'We Had Nothing Before You Showed Up': A First-Hand Account Of A Red Cross Disaster Volunteer

How the Red Cross Helps Our Neighbors

When my partner and I arrived on the scene, the family was sitting on the curb as soot-filled water ran past their feet. The man held onto his small daughter and the woman held their baby son as they watched their house disappear into smoke and memories.

As Red Cross responders, I went to talk with the family while my partner went to talk with the fire chief and get an idea of the extent of damage to the home. The man looked up as I approached, recognizing my bright red and white Red Cross gear. His daughter looked up too, with tear streaks still visible on her face. The father wasn’t that far from tears himself. You could tell he was holding it in to be strong for his family. I sat down next to him and said hi to his daughter, Sarah, who was suddenly shy and ducked beneath her father’s arm, still paying attention to what I had to say.

Apparently the parents were just about to get the kids to bed when they smelled smoke and went downstairs to find the kitchen engulfed. They escaped only with what they were wearing and a blanket around the sleeping baby. The father kept saying that he was grateful they had each other, and that is what counted, that the little family was together.

My partner returned and I excused myself to consult with her. The fire chief had confirmed that the house was a total loss and it was unlikely anything could be salvaged.

After a brief stop to my car for supplies, I rejoined the family on the curb. As my partner started the paperwork with the mother, I brought out a stuffed toy to give to the little girl. Her eyes lit up and then I gave her another little toy to keep safe for her baby brother. She clutched both tightly, almost as tightly as her father hugged her to his chest. When I gave the parents comfort kits for each of them, the father’s eyes finally overflowed.

“We had nothing before you showed up,” the wife said. “Now we have something again, even if it is only a comb and toothbrush.”

We put Red Cross blankets across their shoulders as we talked further with the family and arranged for them to stay a couple of nights in a local hotel with a debit card to cover food and clothing costs until they could make more long-term arrangements. They would not have to stay out in the cold.

The American Red Cross was there to help this family take their first steps toward recovery. We made sure, as we do for all our neighbors facing disaster, that they were safe and warm and had food and shelter to restart their lives. The American Red Cross is ready to help you every hour of every day.

Nationally, every 8 minutes the American Red Cross responds to an emergency. As in this case,  Red Cross volunteers are usually members of your own community, helping neighbors whenever they are needed. Last year alone, Red Cross volunteers across the Western New York region provided immediate emergency assistance to hundreds of individuals and families following nearly 900 disaster-related events, the majority of which were home fires.

In the days and weeks to come, residents here in Western New York and across the country will rely on the support of Red Cross volunteers once again, as weather experts predict a busy disaster season this year. That's why there is a critical need for volunteers to join the American Red Cross of Western New York in helping to prepare for emergencies here at home and across the nation. 

From shelter volunteers to health professionals and disaster response, we need volunteers to help make a difference when disaster strikes. 

If you're looking to make a difference here in the Western New York region, or across the country, I encourage you to sign up for available volunteer opportunities near you or contact our local chapter at RecruitWNY@redcross.org for more information.  

Kathleen Rourke is the Red Cross community volunteer leader in Tompkins County, Spiritual Care lead and Disaster Action Team member with more than 20 years of experience. 

Red Cross, NFL partnering during National Blood Donor Month

Cathy Plewinski donates convalescent plasma at the Red Cross Cheektowaga blood donation center

The American Red Cross and the NFL are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals – especially those who have recovered from COVID-19 – to give blood and to help tackle the national convalescent plasma shortage.

The Red Cross has teamed up with the NFL to offer those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma, Jan. 1-31, 2021, a chance to win a getaway to the 2022 Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. As an extra thank-you from the Red Cross, those who come to give Jan. 1-20, 2021, will also be automatically entered to win a Big Game at Home package, which includes a 65-inch television and $500 gift card toward food and fun so their household can enjoy an awesome viewing experience safely at home. Terms apply; visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for more information.  

Cathy Plewinski of Buffalo is one of the tens of thousands who rolled up a sleeve in 2020 to donate their antibody-rich plasma to help those most critically ill with COVID-19.  “I’ve seen it first hand as a nurse – people getting better from receiving this plasma," she said. "I believe strongly if you’ve had COVID-19 and survived it, you should help anyone else who is in that same predicament.”

  

Two ways COVID-19 survivors can help   

Health emergencies don’t pause for holidays, game days or a pandemic – blood is needed every two seconds in the U.S. to help patients battling injury and illness. As COVID-19 cases have risen across the U.S., so has the need for convalescent plasma – leading to a shortage of this potentially lifesaving blood product.   

  

There are two ways those who have recovered from COVID-19 can make a big difference:  

 

• A convalescent plasma donation: The Red Cross is collecting convalescent plasma at over 170 locations throughout the country. If you’ve recovered from COVID-19, you may be eligible to donate your plasma to help others going through COVID-19 treatment. Fill out the eligibility form to start the process.  

 

• A whole blood donation: Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients. Make an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).    

  

Kick off the year by making a lifesaving donation this National Blood Donor Month.   

A Year of Remarkable Challenges

By every measure the year 2020 has been one that won’t soon be forgotten. From a total of seven named hurricanes, five named tropical storms, wildfires that burned over 9.5 million acres and the greatest loss of life caused by tornadoes since 2011, nature’s wrath was felt far and wide. Overshadowing the already very difficult conditions caused by these natural disasters has been a global pandemic, the likes of which hadn’t been seen for generations.    

Nevertheless, despite such serious challenges, the American Red Cross is there to meet the needs and adapt in ways that allow for successfully providing critical basic services to thousands of people affected by such dramatic and stressful conditions. This accomplishment was only made possible by dedicated Red Cross volunteers like the Southern Tier Chapter's Don Lamanna.

A native of the Mohawk Valley, Don is no stranger to working in difficult situations to help others.    Now retired from a 30-year career with the Oneonta Fire Department and service as an emergency medical technician, as well as a motor coach driver, Don notes he wasn’t content with “just sitting around and watching television” news stories about disasters in which he might help out.  So when news of August 2018 flash flooding in the Finger Lakes region came across the screen, he was quick to make his first Red Cross deployment relatively close to home.   Since then Don’s passion for serving others in their time of need has led to his creating a log book so that the number of Red Cross deployments in which his has taken part won’t be forgotten.   In 2020 alone Don’s log gained four new entries which now brings the total number of times he’s deployed since 2018 to 11.   Deployments in 2020 sent him to the Philadelphia area following Tropical Storm Isaias, Baton Rouge and New Orleans in support of hurricane recovery operations, and twice to Oregon wildfires.   

To his further credit, Don performs more than one role with the Red Cross and reports that when he arrives at a deployment the first thing he does is ask what needs to be done that he can help with. Such duties have included damage assessment to determine areas where localized Red Cross assistance is needed as well as serving as a mass care supervisor. During this year’s deployment to Louisiana Don helped supervise the care of 380 displaced people who were provided with accommodations in commercial lodging to avoid the potential spread of COVID-19 in the close quarters of congregate sheltering.   Other adaptive measures were Red Cross services like health counseling that were provided by volunteers remotely by computers. While Don is not shy about acknowledging that his experience and interests don’t include computer skills,  he was equally ready to point out that other volunteers with such skills were close at hand to take care of that part of what was needed. By and large Don was very pleased to observe that, during his deployments this year, the public in general followed Center for Disease Control COVID-19 guidance in a manner akin to that practiced by the Red Cross.

Teamwork and support outside the deployment is also something Don is aware of and keenly appreciates.   When at his home in Oneonta he volunteers several days a week at a busy local food pantry. In his absences that has also included mandatory self-quarantines upon returning home from deployments, other volunteers, among whom his wife, Sallyann, is one, step up to carry out the work he would normally be performing.

Then too, adding even more to the year’s remarkable achievements is the fact that while all of these Red Cross responses to natural disasters were taking place, irreplaceable, ongoing routine services like community blood drives and Disaster Assistance Teams that respond 24/7 to emergencies such as residential home fires likewise continued.   

Whether contributing financially, donating blood, or through volunteer service like Don Lamanna’s, there are a wide range of opportunities for others who would like to be part of the gratifying and crucial work the American Red Cross has provided for almost 140 years.  Learn more by visiting redcross.org.

Story by Robert Eurich, American Red Cross

Service runs deep for American Red Cross volunteer

 “Keeping busy by being useful” is a key reason why retired career U.S. Army officer, Bruce Ressner, says he has become an American Red Cross volunteer. In so doing he has joined hundreds of volunteers in the Western New York Region. 

Nationally, volunteers make up 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce who attend to a wide variety of tasks such as running blood drives and teaching classes to providing for emergency needs of those affected by major disasters.  Red Cross volunteers like Bruce come from all sorts of backgrounds and communities but they also share many things in common.  Among those common traits is a desire to help and be of service to others.  Based in the Southern Tier, Bruce knows a few things about service and brings with him a wealth of experience to the roles he plays.

A West Point Military Academy graduate, dad, grandfather, and husband of 28 years to his wife Mary,  “Rezz,” as he likes to be called, only became a Red Cross volunteer in 2019 but quickly stepped up to apply his skills and interests to areas of need. One of the tasks he takes care of is overseeing a centrally located Red Cross warehouse containing everything from cots, blankets, personal comfort kits and shovels to power generators and lights.  

Not surprisingly, Bruce also participates in Service to the Armed Forces, logging between 80 to 120 follow-up calls a month helping to ensure military personnel and their families are aware of counseling and support that’s available to them.

Although health concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has put a hold on  the Red Cross “Sound the Alarm” initiative, Rezz has likewise taken part in the project that installs free smoke alarms in homes and offers fire safety information to families.   When not dedicating his time to the Red Cross, Bruce also serves as a driver for Meals on Wheels as well as filling in where needed at the Binghamton German Club.

Adding to his impressive dedication to service, Rezz went on his first Red Cross deployment this year in support of services being provided to Texas and Louisiana following Hurricane Laura.   Deploying again is something he says ranks high on his list of goals.

While not everyone can engage in as robust a manner as Bruce has, whether contributing financially, donating blood or through volunteer service, there are a wide range of opportunities for others who would like to be part of the impactful, ongoing work the American Red Cross has provided since its founding in 1881.  Learn more by visiting redcross.org/volunteertoday

Story by Robert Eurich, American Red Cross

Red Cross team member shares ‘full circle’ experiences that inspire her to give back

Sarah Judkins says she didn’t fully appreciate the constant need for blood donors – even when she began working for the American Red Cross.

It wasn’t until a year later when she was called away from work at a blood drive due to a family emergency. She learned that her brother was experiencing complications from a planned surgical procedure, and upon arriving at the hospital still wearing her scrubs from the blood drive, the first thing she saw hanging over his bed was a unit of donated blood.

It was at that moment Sarah made a deep-rooted connection. “This is what I do every day, and now it has touched my family personally,” she recalled thinking at the time. She says her brother would’ve lost his life that day had he not received multiple blood transfusions made possible by volunteer blood donors.

Sarah experienced additional “full circle” moments years later when her mother, Jane, who suffered from a degenerative bone disease, went to the hospital for a seventh hip surgery and needed platelets in order to move forward with the procedure. Eight months later, Jane again received donor blood in the form of plasma, platelets and red cells when she underwent open heart surgery.

A regular donor herself, Sarah currently gives platelets and plasma and has rolled up her sleeves 14 times already this year alone in order to make a difference for others facing the unexpected.

This summer, Sarah honored the anniversary of her mother’s passing by donating blood, accompanied by an unusual guest, “Phyllis the Flamingo” (pictured). Phyllis was a gift from Sarah’s mother – renowned for practical jokes – and ended up being the last gift her mother ever gave her. Around the time Sarah received Phyllis, her mother was unable to join the family on a summer vacation, so Phyllis came along for the journey instead.  Sarah documented it all in a special photo album that was gifted back to Jane to help lift her spirits on the morning of her cardiac surgery.

Today, Sarah says she looks at Phyllis and smiles not only remembering her mother, but also celebrating the precious gift of time that blood donors gave her family for the eight months between her mother’s surgeries.

She finds meaning working with Red Cross collections team because it places her close to the organization’s mission and allows her to help ensure donors have a great experience and return for future donations. During this uncertain time, the Red Cross needs healthy, eligible individuals to give blood or platelets for patients battling disease and facing the unexpected, now and in the weeks and months to come. 

Appointments can be scheduled through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS.

"Not every family is touched by the need for blood and my family was impacted by blood donors more than once,” Sarah remarked. “Next time it may be someone else’s family who has that critical need and I want to be sure I am doing my part to be there for them.”

Story by: Katie Potter, American Red Cross 

Western New York Region Remembers John "Jack" Miller

 

Jack Miller: December 13, 1928 - July 22, 2020

"Take an hour to save a life." That was the self-proclaimed motto of Jack Miller, an Auburn resident and lifelong American Red Cross blood donor and volunteer. Jack passed away in July, leaving behind his loving wife and family, and an incredible legacy of community giving.  

Jack started donating blood in 1949 while attending the University of Pennsylvania. By the time he retired from Sylvania Electronics Corporation, Jack had donated 104 pints of blood, an impressive 13 gallons! In his retirement, Jack began to dedicate even more time to the Red Cross by becoming a volunteer with the Cayuga County blood services team. 

He began his support of the organization phoning donors, coordinating blood drives, and transporting donations, all while continuing to roll up his own sleeve to give the gift of life anytime he was eligible. In June 2000, after 52 years and 340 units donated (120 whole blood, 143 platelet, and 77 plasma), Jack was deferred indefinitely due to a condition that required he take blood thinning medication.

Jack viewed his inability to continue to give blood as simply “another door opening.” That same year, he turned his time and tireless efforts each and every month toward managing a regular blood drive held at the United Methodist Church in Auburn. This special drive soon became known as “Jack’s Drive,” the output of which he proudly grew by more than double, consistently averaging 100 donors or more and impacting tens of thousands of lives over the years.

Jack knew how important his drive was to our blood supply, and in turn he was known to run a tight ship. Each month, he made over 300 calls to area donors – some multiple times – to ensure his drive would be a success. He ran registration and would make sure there were copies of the local paper on hand just in case of a wait. After each month’s drive, Jack sent personal thank you letters and recognized milestone donations.

“When I think about Jack, it brings a smile to my face. I can still see him with one of his many Red Cross T-shirts on, which he wore with such pride,” said Roberta Kryk, a Red Cross Account Manager in Rochester.

As time passed and Jack began stepping back from his 110% hands-on approach, he would still stop in each month with his wife, Dot, to ensure things were running to his expectations (and collect his favorite Cheez-Its from the refreshment area).

“Jack’s commitment to the local blood donors and hospital recipients is well-known and respected by many. His personal touch and sense of caring paired with a tenacious spirit made him a shining star in our Red Cross family, and he will be greatly missed” said Shawn O’Hargan, Regional Market Manager, American Red Cross Blood Services.

Over the years, he built a resume of accolades including Volunteer of the Year (2001-2002), Individual Outstanding Contributions Award (2004), Blood Services Volunteer Award and Real Heroes Blood Donor Award (2013).

The Red Cross will hold a blood drive in Jack’s memory in the coming months at the Auburn United Methodist Church where his monthly drive took place, honoring his more than two decades stewarding the Red Cross’ lifesaving mission.

The Miller family has asked that any contributions in Jack’s memory be made to the American Red Cross, 825 John Street, West Henrietta, NY 14586 (Memo: In Memory of Jack Miller).

Story by: Katie Potter, American Red Cross 

Volunteer Spotlight: Disaster Services Technology Lead John Hatch

In observation of National Volunteer Week, we are highlighting some of our extraordinary volunteers who serve our communities every day.

Today, communications volunteer Tim Snedden introduces us to Disaster Services Technology Lead John Hatch.

Picture a blood drive, and the equipment used to make it happen. Phlebotomists move around beds with confidence, carefully handling blood bags and needles. Packages of cookies crackle as they’re set down beside water bottles standing in neat formation. These days, American Red Cross volunteers screen donors with thermometers at the door, and masks make smiling with your eyes a necessity. All of these are crucial pieces of gear for any blood drive, but something’s missing from the list.

Any guesses?

How about computers? From completing your RapidPass on a tablet, to staff recording your questionnaire answers on a laptop, digital technology is critical for facilitating the mission of the Red Cross. Today we’re introducing you to John Hatch, Disaster Services Technology Lead. He’s the man behind the curtain, so to speak, managing the technological foundation of Western New York’s Red Cross activities.

John Hatch

Before joining the Red Cross, John worked for New York’s canal system. After retiring, he sought to give back to his community and began volunteering with his local Disaster Action Team (DAT). Suffice to say, he quickly became hooked, and entered into a Disaster Services Technology role soon after.

This new role came with a set of challenges that John met head-on. Maintaining existing equipment remains a constant necessity. At the same time, modernizing the Red Cross by replacing obsolete equipment is always important, although budget restrictions create a delicate balance that’s surely familiar to any IT professional.

It’s not all about the technology, either. John works with a batch of volunteers who help him with a variety of ongoing projects including a new phone system and device refreshes. “It’s important to keep volunteers involved by giving them meaningful tasks,” he says. It’s easy to tell that he’s very fond of his team.

Much like how a computer is an assembly of unique and important parts, John is proud of the collaborative efforts he’s been involved in with the Red Cross. In Buffalo this past January, a variety of volunteers came together for a joint blood drive and telethon. While part of the group hit the phones in one room, donors gave blood in the other. Communications volunteers wrangled a TV news spot and monetary donations and blood donation appointments flowed in. By all accounts it was a great collaborative success, facilitated by the technology that John and his team managed.

John’s focus has shifted since the COVID-19 outbreak, which has created an increased need for technology. In-person meetings are not recommended while we practice physical distancing, but face-to-face communication remains important. The solution? Ensuring DAT team members have the phones they need to video chat with their clients, ensuring vital support without physical contact. It can be hard to adjust, but given the right tools, volunteers are adapting to the new situation. If anything, the increased need for technology has helped to illustrate how important it is to almost every organization.

Unfortunately, the outbreak has kept John from his annual trip to the white sands of Myrtle

Beach. He shrugs it off, though: “It’s only delayed,” he told me, “and there’s always next year.”

Interested in helping the American Red Cross? Learn more about becoming a volunteer here or contact your local Red Cross chapter for more information.

Providing Customer Service as a Blood Services Volunteer

“I bring to my job, whatever I do, the customer service I learned at Wegmans,” says Red Cross volunteer, Sue Kirkland. “Treat customers the way I would hope they would treat me.”

Sue Kirkland and her canine companion Susie

After retiring from Wegmans in 2018, Kirkland immediately restarted an old habit that dated back to her high school days: donating blood every two months. While donating on February 6, she mentioned to one of the Red Cross team members that she’d be interested in becoming a volunteer as well.

“I came on board just in time for COVID!”, Kirkland said. She was scheduled to work in her initial role as a Blood Donor Ambassador at Kenmore West High School in Western New York the first day the Red Cross began requiring health screenings for staff and donors prior to entering a blood drive to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. She stepped in as Blood Drive Screener that day, asking health questions, taking temperatures and providing hand sanitizer for everyone as they entered the drive.

“Baptism by fire,” Kirkland says. “I just did it, then it became the norm.” Of course, there is very little normal about these uncertain times, and additional precautions have since been added to ensure the safety of everyone entering any Red Cross facility or community blood drive, including wearing face masks. Kirkland says everyone has been grateful for the safety measures the Red Cross has implemented, including herself.

“At one of the first drives, someone pointed out that I’m in a higher risk group being over 60, and asked if I felt comfortable,” she says. “I feel confident in what I’ve been doing to keep myself safe so that I can keep others safe.”

Kirkland also says she’s comfortable in knowing that the Red Cross staff, especially her supervisor, Aaron Wilson, will be there to support her if she ever does have a question or concern. She says the staff and her fellow volunteers have been phenomenal during this outbreak, and on the rare times during her 1-2 volunteer shifts a week when a team member or donor is having a bad day, her customer service background kicks in.

“We’re all feeling a little lost, isolated,” Kirkland says. “I keep in mind that people are coming out trying to help, so I’ll bend over backwards and try to meet them where they are.”

If you’re looking for a way to help, and get out of the house during this coronavirus outbreak, consider joining Sue Kirkland as a Blood Drive or Facilities Screener, asking health questions and taking temperatures with an infrared thermometer as people enter Red Cross facilities or blood drives. There are shifts available across the Western New York region, click this link for more information. And thanks to the efforts of volunteers like Sue, you can also safely make a donation appointment for the weeks ahead to ensure a stable blood supply throughout this pandemic at redcrossblood.org

Story by: Jay Bonafede, Chief Communications Officer

American Red Cross, Western New York Region

Virtual Workshops to Help Military and Veteran Communities Cope During COVID-19

The American Red Cross is launching a new virtual workshop for active military members, Guard, Reservists, veterans, and their families that addresses unique stressors felt by this community during the COVID-19 pandemic.  It is the first time the Red Cross will be utilizing a virtual platform for a Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) workshop. Michael Willis, a licensed mental health professional, is one of the facilitators for the virtual workshop. Dr. Willis notes sources of stress can vary from individual to individual, as well as the ways in which we each cope with stress.  He points out that, in addition to the uncertainty, stress and isolation associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a lot of loss, and with that, a lot of grief. Dr. Willis notes the loss isn't just about the death of a loved one but can also include the loss of a job and connections to family, friends and co-workers, and it is important to know how to cope with the grief that accompanies it.  For military personnel and their families, these losses are compounded by additional stressors such as delayed reunions or altered deployment schedules.  In addition, veterans may have difficulty accessing community resources that provide medical and behavioral health services, training or social support, which can affect mental health during this time of sheltering-in-place.

Although the in-person and virtual workshops encourage attendee participation through discussion and sharing, such participation is voluntary.  People can also attend and only listen. All content shared by participants in the workshop is kept confidential. The 60-90-minute virtual workshop will cover topics such as the signs and symptoms of stress, effective communication to decrease stress, relaxation exercises, recommendations for better sleep, stress reduction techniques and establishing a relationship between what you think and how you feel. 

Dr. Michael Willis  

The SAF workshop facilitators, like Dr. Willis, are all licensed mental health professionals, and deeply committed to helping the Service members, veterans and their families.  Dr. Willis has been a SAF volunteer since 2014 and has led over 40 reconnection workshops of which 14 workshops focused specifically on stress management for the American Red Cross SAF division.    He also represented the Red Cross on an Honor Flight to Washington DC to provide mental health support to the participating veterans. When presenting the workshops, his favorite part is interacting with participants during the activity portions, and Dr. Willis believes the most beneficial aspect of the program is the "toolbox" of stress management techniques the participants take with them.

To learn more about the workshop, or to register, contact your local American Red Cross chapter, or contact them by visiting redcross.org and entering your zip code.

Story by: Karin Schneider, Communications Volunteer

American Red Cross, Western New York Region

National Volunteer Week: Disaster Action Team Volunteer Anna Underhill

In observation of National Volunteer Week, we are highlighting some of our extraordinary volunteers who serve our communities every day. 

Today, communications volunteer Karin Schneider introduces us to Disaster Action Team member Anna Underhill. 

Anna Underhill

Anna Underhill, a woman in her 20s, found her way to the Disaster Action Team (DAT) during a blood platelet donation.  While at the donation center, she saw a local news story about a DAT response to a home fire. Anna felt drawn to the services DAT teams provide to people who are impacted by home fires - funds for immediate need items, lodging, and most importantly, emotional support, so she contacted her local Red Cross chapter in Ontario County to sign-up. 

Initially, she felt intimidated by the amount of training being a DAT member requires. However, since most of it was online, she was able to work on it around her schedule.  Once her formal training was complete, she went on responses as a trainee, being guided by her mentor, until she graduated to member status.   About 15 people are on DAT teams in Ontario, and if they are called to five fires during a month, it is a busy one, but DAT also helps the community in other ways.  For example, Anna and other DAT members install smoke alarms in homes and man a table at the local farmer's market once a month to provide information about disaster preparedness.

What makes Anna rare as a DAT member is her age.  Most DAT members are decades older than her, and I was curious about Anna's thoughts as to why more young people don't join DAT.  She said her peers do want to volunteer, but usually for one-time events.  She thinks the idea of a long-term volunteer commitment scares off some, and others are intimidated by the idea of helping others during a crisis.  I then asked how Anna made it work for her.  She said although her initial thought of helping people in crisis was a daunting one, the training and mentoring she received made her feel very prepared for the role.  Although the training is extensive, it is absolutely possible to do it around one's schedule.  House fires are unpredictable, of course, so she cannot schedule around those, but options are to respond when available, or pick a shift to be on call when she can make responses a priority (i.e. an overnight shift since she works during the day).

Regardless of age, the DAT members are a very committed group of volunteers, and the residents they serve during time of need can attest to the invaluable help that is provided both during and after a crisis. Yet, since home fires and other emergencies can happen to anyone, regardless to age, race and economic status, it can only make DAT stronger when the members are as diverse as the communities they serve.  In addition, having members at different stages of life provides reinforcement. For example, retirees can cover day responses younger working people cannot. In return, younger people can cover responses at night that older members may be hesitant to, and during times like now, when Matilda’s Law is in effect.  Fortunately for all, DAT is currently able to handle most responses virtually to conform to social distancing rules and protect the volunteers and neighbors they serve.

To learn more about what it means to be a DAT member, please contact your local Red Cross chapter, or you read more about it here. 

-Story by: Karin Schneider, American Red Cross Communications Volunteer

Central New York Real Heroes Breakfast

by Karin Schneider

'Tis the season for the American Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast! Each year, American Red Cross chapters across the region honor local community members who went above and beyond in different categories of humanitarian accomplishment. I had the exciting opportunity to attend the 21st Annual Central New York Real Heroes Breakfast on Dec. 4 at the Oncenter in Syracuse, where staff and volunteers from our local chapter managed to turn the large ballroom into a warm and elegant dining environment. 

Karin Schneider, John Walsh
and Brian Johnson of Dannible & McKee LLP 

As a new Disaster Action Team volunteer, I was asked to carry the banner announcing the Workplace Safety honoree, John Walsh.  During John's career as manager of American Airlines at Hancock International Airport, he became the leading force of the airport's Airline Response Plan in case of an accident. I really enjoyed talking to him, and learned interesting insights about airline emergency responses. 

All the honorees were paraded out with the category's corporate sponsor and banner holder before breakfast was served.  After the meal, each honoree was called to the podium where the sponsor spoke a few words about the honoree, and a video vignette was shown providing a visual story of his or her accomplishment.  

Alberto Bianchetti and "RJ" Drager 

One of my favorite sponsor presenters was Alberto Bianchetti from National Grid who presented the Youth Good Samaritan award to 7-year-old Robert James"RJ" Drager, who saved his friend from drowning. Alberto recited facts about RJ that he had learned from previous conversations ranging from the pet dog to favorite activities, and confirmed each fact with RJ, who always responded with an enthusiastic "Yes!" One couldn't help but to smile the entire time.

Overall, the event left me with warm and happy feelings.  It was reassuring to be reminded that good and caring citizens live in our community, not only by the honorees, but by the CNY Chapter of the American Red Cross and corporate sponsors of the event. I'm looking forward to next year!

2019 Central New York Real Heroes and Sponsors 

Karin Schneider is a volunteer with the American Red Cross of Central New York. 

Volunteerism: Above & Beyond

I spotted a whole box of bagels at the kitchen on Friday!

“Doug is here!” said by one staff member at the Central New York Chapter. The “anonymous” guy (at least he thinks he is) is Doug North, who was here at the Syracuse office attending a meeting for the launch of Sound the Alarm and he brought us bagels like he often does.

Today, I am going to introduce you to Doug North, our amazing volunteer. Last Wednesday, Doug was presented with the Volunteerism: Above & Beyond award from the United Way of Central New York, honoring his exemplary selfless service to members of the community. Doug became a Red Cross Volunteer with the Central New York Chapter on October 9, 2014. He is an outstanding Chapter Disaster Action Team Leader responsible for coordinating the efforts of his team as first responders on the scene of a local disaster. The team responds to disaster scenes, day or night, so they can provide emergency assistance to families who have been displaced due to fires, floods, etc. He and his team responded to 47 emergency calls in 2017.

Doug works full time, but he logged an amazing 2,066 disaster response on-call hours and an impressive 423 general hours volunteering in a variety of positions last year. In addition to Disaster Services, he works as a volunteer caseworker for the Service of the Armed Forces Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) team. Doug provided 20 briefings for 963 family members of new military recruits.

When Doug and his team respond to home fires, they meet with the impacted residents to determine their immediate needs. “They may have just lost everything and what we can do is to provide the financial assistance to provide them clothes, to book hotels for them, to help them get through the first few days,” said Doug. No matter what the need, Doug never hesitates to leave his bed, his home and his family to help strangers in their time of greatest need. His family says they don’t think he knows the words “no” or “can’t.” Doug is often on call, and he volunteered his time on Independence Day and Thanksgiving last year. It’s in his nature to help people in need. The question they often ask is, “What should I do now?” It may be 2 a.m., they’re in their pajamas watching their home burn and here comes the Red Cross to offer help and comfort.

When I asked Doug to give me some inspiring quotes so that we can pass on to people. He said, “I don’t know if I really have any inspiring quotes, but I know the Red Cross is helping people when they are lost. The power of the Red Cross is being able to coordinate with our partners and supporters to pass the kindness of people to those in need.” People like Doug, and other Red Cross volunteers build bridges to help in their lowest points.

Thank you, Doug for all you do for our community.

Cara Wang - Communications Intern

There’s great people all over.

“It’s hard to do but it is also very rewarding to know that you were there to help them.. Even if it’s just a little bit.”   

- Diane Sargent

Those were the words of volunteers Diane Sargent and Dennis Scott when I was given the opportunity to sit down and asked them about what it is that they do here at the Western and Central NY Red Cross and what keeps them going. Diane and Dennis are part of the Disaster Action Team (DAT) and they are the people who rotate on call shifts after 5 p.m. to morning on weekdays and 24/7 on weekends.

“When you’re out there in the middle of the night and it’s freezing cold and you see an individual standing out there and their house was all burnt out, they have nothing but what they have on..”- Diane

When there is a fire and the people are displaced because they cannot live in their residences, the DAT helps with their immediate needs by providing them with food, clothing, and temporary shelter to start their recovery process. The victims are eventually referred back to the Red Cross or other social services to help with their future plans until they can get back on their feet.

Dennis at a fire scene.

“We go ground-zero into the burned houses to access the damage. The grieve at the moment for the families.. we kind of feel the burden of the families because of their loss...”-Dennis

Diane recalled an incident where she visited a young mother who was hospitalized with her newborn baby after a fire that happened when she accidentally fell asleep with the candle on. “As soon as everyone had left the room and the door closes, she burst into tears. “They can’t take my baby away..” she said. Thank God I was there because I was able to comfort her, to tell her that it was all okay and that things happen but it was all an accident.”

“I got a place to come back to at the end of the day, but somebody else needs my help..”-Dennis

Diane was at the 9/11 in New York City, working in the Soup Kitchen when she saw the Red Cross working. Soon after, she contacted the Red Cross and has been volunteering ever since. Dennis, on the other hand, had always known that he wanted to help people. “I always knew I wanted to do something (to help). One day I went into Soup Kitchen to get presents for the kids because they couldn't afford it and they had set up a venue for different agencies. I saw the Red Cross and at that point, a light went on and I knew I wanted to do it.”

“Sometimes I go out (to disaster-stricken places) and see things and it gets really heavy, but there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.”-Diane

Despite the heavy commitment required of them, Diane and Dennis have never thought about giving up. “Eventually, everybody’s houses either get rebuilt or they moved elsewhere, of course there are people who died. It’s hard, but I've never felt like giving up.” Dennis went on to add that “we might be in that circumstances one day and hopefully somebody is going to be there for us. I don’t want to give up on them because I don’t want them to give up on me in the time of need. This is what I signed up to do, it just becomes my mission. My strength and endurance is there and I just strive for it.”

At the end of our brief chat, Diane and Dennis left me with some words of wisdom. “If it (helping people) is for you, you’re not getting away from it because you know you can really help somebody, you know you can start the process of helping someone recover. When you experienced it then you’ll really understand what it is. It’s not adrenaline. It’s something special that we do. And it gives me the strength to go.” With that, the conversation ended on a positive note.

Thank you, Diane and Dennis for sharing your experiences with me!

Diane with a youngster.

“Because I give and I help. I believe when that time comes, it will come back to me.”-Dennis 

If you're interested in helping your community like Dennis and Diane, you can start your own volunteer story by visiting our website!

-Valerie Ho, Western New York Chapter Intern