The New Hampshire (West) Chapter of The American Red Cross is running a great program this month aimed at giving people an appreciation of the cost of running their services. These services include: housing, replacement medical items, clothing, and mental health services. The Chapter states that the cost of providing assistance to its residents is on average $3,410 every week. The Adopt a Day of Disaster Relief or Transportation is a way of offering local businesses and foundations an opportunity to help provide crucial services to local residents.

You, or your company, can Adopt a Day of disaster relief by donating $452.29 to The American Red Cross of Southwestern New Hampshire. Many companies ask employees to give at company picnics, or other company events, and then match employee donations dollar for dollar. The donations will allow you, or your company, to adopt one or more days of disaster relief.

The cost to the Chapter of providing transportation services to members of the community is on average $1,453 every week. This includes rides to people of all ages for dental, therapeutic, and violence programs. To Adopt a Day of transportation, you, or your company can donate $290.69.

Contributors to the Adopt a Day of Transportation or Disaster Relief program will be recognized both in the New Hampshire (West) Chapter’s annual report and Adopt A Day web page.

Another way in which you can make a donation that will go towards the cost of adopting a day of disaster relief or transportation, is to donate a used car or other vehicle. The American Red Cross will then re-sell the vehicle to a new owner, or sells it as scrap metal. If the value of the sold vehicle is $500 or more, you can claim it as a tax deduction.

Clearly, the cost of providing such a range of important services is quite large. Creative programs such as the one outlined above are a great way of highlighting those costs. The program also provides an excellent opportunity for members of the public, and local businesses, to make a special effort to aid The American Red Cross.

It is widely known that Clara Barton founded The American Red Cross, but not many of us know that much about her. The point of this article is not to provide a detailed biography, but to provide a picture of the person whose spirit continues to resonate today as strongly as it did in 1881.

Clara Barton, the youngest child of Sarah Stone and Stephen Barton, was born on Christmas Day 1821 in Oxford, Massachusetts. Her childhood was quite a difficult one, but even at an early age she showed signs of what was to come. In her late teens her parents, on the advice of a doctor, advised Clara to become a teacher in order to overcome her shyness. She took on forty boys and girls at a district school. After her school received an award for discipline, Clara received many job offers, and demanded (and received) the same pay as male teachers.

On April 19, 1861 troops arrived in Washington in disarray, having been routed by the secessionists. Barton and her sister met the men, some of whom she had taught, at the train station. The city had no facilities for the soldiers, and so Clara and her sister took the most seriously injured to her sister’s home and looked after them. Finding that the men’s baggage had been lost in the fighting at Baltimore, Clara solicited local merchants to round up clothing, food, and supplies.

Barton became the recipient of supplies sent to Washington in reply to letters the men had sent home. When large numbers of wounded soldiers arrived in the city following the first battle of Manassas, she collected supplies from groups such as the Worcester Ladies’ Relief Committee, instructing the women on what to pack and how to pack it.

Following the war, President Lincoln put Barton in charge of locating Prisoners of War. She answered hundreds of letters that poured in, giving or requesting information about the dead and missing.

Clara first became associated with the newly formed International Red Cross in Europe when the Franco-Prussian War broke out. She set up a number of aid centers in several war torn cities.

The American Red Cross was formed on May 12, 1881 following four years of lobbying in Washington. The organization struggled financially for many years but provided great assistance wherever Chapters were established. Clara Barton made The American Red Cross presence felt in emergencies such as the Johnstown flood, the Sea Island and Galveston hurricanes, and typhoid outbreaks in Butte, Pennsylvania.

Clarissa Harlowe Barton died of pneumonia at Glen Echo on April 12, 1912.

Many people have decided to volunteer in various charities this month. This increase in interest has been stimulated by the awareness that so many people are struggling in this economic climate, and the fact that March is American Red Cross month. The Manitowoc/Calumet Chapter of The American Red Cross lists a number of volunteer opportunities on its website. Many similar opportunities are available through other Chapters. As a result, it is worthwhile describing some of those opportunities here.

A Disaster Action Team responder is called upon as the first person available to respond to emergencies, and to help with urgent emergency needs such as food, clothing and shelter. DAT members may utilize the Chapter Disaster Response Vehicle, Client Assistance Cards, and Disbursing Orders in order to provide assistance. DAT responders are also the first to respond when large-scale disasters strike. DAT candidates are required to complete about four hours of Red Cross training, and are initially accompanied by an experienced DAT responder. Candidates must be willing, and available, to work in all weather conditions and at any hour of the day or night.

First Aid, CPR, and AED instructors also play an important role as volunteer members of The American Red Cross. Instructors teach individuals and businesses regularly at local Chapters, including Manitowoc/Calumet. Instructors may also be required to give special presentations during community events, to civic groups, and to community organizations. Instructor positions require the ability to speak with confidence in public, to demonstrate basic skills in a classroom setting, and a willingness to learn. A teaching background is also preferred, but not essential. The American Red Cross will provide all appropriate training.

As a charity that receives no government funding, The American Red Cross relies heavily on donations by members of the public, as well as businesses. In order to maximize the amount of donations received, Chapters require motivated individuals to organize fundraising events in the local community. Donations may include money, blood, clothing, blankets, and even vehicles. This volunteer position requires the ability to express the mission of The American Red Cross to others in a professional manner, to utilize basic computer software, and excellent organizational, planning, and promotional skills.

These volunteer positions generally only require a few hours of effort each week, but make a huge difference to the people in your community. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact your local Chapter of The American Red Cross.

We have been reminded in the past few days of the hazards posed by wintry conditions. This weather also shows us that you need to be prepared for any emergency at all times. The following advice should make it easier to survive the hazards caused by severe snowstorms.

A winter storm watch means that a winter storm is possible in your area. When a storm watch is issued you should listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio, tv stations, or cable tv stations such as The Weather Channel. You should also be alert to changing weather conditions, and avoid unnecessary travel.

A winter storm warning means that a winter storm is headed for your area. When a winter storm warning is issued, you should heed the following advice:

· Stay indoors during the storm.

· If you must go outside, several layers of lighter clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Gloves/mittens and a hat will prevent the loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs.

· Understand the hazards of wind chill.

· Walk carefully on icy sidewalks.

· If you are shovelling snow following the storm be sure to take frequent breaks to avoid fatigue.

· Avoid travelling by car in a storm. But if you must travel: carry a disaster supplies kit in the trunk, keep your car’s gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing, let someone know your intended destination, route, and the time you expect to arrive.

A blizzard warning means that strong winds, blinding wind-driven snow, and dangerous wind chill are expected. You should immediately seek shelter.

Public donations allow The American Red Cross to provide assistance to individuals and families in the wake of winter storms and other emergencies. This assistance may include shelter, clothing, blankets, or possibly even food. Donations obviously come in many forms. Recently, The American Red Cross has been encouraging people to think ‘outside the box’ and consider donating a used car or other vehicle. All vehicles are accepted, and they don’t even need to be running. Donated vehicles sold by the American Red Cross for over $500 can be claimed as a tax deduction.

On March 15, an exhibition showcasing the history of The American Red Cross will open at the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia. The exhibition, entitled ‘Our National Treasure: The American Red Cross’ will tour nationally for five years. This extraordinary exhibit will provide a glimpse into 128 years of history, as seen through the work of The American Red Cross.

The exhibition is divided into four areas that feature the major services provided by The American Red Cross. These areas are: Disaster Services, Blood and Biomedical Services, Service to the Armed Forces and Veterans, and, Health and Safety.

Items that will be featured include: a circa 1917 canteen wagon along with a coffee and doughnuts canteen display, replicating the snack stations The American Red Cross traditionally provides along with blood drives and disaster relief; posters painted by Norman Rockwell, and other artists; items from the founder of The American Red Cross, Clara Barton, including an invitation to the first meeting of The American Red Cross on May 19, 1881, and a medal she received during the Franco-Prussian War.

It is very likely that at some point during the next five years the exhibition will come to a town near you. As a result, anyone who is interested in attending the exhibition should keep an eye out for announcements from their local Chapter of The American Red Cross. Most Chapters have websites that are regularly updated.

A lot has changed in the last 128 years, however the dedication and services provided by volunteers of The American Red Cross has remained constant. Without the generous support from members of the public, the services provided today wouldn’t be available. As such, donations are extremely important. These donations come in many forms, from common ones such as money, clothing, and blood, through to the less obvious, such as cars and other vehicles. There is no doubt that when Clara Barton formed The American Red Cross she could never have envisioned donations of cars, and yet today they are slowly becoming a more regular addition to the above list of items. Hopefully, they will continue to do so.

Yesterday, I wrote about some things you could do to prepare for flooding in your area. Today, I want to write about tornadoes. Tornadoes can be far more frightening than floods, but careful preparation can significantly reduce the risk of harm to your family. Your local Chapter of The American Red Cross can provide advice more specific to conditions in your area.

If the area where you live experiences tornadoes your family should make a home tornado plan. Pick a place where family members can gather if a tornado threatens your home. Some safe places may include a basement, a hallway in the center of your house, or even a closet on the lowest floor of the house. If you are caught in a high rise building and don’t have enough time to get to the ground floor move to a hallway in the center of the building. It is important to know what the various storm weather warnings mean, and what you should do when you hear them.

A tornado watch means a tornado is possible in your area. When a tornado watch is issued, listen to local radio and tv stations for updates. Be alert to changing weather conditions. Blowing debris or the sound of an approaching tornado (similar to the sound of a freight train) may alert you.

When a tornado warning is issued and you are already inside, move to the safe place you picked as part of your family tornado plan. Move away from windows, and as close to the center of the house as possible. If you are outside the home when the warning is issued get inside as soon as possible. If you do not have enough time to get to your house, lie flat in a ditch, or low-lying area. If you are in a mobile home or car, get out of the vehicle and head for a safe area, as outlined above.

After the tornado passes, watch out for fallen power lines and stay out of the damaged area; also, listen to the radio for information and instructions; use a flashlight to inspect your home for damage; and, do not use candles at any time.

Members of The American Red Cross play an important part in emergencies such as tornadoes, both before and after the tornado has passed. Volunteers can provide you with valuable advice at any time regarding preparations for tornadoes, and afterwards they are very visible in recovery efforts. You can help The American Red Cross to continue their important emergency work by donating a car or another vehicle. These donated vehicles can provide a substantial profit when they are re-sold and will make a real difference in the event of an emergency.

A few days ago, I wrote about the importance of putting together an Emergency Preparedness Kit. However, there is more specific advice that can be applied to disasters, such as flooding and tornadoes. We are seeing major flooding in the Midwest at the moment, but no area of the country is immune from natural disasters. Today I want to focus on what you should do in the event of a flood. Tomorrow I am going to offer some advice regarding tornadoes.

If flooding is predicted in your neighborhood, listen to local radio and tv stations for flood information. Also remember, that heavy rain can very easily become a flash flood. So preparedness is vital.

It is important to know what flood warnings mean. These warnings are listed below:

A flood watch means that a flood is possible in your area. If a flood watch is issued, move your furniture and valuables to higher floors in your home. Fill your vehicle’s gas tank in case you have to evacuate. Everyone has seen television footage of gas stations being overrun with people in the last few hours before a major emergency. It is vital that you are prepared early. Safe is better than sorry.

A flood warning means that flooding is already occurring, or will occur soon in your area. If a flood warning is issued, listen to local tv and radio stations for updates. If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately.

A flash flood watch means flash flooding is possible in your area. Be alert to signs of flash flooding, and be ready to evacuate quickly.

A flash flood warning means a flash flood is occurring, or will occur very soon. If a flash flood warning is issued, evacuate immediately. By the time you hear the warning you may only have seconds to escape. Move to higher ground away from creeks, rivers, streams, and storm drains. Never drive around barricades. If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and move to higher ground. Many people get caught in quickly rising floodwaters because they overestimate their chances of driving over a low bridge. In the case of a flash flood in particular, the water level can rise by meters in a matter of seconds, so if in doubt, don’t.

The volunteers of The American Red Cross provide much help and support to people during times of natural disasters such as flooding. The assistance they provide would not be possible without support from the public. This is why donations are so vital. Following natural disasters, clothing, blankets, and blood may be in high demand. Donating a used vehicle is a great way to contribute in a meaningful way. It goes without saying that natural disasters often put a great strain on the resources of The American Red Cross, so every donation helps. To you, a used car may not be worth much, but the difference it can make is immense.

From time to time, we put our trust in babysitters to look after young children for us. These babies and infants are the most vulnerable members of our community and we need to be sure that we are leaving them with individuals who are able to cope with any emergency situation that may arise. The American Red Cross provides a service that can greatly help us when we do need a babysitter.

Most, if not all, Chapters of The American Red Cross provide specific training for babysitters. This training generally includes aquatic, and CPR training. Anybody who is responsible for the welfare of young children, whether they are teenagers, parents, and even grandparents, should undertake this training.

Clearly, families who have moved to a new area and are looking for a babysitter should contact the local Chapter of The American Red Cross to find a list of possible candidates. Similarly, people interested in becoming babysitters should register for training, and those who have already completed the appropriate training should register their interest with their local Chapter.

Every year, far too many children die because of accidents. Often these deaths are a result of drowning and choking. By taking part in the training mentioned above, the number of unnecessary deaths can be greatly reduced.

The babysitter training sessions provided by volunteers from The American Red Cross are only possible with the support of members of the public. Donations of any amount help pay the costs associated with this kind of training. Donations can take many forms, including vehicles. If the resale price of the vehicle is $500 or more, it is tax-deductible. Obviously, a $500 donation can go a long way towards providing adequate training for babysitters.

Throughout the country, the various Chapters of The American Red Cross are very active in local communities. They provide many services, including CPR Training, emergency assistance, and taking blood donations. It is sometimes easy to take these services for granted and we simply assume that the local Chapter of The American Red Cross will be there if we ever need it. Unfortunately, due to a variety of circumstances, it can become impossible for a Chapter to operate on a viable basis. When this occurs, the difference The American Red Cross makes becomes very clear indeed.

On the 12th of January this year, the Ashland County Chapter of The American Red Cross was forced to close its doors and become a service delivery unit under the jurisdiction of the regional office in Cleveland. As a result, the bookkeeping, human resources, and management of the Chapter will be conducted in Cleveland.

The Chapter expects no disruption to services as a result of this change. Local residents can be assured that services will continue to be provided locally, using trained Ashland County volunteers under the guidance of the Wayne County Chapter. Disaster response, including house fires, calls for assistance at emergency scenes, and all other services will continue to be provided by Ashland County volunteers. Service to Armed Forces will be brought back in house. However, while there will be no obvious change to services for Ashland County locals, there is no doubt that the loss will be felt and, in difficult times, most definitely noticed.

While the situation in Ashland County is the result of a number of factors, financial distress is a significant one. Donations from individuals play a large part in maintaining the service of Chapters of The American Red Cross. If you don’t have much time, or money, to spare at the moment, ask yourself if you have a used car or vehicle that you do not need anymore. Donations of used cars and other vehicles can be made at any time, either online or by phone. The vehicles are sold either as they are or as singular parts. When you are making a donation to The American Red Cross, remember that you can designate where the donation is to be spent. This means that Ashland County residents can be reassured, knowing that their donations are helping to maintain the provision of services in their area. It also means that the Ashland County Chapter of The American Red Cross may, at some point in the future, once again operate wholly under the direction of local residents.

A new season is upon us and it is a good time to remind ourselves that we need to be ‘Red Cross Ready’ in case of an emergency. This is a good time to not only check the existing measures we have in place but to ensure that the old ones are still in good working order. The American Red Cross recommends that all householders do the following:

· Test all smoke alarms, both at home and work. Don’t forget to test carbon monoxide alarms as well. Replace the batteries if necessary.

· Update the emergency contact information in your family’s communication plan. Choose an out-of-area emergency contact that each family member can contact if he/she becomes separated in a disaster situation.

· If you don’t have an Emergency Preparedness Kit, get one now. If you do have a kit, make sure that it contains the following contents: at least a 3 day supply of non-perishable food and water (one gallon per person per day), a flashlight, a battery powered or hand-crank radio, a multi-purpose tool, a first aid kit, copies of important documents, and special items such as medications, diapers, and infant formula.

· Even if you have only checked your emergency kit within the last few months, it is still worthwhile re-checking it and replacing old staples, such as food and water, with new ones. Members of your family may also have changed their medications, or have had a change in dietary requirements since you last prepared your emergency kit.

The warmer weather means that some other changes may need to be made to your Emergency Preparedness Kit. You will need to swap blankets for lighter sheets, and warm clothing (jumpers, jeans) for cooler clothing (shorts, shirts). Sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellent will also be useful. You could even include a small battery-powered fan.

By ensuring that you are adequately prepared, your family will have a far greater chance of surviving in an emergency situation.

The American Red Cross sells Emergency Preparedness Kits and other similar items online. Simply follow the links to the Red Cross Store.

None of us need to be reminded of the integral part volunteers from charities such as The American Red Cross play in times of emergency. As a Non Government Organization, The American Red Cross relies heavily on donations from members of the public. As part of your Spring clean, you may have decided to buy a new car, or finally decided to get rid of the old one that was sitting in the garage all winter taking up space while a family member was trying in vain to restore it to some former glory. The American Red Cross gratefully accepts all types of vehicles as donations, even vehicles that are not running.