First Deployment, First Pin

AmeriCorps members Jeremiah Bush from the South Central Kentucky Chapter in Bowling Green, KY and Lauren Eargle from the Franklin County Chapter in Frankfort, KY, wait for their orders at an evacuation shelter in Orange, TX.

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind for AmeriCorps member Lauren Eargle. Only nine days after beginning her year of service, she has been trained in several disaster response courses, deployed to help with Hurricane Isaac relief, and received her first disaster pin.

“It’s been very fast paced,” Lauren said of training and deployment. “If this is what happens in two weeks, then I’m excited for two years.”

She is currently helping out at a shelter in Louisiana. Earlier this week, she was placed on a shelter team with Marty and Cindy Jones of Savannah, GA. The two experienced volunteers immediately took Lauren under their wing and presented her with her first disaster pin. Pins are kind of a big deal at the Red Cross. It’s a Red Cross tradition to exchange pins with workers from other areas while on deployment. Some volunteers have collected hundreds from across the country.

Lauren's first Red Cross disaster pin.

Training for her year of service as an AmeriCorps at the American Red Cross Franklin County Chapter began August 20. During six days in Louisville, she and seven others attended courses on shelter operations, client casework and disaster assessment among several others. She hopes that the experience she gains while deployed will help her excel when she returns to her regular responsibilities in Frankfort.

So far, the Kentuckiana Region has deployed 24 Red Cross workers to the Gulf Coast. For more information on what the Red Cross is doing to help areas affected by Hurricane Irene, visit www.redcross.org.

American Red Cross Providing Services in Affected Communities

LOUISVILLE, KY, MAR. 8, 2012 – The American Red Cross continues to provide relief to residents of Kentucky and Southern Indiana devastated by last week’s tornados.
Fifteen Red Cross emergency response vehicles are out delivering food, water, coffee and utility gloves throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana. To date, over 17,000 meals and snacks have been served.

More than 330 trained Red Cross workers from across the country have come together here in Kentuckiana to assist the affected communities. Of those 330, 157 are from the Commonwealth.

 On March 9, the Red Cross will also have a truck stationed at the Monroe Township Fire Department, 315 S. Ferguson Street, Henryville, IN 47126, distributing comfort kits and supplies to affected residents.

As the American Red Cross continues to provide mobile feeding in the affected areas, the following Red Cross shelters will remain open to meet the immediate, emergency needs of those displaced.

 Indiana:          Charlestown High School, 1 Pirate Place, Charlestown, IN 47111

                        Chelsea Church of God, 6231 S State Road 62, Lexington, IN 47138

                        Country Lake Retreat, 815 Country Lake Road, Underwood, IN 47177

Kentucky:      Assembly Faith Church, 5578 Hwy 519, West Liberty, KY 41472

The following shelter locations are closed at this time: American Legion, Salem, IN; Morgan Community Center, Bedford, KY; Morgan Central Elementary School, West Liberty, KY; and Laurel County Fire Department, London, KY.

To support American Red Cross Disaster Relief, monetary donations can be made by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.  Contributions may also be sent to someone’s local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Contributions enable the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.

American Red Cross Shelters Remain Open

LOUISVILLE, KY, MAR. 7, 2012 – As the American Red Cross continues to provide relief to residents of Kentucky and Southern Indiana devastated by last week’s tornados, the community is showing overwhelming support. Individuals, businesses and foundations are donating to American Red Cross Disaster Relief to ensure that the immediate, emergency needs of everyone affected are met.

Eighteen Red Cross emergency response vehicles are out delivering food, water, coffee and utility gloves throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana, and to date, over 12,000 meals and snacks have been served.

As the American Red Cross continues to provide mobile feeding in the affected areas, the following Red Cross shelters will remain open to meet the immediate, emergency needs of those displaced.

Indiana:          American Legion, 209 S Main Street, Salem, IN 47167

                        Charlestown High School, 1 Pirate Place, Charlestown, IN 47111

                       

                        Chelsea Church of God, 6231 S State Road 62, Lexington, IN 47138

                        Country Lake Retreat, 815 Country Lake Road, Underwood, IN 47177

Kentucky:      Assembly Faith Church, 5578 Hwy 519, West Liberty, KY 41472

The following shelter locations are closed at this time: Morgan Community Center, Bedford, KY, Morgan Central Elementary School, West Liberty, KY and Laurel County Fire Department, London, KY.

To support American Red Cross Disaster Relief, monetary donations can be made by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.  Contributions may also be sent to someone’s local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Contributions enable the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.

American Red Cross Receives Community Support for Relief Efforts

LOUISVILLE, KY, MAR. 6, 2012 – As the American Red Cross continues to provide relief to residents of Kentucky and Southern Indiana devastated by last week’s tornados, the community is showing overwhelming support.  Individuals, businesses and foundations are donating to American Red Cross Disaster Relief to ensure that the immediate, emergency needs of everyone affected are met. 

The Humana Foundation has donated $150,000 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief and will do a dollar for dollar match with Humana employees who wish to donate.  Humana and other generous donors acknowledge the scale of this disaster and wish to support immediate and ongoing disaster relief services.

The Paul Ogle Foundation, based in Clark County, Ind., and The UPS Foundation have each donated $100,000 for American Red Cross Disaster Relief.  UPS is also providing logistics expertise, transportation and warehousing to local Red Cross chapters.

WAVE3 and WHAS are hosting telethons, and other media outlets are sharing with the community how they can make a financial donation to help those recovering from these storms.

To support American Red Cross Disaster Relief, monetary donations can be made by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.  Contributions may also be sent to someone’s local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Contributions enable the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.

As the American Red Cross continues to provide mobile feeding in the affected areas, the following Red Cross shelters will remain open to meet the immediate, emergency needs of those displaced.

Indiana:          American Legion, 209 S Main Street, Salem, IN 47167

                        Charlestown High School, 1 Pirate Place, Charlestown, IN 47111

                       

                        Chelsea Church of God, 6231 S State Road 62, Lexington, IN 47138

                        Country Lake Retreat, 815 Country Lake Road, Underwood, IN 47177

Kentucky:      Assembly Faith Church, 5578 Hwy 519, West Liberty, KY 41472

The following shelter locations are closed at this time: Morgan Community Center, Bedford, KY, Morgan Central Elementary School, West Liberty, KY and Laurel County Fire Department, London, KY.

American Red Cross Shelters Remain Open

LOUISVILLE, KY, MAR. 5, 2012 – The following American Red Cross shelters remain open in Kentucky and Indiana for those affected by this week’s storms.

American Legion

209 S Main Street

Salem, IN 47167

Charlestown High School

1 Pirate Place

Charlestown, IN 47111

                       

Chelsea Church of God

6231 S State Road 62

Lexington, IN 47138

                       

Country Lake Retreat

     815 Country Lake Road

     Underwood, IN 47177

     Morgan Central Elementary School

     3201 Hwy 460 West

     West Liberty, KY 41472

The following shelter locations are closed at this time: Morgan Community Center, Bedford, KY and Laurel County Fire Department, London, KY.

Seven Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles have been out in affected areas providing food and water to affected residents and emergency workers. Over 150 Red Cross workers are staffing shelters and are out in the field helping those in need. To date, the Red Cross has served more than 1,300 meals and snacks. The Red Cross will remain in the affected areas until all of the emergency needs are met.

People can help those affected by disasters like the Midwest tornadoes and storms, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a financial donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Consider making a donation today by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to someone’s local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Contributions enable the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.

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.

American Red Cross Opens Shelters for Residents Affected by Storms

LOUISVILLE, KY, MAR. 2, 2012 – The American Red Cross has opened three shelters in Kentucky and Indiana for those affected by this week’s storms. The following locations are now open.
Indiana:
Charlestown High School, 1 Pirate Place Charlestown, IN 47111
LIDE White Memorial Boys and Girls Club, 1551 M.S.H. Northgate Road Madison, IN 47250

Kentucky:
Morgan Community Center, 147 Victory Avenue Bedford, KY 40006

The shelters offer a safe place to stay, food, minor first aid and a shoulder to lean on. For updated information on Red Cross shelter openings, visit www.redcross.org and click “Find a Shelter” under “How to Get Help.”

People can help those affected by disasters like the Midwest tornadoes and storms, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Consider making a donation today by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to someone’s local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Contributions enable the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

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.

Vote for our Pepsi Refresh Project!

The Red Cross Hardin/LaRue Service Center in Elizabethtown, KY is in the running to win a $25,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh program. They plan to use the money to develop Red Cross disaster shelter kitchen kits. The Disaster Kitchen Starter Kits will allow shelter partners to have on hand the items they will need to immediately open a shelter kitchen if needed. The kits will contain items required by the health department for... the operation of a shelter kitchen.

Fans of projects can vote online from now until August 31. Up to 10 of 25K projects will win a grant. Last month the Hardin/LaRue project made it into the Top 100 allowing them to compete in August. This time let's put them in the Top 10!

To vote, and for more information on the Red Cross project, go to http://www.refresheverything.com/etownredcross.

Once you have created a sign-in name, you will receive 10 votes per day. You are only allowed to vote for a project once per day.

What is Mass Care?

During disaster response one of the main roles of the Red Cross is Mass Care. If you’re not a Red Cross worker, you’re probably thinking “What is Mass Care, anyway?”

Mass Care encompasses many of the Red Cross services including sheltering, the preparation of food, mobile feeding, and bulk distribution. Mobile feeding and bulk distribution are often carried out using the Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) often seen in photos and on TV. Specially designed to carry food in “cambros,” (large, plastic, re-sealable containers) the ERVs can carry up to 2,000 pounds of cargo. That’s a lot of food for a lot of people.

ERVs are also used in bulk distribution. Bulk distribution includes the delivery of comfort kits containing toothbrushes and toiletry items, or even clean-up kits containing sponges and bleach to help people clean up after disasters like the recent flooding. Whether it is shampoo or a mop, materials must be collected and distributed by teams of hard-working Red Cross volunteers, all of whom are part of the Mass Care team.

For more information on how you can help with mass care or any other task during a disaster, contact the Louisville Area Chapter at 589-4450 or visit louisville-redcross.org.

Road to Recovery

The recovery process has begun and things are getting back to normal around here, well, as normal as you can get in disaster response. We closed our last shelter yesterday after ensuring everyone had a place to stay. But even with the shelters closed, our volunteers are still hard at work distributing clean-up kits and giving out referrals.

Friday I got a chance to tag along on one of our clean-up kit runs. While the size of the ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle) and LERV (. . . Giant Water Truck) may have been intimidating, the Red Cross symbol on the side of each vehicle let people know help had arrived.
Some were already busy cleaning up after the storm; others got to work as soon as they had a broom and bucket in hand.

Everyone we delivered to was happy to see us, and at the risk of sounding cheesey, I must admit the thanks we received made the heat, humidity and zig-zag streets of Louisville much easier to deal with.

And now that we're on the road to recovery, I have only one personal request: No more rain!