http://www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_7443,00.html

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If you click on the link above or copy and paste it into your brouser, it will take you to a wonderful story and video about the volunteers and their work.  This is an effort on the part of the National Chapter to make the efforts of the Red Cross more visible and give a face to those that give so much of their time and energy.  Please take the time to visit this site.

Our First Responders need good lanterns.  Many of them are using small flashlights that they just happen to have in their cars.  We would like for all of them to have reliable light.  Many fires happen after dark, light is reassuring to the victims and allows the volunteers to do the necessary paper work.  Here are some examples of the kind of lanterns we need.  Don’t forget that we need batteries too.  This is a great way to help the Red Cross Volunteers do their job.  Give us a call for more information or just drop your contribution at the Red Cross Office in Faribault.  See the “Contact Us” page at the top of this site for the address and phone numbers.  We may have a First Responder in your area and could arrange to pick up your donation.  Thanks in advance.

The “email this article” and “print this article” buttons on this post do not work.  If you would like to share this please visit the Faribault News site http://www.faribault.com

According to the National Philanthropic Trust Website, The Red Cross is number #1 for 2006 in the Trusted Charities, number #1 as the Most Recognized and #4 as the Largest Nonprofit Organization!

Top 5 Most Trusted Charities

1. American Red Cross

2. AARP

3. The Nature Conservancy

4. U.S. Chamber of Commerce

5. Brookings Institute

(Source: Harris Interactive, 2006)

Top 5 Most Recognized Charities

1. American Red Cross

2. AARP

3. National Rifle Association (NRA)

4. U.S.Chamber of Commerce

5. Greenpeace

(Source: Harris Interactive, 2006)

The 5 Largest Nonprofit Organizations

1. United Way of America ($4.04 billion)

2. Salvation Army ($3.60 billion)

3. AmeriCares Foundation ($1.32 billion)

4. American Red Cross ($1.28 billion)

5. American Cancer Society ($929.59 million)

(Source: The Chronicle of Philanthropy, October 23, 2006, based on total amount of income)

Another interesting statistic found on this website is the reasons people give. These reasons are of special interest to those in the Red Cross involved in fund raising!

Top 5 Reasons Why People Give

1. Because they are asked, or presented a giving opportunity
2. Compassion for those in need
3. Personally believe in the cause
4. Affected by the cause
5. To give back to their community

The above is based on an analysis of research in the field of philanthropy — including Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy, Independent Sector, University of Pittsburgh, and others.

Don’t forget all the wonderful gifts the Red Cross offers for your personal or gift shopping. Give us a call and we can help you make a choice just for you and your needs. Click on any one of the pictures for a full size photo.

The Emergency Kit featured, is a great gift for anyone who is adventurous, camps, skis, boards, fishes, plays any sport or just drives  a car.  I am sure you can think of many people who would appreciated getting it as a gift, that just keeps on giving. Below you will find the items included in the kit, for the really reasonable price of $69.95. Give staff members Joanne Drentlaw or Eileen Nelson a call and they can help you choose the perfect item. The number at the Faribault office is (507) 334-8471.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS KIT

ADULT 3-DAY

16 Emergency Drinking water packets (2qts)

1 Water Container (2.5 gallon capacity)

2 Food Ration Packages (2,400 Calories each)

1 Pair of Work Gloves

1 N95 Breathing Mask

6 Moist Towelettes

1 Personal First Aid Kit

1 Family First Aid and emergency Preparedness Booklet

1 Batter-Operated Radio with batteries

3 Light Sticks (12 hours each)

1 Whistle

1 Battery-Powered Flashlight, with Batteries

1 Piece of Plastic sheeting

1 Roll of Duct Tape

1 Emergency Survival Blanket

1 Rain Poncho

While I was visiting the Faribault office, I noticed a weathered newspaper clipping taped to the window. I did a little research on the Faribault Daily News Paper site and found the article but could not find the original photo. This event took place this last summer, before we were even thinking of snow shovels. The sun was warm and kids were swimming. Megan is a great example of the young women and men we trust our children with as they swim and play. Thanks Megan for your focus, attention, self-confidence, training and quick action that saved a summer day from turning into what could have been a tragedy. Sorry Megan that I could not come up with a better picture. Click on the image for a larger picture.

Lifeguard honored for saving three girls
By Pauline Schreiber pschreiber@faribault.comFARIBAULT

“My mom’s going to be so proud,” said 21-year-old lifeguard Megan Trout, after accepting an award Friday for “Outstanding Professionalism and Meritorious Action.”John Thompson, executive director of the Rice-Le Sueur Chapter of the American Red Cross, arranged for the surprise award ceremony Friday afternoon at Faribault’s Outdoor Aquatic Center. Faribault City Administrator Tim Madigan came to lend his congratulations, as did Sarah Peanasky, pool manager.“What Megan did was rescue three girls who got in trouble in deep water,” Peanasky said. The three girls, around 6 to 7 years old, splashed in the pool on July 27 as Trout kept scanning the water from her lifeguard stand.She watched the friends swim toward an older sister of one of the girls in deeper water. Then, the older sister for some reason swam away. Not too much later, two of the girls grabbed onto each other, clearly in a state of panic. Trout jumped in to rescue them from the deep water.“By the time I got to the first two girls, the third was having problems,” Trout said. “So, I ended up rescuing all three. They swallowed some water, but otherwise were OK.”

Trout, daughter of Beth and Phil Trout of Faribault, has been a lifeguard since she was 15 years old. She was on the lifeguard staff when Faribault’s outdoor pool opened for its first season six years ago and has served on its staff every season since.

“I’m proud of Megan and all my staff,” said Robyn Sailor, supervisor of Faribault’s Park and Recreation’s aquatic programs. “We train and do lots of practice rescues to be prepared for occasions like this so lifeguards react quickly and without panic, knowing what to do.”

Thompson had been in Rushford helping flood victims, along with other Red Cross workers.

“I came back for this afternoon ceremony to give the award to Megan myself,” Thompson said. “She’s a great example of the type of lifeguard the American Red Cross hopes to develop with our training and certifications.”

Trout is a 2004 graduate of Shattuck-St. Mary’s School. She is attending Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. This fall she will fly to Spain for a year’s study abroad.

- Staff writer Pauline Schreiber may be reached at 333-3127.

http://www.faribault.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=38237&SectionID=21&SubSectionID=44&S=1

May 6, 2007 - Fifteen members of the Rice-LeSueur Counties Chapter American Red Cross Disaster Team participated in a Disaster Drill and Response Evaluation, held at the Faribault Fire Department. Disaster Specialists Steve Hartman and Lauren Zimmerman, from the Red Cross Midwestern Service Area, facilitated and evaluated the drill.In the drill scenario a tornado had struck a residential area in Faribault which included a large apartment complex. The team, under the leadership of local Disaster chair, Jack Blackmer, simulated the chapter’s response to the first 72 hours of the disaster. Utilizing the training they have received, the resources of the chapter, and their disaster partners in Rice County, the chapter conducted a table-top drill. They received a good evaluation from the region and, the next day, the chapter leadership constructed a plan for the future development of the chapter disaster program.