March 31, 2009
Volunteering is a Family Affair
Today I met Steve and Robert Wolfe, Red Cross volunteers who are also brothers. They told me the Red River flood is not the first national disaster they’ve volunteered for – this is their fourth disaster – but it’s the first time they’ve volunteered together in the same Red Cross shelter. When I asked Robert how it was different to be paired with his brother, he told me: ‘While you develop great relationships with other volunteers, it’s nice to have your brother to lean on too. It’s another level of unconditional support.’ Robert’s comment reminded me of my wife and family in St. Paul, Minn. and how supportive and proud they are of my involvement with the Red Cross too.
Steve told me that he refers to Robert and himself as the ‘Wolfe pack,’ a term he says was coined by volunteers and staff of the Greater Indianapolis Chapter when the brothers, Steve’s wife and Robert’s 12-year-old son were all recognized for their involvement with the Red Cross. Steve and Robert are working in one of three public Red Cross shelters currently open for those affected by the Red River flood. Last night, the Red Cross sheltered 257 people.
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North-Central Flooding (Mar 2009) | Tagged: brothers, flooding, floods, human interest, postcard, postcards, red river | 
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Posted by amrecro
March 31, 2009
Leave a Comment » | North-Central Flooding (Mar 2009) | Tagged: baby, comfort kit, compassion, fargo, fireman, flooding, floods, image, kid, moorhead, mud, photo, photograph, photos, red river, shelter, snow, snowman | Permalink
Posted by amrecro
March 31, 2009
The following information shows our total service delivery since the beginning of the Red River floods:
Leave a Comment » | North-Central Flooding (Mar 2009) | Tagged: Fast Facts, numbers, service delivery, shelters, statistics | Permalink
Posted by amrecro
March 31, 2009
Missa (pronounced ME-sha) is not a typical Red Cross shelter resident. The 1-year-old German Shepard mix is Jacky Ogundeji’s service dog. Although pets are not allowed in Red Cross shelters, Missa’s status of a service dog allows her to accompany Jacky.
“I’ve had Missa for two months. Right away I was able to tell how much she helps me with my seizures and panic disorder” Jacky said.
Missa and Jacky are training with Service Animals of America and expect to finish their obedience classes soon.
“My life has been a lot easier and a lot less stressful with her in my life” Jacky says of Missa.
The Red Cross has opened 6 shelters in the Fargo Moorhead area and had a total of 286 shelter residents last night.
Leave a Comment » | North-Central Flooding (Mar 2009) | Tagged: fargo, flood, flooding, floods, human interest, pets, postcard, service animal, shelter residents, shelter service dog | Permalink
Posted by amrecro
March 31, 2009
Disaster Alert
Pennsylvania – A possible tornado in Lancaster County caused the destruction of homes and injured several people on Sunday. The Susquehanna Valley Red Cross chapter deployed a Disaster Action Team and opened a service center.
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Posted by amrecro
March 31, 2009
Disaster Alert
ANDALUSIA, Ala. – The Covington County Chapter of the American Red Cross was called into action Thursday morning (3.26.09) when a devastating wind storm – and possible tornado – ripped through the Onycha community just off of U.S. Hwy. 331 South of Opp.
Four families were displaced in the storm, with the local Red Cross stepping in to help provide recovery assistance.
“We were on scene this morning in Onycha making sure everyone was ok and taken care of,” said Jeffery Biggs, executive director of the Covington County Chapter. “One family needed emergency assistance while two families needed emergency shelter. One family did not require any emergency assistance, but we were able to establish contact and lend emotional support.”
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Posted by amrecro
March 30, 2009
Leave a Comment » | North-Central Flooding (Mar 2009) | Tagged: disaster, donation, fargo, flooding, floods, headquarters, joe becker, leadership, minnesota, moorhead, north dakota, red river, red river valley, response, thank you, video | Permalink
Posted by amrecro
March 30, 2009
In the Midst of Flooding, American Red Cross is Prepared for Blizzard in ND & MN
Red Cross Response & Resources Thus Far – Disasters are rapidly evolving situations. The following is current information as of 4:00 p.m., March 30, 2009:
Shelters Open:
Last night there were 3 shelters open in Minnesota and North Dakota.
- Grand Forks: Alerus Center, 1200 42nd Street South
- Fargo: Agassiz Middle School, 1305 South 9th Avenue
- Moorhead: Moorhead High School, 2300 4th Avenue South
Shelter Overnight Stays:
- Last night 257 residents stayed in shelters
Mobile Feeding Operations:
- Over 42,500 meals served
- More than 120,600 snacks distributed
- 42 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) on the ground
Meal Service:
The Grand Forks ND Alerus Center Shelter at 1200 42nd Street South continued serving meals.
- Dinner served from 5 pm to 7 pm; Breakfast served from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
- This schedule will continue as long as needed.
Relief Operation Volunteers:
- To date, more than 450 volunteers have been deployed to the area. Volunteers help with mobile feeding, sheltering, meal distribution, minor first aid and emotional support.
- Mobile feeding continued throughout the day today. In anticipation of it being unsafe to continue delivery of meals this evening and tomorrow, extra meals were also distributed. The Red Cross will resume mobile feeding as soon as it is safe to do.
Safe and Well Website:
- All those in the affected flood zone are encouraged to register with the Safe and Well website.
- Register online at www.redcross.org or call 1-866-GET INFO (1-866-438-4636) to register.
- In the event that normal methods of communication are disrupted, friends and family throughout the country can use the Safe and Well system to get messages that their loved ones affected by this disaster are safe
Leave a Comment » | North-Central Flooding (Mar 2009) | Tagged: feeding, flooding, floods, minnesota, news release, north dakota, Press Release, red cross, release, safe and well, shelter info, shelter location information, shelters, statistics, volunteers | Permalink
Posted by amrecro
March 30, 2009
Disaster Alert
North Carolina – a 45 year old gunman killed and injured multiple people in a nursing home on Sunday. The Red Cross provided canteen services for the Reception Center and emergency responders. We also partnered with a local agency to provide mental health care workers.
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Posted by amrecro
