Pets and Disaster Safety

Pets and Disaster Safety

April is Pet First Aid Awareness month. While this is a great time for pet owners to brush up on tips for keeping their animals safe and healthy, it is also a great time to think about your disaster plan. During the first few months of the 2012 Spring Storm season we have already seen a great deal of disaster in our Region and across the Midwest. 

How prepared are you and your family for the unimaginable? Having a plan for you and your fur kids is the key to keeping your family safe and together during and after a disaster. It is critical that the millions of pet parents nationwide address the needs of four-legged friends as they make emergency preparedness kits and plan for the unexpected. Emergencies can require responding at a moment’s notice and it’s important to know how to care for your pet in these situations.

“It is important to have a plan for pets because it is our responsibility as “Pet Parents” to be prepared. Here in the Southern Missouri Region, we have great partnerships with local and county partners for pets after a disaster, but if more owners are prepared before a disaster there will be less loss of animal life and less need for a large scale rescue for pets” says Greg Gaines, the Missouri Region D Mass Care Coordinator with the American Red Cross.

Here are a few things to be sure to think about to help you be prepared for your pets safety.

• Use a container that can be carried easily
• Keep items in an accessible place
• Pack a pet first aid kit
• Pack medications and medical records in waterproof containers
• Include leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pets safely
• Stash current photos of your pets (in case they get lost)
• Bring food, drinkable water, bowls, cat litter/pan, and manual can opener
• Pack a bed or toys if easily transportable
• Include information on medical conditions, behavior problems, the name and number of your veterinarian, and pet boarding locations

For more information about first aid and disaster safety for your pet visit www.redcross.org

PHOTO: Roger Lang hugs his dog Blossom after his home in Branson MO was destroyed by a tornado.

Story and photo by: Nigel Holderby

2012 Disaster Relief Conference

			Southern Missouri Region 1545 N. West Bypass Springfield MO 65803 417-832-9500 Ext. 1107 Contact:  Nigel Holderby holderbyn@redcross-ozarks.org

 

 

Disaster Relief Conference for Faith Based Community

 

The Governor’s Faith-Based & Community Service Partnership for Disaster Recovery will hold a regional

Conference May 1^st from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Remington’s, 1655 West Republic Road, Springfield, MO and all Missouri faith-based and volunteer organizations are invited to attend.

 

At the Governor’s direction, the Faith-Based & Community Service Partnership has put together a program and speakers that will provide insightful and inspiring practical advice about the unique demands that churches and other religious communities must be prepared for following a large-scale disaster. The program also will address the continuing needs that communities face long after disasters, and the best ways to be prepared in advance for a possible disaster. Religious and volunteer leaders from Joplin who continue to lead the community’s recovery efforts will speak from the heart about their real world experiences.

 

The program also will include important information on:

• Responding to the emotional and spiritual challenges of disasters;

• The role of religious leaders in response and recovery efforts;

• The support to faith communities available from the Missouri National Guard Chaplain Corps;

• How to organize and maximize volunteers for disaster response and recovery;

• Preparing for the management of mass donations;

• Preparing a religious facility for sheltering; and

• Organizing long-term recovery efforts.

 

Lunch will be provided. There is no fee, but so that we have an accurate count for lunch, please register by e-mail or phone.  E-mail: Aren.Koenig@sema.dps.mo.gov. Telephone: (573) 526-9410.

 

 

 

About the American Red Cross:

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. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

-End-

 

In Service,

 

K. Nigel Holderby

Chief Communications Officer

 

American Red Cross

Southern Missouri Region

(417) 832-9500 ext 107 (p) 

(417) 207-6349 (c)

 

 

A Red Cross First Date!

First Date

 

I would like to share with you the story of Nate and Lora. I met them at our 2011 Holiday Mail for Heroes event at the Springfield Office back in November. After the event I heard a couple of volunteers talking about the “First Date” that happened at our office and thought that was pretty sweet.  A few weeks ago I came across the photo from that event and was curious, so I decided to reach out to the group to see if I could connect with them. Here is what I learned:

 

Lora was introduced to Nate online and they communicated via email for a while until deciding to meet in person.  It was decided that they would meet someplace where they could talk but also have the benefit of other people around just in case they didn't click as well as they hoped, or the conversation didn't flow well.  

 

“Since I was registered as an American Red Cross volunteer I had received an invitation to the Holiday Mail for Heroes event.  I knew Nate was in the Missouri National Guard and thought he might also be interested in reaching out to deployed and recovering soldiers during the holiday season” said Lora. “Thankfully he thought it was a great idea.” And that is how the American Red Cross became the location of a “First Date.”

 

Nate and Lora have been dating now for about 4 months and are enjoying the process of developing their relationship. Lora did say that though no future plans are being made at this point, an anniversary event is not out of the question. I think I can guarantee that they receive that 2012 Holiday Mail for Heroes invitation.

 

Nate served as an enlisted soldier in the Army and later was commissioned as an officer. As of now he has completed 11 years of service.  He continues work full time for the Missouri National Guard as the training officer for his unit. Lora is a Registered Nurse and Red Cross Volunteer with a long family history of service in the military. We wish them the best and are excited to be part of their story.

 

 

Written By:

K. Nigel Holderby

Chief Communications Officer

 

American Red Cross

Southern Missouri Region

 

2012 Service to Armed Forces

			Southern Missouri Region 1545 N. West Bypass Springfield MO 65803 417-832-9500 Ext. 1107 Contact:  Nigel Holderby holderbyn@redcross-ozarks.org

Red Cross Provides Peace of Mind

 

American Red Cross; Southern Missouri Region 4/2/12

 

American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces has provided humanitarian support to the United States military, veterans and their families under a trusted symbol for almost 130 years. Through this program, the Red Cross provides emergency communications, supports military and veteran hospitals and health care facilities as well as providing social services to the more than 2 million military members including National Guard and Reservists, 23 million veterans and their 3 million family members.

 

Over the weekend several Red Cross volunteers were at the Yellow Ribbon Event for deploying Missouri National Guard Service Members. The purpose of the event is to provide Service Members and their Families and Supporters with services, proactive outreach opportunities, reintegration and communication skills throughout each phase of their deployment cycle.

 

The Red Cross is honored to participate in providing peace of mind to families like Joseph and Kenzi Barnes who have a young daughter and just found out that they will be having a second child while Joseph is on deployment. “Knowing that I have a way to reach him if anything were to happen gives me peace of mind as a mother.” Says Kenzi. “That I can reach him when the baby is born makes me so happy. The Red Cross communication will mean that he can still be a part of our important day.”

 

Each day, we assist an average of 476 families through the Red Cross Emergency Communications acros the country, passing on messages about births, illnesses or death in the family. When a Red Cross message arrives, the service member knows the information is accurate and the commander can make an informed decision about whether or not to grant leave.

 

Our work is important to the nation because it is important to our troops and their families. We not only provide that peace of mind to the family here at home, but we give the service members the comfort of knowing that we will be there if their families turn to us for help, allowing our heroes to stay focused on their mission.

 

For additional information please contact Nigel Holderby: holderbyn@redcross-ozarks.org

 

About the American Red Cross:

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. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

-End-

 

In Service,

 

K. Nigel Holderby

Chief Communications Officer

 

American Red Cross

Southern Missouri Region

(417) 832-9500 ext 107 (p) 

(417) 207-6349 (c)

 

 

2012 Assistance is a Gift

			Southern Missouri Region 1545 N. West Bypass Springfield MO 65803 417-832-9500 Ext. 1107 Contact:  Nigel Holderby holderbyn@redcross-ozarks.org

Red Cross Assistance is a Gift

 

American Red Cross; Southern Missouri Region 3/31/12

 

Tornadoes can occur anywhere at any time of the year. Did you know that across the state of Missouri there have been tornadoes reported every month of the year? In an average year 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.  Fires are another form of disaster that respect no season. From a grass fire that got out of control to a single family house fire or multiple unit apartment fire, we see them regularly. A fire can happen any time, day or night, and we respond to an average of 2, every day, across our Region.

 

When a disaster threatens, the Red Cross prepares. When disaster strikes, the Red Cross responds. The mission of the Red Cross is to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. We most often find people in their darkest hour, from communities where violent and deadly tornadoes have caused miles of loss, to families who have lost everything in a fire.  Each disaster is no less devastating than the other.

 

Across the 40 counties in the Southern Missouri Region, the Red Cross has already responded to multiple tornadoes and fires this year. In the first 3 months, January - March, of 2012, we have already served 1055 affected individuals with emergency food, shelter and supplies. That is almost 12 people per day who along with a need for monetary assistance to replace the tangible items necessary to live, are in need of hope. Hope for a better tomorrow; Hope of recovery from the devastation of disaster.

 

All assistance provided by the Red Cross is a gift. It is through donations from businesses and members of the community that this type of response is possible. Our fundraising team of volunteers and staff are hard at work each year to provide fun opportunities for people to support the work of the Red Cross. This year we are excited to invite you to see Jo Dee Messina LIVE at our Save Lives, Give Hope Benefit Concert on April 12^th. The concert will be held at the O’Reilly Event Center on the Drury University Campus in Springfield, MO.

 

As a VIP ticket holder to the Concert Event you will be able to bid in the very special silent auction with many one-of-a-kind items to support a one-of-a-kind mission. Items include a beautiful pair of Dan Post ladies boots signed by Jo Dee Messina, a “Moneyball” movie poster and baseball signed by Springfield native, Brad Pit.

 

As a general admission ticket holder you will have an opportunity, the night of the concert, to bid on one of four seats on stage with Jo Dee and her band during 2 songs that night! Doors open at 7:00 pm so get there early and get your bid in to win!

 

Get your tickets now at www.drurytickets.com of which 100% of the ticket price will be donated to Disaster Relief.

 

The benefit concert is just one of many ways that people can help those affected by disasters like the Midwest tornadoes and devastating fires. Watch for upcoming events and get involved with the 5K Run for “Red”iness in June, or if you are a golfer check out the Red Cross & State Farm Disaster Open to be held in July!

 

Follow us on facebook www.facebook.com/OzarksRedCross for more details on upcoming events and for information about how YOU can get involved and remember; everyone can help by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Consider making a donation today by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

 

About the American Red Cross:

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. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

-End-

 

In Service,

 

K. Nigel Holderby

Chief Communications Officer

 

American Red Cross

Southern Missouri Region

(417) 832-9500 ext 107 (p) 

(417) 207-6349 (c)