“Nobody Expects That Day...”

A publication of the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada Fall 2012

On July 5th, a fire broke out at an apartment complex on Karen Ave. that ultimately displaced more than 50 people. Two days later, another 20 people were displaced near Valley View and Desert Inn. The Red Cross of Southern Nevada responded by finding shelter, food and clothing for all the victims. In July alone, more than $42,000 was spent on client services.

“Nobody expects that day or morning, that, when you come back, your house is burnt down,” says Ramona Conteh.

“When the fire is out, you’re like a deer in the headlights. (You realize) this is all I have - no ID, no anything. You don’t want to admit it, but you’re at the mercy of strangers.

“The volunteers came to us, had us relaxed, and let us know that it was going to be alright. And for that to be ‘volunteer?’ That is awesome.” (She begins to cry.) “It restores your faith in mankind. This is an organization based on the good will of people.”

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Ibrahim adds, “I can’t believe how much they worked with me. I’m diabetic - that was my main concern. I just had my prescriptions filled, and the fire took it all away. The insurance didn’t want to help me get replacements. But the (Red Cross) volunteers, they got me my diabetic medication, worked with me, and called me to follow up and make sure I’m ok.”

“They didn’t make you feel like you were standing there for a handout,” he adds. “I was so amazed at what you guys did.”

Ramona adds, “They worked with him, literally all day, to make sure that he got his medicine. And really, if no one else tells you guys, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

After hearing of the couple’s experiences with the Red Cross, several volunteers have been reminded of the impact that their work has on people.

It’s nice to be reminded that the work that Red Cross volunteers and our generous donors provide, makes such a gigantic impact in people’s lives.

Every 23 hours, Red Cross responds to a disaster in Southern Nevada. Ramona and Ibrahim Conteh didn’t know that, until they lost everything in a fire one night...

To help hundreds of families like this, donate to the “Fire Hurts, Red Cross Helps” campaign, call Brooke at 702-369-3674

Hear more from the Contehs. Scan the QR code with your smartphone.

New Local Disaster Operations Center Open

On August 7th, the Chapter hosted a joint Open House event to showcase the new expanded offices - able to accommodate more volunteers and incoming AmeriCorps members, the new Disaster Operations Center, additional classrooms, as well as our new neighbors downstairs - the good folks at Blood Services!

The DOC allows our staff and volunteers to be proactive in our disaster response, and gives them the tools to react efficiently, like additional computers as well as monitors linked to emergency services and news sources.

The new space will be used by a growing volunteer staff that is needed for the expanded services that continue to come on line this year.

New Statistics For Southern Nevada - You’re reading it here first, Folks!

•Blood products supplied to area medical centers every day - 170•People trained in Red Cross skills every day - 49•Military family in crisis helped by the Red Cross - every 10 hours•Families reunited by Red Cross International Services - nearly 1 every week•898 volunteers worked 58,634 hours last year, valued at $1,103,491.

Local fire responses have increased since last year. With an average of a disaster response every 23 hours, our volunteers continue to answer the call.

The installation of our new Disaster Operations Center (DOC) allows us to monitor and respond to disasters more efficiently.

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Bursting at the seams, the Chapter continues to grow in numbers of people, and in services offered

To volunteer, go to redcrosslasvegas.org/volunteer

Red Cross Hosts Refugee Organizations

On two recent occasions, the Chapter hosted several local refugee organizations tasked with the important work of refugee assistance so that continued dialogue can be fostered.

The Red Cross International Services branch traces family members separated by war, conflict or disaster, as well as sending messages to loved ones far away. Gideon Agaton has been a caseworker for 18 months, and has been a champion for numerous families who’ve become separated. One current case involves an 80 year old woman trying to find her 84 year old brother in Japan.

Red Cross partners with other organizations when refugees need housing, rental assistance, counseling and employment. An average of 484 refugees per year come to Nevada to seek a new life.

10 global refugee organizations convene to discuss partnerships

Volunteer Agnes Poliquin - Contributing Writer

Volunteer La’Shana Smith - Contributing Writer

Red Cross Blood Services’ Huge Impact in Southern Nevada

The numbers are staggering. Since May 24, 2010, the Red Cross has been supplying blood products to local hospitals and medical centers in Southern Nevada. At first, blood came from surrounding donor states that shored up the local blood supply. But now, Red Cross Blood Services is accepting donations from Southern Nevada residents.

The Blood Services offices are headed locally by Lisa Mott, who is busy recruiting sponsors throughout the community to hold blood drives. She tells us that the collection goal for Southern Nevada this fiscal year is over 10,000 blood units from local donors.

Blood Services has the capability of bringing a bus-style blood mobile to a location to conduct a blood drive, but they can also set up a drive within a business or an organization so that employees or members can participate. The local office will guide organizations on which option would work best for their needs.

Colleges and high schools are great places to hold blood drives, because of the concentration of willing donors. Even grade schools can get involved with the “Pint-Size Hero” program, where parents donate on behalf of their children. This is a great way to receive blood donations now and encourage future donations when the students turn 18. The program gets the whole family involved by talking about why the donations are important and what the family is doing to help. It’s a great dialogue to have to foster future donors.

Lisa Mott reminds us, “It’s important to donate blood during a disaster, but every day there is a blood emergency for someone.”

The two most common reasons people offer for not giving blood are, “Never thought about it,” and “I don’t like needles.” But a single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood. That’s 100 donors.

Since many donations come from high schools and colleges, it’s harder to get the necessary blood donated throughout the summer. But the good news is that a person can donate every 56 days. So with Blood Services here, the blood supply will continue to grow.

Only 9.5 million people in America donate blood. Are you one of them?

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9 of the 13 area hospitals receive blood products from the Red Cross to meet daily operations.

To find a blood drive near you, or to arrange one for your organization, go to redcrossblood.org

The new VA Hospital is open, and the Red Cross of Southern Nevada is there to lend a hand.

Red Cross volunteers have begun work at the information desks at the hospital, but there is plenty of additional work to be done. The hospital has requested that we provide 400 volunteers to the VA, so we’re looking for a few good men and women! So far, 49 volunteers are signed up. Do you have time to serve?

Volunteers help in many capacities at the VA hospital and clinics. Go to redcrosslasvegas.org/volunteer to begin the process. Our volunteer coordinators will guide you through the opportunities.

Together, we honor the service of those who’ve served.

Volunteers Needed For New VA Hospital and Clinics

Volunteer Ally Lee Hoon - Contributing Writer

This holiday season,the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes, Inc. will once again join forces in inviting Americans to “send a touch of home” to U.S. service members and veterans across the country and abroad by the simple act of making a greeting card.

With more than 1.4 million men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and an additional 24 million veterans having served in the past, the holidays are a great time to honor and offer a warm thought to all our service men and women.

Holiday Mail For Heroes is an extensive process to call for, receive, inspect, sort and deliver holiday wishes to our local service members. Last year, Southern Nevadans created over 4,000 cards that were hand delivered to our local Armed Forces and Veterans.

“The look of appreciation that the recipients display when they receive these cards is inspiring,” said Scott Emerson - Southern Nevada Red Cross CEO. “The gratitude that these hard working men and women feel when they receive these cards is so massive. It let’s them know that we all care, and are thinking about them during their times of service.”

Non-Profit OrgUS Postage PaidLas Vegas, NV

Permit #55Southern Nevada Chapter

1771 E. Flamingo Road

Suite 206-B

Las Vegas, NV 89119

702-791-3311

Holiday Mail For HeroesSave the Date!

2012 Everyday Heroes Awards Breakfast

Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012

7:30am - 9:00am

Paris Hotel/Casino

Come join us for the most amazing event of

the season where ordinary people are

honored for their extraordinary actions.

Single tickets, or tables for your group or company available!

Call Brooke at 369-3764 for tickets and sponsorships.

Say “thank you.” We’ll do the rest.

www.redcrosslasvegas.org

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