American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin

On Thursday, May 27, supporters of the Red Cross Lakeland Chapter demonstrated that community really means being there for each other. Local heroes partnered together in the first ever Firefighters’ Bucket Brigade for the Red Cross, which was a part of the Heroes fund raising campaign.

Our heroes from the following fire departments supported the Red Cross Lakeland Chapter in the Bucket Brigade: Abrams, Ashwaubenon, Green Bay, Bellevue, De Pere, Howard, Suamico, and Pulaski. Austin Straubel Public Safety and 911 Dispatch also pitched in to help. These heroes together with Emergency Services Director, Judy Gregory, and the Lakeland Chapter Disaster Action Team raised over $5,700.

The Red Cross is always there when we call for the victims and for us so it’s my way of giving back for all they do,” says Assistant Chief Rick Race from the town of Abrams Fire Department.

Fire fighters from the many participating departments along with Red Cross volunteers were stationed at several locations in Brown and Oconto County to collect donations and talk about their partnership. Fire fighters brought a fire truck to each location for an inside peak at the technology and apparatus used to save lives. Volunteers worked hard to raise awareness of the fundraising efforts. Fire fighters from the town of Abrams even pumped peoples gas for a donation.

Nancy Mirhashemi, Red Cross Volunteer, says she saw a great deal of foot traffic on the beautiful day. “People have been very generous.”

For Karli Piper, one of the volunteers from Brown County Public Safety Communications Center, it was an opportunity to help out and spend time with her daughter. “I like to be out in the community as much as possible.”

“Public education and safety is at the heart of what we do.” Lt. Dave Walters, of Austin Straubel Public Safety, says their primary responsibility is to be available for commercial operations for aircraft but they also serve many functions as a fire department. This event was an opportunity to work with other departments and agencies while engaging with the community to spread the word on an important cause.

Red Cross disaster relief focuses on enabling individuals and families affected by disaster to independently resume their normal daily activities by meeting their emergency disaster-caused needs. When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, clothing, food, and health and mental health services to address basic human needs. The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to hospitals treating disaster victims, and helps those affected by disaster to access other available resources.

“I believe in The Red Cross; I think they do wonderful things for people,” says Linda Safford. As a volunteer from Brown County Public Safety Communications Center she hopes to be back next year. “We just all give a little part and make it successful.”

All of us together make a great team. We really do,” says Linda Safford.

Filed under: Disaster Services, Fundraising | Tagged: 911 Dispatch, Abrams, American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter, and Pulaski. Austin Straubel Public Safety, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, De Pere, Firefighters' Bucket Brigade for the Red Cross, Green Bay, Howard, Suamico | Leave a Comment »