A Simple Message of Thank You…….

Posted on May 13, 2013 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

By Lisa Stanchfield, Program Services Specialist

photo TY - no last name

Thursday, May 2 we responded to a fire that displaced 30 people in Fond du Lac.

On Friday, during the day we had about half of those people, adults and kids in our back room until we could work with the family on where we were putting them for the weekend.

We gave the children coloring books to use, I rented some movies, but one of the things they like was drawing on the dry erase board. I found the message that one of the children left on the dry erase board rather touching.

These are the moments I really appreciate working for such a great organization.

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Westfield School District Hosts “Hats on for HEROES” for Local American Red Cross

Posted on April 2, 2013 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

By Vicki Jenks, American Red Cross Disaster Volunteer and Board Member

Westfield Schools Brakebush Bros. HEROES 002

(Pictured left to right) Jon Brakebush, Lexi Brakebush, Judy Brakebush, Vicki Jenks, & John Eyerly, Superintendent Westfield School District

On Friday, March 15th, the Westfield School District assisted their local American Red Cross by hosting “Hats on for HEROES”.  A simple fundraiser in which a student pays $1 for the privilege of wearing a hat for the day, “Hats on for HEROES”—a first-time event, was extremely successful. 

All the funds will be utilized locally in Marquette County for Local Disaster Relief and Service to the Armed Forces. 

The most common disasters are RESIDENTIAL FIRES.  Every 9 minutes in the United States, a Red Cross Disaster Worker responds to a fire.  Due to the generosity of the American people, the Red Cross is able to provide temporary shelter, food, clothing, shoes, bedding, linens, and personal hygiene items.  They can also facilitate the replacement of prescription medications and eyewear.  But perhaps the most important gift Disaster Workers provide is INVALUABLE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. 

Service to Armed Forces is a new addition to the HEROES fundraiser this year.  Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, the Red Cross relays urgent messages containing accurate, factual, complete and verified descriptions of the emergency to service members stationed anywhere in the world, including on ships at sea and at embassies and remote locations.

The Red Cross provides emergency financial assistance, volunteers in area VA Hospitals, and sees that military members arrive home for funerals and births.  This “personal touch”, again, is due to the incredible generosity of citizens like the Westfield students, staff and administration. 

Brakebush Brothers, well known as a philanthropic corporate citizen, stepped up to also become a HERO and facilitated the new Red Cross relationship with the Westfield School District. 

“Down the street, across the country, around the world—the Red Cross is there”, because of students like those who attend the Westfield Schools and generous corporations like Brakebush Brothers.

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Bringing Comfort & Care at a Time When Needed Most!

Posted on January 30, 2013 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

Blankets are more than just fabric & thread! The home-made blankets and quilts the American Red Cross receives from generous quilting clubs, church groups and youth organizations provide comfort and care during a time when a person needs it most.

Thank you to Maple Grove Countryside 4-H Club for giving of your time, talent and support to give comfort to those in need.

 Submitted by:  Stephanie Peterman, 4-H Leader

On Thursday, January 10th youth members of the Maple Grove Countryside 4-H Club of Shawano County met at the Pulaski High School to cut and tie a total of 10 fleece blankets.  Older youth did most all of the cutting of the ties while the younger members started tying the blankets.  This community service activity became one of the many community service projects that the 4-H club does throughout the year.

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Edison Middle School Students raise more than $3,000 to Aid Victims of Hurricane Sandy

Posted on November 30, 2012 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

When students at Edison Middle School heard about the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, they immediately sprang into action. After setting a goal to raise $3,000, teachers and students worked together to raise more than $3,760 to help victims of the storm.

Spike, the Barber, shaving 6th grade teacher Justin Miller hair. .

Spike, the Barber, shaving 6th grade teacher Justin Miller hair. .

As an incentive to meet their goal, Principal Jo Wiebel and 6th grade teacher Justin Miller promised to shave their heads. On Friday, November 30 at 12:30 p.m. in Edison’s cafeteria, Mr. Miller lost his locks, and the students presented a check to Shawn Kiser, of the American Red Cross.

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NBC26 Cares: Holiday Mail for Heroes

Posted on November 29, 2012 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

By Stacy Engebretson NBC26

Click HERE for video of story.

Lt. Colonel Michael Hert answers questions at Holy Spirit School before making cards for the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

Thousands of military members will spend the holidays this year far away from the ones they love.

To lift their spirits, students in Darboy are teaming-up with the American Red Cross to send our soldiers a little piece of home.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Hert is back from the war in Afghanistan, but he still has one more mission to complete.

“To be able to come back to them and say to those children, ‘thank you very much from the bottom of my heart,’” explained Hert.

Hert spent last Christmas overseas with Ashwaubenon’s 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion.

“It’s hard because the bottom line is that you’re away from home,” he said.

The soldiers may be gone, but they are not forgotten. Students at Holy Spirit School in Darboy are making cards for the American Red Cross’ “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program.

Fourth grader Mary Loker described the card she created. “We wrote, ‘Thank you for your years of service in your battles. We are thinking of you.’”

“I feel like they’ll like it because being out there is kind of scary, and if they just get a card, it’s all that matters,” said fourth grader Joseph Hopwood.

Second grade teacher Sue Calmes is one of the organizers of this year’s card making effort at Holy Spirit School. She believes it’s a good lesson for her students.

“I think that the kids of today need to know and appreciate what other people are doing for them and the freedoms that we have,” explained Calmes.

The Red Cross’ goal is to collect 20,000 holiday cards in Northeast Wisconsin. Half of those cards will be delivered to veterans who live in the area.

“We go to shopping malls. We were at the Green Bay Packers’ blood drive just last week, so it’s a collective effort by the entire community to be able to send such a positive message during the holidays,” said Steve Hansen, Chapter Executive for the American Red Cross of Northeast Wisconsin.

Lieutenant Colonel Hert will be forever grateful for the card he received while deployed. Last week, he got the opportunity to visit Holy Spirit School. He thanked the students for their words of encouragement and for creating the cards again this year, so the soldiers know that someone back home is grateful for their sacrifice this holiday season.

“It means a great deal to me, because I know that somebody will be able to have the same experience that I had last year,” said Hert.

If you’d like to send a message of support, you can pick-up a free card at your local Red Cross office. They’ll even cover the cost to mail it, but cards must be postmarked by December 7th to be delivered in time for the holidays.

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Make a Difference Day

Posted on October 29, 2012 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

Thank you to the Oakfield Fire Department for working with the American Red Cross on our Make a Difference Day Project.  We delivered fire prevention door hangers in the rural communities in Fond du Lac County. By partnering with the Oakfield Fire Department, and were able to deliver door hangers to the entire Village of Oakfield. Thank you for making a difference!

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Getting Prepared with the Babysitter’s Training Course

Posted on July 30, 2012 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

By Lauren Lindstrom, Communications Intern, American Red Cross

Summer is upon us, and with it the busy schedules of area families. Many of us are out enjoying summertime freedoms, providing more opportunities for area kids to babysit the children of friends and neighbors.

The American Red Cross offers the Babysitter’s Training Course for youth ages 11-15, offering them the opportunity to learn crucial childcare skills and gain the confidence to provide a safe and fun environment while babysitting.

The full-day course covers the basics of caring for infants, toddlers and older children, as well as choosing fun and age-appropriate games and toys.

Green Bay native Ava Baenen recently took advantage of the opportunity to hone her babysitting skills. The 11-year-old received her Babysitter’s Training Certificate on May 19 with two friends.

“It was probably the first time I changed a diaper,” Ava said, adding she learned the proper techniques for feeding and caring for kids of all ages and how to deal with discipline issues. “If there are kids being stubborn, we learned how to solve those problems.”

Most importantly, the Babysitter’s Training Course teaches important safety skills, such as CPR and how to respond if someone is choking.

Ava says she feels more prepared to handle new situations when caring for children. She hopes everyone looking to babysit takes the course.

“It’s a great experience, you learn a lot, and it’s fun!”

The course costs $85, which includes a participant manual and CD-ROM. You may find upcoming courses near you by visiting www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

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“NEW” Red Cross Intern says hello!

Posted on July 9, 2012 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

Hello NEW Red Cross Blog followers, this is your new intern speaking. My name is Lauren Lindstrom, and will be helping out with the communication and social media aspects of the NEW Red Cross.

Reppin’ Green Bay in the Windy City

I recently completed my sophomore year at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and am home for the summer in my native Green Bay. At school, I study Journalism with a minor in Spanish. I hope to use both my writing background and Spanish language abilities to serve the Green Bay area this summer.

I have been writing for the Red Cross for about a month, but I would like to formally introduce myself. I am very excited for the opportunity to not only improve my writing and social media skills, but also get the chance to work for an amazing and historic organization such as the American Red Cross.

A little about me- I am 20, a lover of Mexican food and Spanish music, and Wisconsin sports (except the Badgers, I bleed Northwestern purple!). Door County is my second home and I spent a large portion of my summers growing up at my grandparents’ place in Sturgeon Bay. I am the older of two girls and love to cheer on my 17-year-old sister in soccer.

Cheering on my sister, Megan, and the De Pere girls soccer team to finishing State Runners-up.

I had lived in the Green Bay area my entire life before venturing off to Chicago for college two years ago. The transition to Chicago Bears’ land was rough, but I have found a few Packer Backers to cheer on the team with me while living in enemy territory.

This will be a busy summer for me. In addition to the Red Cross, I am a news intern at WFRV-TV and a freelance writer for the De Pere Journal. I am also in the process of moving into my first apartment down in Evanston for the following year. I am beyond exited to have this learning opportunity and work with such an amazing organization.  I look forward to meet as many of the amazing volunteers we have as possible in the few months. I can’t wait to work with all of you!

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Youth Empowered by American Red Cross Summer Program

Posted on June 28, 2012 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

Youth partners play an important role in helping ensure a stable blood supply

During the lazy days of summer, schools are out of session, yet local young adults are staying very active. In fact, 16- to 24-year-olds throughout the Oshkosh community are changing lives by partnering with the American Red Cross. 

Live. Give. Life. is a Red Cross program to engage 16- to 24-year-olds to organize blood drives and recruit their peers to give blood during the summer. The program provides an opportunity for youth to experience social responsibility and learn the importance of community service while playing an active role in maintaining a stable blood supply.

 WHAT:          Live. Give. Life. Blood Donation Opportunities

WHO:            Yee Lor, Youth blood drive coordinator               

                           American Red Cross staff

WHEN:         Friday, June 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE:      American Red Cross Office (Tower West Building); 540 W. Washburn Street,Oshkosh.

Live. Give. Life.  is also rewarding. All presenting blood donors at these special youth blood drives scheduled between June 1 and August 31, 2012 will receive a tangle free ear bud code-card with a unique PIN number that can be entered online for a chance to win prizes. Additionally, high schools that host summer blood drives will earn an additional $500 for their school’s 2012-2013 Red Cross Young Minds Change Lives scholarship.

Young donors play an important role in meeting patient needs for blood products. Approximately 20 percent of blood donations come from high school and college blood drives during the academic year. During the summer when school is not in session, donations from high school and college donors drop by as much as 57 percent.

The Red Cross blood supply has reached emergency levels with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June. All eligible blood donors are encouraged to roll up a sleeve and give as soon as possible. All blood types are needed, but especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative in order to meet patient demand this summer.

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 generally in 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

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

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Local Cub Scout Troop Donates To Veteran’s Home

Posted on June 19, 2012 by American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

Cub Scout Pack 3763 worked with the American Red Cross to donate items for the Veterans Home in King, WI.

Pictured with a small sample of items they collected, from left to right is Jordan Friend, Cub Master, Tammy Biever, Shawn McCrary and Sam McCrary.

This was a special service project done by the Webelos from Rosenow Elementary. Also donating items to their cause were a number of Menards employees and Facebook friends. These items will be greatly appreciated by the veterans.

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