Red Cross Benefit Musicales

Red Cross Demonstrates Emergency Preparedness

Written By Sarah Kloepping for the Herald Times

Area business representatives were able to experience what disaster victims would go through if they went to the American Red Cross for aid.

The Red Cross office in Manitowoc held an experiential lunch Wednesday where participants “checked in” to a makeshift shelter, receiving what real-life victims would get upon arrival: two blankets and a comfort kit filled with personal hygiene items.

“A lot of these people are in a state of shock,” said Joel O’Connell, a Red Cross volunteer who was assisting with the simulation. “It really tears you up to see what these people have to go through sometimes. You’d be surprised how traumatic this is to some people.”

Tour offered

During the event, participants were given a tour of the Manitowoc office and vehicles used at a disaster site. A lunch similar to what victims would receive from the Red Cross also was provided.

“We don’t use this stuff everyday. We often don’t use this stuff every year,” said Travis Waack, a regional disaster services director for the Red Cross. “But we have to have it, because we never know when Manitowoc is going to become the next Joplin, Mo. It could happen any day. And we’re ready.”

Residential fires

Waack said the most responded to incidents are residential fires.

Two Rivers Fire Chief Scott Schneider said the city has utilized the Red Cross several times throughout the years.

“Because there has been total house loss and the occupants need some other assistance,” he said. “Either it’s housing for a couple of days, clothing, food, shelter that they’re looking for.”

Schneider said he is used to working with Red Cross for the single-family incidents, but was surprised to learn of the all the other aid the local chapter can provide if needed.

“I see what Red Cross does on a national scale when there is a disaster and they show a gymnasium full of cots and the shelter that’s provided … but I guess I wasn’t aware that we here locally have that capability to provide those services. That was an eye-opener for me.”

The Red Cross, which is a nonprofit agency without federal assistance, responds to an average of 70,000 disasters nationwide every year.

“We have one of the most robust disaster technology teams of any public safety agency in the country,” Waack said. “I can guarantee you that.”

Between July 2010 and June 2011, the Red Cross responded to 972 incidents in Wisconsin.

“We’re all about keeping prepared so when there is a disaster, we’re ready to respond. It really is that simple,” said Cindy Vana, Red Cross director of development.

Musician Rob Anthony and UW-Green Bay Red Cross Club Team Up to Bring Awareness

This is the fourth year Rob Anthony will be putting on a concert to celebrate March Red Cross Month to raise awareness for the organization and their service.

The Red Cross can have an impact on anyone’s life at any time, and this concert is to remind people of that. From CPR and lifeguard classes to blood donations and disaster services, the Red Cross helps people directly or indirectly each year. Come to the concert to hear and share stories and enjoy Rob’s music!

Who: UWGB Students and Staff and open to the community

What: Rob Anthony Red Cross Awareness Concert

Where: Common Grounds Coffee House at UWGB

When: Wednesday, March 28th 7:00-9:00pm

Why: To listen to great music and create awareness for the Red Cross!

Check out more about Rob and his music at:  http://www.robanthonymusic.com/ 

Snacks and cookies will be provided at the concert!

Hope to see you there!

18th Annual Soup’s On Event Supports Local American Red Cross

We’re On Our Way to Another Soup-er Bowl 

The local American Red Cross Chapter will host its 18th annual Soup’s On event on Thursday, January 19, 2012. This Soup-er bowl celebration will score a touchdown and one distinguished restaurant will earn the coveted Soup Ladle trophy and bragging rights for an entire year.

This highly anticipated event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Grand Meridian, 2621 N. Oneida Street in Appleton. Not only does the fun-filled evening raise vital funding for the American Red Cross, it highlights the many local services provided to our community, including disaster response, community disaster education & prevention, services to armed forces at home and abroad, life-saving skills training and the Shopping and Errand program which serves disabled and elderly community members.

“Successful fundraising events – and the ultimate services to people in need – can only happen with dedicated volunteers and staff. This year, we responded to a record number of residential fires, a tornado and straight-line winds, prolonged power outages, and work in our other areas of expertise expanded too.  For Soup’s On to be running strong after 18 years is true testament to our participants, sponsors and masterful restaurateurs,” stated Steve Hansen, the local Chapter Executive.

Each year area chefs and restaurateurs present either a classic soup or a custom creation of divine flavors with maximum crowd appeal. This year’s competitors include: Al Corso Restaurant, Atlas Coffee Mill, Butte Des Morts Country Club, CSI Appleton, Grand Meridian, Johnathan’s Italian Bistro, Mark’s East Side, North Shore Golf Club, Plum Hill Café, Stone Cellar Brewpub, Van Abel’s of Hollandtown and Zuppas. Throughout the evening, each attendee’s palate serves as the judge for their favorite soup, votes are cast and the golden “Ladle Award” is presented.

Additional tantalizing treats throughout the evening include appetizers compliments of McCain Foods, grilled cheese sandwiches from Simon’s Specialty Cheeses, Simple Simon Bakery desserts, Great Harvest Bread, and Culver’s Frozen Custard. The evening’s Master of Ceremonies will feature Len Nelson from WAPL radio and music will be provided by a local jazz ensemble.

Community support is also provided by numerous area businesses that support the silent auction. Fabulous prizes include jewelry, artwork, golf packages, vacation travel, sports memorabilia and so much more!  Corporate sponsors include Boldt, Coldwell Banker-The Real Estate Group, Community First Credit Union, Festival Foods, Fox Communities Credit Union, Kimberly Clark, SCA, Thedacare, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance and at the door. Individuals tickets are $50 each and reserved table of 8 is $450.  Tickets can be purchased by calling (920)-733-4481, by visiting the Red Cross at 1302 E. Wisconsin Ave., Appleton or by visiting  www.newredcross.org

The Northeast Wisconsin Chapter serves 20 counties with a mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters. To learn more about local Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the Chapter headquarters at 920-231-3590 or visit www.NEWRedCross.org. Find us on facebook.com/newredcross, twitter.com/newredcross, the local blog is newredcrossblog.org and event photos will be at flickr.com/photos/newredcross.

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.

Red Cross honors volunteers, tornado relief efforts in Oshkosh ceremony

Written by Charles Greenley of The Northwestern

When Andy Stanislawski arrived in Joplin, Mo., in May, Mother Nature’s fingerprints were everywhere.

A tornado that destroyed 8,000 homes and killed 160 people had just ripped through the city, and proof of the twister’s force was in the trees that were still standing.

“Every day it was unbelievable. Three weeks later people were still looking through their stuff to see if they could salvage something,” Stanislawski said.

Maps were worthless because all the street signs had been ruined, yet from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for nearly every day of his three-week stint volunteering for the American Red Cross, Stanislawski rode the streets of Joplin in an emergency relief vehicle, delivering hot meals to those in need.

For this and many other volunteer efforts for Red Cross, the Waupaca native won the Exceptional Volunteer Service Award for Disaster Services at a ceremony held at The Waters in Oshkosh Tuesday night.

The program, titled “Celebration of Support,” honored local Red Cross volunteers. Plaudits such as the prestigious Clara Barton Honor Award were given out, and corporate partners were recognized.

Joyce Petit of Berlin has seen a lot of carnage in 27 years as a volunteer for Red Cross.

Petit worked at a service center in Joplin, handing out backpacks, phone cards and personal care kits to locals whose homes had suffered significant damage.

As about 100 attendees ate sandwich rolls and grilled peppers before the ceremony began, Petit praised the organization she had served for so long.

“They take care of you so you can take care of the victims,” Petit said.

Instead of tooting his own horn for all the work he’s done for Red Cross, Stanislawski opened up a letter a three-year-old girl from Shamokin, Penn., wrote him.

After she gave thanks to Stanislawski for everything he did to help locals deal with Hurricane Irene this summer, the last line simply said, “You are a hero to me.”

Local Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Encourage Public to Thank American Service Members though Holiday Mail for Heroes Program

Holiday Wishes Deliver “A Touch of Home” to U.S. Military Members, Veterans and Families

For a fifth year, the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. are teaming up to deliver holiday cheer and greetings to service members, their families and veterans throughout the holiday season.

The Holiday Mail for Heroes program provides Americans the opportunity to send holiday greetings to our men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, many of whom will be far from home over the holidays, our nation’s veterans and their families.

Between now and December 9, the public is invited to send a “touch of home” through holiday cards that contain messages of cheer and appreciation. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will then screen cards for hazardous materials, sort and package the cards, and deliver them to military bases and hospitals, veteran’s hospitals and other locations during the holidays.  Pitney Bowes is donating all screening, packaging and shipping to the cause.  The Red Cross will mobilize hundreds of volunteers to sort and box cards for delivery to service men and women, veterans and family members in November and December.   

“All you need is a pen and piece of paper to share your appreciation of the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make each day in their service to our country,” said John Kost, the Services to Armed Forces program manager.  “The American Red Cross serves and supports members of the military, veterans, and their families by providing emergency communications, educational resources, comfort and assistance each day. The Holiday Mail for Heroes program continues in the Red Cross tradition of service to those who serve.”

Throughout the state, groups are invited to make holiday cards. If attending the World Champion Green Bay Packers Blood Drive on November 8, 2011 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Legends Club Room at Lambeau Field. We will have preprinted holiday cards, donated by Miles Kimball’s, to sign. Not only can you give the gift of life with a blood donation, you can send a holiday message to a service member.

Additional early commitments to make cards and host events include the UW-Green Bay Red Cross Club, elementary schools and the Pitney Bowes office in Neenah is hosting an employee card signing event. This is the second year Miles Kimball’s, based in Oshkosh, has supported the program with 2,500 and 5,000 cards donated respectively.

Last year, with the help of Pitney Bowes, hundreds of volunteers screened, sorted and packaged cards that were delivered to military bases, veteran and military hospitals across the U.S. and around the world. Locally, thousands of cards were presented to Veterans living in the area, at the King VA Facility in Waupaca, WI and the Oscar G. Johnson VA Hospital and Clinics in Iron Mountain, Michigan.  Plans are being made for additional outreach this December.

“Sending a card is a simple way to show our gratitude for the tremendous sacrifice that our military personnel and their families make every single day on the nation’s behalf,” said Kevin Connolly, Vice President and General Manager of North American Service Delivery, Pitney Bowes Management Services and Vice President, Strategic Transformation for Pitney Bowes. “The holiday season is a perfect time for all Americans to take the opportunity to say ‘thank you.’ We are pleased to join forces with the Red Cross for the fifth year to help make that happen.”

All holiday greetings should be addressed and sent to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes

P.O. Box 5456

Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Cards must be postmarked no later than December 9; cards received after this date will be returned to senders.  For reasons of processing and safety, participants are asked to refrain from sending “care packages,” monetary gifts, using glitter or including any inserts with the cards.

Visit redcross.org/holidaymail for a full list of recommended guidelines and best practices for the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

Additional ways to become involved with the campaign include connecting with fellow card senders through Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/redcross and Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/redcross using the hashtag #holidaymail.

About Pitney Bowes:

Delivering more than 90 years of innovation, Pitney Bowes provides software, hardware and services that integrate physical and digital communications channels. Long known for making its customers more productive, Pitney Bowes is increasingly helping other companies grow their business through advanced customer communications management. Pitney Bowes is a $5.4 billion company and employs more than 30,000 worldwide. Pitney Bowes: Every connection is a new opportunity™. www.pb.com

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.

Join the World Champion Green Bay Packers and Be a Champion to Patients in Need!

The  World Champion Green Bay Packers are teaming up with the American Red Cross to support hospital patients in Wisconsin and across the country. The Packers are encouraging their fans to roll up their sleeves for the second time this year at the World Champion Green Bay Packers Blood Drive on November 8.

“We are very honored and excited to team up with the Green Bay Packers again heading into the holiday season, typically a challenging time to reach blood donors,” said Greg Novinska, CEO of the local American Red Cross Blood Services Region. “Community members can look forward to sharing the team’s success while helping meet the constant need for blood.”

World Champion Green Bay Packers Blood Drive

Tuesday, November 8 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lambeau Field, Legends Club Level

All presenting donors will receive a special giveaway item and will be automatically entered to win Packers merchandise. The Red Cross hopes to welcome more than 250 blood donors throughout the day. Currently, blood products are being distributed to hospitals as quickly as they are coming in. All blood types are needed now to help maintain a sufficient supply for hospital patients.

Not only can you give the gift of life with a blood donation, you can also send a holiday message to a service member. Those attending the World Champion Green Bay Packers Blood Drive will have the opportunity to sign preprinted holiday cards, donated by Miles Kimball’s, through the Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Holiday Mail for Heroes gives Americans the opportunity to send holiday greetings to our men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, many of whom will be far from home over the holidays, our nation’s veterans and their families.  To learn more about the program, visit redcross.org/holidaymail.

How to Donate Blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.  Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation’s blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.

Donut Sale to Benefit Local Disaster Services

Donuts for Red Cross Sale Begins. Promoting the donut sale to Fond du Lac Firefighters Don Salvaggio (l) and Scott Warren (r) are Bonnie and Bob Badura of Bob and Bonnie's Donuts and MarJean Buck, DAT volunteer and coordinator of the donut sale. The sale will continue through Tuesday, November 1, with donuts available for pickup from the South Main Street Fire Station on Friday, November 11.

This year’s donut sale to benefit local Red Cross disaster services is expanded to include $10 cake gift certificates to be applied toward any Bob and Bonnie’s delicious custom cakes. Orders for donuts and cake gift certificates can be made online, from a Disaster Action Team member or calling the Fond du Lac office.  Ordering donuts and cake gift certificates for the holiday season and deer hunting is convenient for everyone. Orders are being taken until Tuesday, November 1st.

For nine years the Fond du Lac Disaster Action Team (DAT) of the American Red Cross has teamed up with Bob and Bonnie Badura, owners of Bob and Bonnie’s Donuts, to generate needed funds to support the services delivered when disasters strike.  This partnership over the years has helped provide necessary funding for DAT volunteers to assist families in the Fond du Lac area with the critical needs of food, shelter, and clothing at a time of need after a disaster.

Back by popular demand are a dozen donuts in three variety combinations and the ever-popular 12 glazed yeast-raised donuts (Option #4).  The three variety boxed combinations are:  Option #1 with 4 each of cherry, blueberry, and double chocolate; Option #2 contains vanilla, chocolate and sprinkles; and the Option #3 is a combination of peanut, toasted coconut, and Dutch crumb. Each box is $8. The cake donuts may be frozen after purchase and served later, retaining the same great taste and freshness.

New this year as a response to customer demand, are cake gift certificates to be used on a custom ordered cake. A custom cake from Bob and Bonnie’s makes any occasion special. A variety of cakes are available from the famous brown-eyed Susan cake to chocolate with butter cream frosting in sizes to accommodate individual needs.  A complete list of offerings from Bob and Bonnie’s is available at http://www.bobandbonniesdonuts.com/.

Place orders prior to Tuesday, November 1, by phone or order online at www.newredcross.org  and check out Upcoming Events. Phone orders to the Fond du Lac Red Cross office may be made by calling 922-3450 during business hours, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, or 922-3146 after hours. All orders must be prepaid prior to November 1.

Donut and cake gift certificate pre-orders will be available for pick-up at the South Main Street Fire Station (815 South Main Street, Fond du Lac), 6:30 am until 11 am on Friday, November 11.

Recoveron Hosts Tailgate Parties to Benefit American Red Cross

Packer fans can now have their brats and help out a good cause at the same time! Recoveron Restoration Services is hosting three more Packers pre-game tailgate parties to raise funds for the local American Red Cross. Recoveron’s tailgate fundraising goal is to raise more than $1,500.

 “On a regular basis, we see firsthand the good work done by the Red Cross,” said Andy Kaye, president of Recoveron. “As a local restoration company, we work with individuals, families and businesses that have just experienced a significant disaster in their lives, including fires and floods. These tailgate parties will raise money to help the Red Cross continue to provide much needed services.”

 During local – and national – disasters, the Red Cross provides basic emergency needs such as shelter, food, medications, baby formula and more. This is on top of the emotional support and health services the Red Cross provides at the scene of disasters; most of which are local fires. “With support from business like Recoveron, we are better prepared and ready to respond around the clock,” said Steve Hansen, Regional Chapter Executive for the local Red Cross. “Plus, it’s a great idea to combine a tailgate party with a fundraiser – it really makes for a festive atmosphere and helps a great cause.”

 Three tailgate parties are scheduled for upcoming home games:

  • Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 12:15 p.m. (3:15 p.m. game time). Bent Grass, a local bluegrass band will perform at 12:30 p.m.
  • Sunday October 16, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. (Noon game time)
  • Monday, November 14 at 4:00 p.m. (7:30 p.m. game time)

 Entry to all tailgates parties is free, with food and beverages for a donation. All tailgate parties take place at

2036 S. Ridge Road, Green Bay (one block south of Kroll’s West) and are open to the public.

Recoveron Restoration Services is a full-service restoration company, specializing in fire, water and mold restoration for both commercial and residential losses. Recoveron serves all of eastern Wisconsin with locations in Green Bay and Plymouth, WI. For more information, go to: www.recoveron.com

 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.newredcross.org or join our blog at http://newredcross.org.

 Media Contact:

Kristin Rabas – Leonard & Finco Public Relations

(920) 965-7750 x152

krabas@LFpublicrelations.com

http://www.LFpublicrelations.com

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