Red Cross Busy with Tornado Disaster Relief
More than 50 Red Cross staff and volunteers from across southeast Michigan have been providing disaster relief since the Monroe County tornadoes struck at 3 a.m. on Sunday, which wreaked devastation in their paths.
The latest figures show that 318 homes were damaged in the areas of Dundee and Estral Beach, with 15 homes being completely destroyed. To help the people recover from the devastation, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter and the Monroe County Chapter have been providing the following services:
They opened a temporary shelter on Sunday for 220 people.
They conducted an extensive damage assessment of affected homes to pinpoint where assistance is needed. Casework outreach teams are continuing to assist those families hardest by this disaster, providing assistance for emergency food, clothing, and shelter, and offering emotional support.
Bulk distribution teams are handing out yard tools and clean up kits to families who need assistance with debris removal and clean up.
The Red Cross has also been working closely with the Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) partners: the Salvation Army, Monroe County Opportunity Program, Dundee Baptist Church, Dundee Assembly of God Church, Dundee Church of the Nazarene, Monroe County Commission on Aging and the Monroe Department of Human Services office.
In addition to individuals, schools and others, the Red Cross would like to send a special thank you to WXYZ Channel 7, which held a telethon for Red Cross disaster relief and raised nearly $14,000; Health Plan of Michigan for a very generous donation and matching gift to the Village of Dundee; DTE for their donation of heavy equipment; and staff and Meijer Stores for water, yard tools, tarps and work gloves.
“Health Plan of Michigan is pleased to support the American Red Cross and the people impacted by the recent tornadoes in southern Michigan. As a Michigan based Medicaid Health Plan, serving Monroe County residents for over 10 years, we felt compelled to help the residents of Dundee impacted by this terrible disaster,” said Michael Cotton, VP of Operations of Health Plan of Michigan. “Many within the community have lost so much, we just want to help”.
To help people affected by disasters, like the recent tornadoes in Monroe County, donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, by calling 877-788-0014, texting the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 for a $10 donation, or mailing a donation to American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter, 100 Mack Ave., P.O. Box 44110, Detroit, MI 48244-0110. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters.
Contact: Andrea Tomaszewski
248-224-5606
Red Cross Providing Disaster Relief Aid to Monroe County Families
Latest estimates indicate that approximately 500 homes were damaged or destroyed as a result of the tornadoes that struck Dundee early Sunday morning, and the Southeastern Michigan Chapter will continue working with the Monroe County Chapter to assist those affected.
As the regional disaster response chapter, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the Red Cross will send several case workers to formally process disaster relief needs, helping the Monroe chapter provide emergency food, clothing, shelter and emotional support to the families affected by the weekend tornadoes.
Red Cross relief began early Sunday, as groups of volunteers and staff traversed Monroe County, going door to door doing initial assessments of the damages and injuries and providing emotional support. Volunteers also handed out water to families and those cutting down trees. “People were so appreciative of the water, and our asking if they were okay,” said Karen Hoth, a volunteer from the Southeastern Michigan Chapter.
On Monday, local volunteers and staff continued to assist with infrastructural damage assessment of homes and buildings, and they are back today meeting with the affected families and formally processing their emergency aid to help them recover from the devastating tornadoes over the weekend.
More accurate information about the damage to the affected areas in Monroe County will be available later today.
Disaster Relief Support for Monroe County Tornados and Other Disasters Like This:
- Call the Southeastern Michigan Chapter at 877.788.0014
- Visiting www.semredcross.org,
- Text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Contact: Andrea Tomaszewski 248-224-5606
Read MoreRecent drownings highlight importance of water safety
Families can prepare for summer fun by taking a Red Cross course
With several drowning accidents tragically occurring over Memorial Day weekend, and 90 percent of people recently polled planning to take part in water-related activities this summer, the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter urges residents to take extra precautions in and around the water this summer.
“Unfortunately, many places where people swim are not supervised by lifeguards,” said Julie Smerecki, community safety and aquatics manager for the Southeastern Michigan Chapter. “This makes it even more important for people to know how to swim, and to use safe practices when in and around the water.” Enrolling in a learn-to-swim program is one of the most important steps to take.
A recent Red Cross survey found that more than 90 percent of the people polled are planning to participate in water-related activities this summer – with nearly half of the parents polled planning to swim where no lifeguard would be on duty. *
Metro Detroit residents can contact their local recreation department or community pool about learn-to-swim programs, such as those taught by Red Cross certified instructors. Further, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter offers ongoing First Aid/CPR courses, as well as lifeguarding courses at several locations throughout the tri-county area.
Besides enrolling in water safety and First Aid/CPR courses, take these other precautions for a safe summer:
· Never leave children unattended near - or with access to – water, not even for a moment. Maintain constant supervision and keep children within an arm’s length.
· Always swim with a buddy; do not swim alone. However, do not trust a child’s life to another child. Teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
· Have young swimmers or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on lifejackets alone.
· If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
· Do not mix alcohol with swimming – the combination can be deadly.
· Have a cell phone handy and call 911 at the first sign of a medical emergency.
· Do not venture into water if the weather is turning bad. Listen to local weather alerts for oncoming storms.
For those with home pools, it is important to note that home pool drowning is a leading cause of death for children less than five years of age. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported last year that of 300 reported drownings the previous year, 79 percent occurred in home pools.
Further, children who drowned were often out of sight for less than five minutes and under the care of at least one parent. So, take these extra precautions around a home pool:
· Remove or enclose steps or ladders to prevent access to an aboveground pool.
· Surround the entire pool with a fence or barrier that is at least four feet high, has a self-closing and self-latching gate, and is designed so that a child cannot climb over, under, around or through it.
· Have appropriate equipment by swimming pools at all times, such as reaching pole, ring buoy with attached line, cell phone, life jackets and first aid kit.
· Consider taking the online course, Home Pools Essentials, which is a joint venture of the Red Cross and the National Swimming Pool Foundation and is designed for those with children less than five years old. It comes with a 30-page reference guide and costs just $19.95, and is available through the Southeastern Michigan Chapter’s website.
To learn more about or register for the Home Pools Essentials course, see a list of Red Cross CPR/First Aid and lifeguarding courses, and get more water safety tips, please go to www.semredcross.org. For additional information or to register for all but the online course, call 586-756-7600.
* Telephone survey of 1,018 U.S. Adults 18 years and older on March 26-29, 2010 conducted by Infogroup | ORC. Margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
Read MoreEmergency Services is on the scene of another apartment fire in Highland Park
Early Wednesday morning, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter Emergency Services was on the scene of a 52-unit apartment fire in Highland Park.
The Red Cross provided food, clothing and shelter for 9 families who were affected by the fire.
This is the third large fire that the Southeastern Michigan Chapter has responded to in the last two weeks.
Read MoreResources at American Red Cross Taxed after Two Apartment Fires
The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter is seeing its resources taxed after providing disaster relief to a total of 136 residents at two area apartment building fires last week.
“Servicing the families of those two apartment building fires cost us more than $25,000 - and we need to be ready for the next disaster in metro Detroit,” said Glen Hendricks, director of emergency services.
The Hampton Apartments in Highland Park caught on fire early Sunday morning, and the Southeastern Michigan Chapter quickly responded, assisting 43 households, involving 123 individuals with temporary food, clothing and shelter, and comfort kits.
On Thursday morning, a fire broke out at the Academy Apartments in Dearborn Heights, and 13 people were displaced. Again the Southeastern Michigan Chapter responded, assisting all 13 people with a combination of temporary food, clothing and shelter, and comfort kits.
“These and other victims of disaster are able to count on the Red Cross to be there when they’ve experienced these devastating fires,” Hendricks said. “But our humanitarian aid isn’t possible without the public’s support.
“As a non-governmental agency, the Red Cross relies on voluntary donations to carry out our work,” he said. By making a donation, you’re offering much-needed hope to your neighbors in metro Detroit when they most need it.”
The Southeastern Michigan Chapter urges those who want to help, to go online and make a donation at www.semredcross.org. Or, people can make a check out to the American Red Cross, indicating it is for local disaster relief and sending it to the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter, Financial Development Department, 100 Mack Ave., P.O. Box 44110, Detroit, MI 48244-0110.
Read MoreLocal Red Cross Volunteers Join Relief Efforts for Southern Floods
(DETROIT) - Two local American Red Cross volunteers were deployed to Kentucky and Tennessee this morning, joining thousands of others from Michigan and across the nation that are providing a safe place to stay, food, water, and relief supplies for thousands of residents in mid-Western and southern states that have been displaced by the severe spring floods and tornadoes.
“These storms have left thousands across the country without homes and belongings,” said Glen Hendricks, director of emergency services with the Southeastern Michigan Chapter.
Neil Weiner of Livonia, who has been on several national Red Cross disaster assignments, went down to Louisville, Kentucky. As a licensed professional counselor who served as a counselor in the Detroit Public Schools for 30 years, he will be managing other volunteers. He expects to stay anywhere from 10 days to 3 weeks, but isn’t quite sure because, like other volunteers, wasn’t given much information before leaving Detroit.
Michelle Diamond, who left her teenagers back home in Rochester, headed down to Nashville, Tennessee, for her first national Red Cross assignment.
National Red Cross relief operations have been in full force since the spring storms began in April, providing aid to those affected in Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and most recently from tornadoes in Oklahoma.
So far, the Red Cross has provided over 6,200 overnight stays in 59 shelters, 116, 119 meals and 113,031 snacks. From the shelters and 99 Emergency Response Vehicles on the ground, the Red Cross has also provided:
17,450 clean-up kits,
10,112 comfort kits,
4,547 mental health consultations,
4,691 health services consultations.
These relief efforts have been provided by 3,160 Red Cross volunteers, including four from the Southeastern Michigan Chapter. Two others, Delano Willis, a licensed psychologist from Detroit, and Susan Morgan, of Troy, were recently deployed to Louisville to provide mental health counseling.
Back at home in southeast Michigan, Weiner, Diamond and Morgan serve on Disaster Action Teams at least one week a month, providing similar aid to local families who have been displaced by home or apartment fires.
People who would like to make a donation to help those affected by the severe spring storms can log on to www.semredcross.org to donate online, call 1-800-REDCROSS, or make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999
Conatct: Andrea Tomaszewski at 313-350-1434 or tomaszewskia@usa.redcross.org
Southeastern Michigan Chapter Announces New Chief Financial Officer
Detroit, MI—Today, officials from the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross announced the hiring of Jenny Cederstrom, CPA, MBA, as its chief financial officer.
Cederstrom will oversee all financial operations for the Southeastern Michigan chapter which includes service in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. She will also be responsible for oversight of the financial systems of 11 other Red Cross chapters across Michigan.
“We are extremely fortunate to have Jenny join our team in such a transformative era at the Red Cross,” said James Laverty, Southeastern Michigan Chapter chief executive officer. “Her unique experience and skill set within the non-profit sector will serve as a tremendous asset to our chapter and others as we move to enhance our operations across the board.”
Cederstrom brings to the Red Cross more than 15 years of non-profit budgeting and financing experience, having most recently served as Senior Associate at Plante & Moran PLLC, one of the nation’s largest accounting and business advisory firms.
Cederstrom is a graduate of Wayne State University.
Read MoreAmerican Red Cross Responds to Historic Southern Floods
People can send a $10 donation to help those affected by disasters across the country by texting ‘REDCROSS’ to 90999
WASHINGTON, Monday, May 3, 2010—The American Red Cross has opened more than two dozen shelters in response to a powerful weather system that generated tornadoes and caused severe flooding across the South.
As of Monday morning, the Red Cross and its partners had 28 shelters open across the South, including Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee. Tennessee was particularly hard hit, with some areas in the state receiving as much as a foot of rain, leading to numerous road closures and forcing evacuations. Nearly 1,000 Tennesseans stayed at a shelter on Sunday night.
“We’re just at the beginning of this relief operation, and until the water begins to recede we won’t know just how much damage has occurred,” said Joe Becker, senior vice president of disaster services at the Red Cross. “Right now we’re focused on providing meals and a safe place to stay, but the Red Cross will be there for the long haul to help people get back on their feet.”
The Red Cross activated a mobile giving text donation effort today to enable interested people to make a $10 text donation to help people affected by disasters like the recent floods and tornadoes.
Customers of participating wireless carriers can text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Donations will appear on customers’ monthly bills or be debited from a prepaid account balance. Message and data rates may apply. Depending on the carrier, individuals can donate two or three times per month. The Red Cross is working with mGive to process and facilitate the mobile donations.
Floods are typically long-term relief operations, given that waters can take days to recede and can wreak devastating damage on homes.
As heavy rains continue across the South, the Red Cross encourages people in the affected area to register themselves and their loved ones on the Safe and Well Web site, to allow family and friends around the country to know of their status:
• Visit redcross.org, and click on the Safe and Well link.
• If you are currently being affected by this disaster, click: “List Myself as Safe and Well,” enter your pre-disaster address and phone number, and select any of the standard message options.
• If you are concerned about a loved one, click “Search” and enter the person’s name and pre-disaster phone number OR address. If they have registered, you will be able to view the messages that they posted.
• If you don’t have internet access, you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register yourself and your family. Follow the prompts for disaster information.
To find the location of open shelters, please visit redcross.org and click on the “Find a Shelter” link.
Time is of the essence in any disaster, and the Red Cross is able to respond immediately to the needs of individuals and families impacted by disaster anywhere in the United States, regardless of cost, thanks to donations by members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP).
Members of the Annual Disaster Giving Fund are Altria Group, American Express, AXA Foundation, ConAgra Foods, FedEx Corporation, GE Foundation, General Motors Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, John Deere Foundation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Merck, Morgan Stanley, Nationwide Insurance Foundation, Ryder Charitable Foundation, State Farm, State Street Foundation, Target, The TJX Companies, Inc., UnitedHealthcare and UPS.
Help people affected by disasters like the recent floods and tornadoes in the South, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross.org.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; provides 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.
Red Cross Spring Safety Tips to Stay Safe During Storms
The American Red Cross wants Southeast Michigan residents to prepare in advance of coming spring storms.
“Every thunderstorm produces lightening, which kills more people every year than tornadoes or hurricanes,” said Glen Hendricks, director of emergency services for the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the Red Cross.
Further, heavy rain from thunderstorms can cause flash flooding, and high winds can damage homes and blow down trees and utility poles, causing widespread power outages and the danger of downed power lines.
Hendricks advises preparing ahead of time and discussing thunderstorm and tornado safety with your family. Pick a safe place to gather in the home - away from windows, skylights and glass doors. For tornadoes, the safest place is a basement, and if that’s not possible, an interior room on the lowest floor is the next best option.
Listen to the local news for emergency updates, and know your community’s warning system. Watch for signs of a storm – such as darkening skies, lightning flashes or increasing wind. Avoid electrical equipment and telephones, using battery-powered TVs and radios if possible.
If a thunderstorm or tornado is likely to occur, postpone outdoor activity. “We like to say, when thunder roars, go indoors,” Hendricks said.
“Be prepared for a medical emergency, by having a first aid kit and taking a CPR/First Aid class,” Hendricks said. Classes are available throughout the tri-county area at Red Cross and other community sites.
As a storm approaches, and youth are outdoors playing baseball and softball, games should be canceled at the first sign of thunder, Hendricks advises. Referees often bench teams when they hear thunder, as they decide whether to call the game, but he said the kids are usually sitting on metal benches, which is unsafe.
“If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning,” he said.
Another unsafe practice is trying to move outdoor metal furniture when a storm begins, he said.
If you are outside and a severe thunderstorm warning is issued:
Avoid tall, isolated trees; water and high ground.
Take shelter in a substantial building.
If that’s not possible, go to (or stay in) a vehicle with the windows closed.
If driving, try to safely exit the roadway and park. Stay inside the car and turn on your emergency flashers.
Keep an eye out for these danger signs of an approaching tornado:
- Dark, often greenish clouds-a phenomenon caused by hail.
- Wall cloud-an isolated lowering of the base of a thunderstorm.
- Cloud of debris.
- Large hail.
- Funnel cloud.
- Roaring noise.
If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building. If that is not possible, immediately get into your vehicle and try to drive to a sturdy building. If flying debris occurs while driving, pull over and park, looking for the lowest ground possible.
Then, stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering yourself with a blanket, if possible.
To learn more about Red Cross safety courses, log on to www.semredcross.org or call 586-756-7600. First aid kits are also available on the Chapter’s website.
For more safety tips, go to www.redcross.org.
About the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter
The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter is a non-profit humanitarian organization that turns caring into action by providing three core services for residents in the tri-county area: relief to disaster victims, support to military personnel (both active and veteran) and their families, and the knowledge and skills to help the community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. We are volunteer-driven and reflect the diversity of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. As part of the international Red Cross network, we are dedicated to protecting human life and dignity locally, nationally and worldwide. To learn more, log on to www.semredcross.org or follow our blog at www.semredcrossblog.org.
Contact: Andrea Tomaszewski / 313-350-1434
American Red Cross and Quicken Loans Team Up to Offer New Resources for Military Personnel
In observance of National Red Cross Month, Quicken Loans, the nation’s largest online lender, and the Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter announced a new partnership to support the Chapter’s Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program. SAF offers several financial and social resources to Michigan military personnel, families and veterans.
Quicken Loans is contributing more than $20,000 to the Chapter to fund the creation of a new comprehensive Web-based tool for use exclusively by active duty military. Powered by Quicken Loans, this new resource will assist military personnel in getting important legal records and benefits in order prior to deployment and provide an educational guide on buying or refinancing a home.
“We, much like the Red Cross, understand the importance of supporting the brave men and women of our military,” said Bill Emerson, CEO of Quicken Loans. “We have leveraged the collective knowledge of our family of companies to help provide our hometown service members with the financial tools they need to rest assured things are being cared for at home, allowing them to focus on their difficult tasks abroad.”
In addition to providing a new information resource, Quicken Loans’ contribution will also go towards supporting the Chapter’s overall SAF program, including around-the-clock worldwide emergency communications between all service members and their families, access to financial assistance in times of crisis, case management support and more. As the state lead for Red Cross SAF program, the Chapter also coordinates workshops for military personnel and families throughout the state.
“We are extremely grateful to Quicken Loans for its generous support and commitment in assisting our military and their families,” said James Laverty, CEO of the Chapter. “This new online resource will help prepare military personnel and their families on issues that need to be addressed as part of their service to our nation and will be instrumental in our overall efforts to provide them with important assistance.”
Quicken Loans’ new web-based financial resource offers military personnel a comprehensive, step-by-step process to assist in managing their important financial affairs as they prepare for service.
Military personnel also will have access to helpful links to learn about such things as government initiatives, making it easy to refinance, and tax credits for first-time home buyers. These resources can be accessed by visiting www.semredcross.org/deployment-and-veteran-tips.
About the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter
The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter is a non-profit humanitarian organization that turns caring into action by providing three core services for residents in southeast Michigan: relief to disaster victims, emergency aid to active and retired military personnel and their families, and the knowledge and skills to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations. We are volunteer-driven and reflect the diversity of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. To learn more, log on to www.semredcross.org or follow our blog at www.semredcrossblog.org.
About Quicken Loans
Quicken Loans is the nation’s largest online retail mortgage lender and the fifth largest retail mortgage lender in the United States, closing more than $25 billion across all 50 states in retail home loan volume in 2009. The company, with 3,000-plus team members, closes loans from five Web Centers located in Michigan, Ohio and Arizona, and from its San Diego-based One Reverse Mortgage unit. The QuickenLoans.com Web site has been named “Best of the Web” by Forbes and Money magazine. Quicken Loans has been named to Fortune Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for the past seven years, ranking as high as No. 2. The company also has been named one of Computerworld Magazine’s “100 Best Places to Work in Technology” for the past five years, ranking No. 1 in 2005, 2006 and 2007. In 2009, team members volunteered more than 1,500 hours with local charities and non-profit organizations. For more information, visit www.QuickenLoans.com.
Contact: Andrea Tomaszewski
248-224-5606