March is Red Cross Month

I request that during that month (March) our people rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross.

–President Franklin D. Roosevelt, first Presidential Proclamation of March as Red Cross Month, 1943

Each year, the president of the United States proclaims March “Red Cross Month” to honor the Red Cross mission. It as a chance to honor the everyday heroes who help the Red Cross fulfill that mission every day.

Every nine minutes, the American Red Cross brings help and hope to people in need, thanks to heroes like you. It's easy to get involved in helping to effect change in your community. Volunteers can give blood, donate their time and talents, or make financial contributions. Nationwide, more than 500,000 volunteers make a difference through Red Cross services. You can be one of them!

To view some of the stories of everyday heroes like you who support the Red Cross follow this link: http://www.redcross.org/about-us/red-cross-month. 

Here are just a few examples of assistance Red Cross volunteers provided this month across the nation:

March 5, 2014: Red Cross estimates 50 families displaced, lost everything in large apartment fire on Detroit's west side.

March 25, 2014: Red Cross volunteers responded to the state of Washington to assist residents affected by the devastating mudslide:

March 26, 2014: Volunteers assist residents and rescue/first responders at the devastating 9-alarm fire in Bostons Back Bay neighborhood that took 2 firefighters lives:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. Whether you donate funds, donate blood or volunteer, the Red Cross depends on your support to make a difference in communities across the country.

I ran across this video recently. If you know me, you know I am a Red Cross volunteer and very proud to be one! But I am also a recipient of Red Cross services. On February 23, 2012 I lost everything in an apartment fire that the Shawnee Fire Department calls the worst fire in Shawnee, KS history. I happened to be on call that night as a Disaster Action Team member for the Red Cross and while my fellow volunteers will call me a hero for assisting other residents with paperwork while experiencing my own loss, it's the volunteers there that night that are the heroes! They kept me calm during what was by far the worst moment of my life (I not only lost all my possessions but my kitty Cosmo perished in the fire and my kitty CJ was severely burned.) When everyone else had been helped, I was heading towards the door when another volunteer stopped me. She said "we haven't taken care of everyone yet." I was dumbfounded at what she said next, "We haven't taken care of you!" I was so exhausted emotionally about my kitty's that I hadn't thought much about my needs. Linda made sure I received assistance for food and clothing (I already had a place to stay with a friend so shelter wasn't needed)....And the next day, I received numerous calls from other Red Cross volunteers including our Mental Health providers to make sure I was okay physically and emotionally. So when I saw this video it brought tears to my eyes because it not only represents what I am so very fortunate to do - Volunteer for the Red Cross - but also it reminds me of the night Red Cross volunteers where there for me. Red Cross volunteers truly are Angels Among Us! I hope you enjoy the video.

If you have any trouble viewing the video from blogger, here is the you tube link:  http://youtu.be/WgPA-jWTOm4

Praying for Boston - Boston Mourns Two Fallen Firefighters

Boston is again in hearts and prayers as they mourn the loss of 2 brave firefighters who lost their life fighting a large fire on 3/26/14. Firefighters Micheal R. Kennedy and Lt. Edward J. Walsh died when they became trapped in the basement while fighting a fire in an apartment building in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. Please take a moment to remember these heroes! 

This combination made with undated photos released by the Boston Fire Department via Twitter shows firefighters Michael R. Kennedy, left, and Lt. Edward J. Walsh, who were killed Wednesday, March 26, 2014, when trapped the basement while fighting a fire in an apartment building in Boston. Kennedy, 33, a Marine Corps combat veteran was assigned to Ladder 15, and had been a firefighter for more than six years. Walsh, 43, and a father of three, was assigned to Engine 33, and had been a firefighter for almost a decade. (AP Photo/Boston Fire Department)

Boston firefighters work a multi-alarm brownstone fire, Wednesday, March 26, 2014, in Boston. (AP Photo/The Boston Herald, Christopher Evans)

A firefighter places his hand on the shoulder of another at the scene of a multi-alarm fire at a four-story brownstone in the Back Bay neighborhood near the Charles River, Wednesday, March 26, 2014 in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

In this photo made Wednesday night, March 26, 2014, firefighters salute the medical examiner's truck carrying the body of one of two firefighters killed when a fire driven by strong winds whipped through a four-story apartment building in Boston and trapped them in the basement. (AP Photo/Boston Herald, Matt West)

Firefighters place black bunting on the front of fire station Engine 33/Ladder 15, Thursday, March 27, 2014, in Boston. Engine 33/Ladder 15 was the station of fallen firefighters Lt. Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy who lost their lives fighting a nine-alarm blaze in a four-story brownstone in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood Wednesday, March 26, 2014. Thirteen other firefighters were injured in the blaze and several police officers also were taken to hospitals. Some residents were rescued from the upper floors of the four-story apartment building, but none was hurt, officials said. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

RIP Michael Kennedy and Lt. Edward J. Walsh

Throwback Thursday

I didn't realize there was a video from my apartment fire on 2/23/12 but I happened to be browsing Twitter last night and ran across the video posted by Tyler Silvest who goes by the twitter handle @KansasScanner.

I still remember it as if it happened yesterday. Thankful everyday that my kitty CJ survived and wonder how he possibly escapted the inferno...



Here are some other videos of the fire that I have recently come across. These videos were taken by residents who were displaced by the fire of in adjacent buildings concerned that they may have to evacuate their families as well.