The mission of the American 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.

Nationally, the American Red Cross responded to 113

large-scale disasters including hurricane Sandy, raging

wildfires in the western states, and the tragic mass shooting

incidences. The Red Cross opened 907 shelters that

provided over 109,000 over night stays. Disaster workers

served 9.9 million meals and snacks and distributed 6.8

million relief items. Health and mental health workers

provided over 141,000 consultations.

Internationally, the American Red Cross helped almost 3

million people in 20 countries struck fraught with poverty,

disaster, and civil unrest by providing much needed health

care, food, and supplies. The Red Cross also provided

24-hour support to military service members, veterans,

and families– in war zones, military hospitals, and on

military installations. Additionally, the American Red

Cross trained over 9 million people CPR, First Aid, and

other life saving skills.

Locally, Bamberg American Red Cross volunteers have

donated over 3,500 hours of service to our community.

Volunteers regularly serve in 6 locations and special

events hosted at USAG Bamberg. In addition to regular

services provided, volunteers have hosted a blood drive,

conducted health and safety classes, provided first-aid

stations, raised funds, distributed holiday cards, and

enriched and empowered the lives of those in our

community.

Upcoming Events January 4 and 18: Red Cross Volunteer Orientation 1000-1200

January 10 and 24: Volunteer and Staff Meeting 1200-1300

January 11: CPR/First Aid/AED class 0900 - 1530

January 7: Dental Assistant Program Information Session 1000January 7: Dental Assistant Program Information Session 1000--11001100

January 26 and 27: CPR/AED/FA Instructor Course 800January 26 and 27: CPR/AED/FA Instructor Course 800--17001700

Volunteer Highlight

This month we would like to highlight Katherine Cichorz. Katherine

(Katie) has been with Bamberg American Red Cross since September

2012. From day one Katie has used her initiative and driven spirit to

forward the mission of the Bamberg American Red Cross. Katie has

volunteered with community holiday morale boosting programs

including Holiday Cards for Heroes and the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Katie is a Registered Nurse, and has used her education and

experience to volunteer with the health clinic as well. We would like

to congratulate Katie as she was recently hired for a full time

nursing position. The American Red Cross and the Bamberg

community are thankful for her service and dedication.

Bamberg American Red Cross

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American Red Cross in 2012

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Visit us in the ACS Building 7029

Monday-Friday (0800– 1630)

DSN (314) 469-1760

CIV (0951) 300-1760

Emergency Communication Messages (Toll Free US only)

From DSN 94-877-272-7337

Commercial +1-877-272-7337

Facebook.com/ARCBamberg

New Years Resolutions

“My new years resolution is to eat more meat and try new food.”

- Laci Smith

“Save money and spend way less time on Facebook.”

-Traci Hermsen

“My New Years resolution is ‘To try and not sweat the small stuff.’”

-Brenda Culp

“Hit the gym at least once per week. Maybe I will be able to achieve my life long dream of doing a pushup.”

-Rachael Tetreau

“My resolution is to plan less, and leave more room for spontaneity”

-Samantha Wudel

“I look forward to 2013 with the Red Cross and new adventures in Europe!”

-Stephanie Crain

“My New Year's resolution is to be more active and continue to spread joy to others; you never know what kind of day they have had.”

-Harriette Gates

“Being part of the Red Cross has been a wonderful opportunity for me over the last several months. It has afforded me the opportunity to meet many new and interesting people while raising awareness about what the ARC and particularly the Service to the Armed Forces branch has to offer. Hopefully this awareness has helped spare someone hours of stress or anxiety about how to handle sending a Red Cross message, get emergency leave funds, etc. In addition to this I learned life-saving skills such as CPR, First Aid, and AED and am now able to teach these to others in the community. Preparedness is key.”

-Brenda Culp

My Red Cross experience has given me the opportunity to teach CPR/AED/First Aid. I never thought I would have taken the class myself much less teach it to others. The Red Cross has also given me a way to met new people and make new friendships in a new community.

-Liz Bechtel

Being a Red Cross volunteer has been a wonderful experience. I've met so many great people and formed a lot of friendships. It has also given an opportunity to help others, increase my skill levels, and build my nursing career here on post.

-Harriette Gates

Bamberg Red Cross has helped me to become a giver. My family never volunteered for anything so selfless giving was missing from my life growing up. I now understand that volunteering is indeed not selfless at all because the amount of joy and fulfillment I get from helping others is not even close to what I give to them.

-Traci Hermsen My time spent with the red cross has been great and enjoyable. Even though I've started working, I still am interested in volunteering with such a great group of people. They work together to not only help the commu-nity but to help each other, so the giving never stops. Everyone has talents they can contribute and I was lucky enough to be able to help with the tree lighting with some talents of my own. Although I was covering in glitter for days, it felt good knowing I was using my creativity to contribute to something everyone could en-joy.

-Laci Smith

A friend gave me this card with the following notes on it, they became words to live by.....I have done all of these things through the Red Cross program here in Germany! New friend-ships are the best! Give Back: Help those who need help, make new friends, develop new skills, make connections in your com-munity, promote causes you feel are important, see what won-derful things can happen when you donate your time. These are what I like to live by! Leave everything a little better than you found it. There is no such thing as a small act of kind-ness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. Do what you like, like what you do.

-Stephanie Crain

Thank you to all who have donated and served our community in 2012. Here’s to ever expanding services and support, and a health and safe 2013!