Remembering 9/11 - Woody Miller

When Woody Miller expressed an interest in aiding relief efforts following the 9/11 attacks, his employer said yes. It was, as Woody put it, important to our country. As an American Red Cross volunteer he was able to deploy to New York City in mid-October.

More than a month after the attacks, the pile of debris that once stood as the twin towers continued to smolder. Workers at ground zero worked around the clock hauling away debris and recovering the remains of those lost. The possibility of survivors was long gone, but families still had a shot at closure.

"Whenever they recovered a body, there would be sirens," Woody said. "It was a touching moment because everybody knew what it meant. It was sort of a moment of relief for the families."

In the midst of a bleak situation, the Red Cross set up two Respite Centers on either side of ground zero, offering workers meals, a dormitory to catch up on sleep and counselors to provide emotional support. They served hundreds of meals each day.

Woody kept mementos from his time in NYC including his hard hat, mask and ID which he had to wear at all times for safety and security clearance. (More Photos)

As night manager for Respite Center North, or the "Oasis" as volunteers called it, it was Woody's responsibility to provide an escape for ground zero workers.

"We tried not to talk about Ground Zero at all,” he said. “We tried to make it a celebratory location."

Volunteers at the "Oasis" made it a point to celebrate birthdays. They decorated for Halloween and made good use of a popcorn machine. There was a computer area where workers could stay in touch with their families. One volunteer set up a display of cards from children around the U.S. thanking recovery workers for their service. Some would write back to the children thanking them for their warm wishes during such a dark time.

When he returned home two weeks later, Woody shared his story with family and friends who were curious of his experience. The Board of Aldermen (now Metro Council) recognized Woody and other Red Cross volunteers for their efforts in February of 2002, but like many others who helped, Woody feels that the opportunity to serve was a reward in itself.

"I just remember how the spirit of the workers was incredible," he said. "New York has a bad reputation as a cold and disheartening place, but people were warm and grateful for help. The opportunity to be a part of it was an honor."

Week 2: Agua Vida

Anyone who has watched 127 Hours (I <3 James Franco) might have an idea of the most important item to keep in your disaster kit. It's not rocket science, but it is something that can be easily overlooked.

Most Americans have multiple sources of water in their homes, but during a disaster, it may be difficult to find clean water. Keep your family hydrated by stocking water in your disaster kit. The Red Cross recommends storing a 3-day supply (1 gallon per person, per day). That's 12 gallons of water for a family of four. The 12 gallons are spread throughout your shopping list, but stocking up now is a great way to work out.

Also work on collecting a few canned goods and snacks. A grumbling stomach is never fun, especially during a disaster. Everyone loves a good bargain, so keep an eye out for sales while grocery shopping.

P.S. Don't forget to start your weather radio fund! $1.75/week

Download 21 Weeks to Prepare Shopping List

Week 1: Comb your home

During week 1, you won't need to spend a dime. You might not know it, but your home already contains many of the materials you need in a disaster kit. Take, for instance, the kit itself. While a kit is most often depicted as a back pack, you can use any easy-to-carry container. Maybe you have a tote or large covered trash can. And if you choose to use a bag, it doesn't need to be new. Maybe you or your kids have an old backpack or duffel bag that can be used. Once you choose your container, tour your house to find the following items:

a set of clothing and sturdy shoes for each family member*

copies of important papers (birth certificates, ID, insurance policies, passports, etc.)*

a 3-day supply of medications in a childproof container

contact information (current list of family phone numbers and e-mail addresses, including someone out of the area who can be reached if local lines are out of service)*

map (mark an evacuation route from your local area)*

cash in small bills (ATMs and credit cards won't work with the power out)*

spare keys

spare glasses or contacts and solution

books or toys

*place item(s) in waterproof container or bag

Remember to check off each item on your list as you go. In the coming weeks, you might find other items around the house that you can put in your kit. It's always a good idea to check your cabinets before heading to the store. Just make sure to also check expiration dates ;)

Download 21 Weeks to Prepare Shopping List

21 Weeks to Prepare

When disaster strikes, there is rarely time to think about what you need to grab in order to survive. If you are lucky, your home and family will walk away unscathed. The next day you'll go back to work, chauffeuring to school and practices, thinking about what to cook for dinner. Others aren't so lucky. The disaster destroyed their home and memories. They don't have food, clothing or shelter let alone a car to get them around or a stove to cook meals.

At the Red Cross, we like to prepare for the worst. You might call us pessimists, but if our knack for getting the community ready for worst case scenarios helps one family recover following a disaster, or, more importantly, survive during a disaster, then we are happy to serve as your glass half-empty friend.

Starting next Thursday, September 1, we will kick off 21 Weeks to Prepare—a social media campaign to help families and individuals build their own emergency disaster kit. Originally created by a team of Red Cross workers in Bowling Green, KY, 21 Weeks to Prepare breaks up the task of building a disaster kit to help everyone prepare in a way that is economically friendly.

On Thursdays leading up to our 21st week (January 19, 2012) we will blog on a group of items you can buy to build your disaster kit. Our twitter page will also post items and tips. Please help us spread the word, and follow our blog and twitter page for weekly updates. Together, we can help prepare Kentuckiana!

Chardonnay & Charity

My first interaction with wine was not exactly a positive experience. The astringent, red, house wine of Harlaxton Manor left a bad taste in my mouth, triggering a boycott during my four-months studying abroad. It was during a wine tasting party over a year later that I discovered my love for fruity and crisp Rieslings. Since then, I've even branched out into a few reds. I invite anyone (of age, of course) to expand their own wine boundaries at the August 25 summer gathering of Louisville Uncorked.

Louisville Uncorked is a social event held seasonally in various locations. While it is mainly a great way to have fun and network, the Host Committee of Uncorked also chooses a non-profit to benefit from the proceeds. This time around, the American Red Cross will have the honor of receiving collected donations. If you would like to attend to help support the Red Cross and have a good time, visit Uncorked's website to RSVP (REQUIRED) and learn more about the rules of the event.

With only four events a year, the Uncorked calendar fills up quickly, but the resolve of Crossing Generations member Brian Settles paid off. Brian, an attorney with Fultz Maddox Hovious & Dickens PLC, hopes the event will help promote Red Cross services and expand the membership of Crossing Generations, the chapter's young professionals group.

Crossing Generations is a self-governing society that engages young professionals in the mission of the Red Cross. Member benefits include networking, personal and professional development, and mentorships with board members. Some have even gone on to join the Red Cross Board of Directors. The group is always looking for new members and meets on the second Tuesday of each month. If you or someone you know is interested in joining, please send an e-mail to crossinggenerations@louisville-redcross.org.