Thanksliving - Disaster Spiritual Care Team

Red Cross Chaplain Ron Oliver reflects on his role with Disaster Spiritual Care Team at Red Cross Disaster Headquarters, New York, NY 11/17/12. (American Red Cross/Vicky Brown)

The following was written by Vicky Brown, a Red Cross Public Affairs officer currently responding to Hurricane Sandy.

“Do no harm,” this is the mantra of the Red Cross Disaster Spiritual Care Team. Led by Certified Chaplain Ronald Oliver, PH.D, (Louisville, KY), the team helps Red Cross staff and clients utilize the resources of their faith to understand and cope with Hurricane Sandy.

“As its core work, chaplains utilize the authority and unique tools of the pastoral office to fortify faith and hope. Also to solve, or at least mitigate, the problems and anxieties of those affected,” Ron said.

Ron pointed out the most important difference between chaplain service and parish pastoral service. “Because of the neutrality of the Red Cross, we offer a spiritual process, not a religious content. In other words, we help people use their religious tool box. This is regardless of whether they are Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, etc. We do not do evangelistic preaching of a specific religious agenda, but are inclusive and respectful of all faiths.”

The DSC Team accomplishes this in several ways. Along with Red Cross health and mental health teams, chaplains do condolence visits to those who have tragically lost family members. They visit shelters and distribution sites, to bring hope to those devastated. Chaplains walk the streets in disaster zones comforting individuals and helping with systemic community issues compounded by the storm. They also support Red Cross staff and volunteers through the long, tough days of deployment.

“We help make the heart good again,” as Ron so eloquently stated.

Ron is the System Vice President of Mission and Outreach for the Norton Healthcare System. Norton Healthcare is a faith based, five hospital organization located in Louisville, KY. Ron first took Red Cross training in 1999 and was part of AIR (Air Incident Response) and SAIR (Spiritual Air Incident Response) teams. His first deployment was to the condolence center in New York following 9/11. He also volunteered during the 2006 Comair plane crash in Lexington, KY. Currently he is serving on a national task force to develop a model for more chapters to implement a Disaster Spiritual Care Team. The model is being piloted in Louisville, San Diego and Cincinnati chapters.

On his current deployment in New York, Ron’s job is to set a vision for the DSC Team derived from Red Cross organizational priorities. With a quiet but strong leadership style, he helps remove obstacles, problem solve and encourage. He often has to make sure chaplains and volunteers take care of themselves.

Red Cross Chaplain Allen Sieger offers comfort at the Amityville Distribution Center in Amityville, NY 11/17/12. (American Red Cross/Vicky Brown)

“They will work until they drop and not takes days off,” he said. “I have to show them how to recharge their batteries by getting away from it all. We cannot look into the sun every day without being adversely affected. We will always remember what happened here, be connected to it emotionally and know in some way we made a positive difference. Down the road, broken bones heal, but they always hurt when the weather changes.”

Ron shared some of the client stories that he has dealt with in New York while helping those affected by Hurricane Sandy. In Breezy Way, NY, he found a woman digging through the rubble of her home that had been ravaged by a ferocious fire. She pointed to a tiny black stump on the ground that had previously been the family tree that they had planted years ago. She had taken part of the stump to her sister’s house, where she was now staying. After putting it in water, to her delight, it had started to sprout little green buds. She said, “It is like her life now, living someplace else, but with help, starting to blossom again.”

Two other client families will forever impact Ron's life and remind us all of what is important. Both had lost spouses when each individual went back to retrieve possessions in the rising flood waters. They were subsequently trapped and drowned in the swirling torrent. Ron reflected about the symbolism of this in relation to the upcoming holiday season.

“With water up to your chest, do we choose to save the right stuff? Do we live life with gratitude and humility? Do we live with Thanksliving. Thanksgiving is a discipline, not just a day.”

Good advice for all of us at this holiday and family time.

Children Survive Storm that Landed Pet Horse in Grandparents’ Kitchen

The following post is by Angela Nicholas, a Red Cross volunteer from the Coastal South Carolina Chapter in Myrtle Beach, SC. Angela is a former Chapter Executive and is currently volunteering with Red Cross Public Affairs. This past week, she has been out in the field collecting stories from Southern Indiana and Kentucky residents affected by the March 2 tornadoes.

Six-year-old Shelby Cole, who survied the March 2 Kentucky tornado, listens intently to American Red Cross Mental Health Volunteer Alex Weinstein of the Greater Carolinas Chapter in Charlotte. Weinstein and other Red Cross mental health volunteers use artwork and other techniques to help children work through their fears. - Photo by Angela Nicholas

When Barbara Green and her husband dug their way out of the rubble that was their home before the March 2 tornado ripped through West Liberty, Kentucky, they found their horse lying on the kitchen floor. The couple rode out the storm in the hallway of their home and survived without injury. “We got up and dug our way out. I found the tornado had carried our horse through the roof and into our kitchen. It was laying on its side but was okay,” she said.

Green brought her two granddaughters, Audrey Cole, 3, and Shelby Cole, 6, with her to Morgan Central Elementary School where the Red Cross had set up a Service Center to provide resources for tornado survivors. The girls and their parents also lost their home to the storm. Green said the horse and the rest of the family’s animals except for one dog that was killed were okay and being tended by West Liberty veterinarian Dave Fugit. They included a cat with a broken leg and a cat with a broken jaw, but otherwise, the injuries were not too severe.

“Our animals were trapped,” said Shelby, who noted that the family has a donkey, chickens and ducks as well. “It was sad and scary.” Her little sister described what the storm did to their house, saying, “It flew everywhere.”

Both children were greeted at the Center by Volunteer Mental Health Professionals Bruce Funk of York County, Pennsylvania, and Alex Weinstein of Charlotte, N.C. Funk spent some time talking to them and presented them with small Mickey Mouse toys to cheer them up. Weinstein then chatted with the older child and used art to help her work through her fears. Green received assistance to help the family get back on the road to recovery, and the little girls left the Center smiling.

Louisville FedEx Express Teams with Red Cross on Disaster Response

The following post is by Angela Nicholas, a Red Cross volunteer from the Coastal South Carolina Chapter in Myrtle Beach, SC. Angela is a former Chapter Executive and is currently volunteering with Red Cross Public Affairs. This past week, she has been out in the field collecting stories from Southern Indiana residents affected by the March 3 tornadoes.

A team of volunteers from the Louisville region FedEx Express facility partnered with the American Red Cross this week to provide bulk distribution items to victims of the recent string of violent tornadoes that struck Southern Indiana and Eastern Kentucky. FedEx has a long-standing partnership with the American Red Cross and has for a decade been a loyal donor providing cash and in-kind donations, as well as episodic support.

FedEx supports the communities they serve through strategic investment of their people, resources and network. Manager of the Crittenden Drive FedEx Express facility Jeff Bishop said, “The company solicited volunteers from the 175 local staff members to see how FedEx volunteers could help with the disaster recovery effort.” After viewing some of the devastation more than a week after the event, Bishop said, “It’s heartbreaking, devastating, and indescribable. I’ve never seen damage like this from Mother Nature. This is something the people from these communities will carry with them the rest of their lives.”

The FedEx Express team traveled with local Red Cross volunteers March 10 providing bulk distribution of clean up supplies that included work gloves, shovels, coolers, and rakes, as well as bottled water in the devastated areas of Henryville, Borden, Daisy Hill, and New Pekin.

Angela Sexton, security specialist with FedEx Express’ Central Regional Security division, said the shock of seeing the damage “grabs you inside.” Sexton lives within 11 miles south of where the tornadoes struck. “Viewing the area in person,” Sexton said, “was like something you’d see in the movies and not something you expect in real life. While our team is small in number we hope to make an impact.”

Bishop was accompanied by his 16-year-old son, Bradley, a junior in high school, who related to the loss suffered by the students of Henryville High School, a school that was destroyed by the storm. “I just wanted to do whatever I could do to help out,” he said. “I feel sorry for the kids because they have to be placed in different schools with new people and it will be different for them.”

The FedEx team saw first hand the work and resources provided by Red Cross staff and volunteers and were impressed at how the communities have come together with neighbor helping neighbor. “It’s very impressive to see people come together like that, doing the simple things like picking up sticks and raking.” Bishop said the local FedEx facility was thankful all their employees were accounted for and uninjured from the disaster. He and the other team members left that day ready to learn more about becoming a disaster response volunteer.

American Red Cross Receives an Individual Matching Gift up to $50,000

Last week, tornado warnings were issued in more than a dozen states and damage across those states is widespread. The American Red Cross continues to distribute meals and operate shelters in Charlestown, Ind., Chelsea, Ind., Salem, Ind. and Bedford, Ky. Starting today, Louisville, KY residents, Mimi and Marshall Heuser, will match .50 cents for every dollar contributed to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Services up to $50,000.

By taking advantage of this offer, your gift will enable us to help multiple families and individuals devastated by tornadoes, storms, flood waters, home fires and other large disasters. Our disaster relief program ensures that lifesaving services are available immediately to all people affected by disaster and prepares communities for disasters before they strike.

In Kentucky and Southern Indiana, this string of early spring tornadoes has had the largest local impact since the storms of 1974. This elevated tornado activity comes earlier than usual and means that the Red Cross must be prepared to respond to tornadoes and other disasters year round.

Red Cross shelters are assisting residents impacted by the storms by providing food, water, first aid and a shoulder to lean on. Red Cross volunteers and Emergency Response Vehicles have been on the scene at the hardest hit areas to provide food and water, along with clean-up supplies as people are recovering personal items and continuing clean-up of their homes.

Your donation helps with costs associated with a relief effort and supports readiness and maintenance costs required to prepare before disaster strikes. The Red Cross maintains vehicles, communications systems, warehouses, and adequate supplies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

One thing is certain. Disasters happen. The Red Cross is a charity – not a government agency – and depends upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its disaster relief mission. By making a donation to Disaster Relief, you empower us to provide immediate assistance to those affected by disasters down the street, across the country and around the world. You can help people affected by disasters by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. You may donate at www.redcross.org or call 1-800-733-2767. Contributions may also be sent to your local chapter or American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. On rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.

Weeks 8 & 9: Not a happy camper

Some might say I'm not a "true" Coloradan. Growing up on the Eastern plains, I never experienced skiing, hiking (in the Rockies) or camping. On occasional visits to my home state, I would like to eventually snowboard and hike the Barr Trail to the top of Pikes Peak, but I don't think I'll ever have an urge to camp in the mountains—or anywhere else for that matter.

It's not that I lack a sense of adventure, I just value the finer things in life, like, for instance, running water. We use it not only to drink, but to wash our hands, bathe, brush our teeth, etc., etc. These are all things to consider when building your disaster kit. Your favorite shampoo/conditioner, deodorant to keep you fresh (and so clean, clean) and a toothbrush and paste to keep the cavities and scolding from your dentist at bay.

While writing this post, I came up with a fabulous idea for collecting toiletry items for your kit. When you're not on the road, consider storing your travel kit in your disaster kit. This will save you cash and time when you're packing up to visit Grandma or to go on a weekend trip. You can also bring your multi-purpose kit along if you decide to go camping, you know, if you like that sort of thing.

Download 21 Weeks to Prepare Shopping List

Safe and Well

Since March 31, the American Red Cross has responded to 25 large disasters across the United States. That statistic was true before this past weekend when Mother Nature struck once again, spawning tornadoes in Kansas, Minnesota and Missouri. Like the tornado that struck Alabama almost one month ago, the tornado that hit Joplin, MO left behind destruction and many fatalities.

Disasters like these often lead to the loss of power and means of communication, making it a challenge to check in on loved ones in affected areas. To help alleviate this problem, the American Red Cross developed the Safe and Well website. There, individuals can register themselves as “safe and well” following a domestic disaster. The website is accessible via computers and smart phones.

Once individuals have registered, they have the option of entering a brief custom message which can include information on how loved ones can contact them. Registrants also have the option of sharing the custom message via Facebook and Twitter, making the site a one-stop shop for notifying loved ones of your safety. When registration is complete, loved ones can then search for those affected on the website.

The Safe and Well website is a great tool during a disaster, but it’s important to spread the word before disaster hits. Please visit redcross.org to learn more about Safe and Well and please share with your friends and family.

Louisville Volunteer Deployed to North Dakota

Red Cross volunteer Joe Brennan visits with a Louisville resident during a canvassing project to promote fire safety and prevention in 2009.

Louisville Area Chapter volunteer Joe Brennan has been deployed on numerous disasters, exposing him to the aftermaths of floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and ice storms. His extensive experience makes it no surprise that he’s a master of speed packing.

“Within 20 minutes, I can pack,” Joe says. “I have it all in a box—everything from toothpaste, to toilet paper, to shirts. When I give an orientation, I tell people, “You never know.”

Yesterday afternoon, he packed up once again, boarding a flight to North Dakota where he will assist a fellow Red Cross Chapter responding to flooding. As a mental health specialist, Joe helps ensure that those affected by disaster receive the emotional support they need to make it through trying experiences. Once he assesses the situation and becomes familiar with local resources, he can take action to prevent additional stress.

Joe says letting people know that their reactions are normal is one of the most important things he can do, but he insists the real support comes from family and friends. Knowledge of partner organizations also helps in offering referrals for long-term support.

While deployed, Joe will also support Red Cross workers. Disaster workers are deployed anywhere from a few days to four weeks, and the stress of the operation can take its toll.

“Sometimes things get to you, and you have to pull yourself away from it,” he says. To keep himself positive, Joe reads, goes on walks and even does Tai Chi.

Disaster operations are demanding, but Joe says he loves the opportunity to meet and work with new people from all over the country and all walks of life.

“There’s no upmanship,” Joe says of working on disaster operations. “People are just people doing their job. They’re there to help others, and that’s the bottom line.”

Safe and Well: Register yourself or search for loved ones.

New additions to the American Red Cross "Safe and Well" website include a screen which allows users to update their Facebook and Twitter pages with one click. The "Safe and Well" website is used during disasters to inform families and friends of your safety.

Operation Wrap Up

Janine, director of the disaster operation, gives an update on the chapter's response to the Kentucky floods and tornadoes. Now in it's final days, the operation has assisted over 1,100 people affected by the recent severe weather with the help of over 500 Red Cross workers!

Just Visiting

On a tour of U.S. emergency response organizations, emergency managers from the Ukraine stopped by the Louisville chapter today to learn how the American Red Cross works with the government during disaster operations. With the language barrier breeched thanks to the wonderful translators, everyone was able to communicate clearly, and in spite of the serious subject matter, more than a few jokes were shared.

CEO Keith Alvey gave our visitors a crash course on disaster preparedness, response and recovery, but the area they were most interested in was the recruitment of disaster volunteers. At our chapter over 2600 volunteers not only help provide assistance during a disaster, but they help complete important everyday tasks as well.

To find out how you can help by volunteering at the Red Cross, click the Volunteer Match link on the right. To see more with our new friends from the Ukraine, check out our Flickr page.