Why would a couple who lives in Reno, Nevada give money to a local Red Cross program in Green Bay, Wisconsin? The answer will warm your heart.

Posted on December 7, 2012 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter
12 12 Jilot 1 (2)

Betsy Wandtke, Major Gifts Officer with Dennis Jilot as he presented his check for the American Red Cross Transportation Program.

Dennis Jilot grew up in Green Bay when the ground that the Red Cross office and Transportation Center occupies, was just a huge vegetable garden.  As a young man, Dennis went to Preble high school.  It was very close to where he and his parents lived.  Dennis went to college in Stevens Point, WI – as did his bride Lynne.  They were very successful at what they did and their success led them to Reno.  Dennis’s parents remained in Green Bay.

As Dennis’s parents got older, his father had some problems with strength and balance.  Dennis was concerned about this.  His mother was not strong enough to get his father back on his feet and his father wasn’t strong enough to crawl to a chair and pull himself up.  Dennis asked his Mom how they got his Dad up after so many falls.  His Mom stated simply: “We just call the Red Cross and someone always comes to help us”.

They also used the Transportation Center to go to Doctor’s visits and to go to the mall to shop.  It allowed Mr. & Mrs. Jilot to be in control of their life and their situation.

Last year, Dennis was so touched by the selflessness of the Red Cross volunteers and staff that he walked into the office and wrote out a donation check for the Transportation Center.  I met with Dennis to thank him and he again showed his generosity and gave the Transportation Center a donation of $2,500.

These gifts were given because of the passionate volunteers/staff and their willingness to help someone when they needed it…no questions asked.  Dennis wanted to thank all of those people for helping his parents when he was so far away and couldn’t be there to help his Dad up.

I want to tell you all how proud I am of all of you!

Betsy Wandtke
Major Gifts Officer

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Partnering for a Better Community

Posted on August 1, 2012 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

By Lauren Lindstrom, Communications Intern, American Red Cross

United Way funded agencies are teaming up to allow some Green Bay area
seniors to stay involved in the community.

The Hmong Senior Tsev Povfwm Program is using Red Cross
Transportation Services to get elderly participants to and from the
weekly program. The program, which meets Thursday evenings needs help
getting seniors necessary transportation. Many of the participants
cannot drive and depend on the Red Cross for mobility.

The Tsev Povfwm Program, which means “House of Good Health and Longevity,” began in June 2011. Program Coordinator May Kaying Lor knew she needed a service to provide home bound seniors a way to get
out of the house and interact with others in the community. She worked
with the NEW Curative Rehabilitation Inc. to get the program running
and through them, found partnership with the Red Cross. NEW Curative
Sponsors the Tsev Povfwm program and already uses the Red Cross for
its transportation needs.

“We are very happy with the service,” Lor said. “If we didn’t have the
transportation, I don’t know if we could run this program.”

On program day, Red Cross buses are full, sometimes having to make
more than one trip to accommodate all of the seniors needing transportation. Lor’s husband is one of two volunteers to be certified to drive each Thursday.

Participants stressed the importance of having Red Cross transportation and their appreciation for the services.

“I don’t know how to drive, so this is the only way I can get out into the community.” said Chongong Yang.

The program not only gives participants the chance to socialize, but
also keeps them connected with their culture and heritage. Every week,
the program shows Hmong movies, offers card games and volunteers serve
a traditional meal.

“If we don’t have the transportation, I am just going to be sitting at
home and get depressed,” said Bee Lee. “The bus brings me here so I
can socialize with everybody.”

Program participants keep in touch with Hmong culture with movies, food and native decorations.

In addition to activities in the program center, the Red Cross
provides transportation for field trips including picnics and trips to various scenic Wisconsin locations. Participants are eager to keep the partnership between the two organizations going strong.

“I even wish we had more money so we could come here five days a week
instead of one,” said Mee Lee.

Participants can draw, play cards and watch movies from their native Laos.

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Congratulations: Jim Van Lannen

Posted on March 25, 2012 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

Congratulations to Jim Van Lannen on being the 2012 Community Service Achievement Award Winner by the Pulaski Area Chamber of Commerce. Jim is a ten year volunteer driver for the Red Cross. Jim was honored at a luncheon on March 18 at the Rock Gardens in Green Bay with a room full of friends, family and community members.

Jim and his wife, Barb.

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Nolan Blecha has a “drive” for Success

Posted on August 3, 2011 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

By Dawn Miller, Red Cross Volunteer

The American Red Cross was proud of transportation client, Nolan Blecha’s accomplishment when we heard Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin named him, Outstanding Achiever for May.

He was referred to Goodwill’s Work Services program through Brown County Human Services five years ago when he came from a special needs program at Green Bay Southwest High School. Work Services is a longer-term training program for people with disabilities and utilizes Goodwill as a worksite to develop their work skills and behaviors.

Carol Daniels- Thurston, acting store team leader for the Ashwaubenon Goodwill, had told a publication, Nature’s Pathways, “Since joining Goodwill, Nolan has learned the importance of working as part of a team. He always has a smile on his face and is very committed to his work. His presence at the store really motivates all of us because we see what Nolan achieves every day, and that he is truly committed to doing a good job.”

Six years ago Nolan started using the transportation services provided by the American Red Cross in Green Bay. 

American Red Cross Transportation Services provides transportation to individuals 60 years of age and older and individuals with a disability in the Green Bay and Pulaski area. This door-to-door service is specifically designed to provide a low-cost means of transportation, allowing individuals to lead a more fulfilling, self-sufficient lifestyle.

“Nolan loves the service and looks forward to the people,” says Nolan’s Mother.You can also hear the pride in the voices of volunteer drivers when they talk about Nolan’s award.  

Nolan’s mother says those with special needs aren’t often acknowledged for their accomplishments. This award is meaningful and he has been cheered on by everybody including the wonderful volunteers at the American Red Cross. “Nolan feels so good and so honored to be recognized in this way.”

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Longtime public servant ‘Vic’ De Cleene dies at 90

Posted on July 10, 2011 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter
Written by Doug Schneider Green Bay Press Gazette

In 2002 Vic received the American Red Cross Andrew Janssen Transportation Award for exceptional work in assisting the aging population and those with disabilities by providing quality transportation that helps individuals maintain a self-sufficient lifestyle.

DE PERE — Victor “Vic” De Cleene retired from public office in De Pere in the mid-1990s, but he continued to serve his community for more than a decade as a Red Cross bus driver, Meals on Wheels volunteer and secretary of the De Pere Men’s Club, among his other activities.

De Cleene died Thursday at his home after a brief battle with leukemia. He was 90.

“He was all about making life easier for someone else,” said one of his seven children, Larry De Cleene of De Pere. “He delivered Meals on Wheels to people 20 years his junior.”

De Cleene was a De Pere alderman from 1964 to 1976, and 1987 into 1995. He became acting mayor in September 1995 when Nancy Nusbaum was elected Brown County executive, serving until her term expired in 1996. He would joke with friends and family members that he did not seek a full term because his wife, the former Leona Patzke, told him another campaign would mean “he might as well keep on running.”

He received the Silver Knight Award from St. Norbert College in 1994, and initiated the Multiple Sclerosis Walk in Brown County in 1995 in honor of his daughter, Vicki. Among his community service activities, he was a member of the De Pere Men’s Club from 1987 to the present, and volunteered with Meals on Wheels from 1990 until three weeks before his death.

Visitation for De Cleene will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Ryan Funeral Home, 305 N. 10th St., De Pere. Visitation will continue at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1305 Lourdes Ave., De Pere. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m.

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American Red Cross Participates in Careers on Wheels Fair

Posted on May 31, 2011 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

Bob DeGroot holding some of the thank you letters from the students at Pioneer Elementary School in Green Bay

The American Red Cross took part in the annual Partners in Education Program of the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce Careers on Wheels Program.

Careers on Wheels is a unique and exciting program for third or fifth graders. Cars, trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles and people representing a variety of careers visit the school, giving students an opportunity to examine, explore and learn about a variety of careers “on wheels.”

Volunteer driver, Bob DeGroot visited three elementary schools in the area and shared with the students his role as a volunteer driver, how the transportation program helps people in the community and students were allowed to go on the bus.

Contact Brian Johnson, Partners in Education Career Education Program Manager, at 593-3408 or bjohnson@titletown.org to learn how your organization can participate in this program.

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Volunteer Spotlight: Mark Riebe, Transportation Driver

Posted on April 12, 2011 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

National Volunteer Week, April 10-16, is a time to celebrate volunteers. This year’s theme, Celebrating People in Action, aptly describes volunteers from Northeast Wisconsin. Red Cross volunteers are doers. Red Cross volunteers are people in action. Learn more about some of the amazing people who give of their time, talent, money and blood to support the organization.

As a transportation driver for the American Red Cross, Mark Riebe is responsible for getting people in need to medical appointments, the grocery store, and anywhere else they may need to go.  He enjoys talking with his passengers about the “old days”. 

Mark was an insurance adjuster for 25 years and a long time financial supporter of the Red Cross.  After he retired he wanted to do something that would benefit those who needed help. “What better place to volunteer than the Red Cross?” 

Mark was drawn to the transportation program.  “Speaking for myself, that would be the single most difficult thing to lose, your ability to drive and thus your independence.”

Mark’s wife is a full time kindergarten teacher for the Green Bay School District.  When he’s not driving, he is busy taking care of the house.  He does all the cooking, cleaning, laundry and shopping.  As he says: “What can be better than coming home after working all day with 5 and 6 year olds and having a nice meal and a clean house?”

Mark’s advice for anyone thinking about volunteering:  “Don’t wait for the other guy to do it.  The warm feeling you get when someone tells you how much they appreciate the ride you just gave them is better than anything else you can imagine.”

If you would like to volunteer as a transportation driver, contact Jody Weyers, Volunteer Director, American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter at 920-227-4287 or weyersj@arclakeland.org

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Gasoline Prices Impacting Transportation Service

Posted on March 19, 2011 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

Guest Blog Post: Steve Maricque, Executive Director, American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter

The steady increase in gasoline prices has impacted the lives of many in our community.  This impact is no different on our Transportation service here at the American Red Cross. Our service provides rides to medical appointments, the grocery store or employment for individuals over 60 or with a disability to enable those individuals to maintain a self-sufficient lifestyle.

Typically in a month, we will spend $8,000 on gasoline.  The increased gasoline price has raised that expense 25% to now $10,000 a month.  The Transportation service is primarily funded through state funds that are passed down to the local level and managed through Brown County via the Aging and Disability Resource Center.  This is where the majority of funds are provided to support the service.  Additional funding is provided by the United Way of Brown County, individual donors and a minimal rider fee. 

This overall funding and our investment several years ago in an automated transportation scheduling and routing software and staffing changes has enabled us to manage the increasing cost of gasoline and maintain our fee of $2.00 a ride at this time.

It has been almost 5 years since we last raised our rider fee 50 cents to its current level.  We understand the need to maintain a low cost transportation option for those on fixed incomes.  If gasoline prices continue to rise, we will engage our current funding partners to request additional assistance along with asking for help from our community donors.

We will continue to do everything we can to maintain our service at its current fee level to meet the transportation needs of our clients. 

Your support and help is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Steven J. Maricque

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Gas prices affect GB ride program

Posted on March 2, 2011 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

WFRV News:  Click HERE to see video of story. Story Created: Mar 1, 2011 at 9:08 PM CST

http://www.wfrv.com/v/?i=117211693

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) — Gas prices are taking a toll on local businesses and non-profits, reporter Heather Sawaski investigates how a local Red Cross program is coping with the rising costs.

More than 5 years after heart surgery, 80-year-old Dorothy Hovde is taking advantage of the Red Cross Transportation Program to get to to her exercise class at St. Mary’s Hospital.

“It’s convenient for me, I don’t drive and my children and grandchildren that do drive are at work at this time of the day,” Hovde said.

For $2 a trip, the elderly and people with disabilities in the Green Bay area can get rides to and from medical appointments and work, but the climbing gas prices are proving to be more than just a bump in the road.

“Typically we spend about $8,000 a month on gasoline, so we’ve seen a 25 percent increase, we’re now in the $10,000 range,” said Steve Maricque, Red Cross Executive Director, Lakeland Chapter.

The program is funded by state grants and local donors, and gives rides to more than 5,500 people a month. Rising costs have already forced the Red Cross to put a similar program in Door County on hold. There have also been staffing and scheduling cuts to save money.

“We’re able to, so far, manage with the increase in gas prices,” said Maricque. “But if they continue to rise, we’d have to look at other measures in terms of what we would need to do.”

The organization is looking into increasing fares as a last resort, because most of the riders are on fixed incomes, but doesn’t want to leave people like Dorothy Hovde stranded.

The last time the Red Cross had to raise prices was five years ago. Prices went up 50 cents.

Heather Sawaski reports.

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American Red Cross Transportation Service Discontinued in Door County Effective January 1, 2011

Posted on December 6, 2010 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

The American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter Transportation Service in Door County will be discontinued as of January 1, 2011. This service began in Door County in 2002.  Since its beginning, our mission has been to meet the transportation needs of elderly and individuals with disabilities by providing safe, reliable and affordable transportation.

The past two years has been very challenging as we have continued to operate our service in Door County.  During this time, the overall transportation environment has changed which has impacted our service.  There are now other transportation options available to Door County residents that can meet the needs going forward.

“The American Red Cross is proud of the transportation service we have provided in Door County since its beginning in early 2002,” said Steve Maricque, Executive Director, Lakeland Chapter. “We appreciate the opportunity to have served many in the community and wish to thank our dedicated volunteer drivers, funding partners and donors for their wonderful support over the years.”

Please note that this announcement impacts only our Transportation Service in Door County.  We will continue to provide Disaster Services, Services to Armed Forces and Health and Safety training.

 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.

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