By Tom Peno, Fund Development Officer, American Red Cross Gold Country Region
Sometimes, it’s the chance encounters that create the most memorable moments….
So here is my poinsettia delivery moment from this past week. While I was delivering the pointto a Dr’s office at Sutter Roseville, I noticed an elderly couple prepping to get in their minivan. I estimated late-seventies or early eighties. She was securing his wheelchair on the back of the car and he was moving toward the front of the car. I noticed his Vietnam Veteran hat on his head and thought, “I bet they would like a poinsettia!” I told them I was with the Red Cross and wanted to give them one of my extra poinsettia’s and to thank her husband for serving our country. She was delighted to receive her plant and went to shake his hand. At that point he began playing with something in the back seat. He handed me a piece of paper with a poem he wrote titled “My Christmas Wish for You.” (I will have copies for everyone next week).
I thanked him for serving our country and he then produced a very large three ring binder from the back seat of the car, which was probably as old as I was and pointed to the picture on the front and said “that’s my picture!” The picture was somewhat faded and of a young solider in OD green BDU’s in what appeared to be a forward operating base. He proceeded to flip through the book and explain to me that he was in “the smell zone.” Picture after picture of men in various situations, places and conditions flashed before my eyes. Magazine covers, black-n-white and color pictures, faded and tattered…they just kept coming. I asked if these were all his and he said “yes, I was a photojournalist during the war” and at that point it occurred to me that these were “his pictures.”
His name, SSgt Lyle V. Boggess Jr. He serve in Vietnam and I was honored to have met him.
On December 4, the Sacramento City and Metropolitan Fire Departments partnered to stage a dramatic demonstration at their training facility which showed how a dry Christmas tree and faulty lights or a candle can spark a home fire. And, they showed the tremendous value and benefit to working smoke alarms. Though the demonstration fire ignited and grew quickly, the smoke alarm sounded loud and clear providing potential residents the opportunity to escape to safety. Research shows that smoke alarms cut the risk of death from home fires in half. Are your smoke alarms working properly? Have you checked the batteries lately?
Protect yourself and your family in two simple steps:
Develop a fire escape plan.
Develop a fire escape plan for your household. Practice it several times every year at different times of the day and night. Make sure everyone can get out of your home in two minutes, or less.
Include two ways to exit every room.
Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas or homes above the ground floor, such as apartments.
Pick an outside meeting place for your family to gather. Ensure everyone , young and old, knows where your meeting place is.
Check smoke alarm batteries and install new alarms, if needed.
Test your smoke alarm batteries every month.
Replace batteries at least once a year, or more often, if needed.
Make sure you have smoke alarms on every level of your home, in every bedroom, and near every sleeping area.
Be prepared! Make a plan and check your alarms today!
Calaveras County Public Works Department has opened sand and gravel bag locations to assist in flood control for structure protection. This service is free to County residents. Proof of residency will be required. The best time to install sand or gravel bags is before the storm brings rain to your area. Plan ahead and be prepared.
Calaveras County Sand Bag Locations
Arnold
Arnold Maintenance Yard, 11191 Linebaugh Road (Closes at 3:30 p.m.)
The holiday season has officially started, with major feasting and shopping days packed into the last week of November. Now, on the first day of December, the American Red Cross launches a time to Give Something that Means Something, joining non-profits across the country for Giving Tuesday.
Wondering how can you participate? We have plenty of options – a whole catalog’s worth! You can choose gifts to donate in honor of the special people in your life. Free holiday greeting cards are also available to announce your gifts or send a Red Cross eCard. Finally, know your gift will help people when they need it most.
Blanketsthat give comfort and security to victims of disasters.
In a disaster, children and families are often exposed to the elements. You can provide warm, cozy blankets to protect them from the cold and help them sleep comfortably in emergency shelters.
Fire safetytraining and smoke alarms to help reduce fire-related deaths and injuries in at-risk communities.
Home fires are the greatest disaster threat to American families and communities. Approximately seven people die every day from home fires, and nearly every 8 minutes the American Red Cross responds to a home fire or other disaster. Your gift helps the Red Cross reduce home fire related deaths and injuries in at-risk communities by working with volunteers, local fire departments and community partners to install smoke alarms and provide fire safety education and training.
Many service members return from deployment and need help readjusting to their home, work and community. Reconnection workshops help these service members, veterans and their families through small-group discussions led by licensed mental health professionals- addressing issues like stress, depression, communication and supporting children. Help families reconnect today.
Blood servicesto help ensure blood is safe and available for those in need.
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. The Red Cross must collect 15,000 blood donations every day to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Your gift today will enable us to recruit volunteer blood donors, collect and test their blood, and deliver lifesaving blood products to patients in need. Red Cross blood provides hope for patients and often means the difference between life and death.
Stay tuned to Red Cross social channels, including Twitter and Facebook, to see Red Cross work in action. Follow and use #GiveWithMeaning on social channels during this campaign and throughout holiday season.
Sacramento, CA – November 30, 2015 – The forecast for a strong El Niño is making news with an El Niño weather pattern that could be one of the strongest on record. While there are no guarantees, there is the potential for a significant wet winter. Thus, American Red Cross is encouraging residents to prepare their homes and property for the coming wet weather and to arm themselves with safety tips- before significant storms arrive.
“With the threat of El Niño ahead, it is important for every family to be prepared for flooding, landslides, power outages and more,” said Gary Strong, CEO of the American Red Cross Gold Country Region. “Make sure everyone in your home is prepared for disasters big and small. Have an emergency kit always ready to go with essential items like food, water, medications, and flashlights.”
As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for El Niño:
Downloading the free Red Cross Emergency App to your mobile devices: The Red Cross Emergency App provides people with instant access to emergency alerts and life-saving information. Available for smart phones and tablets, it includes content on what to do before, during and after a variety of severe weather events. Users can customize more than 35 emergency weather alerts based on their location and where loved ones live. The app also includes tips on how assemble an emergency kit for your family in the event of a power outage or evacuation, an “I’m Safe” button to let loved ones know you are okay, and a real-time map to help you find the location of Red Cross shelters should you need to leave your home. The app has a Spanish language toggle switch and can be downloaded by visiting redcross.org/apps.
Creating and practicing a Disaster Plan: Talk to everyone in your household about what to do if a flood occurs. Decide where you would meet and who you would contact in case of flooding. Assemble and maintain an emergency preparedness kit. Be prepared to evacuate your family and pets at a moment’s notice. To locate the nearest Red Cross emergency shelter, check your flood app or visit redcross.org/shelter. Listen to area radio and television stations for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress.
Assembling an Emergency Preparedness Kit: Kits should contain a first aid kit and a seven-day supply of essential medications, foods that don’t require cooking or refrigeration and manual can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries, copies of important documents like your insurance policies, cell phone chargers, family and emergency contact information, maps of the area and other emergency items for the whole family.
Heeding Storm Warnings: A severe storm WATCH means severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the designated area. People in a watch area should keep informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued. A severe storm WARNING means severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning. Seek shelter immediately. The National Weather Service recommends staying inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap.
Heeding Flood Warnings: Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated flood information. A flood WATCH means flooding or flash flooding is possible in your area. A food WARNING means flooding or flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
Relocating During Flood Warnings: Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankle, stop, turn around and go another way. If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water. Keep children and pets out of the water, as they are curious and can be harmed by flowing or contaminated water. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
Respond During a Landslide: Stay alert and awake. Many deaths from landslides occur while people are sleeping. If you suspect imminent danger, evacuate immediately. Inform affected neighbors if you can, and contact your public works, fire or police department. Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and notice whether the water changes from clear to muddy. Such changes may mean there is debris flow activity upstream so be prepared to move quickly. Be especially alert when driving— watch for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks and other indications of possible debris flow. If you are ordered or decide to evacuate, take your animals with you. Consider a precautionary evacuation of large or numerous animals as soon as you are aware of impending danger.
We urge you to share these Red Cross preparedness tips with every member of your household, because the best protection is to be prepared ahead of time. For more information on what to do before, during and after a flood, landslide and more, please visit redcross.org/prepare.
About the American Red Cross Gold Country Region. 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. The Gold Country Region serves a twenty-four county territory including Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba counties. For more information, visit www.redcross.org/GoldCountry or follow us on Twitter @RCSierraDelta and @RedCrossNECal.
My name is Robert Albonico. I am a Volunteer Preparedness Specialist as well as a Disaster and Emergency Services Volunte
er.
When I first learned about the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign, i had no idea what it was. Some days later, someone told me. This a campaign to install smoke alarms in low-income neighborhoods throughout the Sacramento area. It has the ability to not only save property, but lives as well. However, this was not always the case. This happened years ago while we were living in the Philippines. We had a very minor fire that caused no damage, but the fire department was called as a precaution. I kept saying, “what if this had happened while we were all sleeping.” This would have been an entirely different matter. The American Red Cross was available at the time, but no one though of them as they do today. If given the opportunity, the Red Cross will definitely help.
The Home Fire Preparedness Campaign begins on Saturday December 5, 2015. There will be notifications delivered door-to-door the day before. I hope everyone accepts this generous offer without reservations.
Being separated from family is difficult, especially in times of an emergency. We help deliver urgent messages to service members who may need to return home during a family crisis. The Red Cross is the only organization trusted to provide verified reports of family events, such as births, illnesses or deaths, enabling service members and their commanders to assess the need to return home.
Major Andy Anderson was one service member who was helped by our emergency messaging services while he was deployed to Iraq. Hear him tell his story about how he was able to return home for the birth of his child thanks to this important message.
The American Red Cross invites volunteers to participate in the nationwide smoke alarm installation and Home Fire Safety Education initiative, to be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. December 5 in 17 Sacramento neighborhoods.
Participants must be 13 or older and are asked to bring a battery-operated drill, a Philips-head screwdriver and a step ladder. Teams of five will work on smoke alarm installation, home fire safety education, data collection and neighborhood canvassing.
For locations and to register, visit http://bit.ly/Goal1000 . The deadline to sign up to volunteer has been extended to December 2! Sign up now!
Thanksgiving is really my favorite holiday of them all. A day for family, great food, football, family games and just sit around and remember the year that we’ve enjoyed, the ups and downs that helps us grow and learn. It’s also a time to reflect how we are so blessed.
Hopefully you are all ready for tomorrow with your recipe list and shopping list! (I know, I don’t have to worry much, because I have an awesome mother-in-law who spoils everyone on Thanksgiving!)
Now, we want to help you with your #GivingTuesday to do list to get your friends, fans, family, and followers ready to give this holiday week:
Wednesday: As you travel this week, take time to share on social media how you are giving and why. Post an #UNselfie with a pledge to give on #GivingTuesday. Write a Facebook or blog post about your ideas to give. Lots of people will be tuning in to social today – let’s make the conversation about giving.
Thursday: Enjoy your Thanksgiving by sharing what you are thankful for. Invite your friends and family to join you in saying thanks and have a discussion about how you can give to others on #GivingTuesday.
Friday: As you get amazing deals, remember to think about those who cannot afford gifts this season. Track how much you save and donate back some of those savings to charity on #GivingTuesday.
Saturday: Connect with your local small businesses about how they serve your community. Ask them to talk to customers about how they can support local charities on 12/1.
Sunday: Rest up and share one act of kindness or story from the weekend that inspires you to give. This can be from conversations at Thanksgiving to someone opening a door for you at a store. Celebrate this kindness and spread the giving spirit.
Monday: Go online and tweet, post, record, and share how you are giving back on 12/1. People will be sharing deals. Let’s share plans for #GivingTuesday and making giving go viral!
Tuesday: It’s the big day!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe travels. We’re so excited to have you on board this #GivingTuesday. YOU make this movement a reality!
Hey guys, just me Sophie again! I am just going to give you all a quick overview of the events we have done this semester and how we plan to finish up.
We have had quite a busy semester so far. Back in October we had our third annual haunted house; we have this event to provide a safe environment for kids of all ages to have a safe environment to go ‘trick-or-treating’ to each booth where they also get to play games. There is also a maze that is frightfully fun. Another event (well series of events, I guess) we have done is volunteer for Safe Rides at our school. Our student government provides this service for students to ensure that they receive a safe ride home. The service runs Wednesday through Saturday and from 9pm-2am. Clubs that volunteer five times a semester receive funding for their club. It is actually quite fun volunteering for this event. There is one driver and one navigator (we call them navis for short); normally we switch around being partners every night so members can get closer to each other and not just hang out with their one friend every time they volunteer together. Also, earlier in the semester we volunteered for the Alzheimer’s walk. At the walk we were placed towards the finish line to encourage walkers to finish strong. We have also volunteered for the Causeway Classic Blood Drive at our school. The blood drive is a competition that Sac State and UC Davis has every year to encourage more student participation. Unfortunately, I am unsure of who won this year.
Some upcoming events we have include our last Safe Rides of the semester on November 20. We will definitely be volunteering again next semester! Also, we will be volunteering for the Home Fire Preparedness event on December 4th and 5th. The 4th we will be precanvasing with some local high school Red Cross clubs for the actual event on Saturday the 5th. What we will be doing is installing free smoke alarms in underprivileged areas of Sacramento for free. Our goal is to install 1000 smoke alarms that day!
The holiday season has officially started, with major feasting and shopping days packed into the last week of November. Now, on the first day of December, the American Red Cross launches a time to Give Something that Means Something, joining non-profits across the country for Giving Tuesday.
My name is Robert Albonico. I am a Volunteer Preparedness Specialist as well as a Disaster and Emergency Services Volunte
Happy day before Thanksgiving!
Gold Country News and Notes 