunteer of the Year was Crossie Cox and the Male Volunteer of the Year was Mike Little.

We could not help or train our neighbors if it was not for our volunteers – they are the lifeblood of the American Red Cross. Next time you see a Red Cross volunteer; please tell them “thank you” for a job well done.

To find out more information about the American Red Cross and volunteer opportunities, please call 864-878-0131 or email Sarah Dow at dows@usa.redcross.org.

Catch Our Tweets

The American Red Cross Celebrates 128 Years!

2009-05-21T14:27:00.002-05:00

Today is the "Birthday" of our American Red Cross. This is a great time to remember the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement:

Humanity The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield endeavours, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace among all peoples.

Impartiality It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

Neutrality In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

Independence The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

Voluntary Service It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

Unity There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Universality The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

Want to learn more about the history of the American Red Cross? Visit this page!

Catch Our Tweets

Volunteers Recognized at Upstate Awards Dinner

2009-05-20T14:38:00.003-05:00

Last week, American Red Cross Volunteers from all over the Upstate were celebrated and cheered at the Annual Meeting and Volunteer Awards Dinner.

Volunteers were recognized for attaining milestones in years of service to the ARC of Upstate South Carolina. Some especially dedicated Volunteers were nominated for awards given in recognition of outstanding service.

Martha Dove received the New Volunteer of the Year Award
Roger Myers received the Disaster Volunteer of the Year Award
Sally Clark received the Doris Simpson Burgess Award
Keith Ridgeway received the Diversified Volunteer of the Year Award
Earl Wright received the Henri Dunant Award for the outstanding male Volunteer of the year
Anna Cuson received the Clara Barton Award for the outstanding female Volunteer of the year
Tanya Carter received the Tiffany Award for Employee Excellence

If you should see any of these dedicated individuals, please thank them for their hard yet rewarding work.

Volunteers are the heart of the Red Cross!

Catch our Tweets!

Gettys Middle School Student Saves Child's Life Using ARC Training

2009-05-18T15:23:00.002-05:00

Sarah Dow, Director of the Pickens Office of the ARC of Upstate SC, sends us this Good News item.

Mrs. Dorothy Blanton, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher at Gettys Middle School in Easley, SC, relayed the following story:
"One of my 8th grade students told me that she saved a little boy’s life at church yesterday by using Abdominal Thrusts. She said the adult in charge just wanted to pat him on the back, and she told the adult she was trained and knew what she was doing because she learned it in school a couple of days ago."
Mrs. Blanton teaches American Red Cross lifesaving skills to her students every year including: Adult CPR, Infant and Child CPR, Babysitters Training and First Aid.

To learn more about lifesaving training visit our website at www.upstateredcross.org.

Happy World Red Cross Red Crescent Day!

2009-05-08T15:41:00.002-05:00

Today, May 8, join us here at the American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina in celebrating World Red Cross Red Crescent Day.

This story taken from RedCross.org helps show how the work of your local Chapter, the National American Red Cross, and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are all intertwined.

T.L. Hanna Student Becomes First Ever in Anderson County to Win the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit

2009-05-07T08:34:00.002-05:00

Caitlin Chapman, a T.L. Hanna High School student, became the first person from Anderson County to win the prestigious American Red Cross Certificate of Merit. The award is given to individuals who have saved or sustained a life as a direct result of their American Red Cross CPR/First Aid training.

Read the full story on the Anderson Independent-Mail's website.

To learn how to save a life, call your local Upstate American Red Cross office:
Greenville 271-8222
Anderson 225-8666
Abbeville 366-6800
Greenwood 229-3102
Laurens 938-0622
McCormick 465-3636
Pickens 878-0131

Changes to American Red Cross Policy Regarding Tornado Safety

2009-05-01T09:00:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday, April 29, The Weather Channel reported a change in American Red Cross policy with regards to tornado safety recommendations.

The specific change pertains to what people should do if they are outdoors, or in a mobile (manufactured) home, or in a car and without access to sturdy shelter when a tornado warning is issued. Previously the American Red Cross adhered to the National Weather Service's recommendation that people should lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area.
However, after careful consideration, the Advisory Council for First Aid, Aquatics, Safety and Preparedness (ACFASP), an independent panel of health and safety experts that advise the Red Cross, found no scientific evidence to support this long-held tenant. Therefore, the revised American Red Cross recommendation is as follows:

If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, tornado shelter or sturdy building. If you cannot get to shelter, a recent study suggests doing the following:

Get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt, and try to drive at right angles to the storm movement and out of the path of the tornado.

If strong winds and flying debris occur while you are driving, pull over and park, keeping seat belts on and the engine running. Crouch down below the windows, covering your head with your hands and a blanket if possible.

If you are unable to get to a building or vehicle, as a last resort, lie in a ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands.

Great Information and Resources for You Regarding Swine Flu (H1N1)

2009-04-30T09:14:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, the World Health Organization raised the pandemic influenza alert level to 5 on its six-point scale, showing the increasing concern about the swine flu (H1N1) outbreak and indicating that a pandemic may be imminent.

The CDC has some very informative Questions & Answers on its Swine Flu (H1N1) page, también disponible en español. Taking the time to become educated and informed will not only help protect you and your loved ones, but can also allay the fear and panic that can be associated with this situation.

The American Red Cross, as part of its Be Red Cross Ready series, has a wonderful resource sheet about seasonal flu, también disponible en español, including Swine Flu (H1N1). Please feel free to print this sheet and share it with your family and friends. Post one in your office kitchen, your church meeting hall, or on the bulliten board of your favorite grocery store or sandwich shop.

Get educated; stay informed. Be Red Cross ready.

American Red Cross Opens Emergency Aid Station for Fire Clients

2009-04-27T11:58:00.000-05:00

The American Red Cross has opened an Emergency Aid Station in the parking lot of the Barefoot Resort Clubhouse located at 4980 Barefoot Resort Bridge Road in North Myrtle Beach. Red Cross volunteers are offering assistance to meet health and emotional care needs as well as snacks and information. Anyone affected by the wildfires should stop by the Station set up from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily until further notice.

Client caseworkers will be in the affected neighborhoods in both North Myrtle Beach and Conway from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. this week also. They will assist clients whose primary homes were damaged with their emergency, immediate needs. Any fire victims who have not made contact with the American Red Cross about their disaster-caused needs should call the Coastal South Carolina Chapter at 843-477-0020.

“We are taking care of people affected by disaster, and we are taking care of the emergency responders. It’s what we prepare for, and it’s what we do when the time comes. We are proud to serve our community in this role,” said Angela Nicholas, Coastal South Carolina Chapter Chief Executive Officer.

The American Red Cross has served more than 15,000 meals and snacks and delivered more than 300 clean-up and comfort kits since the wildfires in Horry County began Aug. 22.

The aid stations are not drop-off points for goods. If you have goods to donate, please call 2-1-1, the United Way community information line for social services.

About the American Red Cross: Help people affected by disasters like the recent wildfires, 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 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 the local American Red Cross chapter at 2795 Pampas Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

More Upstate Volunteers Deployed in Horry County

2009-04-24T10:50:00.002-05:00

Several additional Volunteers from the Upstate area are headed downstate to assist with the Disaster Response to the wildfires. Robert Neal and Joe Hawkins left in the Upstate's ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle), and Joe Land and Wayne Deitz left Spartanburg this morning driving the Piedmont Chapter's ERV. Mike and Jan brown also headed to Horry County to assist with the sheltering operation.

We realize that not everyone has the time or circumstances necessary to devote to being a Disaster Volunteer in the field. We have many other Volunteer opportunities -- we will find the right fit for you if you want to help. Not everyone can ride in the ERV to North Myrtle Beach, but the need for Volunteers who can make phone calls and stuff envelopes is just as great right now.

If you would like to Volunteer in any capacity, please call your local American Red Cross office OR toll free 1-800-839-8839.

Be the Hands That Give!

North Myrtle Beach Reeling from Wildfires

2009-04-23T15:38:00.003-05:00

Please be advised that we have a major disaster situation in North Myrtle Beach near Barefoot Landing. Check out these terrifying photos: Horry County Wildfires

The American Red Cross has two shelters open with over 200 people in them and we may be opening more as the situation dictates. Our Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) in Greenville and two volunteers are leaving at 5pm today to begin feeding routes in the morning in North Myrtle Beach. We are working to secure two additional volunteers for the Spartanburg Emergency Response Vehicle. Eight ERV’s have been requrested from across the state. Forty homes have been destroyed. Hundreds of people have been evacuated.

We are in immediate need of financial contributions to support our Disaster Relief Fund. You can send a check to P. O. Box 9035, Greenville, SC 29604; call 1-800-RED-CROSS; or go online to www.redcross.org.

Here are some examples of what these gifts help us provide:

$20 helps provide 2 meals to a disaster client

$50 covers the distribution and delivery of clean up kit and comfort supplies for a family of 4

$75 covers the cost to feed and shelter a client for a day in a shelter

$185 provides for the travel, meals and shelter for 1 day for 1 of our Red Cross volunteers

$300 covers the cost to feed and shelter a family of 4 for a day in a shelter

$1,500 covers feeding a sheltering a family of 4 for 5 days

$15,000 covers the cost to feed and shelter 200 clients for 1 day in a shelter

Together we can make a difference!

How You Can Help With Local Storm Relief

2009-04-17T10:43:00.002-05:00

Help South Carolina Respond and Prepare for Tornado Season - How You Can Help

Many of our friends and neighbors were impacted recently by severe weather and tornadoes in South Carolina. Trees and power lines were blocking roads and many houses were damaged or destroyed as a result of these storms. Almost before the winds calmed and the night was over, your Red Cross was on the scene helping those impacted by these storms.

Facts at a Glance: Tornado Relief Efforts
As of April 17, 2009

Affected counties Abbeville, Greenwood, Aiken, Allendale, Union, Anderson, Greenville, Oconee
Shelters opened 6
Overnight stays in shelters by individuals 18
Homes destroyed or with major damage (excludes businesses) 156
Meals and snacks provided to individuals 9,771
Vehicles providing mobile feeding* 4
Distribution of clean up kits & comfort kits 441
Volunteers 168
* mobile feeding discontinued mid-day 4/17/09

Your gift to the Disaster Relief Fund is now more important than ever. Red Cross assistance for this effort may
exceed $200,000. Most of the families that we are serving could least afford to suffer this damage and destruction. They need our help to begin their recovery.

The Disaster Relief Fund provides families with food and a safe place to stay, life sustaining medication, infant supplies, and essential toiletries, in addition to health services and mental health counseling. Equally important, the Disaster Relief Fund allows us to maintain the vehicle fleet, warehouses, communications systems and volunteer training necessary to be able to respond 24 hours a day.

How You Can Help
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. Help people affected by disasters like tornadoes, 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 provide shelter, counseling and other assistance to victims of disasters. Call 864-271-8222 to make a donation. Contributions can be mailed to The American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina at PO Box 9035, Greenville, SC 29604. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.upstateredcross.org.

Companies can also help by implementing a customer donation program, sponsoring an employee giving and matching gift program, or even placing a Red Cross banner ad on your website. For more information, please contact the American Red Cross at CorpPartnerships@usa.redcross.org or 202-303-8380.

Upstate Hit Hard by Tornadoes

2009-04-16T14:53:00.000-05:00

South Carolina Tornadoes
April 2009

Tornadoes and strong winds tore through South Carolina on Friday, April 10th, causing widespread damage and destruction. In the Upstate area, Abbeville and Greenwood Counties were especially hard hit. We are still assessing the extent of the damage.

Quick Facts to Date – April 16, 2009

• Statewide, at least 297 homes sustained damage.

• Over 200 trained Red Cross volunteers have been on the scene since the storms hit, providing shelter, feeding, and client assistance.

• Four Emergency Response Vehicles have provided mobile feeding of meals and snacks to approximately 8,000 people.

• Approximately 150 comfort kits and clean-up kits have been distributed to affected families, providing basic hygiene items like soap, shampoo and deodorant along with household cleaners, mops and brooms.

• Six shelters were opened statewide to provide safe and comfortable lodging for individuals affected by the storms.

• Volunteers and staff are meeting with individual families to assess their immediate needs. We are providing families with food and a safe place to stay, life sustaining medication, infant supplies, and essential toiletries.

• Disaster Health and Mental Health workers are available to assist clients with their needs. In particular, trained mental health workers are providing counseling to help residents cope with the emotional distress that often follows a traumatic event like this devastating storm.

• We anticipate that the cost of this relief effort may exceed $100,000.

• All disaster assistance is provided free of charge. We depend on the generosity of the American people to fulfill our mission.

• To make a monetary donation to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, call the Upstate Chapter at 864-282-8641 or mail to P.O. Box 9035, Greenville, SC 29604.

Volunteers Respond to California

2007-10-25T09:34:00.000-05:00

Since Sunday, several wildfires have swept across Southern California, destroying homes and forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate. The American Red Cross was among the first on the scene responding to the wildfires, providing food, shelter, counseling and other emergency assistance made possible, in part, by the financial support from members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program.

As winds are forecasted to spread flames across the state over the next several days, the Red Cross will remain on the ground providing emergency assistance. In the coming weeks, the Red Cross will continue working with community partners to identify resources that can aid in the recovery of individuals and families affected by the wildfires.

Eight disaster volunteers have left the Upstate en route to San Diego to join the 3,000+ Red Cross workers already there providing relief. Four of our volunteers will be providing Mass Care services of sheltering and feeding; Three more will provide client casework assisting evacuees determine their disaster-caused need; and one will provide her skills as a Red Cross nurse. All of our volunteers give of their time knowing they are facing a three-week deployment.

If you would like to get involved in this relief operation, you can make a financial contribution through this chapter securely on-line by logging onto www.upstatescredcross.org, or by stopping by the chapter. If you wish to directly impact the lives of future victims, call the Upstate Chapter today at 271-8222 and sign up for training in disaster services.

Upstate Red Cross Sends Volunteers to Help with North Texas Flooding

2007-07-09T10:26:00.000-05:00

Shallow puddles suddenly rose from ankles to knees, and then to the shoulders of residents in North Central Texas. Flooding in Texas began two weeks ago, centered near Gainesville (60 miles north of Ft. Worth, just below the Oklahoma border) in the north central section of the state. It spread to over 47 counties in the north and north-central areas of the state.

These floods have caused tremendous damage and inflicted extreme hardship on those in the affected counties. Eight volunteers from the Upstate Red Cross were activated and responded last week to calls for assistance. They conducted damage assessment in areas known to be affected, assisted in shelter operations to house those displaced from their homes, and staffing needs for Red Cross responders.

They joined 528 Red Cross volunteers from many chapters throughout the country who came together to care for the immediate, disaster-caused needs of the Texas victims facing flood damage.

We are proud of our volunteers. We wish them well and look forward to their return in a couple of weeks.

Red Cross Rushes Aid to Victims of Taylors Crossing Fire

2007-06-19T12:04:00.000-05:00

11:30 p.m., the American Red Cross, Upstate South Carolina Chapter, received a call that victims of the Taylors Crossing apartments were in need of assistance due to a fire that gutted nearly 20 units and caused a degree of damage to another 10.

Four highly trained volunteers left their homes in the middle of the night to respond to the needs of the victims offering hope and the sense that a better day will soon dawn when the sun begins to rise.

At 1:00 a.m., the mood amongst the victims was somber. Daddies were holding their children close, neighbors were hugging neighbors, one young mother sat alone, clutching a photo of her eight month old daughter who was safely sleeping at a friends house. The mother told the story of a knock that came in the night awakening her to dark smoke and the chocking smell of fire. She had just enough time to grab her shoes and the photo she held so tenderly while her husband grabbed the child. Together, all three rushed out the door to safety.

The Chief of the Taylors Fire Department told of the heroic act of two firefighters that propped ladders against the burning building to rescue an elderly victim who would not leave her apartment until her dog was safely removed. The firefighters rescued the dog and returned for the victim. The victim was carried down the ladder and safely evacuated to a nearby hospital where she was treated for smoke inhalation.

Amazingly, no victims or firefighters were seriously injured in this fire. Many who lost there homes and possessions have begun to make there way into the Red Cross to begin rebuilding their lives with the assistance of the Upstate Red Cross. Some victims will need food, shelter, medications and emotional counseling. All of which can be provided by the Red Cross because of the generosity of the Greenville community.

Upstate residents trust the American Red Cross with their financial contributions as a means of caring for their friends and neighbors. Highly-trained staff will provide only the assistance needed based on the individual victims disaster-caused needs.

Individual house fires and multi-unit fires are the Upstate's number one disaster. This scenario has played itself out 271 times across the Upstate this year. For this one disaster alone, the Red Cross will commit approximately $20,000 in assistance to the victims. The victims of last nights apartment fire have 951 predecessors who have received over $260,000 in disaster assistance; all of which is provided free of charge to the victim.

We are honored to serve the victims across our community, but we need the help of Upstate residents to ensure the continued and effective delivery of service to these victims and the victims of disasters yet to come. We urge the community to get involved and make a difference by making a financial contribution to the Upstate chapter. Contributions can be made by calling (864)271-8222 or by logging onto upstatescredcross.org and making a secure, online contribution.

Volunteer Rhonda Hunt teaches life-saving skills

2007-05-09T15:11:00.000-05:00

When Rhonda Hunt was 10 years old, she watched wide-eyed as emergency personnel attempted to revive her grandmother using CPR. Unfortunately, her grandmother did not survive, but Hunt decided then that she wanted to learn how to save lives.

"It was something I always wanted to have the knowledge to do, even as a kid," she says. "You often wonder what impact you might have in trying to save a life."

Today Hunt is a health and safety professional with Michelin North America. She also uses her knowledge to benefit the Upstate Chapter of the American Red Cross by serving on the health and safety committee and training other volunteers about safety, life-saving techniques and emergency preparedness.

Hunt initially became involved with the Red Cross through her previous employer, Fluor Corp., where she was in charge of emergency response. Hunt says when she moved to Michelin, the company encouraged her to stay involved.

"It's something I need to know for my employer. But then I can also pass that training on to my community and my church members," she says.

Hunt's most memorable experience was about two years ago when she was asked to stand in as the temporary health and safety director for the Pickens County chapter of the Red Cross. There, she says, she felt the full impact of what classroom experience can mean to real people when she worked with families who had lost their homes to fire.

The volunteers under her not only provided shelter and basic necessities to the victims, but also emotional support and comfort kits with teddy bears for the children.

"They are just so compassionate," she says.

Hunt spends between two and 10 hours a month at the Red Cross, depending on if she is teaching a class. She hopes she never has to use her life-saving skills on someone but says it gives her confidence knowing she can respond.

"I've had to respond to several emergencies, but I've never actually utilized CPR or resuscitation in saving someone's life. But it's always in the back of your mind, 'What if?' " Hunt says.

Having the skills to respond to an emergency is the main reason Hunt believes people should get involved with the Red Cross.

"It is very important that more people in the community be trained and able to respond," she says, using the example of Hurricane Katrina as a time when there were not enough trained volunteers to take care of all the needs.

"And you never know when you might become a recipient of Red Cross services," she adds. "The things that we've been blessed with are only temporary and can be taken away in the blink of an eye. That's what continues to stay in my mind."

Volunteer Sue Conklin Makes a Difference

2007-04-30T12:05:00.000-05:00

When Greenville businesswoman Sue Conklin sees a need in her community, she fulfills it. Whether as the owner of The Puppy Nanny or as a volunteer for the American Red Cross, she has a true passion for making her community better.

Experience has taught Sue that animals respond better to compassion rather than force, a business philosophy she learned from Horse Whisperers, Monty Roberts and John Lyons. The gentle technique has served her well as she and her husband Paul trained thoroughbred horses for 20 years, managing farms in Ohio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

When career changes brought Sue to the Upstate and back to dog training, she identified a need in the community for in-home training services. As do many successful business owners, Sue filled a niche in the market and built her business, The Puppy Nanny, on home consultations. The ability to offer a flexible schedules and training in both behavioral and puppy consultations distinguishes her in the field of training.

A true “dog whisperer,” Sue’s expertise is in demand. She has been featured on local TV shows speaking about dog training and safety. She appeared on the Montel Williams Show and has given demonstrations on obedience and training at pet expos across the country. She has been written about in articles for national dog magazines and has authored commentary on training issues featured in local newspapers.

Believing strongly that education is the key to making positive change, Sue took the Pet First Aid class offered by the Upstate South Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross. Seeing the value of this skill for her business, Sue became a volunteer instructor for the Red Cross and now teaches Pet First Aid to her clients and others in the community.

As an active volunteer instructor of the Red Cross, Sue realized that the pet first aid equipment owned by the Red Cross needed repair. Again, seeing a need, she turned to her friends, students, and local businesses to raise the funds necessary to purchase new pet manikins. Through her efforts and generous donations from the Cleveland Park Animal Hospital, Andrew and Diana Gilbert, Sam and Linda Ross, Gene Johnson, Terri Kiker, Ann Martin, Marc Balsa, and Graham and Katharine Greene, enough funds were raised to purchase two CasPeR the CPR Dog Manikins for the Red Cross; no small feat as the cost for the manikins totaled more than $400.00.

Sue’s career as a pet trainer has spanned nearly two decades and more than 2000 dogs. Some of her training graduates have gone on to become Search and Rescue and Pet Therapy dogs and have made television appearances. Mostly, her trainees have simply become beloved family pets.

Sue exemplifies the high-caliber of volunteer making a difference at the Red Cross and in the community. In addition to being a wife, a mother, and a business owner, she gives of her time ensuring the Upstate is ready when emergencies happen.

Today, We Are All Hokies

2007-04-21T11:36:00.000-05:00

It is a phrase of unity heard around the campus, the community, and the world. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are now returning to the campus attempting to make sense of the incomprehensible.

The Drill Field at the heart of the Virginia Tech campus is a place of sacred honor as many memorials to the fallen and injured can be seen. It is a place of great emotion. Tears from friends, and loved ones sprinkle the ground as they remember the horrific events that unfolded here less than one week ago.

The American Red Cross was on the scene less than an hour after the incident offering mental health counseling and spiritual care. Although this is not a natural disaster, to this community and to those who experienced this horrific event it is an emergency with immense impact.

It is a privilege to be on the campus of Virgina Tech to offer hope as part of the American Red Cross response effort. The services available to those in need are numerous. Mental health counseling, spiritual care, transportation for the families of victims, assistance for medical expenses, and even assistance for funeral expenses are some of the services that are offered through the Red Cross.

Soon the students will return to class and resume life on campus as normal...if there can be a normal after an event like this.

As time permits, I will post more on the hope effort in Blacksburg.

Red Cross Responds to Disasters Here

2007-04-09T11:08:00.000-05:00

By Bob Hammersla, Chairman of the Board

Recently, I heard the story of Janie Turmon. Janie cares for her mother, brother, sister and three children, some of whom have physical disabilities. She and her family were the victims of a terrible house fire.

"Everything I had worked so hard for went up in flames," she said, "We sat on the curb in front of our burned up house. I cried and cried. We were homeless. ... I had no idea where to go or what to do. What an awful feeling!"

But Janie and her family did not stay on that curb for more than a few minutes, thanks to immediate assistance provided by the Upstate Chapter of the American Red Cross.
As you may know, the Red Cross is not just a single national organization -- there are individual chapters throughout the United States.

Volunteers from the Upstate Red Cross were the ones who showed up at the scene of Janie's home fire. Resources from the Upstate Red Cross enabled them to shelter Janie and her family and see them through their ordeal.
Most of us, however, are totally unaware that the funds to create these resources come only from our community. We are the ones who make it possible for the Red Cross to respond to local disasters.

Our Upstate Red Cross has offices in Greenville, Anderson, Abbeville, Greenwood and Laurens counties. Why? Because it takes a network of volunteers and resources to serve our region, to respond to local disasters and keep us and our neighbors out of harm's way. For the past two years, our Red Cross has responded to an average of one disaster a day locally for an average cost of $1,000 per family.

So far this year, our Red Cross chapter has expended over $225,000 to help more than 798 of our friends and neighbors survive catastrophic events -- mostly single-family house fires -- that don't make the news.

The chapter offers other critical community programs, such as CPR, First Aid, Automated External Defibrillator training, lifeguard training, teaching our toddlers to swim, certifying nurse assistants to qualify them as caregivers and providing emergency communications for the armed forces.

Our local Red Cross touches the lives of 5 percent of the Upstate population. Some of the activities the chapter is involved in are chartered to the Red Cross by the U.S. Congress but not funded in any way by the government.

These programs and services are delivered by a corps of more than 700 volunteers. In fact, the local chapter is so heavily driven by volunteers, they outnumber the paid staff 30 to one. Each volunteer averages 23 hours of training to provide various Red Cross services. These community heroes donate services worth more than one million dollars a year! The chapter could not function without them.

So where does the money come from, then? Most of it comes from us -- from our responses to local fund-raising events and from individual and corporate donations (39 percent). In addition, some program funding does come from United Way (17 percent), grants and course fees.
You and I and every corporation and every citizen in the five Upstate counties benefit from the local Red Cross. It's in all of our interests to support them -- from the smallest company to the largest corporation whose employees might someday need assistance to survive a fire, or a flood, or a tornado.

The American Red Cross is always there when we need it. But what if it wasn't? How would that impact our community? Think of this:
Some 1,500 disaster victims would not receive food, shelter, clothing and other immediate emergency assistance.

More than 17,000 professional, lay rescuers and citizens would no longer be able to provide CPR and First Aid to victims in the community.

Nearly 5,000 lifeguards and children would not learn water safety.

That's why I'm excited to share that Alvin and Wanda McCall are issuing a challenge to our community:

They have pledged $50,000 and are challenging the community to match it between now and April 30 as a way to support this vital community resource.

I encourage you to take this opportunity to get involved with the Red Cross. When you do, remember Janie Turmon. Without the Red Cross, she and her family would have been left with nowhere to turn.

Upstate Red Cross Provides Relief in Alabama

2007-03-06T13:36:00.000-05:00

Tragic events over the past few days have left people reeling throughout the Midwest and the South due to severe weather. Two Red Cross volunteers from the Upstate left their homes and families this past weekend to provide relief in Enterprise, Alabama.

Enterprise, a town of 22,000 residents, is home to Enterprise High School, the site where eight students lost their lives when a tornado struck the school collapsing part of the structure. In total, 50 residents of Enterprise were hurt by this storm.

In an email message to the chapter, deployed volunteer John Ligon reported that it is a pretty big operation in Enterprise with 50 people assigned to the Red Cross headquarters alone. Relief workers from Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Arizona, and many other places from across the U.S. have merged on Alabama to lift up their hurting neighbor.

Ligon and Seth Harrison answered the call to help by providing computer networking support to operations headquarters and Client Assistance Centers in Alabama. "We are here to give support to the residents of Enterprise" states Ligon, "but they are doing all they can to give us great support" eluding to the indomitable spirit of the devastated region. Ligon's and Harrison's efforts will greatly speed up the support provided to the victims by the Red Cross.

The Upstate Red Cross is seeking volunteers to join in disaster relief efforts both locally and nationally. Interested individuals should call the Red Cross at (864) 271-8222 and begin the training process today.

The Janie Turmon Story

2007-02-28T08:30:00.000-05:00

The American Red Cross is a preparedness and response organization driven by volunteers. It is an honor to be able to share stories from victims who have received services through the Upstate Red Cross. It is they, the disaster victim, that can convey better than anyone, the Red Cross story. The following testimonial is from Janie Turmon, a fire victim in Anderson, South Carolina.

"On June 6, 2006, while at work, I received a call from my daughter asking me to come home because our house was on fire and fire trucks were on the way. I grabbed my purse and headed out the door not knowing what I would find when I arrived home. I prayed all the way and it seemed to take an eternity as I was stopped by every red light along the route. The closer I got to home, the more smoke I could see. There were cars and fire trucks everywhere, blocking my driveway. I panicked and jumped out of my car and began to run toward the house. My thoughts were to save whatever I could, but was stopped short by a firefighter saying that I could not go into the house. My heart sank as I watched everything I had worked so hard for go up in flames.

I cried and cried because at that moment I was homeless along with my three children, my mother, my sister, and my brother who all lived with me. I wondered what we would do. There was no place to go. I didn't have home owner insurance. I intended to get it, I just kept putting it off. Each time I went in to pay my car insurance, I would talk with the agent about it, but I never got around to signing a policy.

As I sat outside with my family, a feeling of hopelessness began to set in. When I looked up, a van appeared. Not just any van. This one had a bright red cross on the side and four ladies who brought help to my family. They supplied water and all the assistance we needed to get back on our feet. I believe in the Lord, but until that day, I never experienced angels coming to assist me at that magnitude.

As I stated, we had nothing. The Red Cross ladies supplied funds for clothing and housing, and they provided contact information for agencies that could assist in my recovery. I truly believe that you have to be a special person to take time to help others who are in need.

I will be forever grateful to the American Red Cross. I will forever support their mission and the mission of other agencies that provide assistance to disaster victims.

I want to say thank you. Without the help of the American Red Cross, my family and I would not be where we are today."

Chapter Honors Greenville Hero

2007-02-13T10:02:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, February 8, the Upstate South Carolina Chapter, bestowed honors upon a Greenville Hero.

Virgil Whitted, of Mitsubishi Polyester Film Company, was having lunch in the employee cafeteria when a co-worker began to choke on some food that lodged in his windpipe. Virgil sprang into action and performed abdominal thrusts, dislodging the food and saving his co-workers life. Virgil provided further assistance by checking for injuries and escorting his co-worker to the plant medical department.

For his life-saving act, Virgil was given one of the Red Crosses highest awards, the Lifesaving Award for the Professional Responder which is given to an individual who saves a life by using skills and knowledge acquired in a Red Cross Health & Safety course. The certificate bears the signatures of the President and CEO of the American Red Cross and the Chairman of the Board.

Virgil's actions exemplify the highest degree of human concern anyone can display toward someone in distress.

Highly Trained Red Cross Volunteer Retruns From Florida

2007-02-07T10:14:00.000-05:00

Red Cross Damage Assessment Volunteer, Bill Vaudreuil of Greenwood, returned home Monday morning from his deployment to Paisley, Florida.

The small town of Paisley boasts a population of just over 700 residents who lived sprinkled throughout the Central Florida countryside in mobile or single family homes. Many of its residents chose to live in Paisley because it is a peaceful location providing shelter and respite from Florida storms--until now.

"I was called to deploy Friday night and arrived in Florida early Saturday morning," stated Vaudreuil. "We arrived ahead of any Federal Agencies and began to assess the damage." Vaudreuil reflected on what he saw and remembered the distinct path the tornado carved into the countryside. "Trees were torn down and homes were destroyed where the tornado traveled," he paused then began again, "no, the homes were not just destroyed, they were gone!"

Volunteers like Vaudreuil are highly trained having taken basic, intermediate, and advanced Red Cross courses which provide expertise in a chosen field of service.

Potential volunteers can select from many areas of service at both the local and national levels: Health Services, Mental Health Services, Sheltering, Feeding, Disaster Assessment, Facilities Management, Procurement, Transportation Management, IT, Public Affairs, and Fundraising are only some of the specialties.

The American Red Cross never allows a volunteer to enter a disaster situation with out training. If you would like to provide relief, either at the local or national levels, contact the Upstate Chapter today at (864) 271-8222 to become involved.

Local Volunteers Continue Relief in Florida

2007-02-06T10:38:00.000-05:00

Friday's storm was the second-deadliest combination of thunderstorms and tornadoes in Florida history. Joe Hawkins and Robert Neil, two seasoned Red Cross relief workers from Greenville are there and amazed at what they see.

"The devastation is extensive," remarks Hawkins who daily drives an Emergency Response Vehicle through Valusia County neighborhoods. Echos of chainsaws, hammers, and dump trucks can still be heard there. Hawkins continues, "Trees are twisted off and ripped from their roots, homes have been blown apart down to the foundation, people are in shock over the damage."

Joe and Robert are working long hours providing a vital life-link to Florida residents. Together, they have delivered nearly 4,000 meals working from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The violent F4 tornado packed winds as high as 165 mph, about 30 mph higher than Hurricane Katrina. Many Florida residents without homes today say they never felt a breeze the night the storms ravaged the state. The Red Cross estimates that over 2000 homes received major or minor structural damage, or were destroyed completely totaling near $70 million dollars in damage thus far.

The need for Red Cross services continues as a curfew is still in effect for Florida residents in storm damaged areas. Progress Energy and Sumter Electric Co-op have restored power to the homes that can safely receive electricity. "We expect to be here until next weekend," states Hawkins, "but as long as there is a need, we will remain."

Joe and Robert are two of the 434 "Red Crossers" that responded to Florida. They represent some of the finest citizens the Upstate has to offer. They are truly modern day heroes.