A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS!

April in central Texas is a beautiful thing.  We have some of the best weather of the year, beautiful wildflowers, events and festivals galore.  One thing you might not know about April is that it is also National Volunteer Month - the perfect time to say thank you to all those wonderful people who offer their time and talent to the community.

My Red Cross career began as a volunteer and that experience has profoundly changed my life.  I have always been a happy and blessed person but when I started to respond to home fires for the Red Cross I found a mission so in alignment with my core values that it now gets me out of bed every day.  Even now, more than nine years since my first Red Cross training class, I am touched on a daily basis by the importance of our work.

Today I am paid for my Red Cross work but I am surrounded by volunteers who share the passion and dedication I continue to feel.

Red Cross volunteers come in every color, faith, political persuasion and age.  They are urban, rural, small town and suburb dwellers.  They are the complete cross section of our community but they share one thing in common; the desire to use their life to help others.  They do 95% of all the work performed by the Red Cross and thousands of our neighbors feel the benefits of their dedication each year.  Those few of us who get paid are their support staff and we are proud to be of assistance to them.

So sometime during this beautiful month of April I hope you will take the time to stop and smell the flowers, have some fun and thank a Red Cross volunteer.

Marty McKellips, CEO of the American Red Cross of Central Texas

SERVE AUSTIN -- A CALL TO ACTION

 Today at City Hall the Mayor officially announced “Serve Austin – A Call to Action.”  This is Austin’s own “Cities of Service” initiative which will help thousands of volunteers make a difference in five key areas: Classroom Education, Fitness Education, Women Military Veteran Support, Health and Community Service Technology. 

Your American Red Cross, Austin Region is proud to be the lead partner in “Operation Outreach”, a program designed to proactively help female veterans with reintegration into civilian life and provide assistance for all issues they face upon return from military service. Over the next year, we will recruit and train 100 female veterans to reach out to their counterparts who may be struggling with issues as diverse as child care, post-traumatic stress disorders, or unemployment.  The volunteers will be armed with a guide to all the amazing resources our nonprofit, for profit and government agencies have to offer.  Our goal is to reach the veterans before they are in crisis by contacting them on a regular basis and encouraging them to seek help earlier.

This program is a perfect fit for the American Red Cross because volunteers are the heart of all we do and service to the military has been embedded in us from the beginning of our history.  We are excited at the opportunity to partner with both the City of Austin and all the organizations who are already working so hard to help our American heroes.  Watch for updates over the next few months as we build this program and serve those who have served us.

Marty McKellips

CEO

 CEO Marty McKellips pictured above at podium

MARCH IS RED CROSS MONTH

March is Red Cross Month and the American Red Cross is asking you to join us in providing help and hope to people in need.

The Red Cross works tirelessly to help those who need assistance, whether down the street, across the country, or around the world. We respond to disasters, help members of the military, provide blood for those in need and teach lifesaving skills.

When you help with a gift of your time, your blood donation, or your financial gift, you join the Red Cross. We want to thank those supporters whose generosity helps ensure we are able to continue our service to those who need us. Thanks to them, the Red Cross is there when needed most.

Since the beginning of the year, the American Red Cross of Central Texas responded to 40 local emergencies and assisted close to 160 people.

Nationally, the Red Cross responds to disasters nearly 200 times every day. The organization provides a round-the-clock link between those in the military and their families, and supplies blood and blood products to approximately 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.

Red Cross Month is a great time for people to join the Red Cross. Sign up to be one of our volunteers. Please take one of our lifesaving training classes. Please give a financial gift. Please join us, and enable us to continue our work, both here at home, and around the world.

Sincerely,

Marty McKellips

Chief Executive Officer

American Red Cross of Central Texas 

CEO MARTY MCKELLIPS SPEAKS TO KVUE ABOUT JAPAN DISASTER

AMERICAN RED CROSS OF CENTRAL TEXAS CEO ON GOOD DAY AUSTIN

Red Cross Month: How You Can Help: MyFoxAUSTIN.com

VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF RECEIVE AWARDS

Back from their month-long deployment, Fred and Marcia Marks, the American Red Cross of Central Texas Volunteers of the Year, finally received their award.  Following their tireless efforts to assist flooding victims in South Texas, the Marks were presented with their award by Chief Executive Officer Marty McKellips upon their return.  Everyone at the chapter is grateful for the determination and hard work the Marks put into their relief efforts, and we all welcome them back home.

 Fred and Marcia Marks holding their award alongside chapter executive Marty McKellips

This past week the chapter also recognized outstanding volunteers and staff.  Rhonda Usener of accounting was recognized for reaching her thirty-fifth year of service to the American Red Cross.  Emergency Services Director Jose Dominguez and volunteer client caseworker Betty Hendrix were recognized for their outstanding commitment to mission fulfillment and will serve as the chapter's nominees for the National Red Cross Presidential Award for Excellence.

Presidential Award for Excellence nominee Betty Hendrix and Marty McKellips

Emergency Services Director & Presidential Award for Excellence nominee Jose Dominguez and Marty McKellips

YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT RETREAT

Last weekend more than 70 students gathered for the American Red Cross of Central Texas Youth Leadership Development Retreat.  This two-day leadership conference focused on social development, community involvement, team building, and many other topics designed to produce strong youth leaders in the greater Austin area.  Featuring keynote speaker Senator John Cornyn, the students learned through seminars and workshops from local business executives, nonprofit leaders, and citizens who have devoted their lives to public service.  Thanks to a generous military grant, participants of the conference from military families attended free of charge.

 

Conference Participants with Senator John Cornyn

On Saturday the students welcomed the Senator, Councilwoman Laura Morrison, Red Cross executive Marty McKellips and Divisional Vice President Derrick Chubbs, Taryn Davis of the American Widow Project, Dr. Thea Hurts, Adrienne Longenecker and David Davenport of the Capital Area Food Bank, Dana Weis, motivational speaker Los Ellis, former nonprofit CEO Karen Langley, and Pamela Westover of St. Mary's University.  As a special treat on Saturday, Senator Cornyn presented a Certificate of Merit, the highest honor a lay responder can receive, to  Jenny Thomas, an area teen who helped save her friend's life using response skills she learned from the American Red Cross.

On Sunday the students welcomed James Young of Spredfast who presented positive ways to utilize social media, Diane Ventresca, Sinclair Fleetwood and Bob Bridge from the American Red Cross and Caroline Boudreaux of the Miracle Foundation.  Following a lunch generously donated by Chuy's, the participants learned from Mary Gordon Spence, Dawn Perkins of Front Steps, and Rachel Muir of GirlSTART.  Serving as a great end to the conference, Judy Maggio of keye-tv spoke of her career in broadcasting.

Many of the students in attendance at the conference have already achieved success within their communities.  Local girl scouts at the conference assembled more than 800 emergency kits so their neighborhoods would be prepared in a disaster.  "I enjoyed a lot of the speakers and was able to learn how to use social media," said conference attendee Matthew Evans, who has already started his own environmental nonprofit organization.  Officers from area Red Cross clubs were also at the conference, ready to learn new leadership skills to help support their clubs in the fall.

Want to learn more about next year's youth leadership conference or how to start your own American Red Cross Club?  Click HERE or contact Amber Cooney at acooney@centex.redcross.org

FROM CEO MARTY MCKELLIPS: RED CROSS PRACTICING WHAT WE PREACH

Many people know the Red Cross for its disaster relief work and blood services, but helping people be prepared for emergencies is another important part of our work.

The Red Cross is practicing what we preach on preparedness, as we are working to be ready to respond to disasters of all sizes—down the street in Central Texas, across the country and around the world.

With a severe hurricane season predicted, the Red Cross is making a fundraising push now; we are asking for contributions that support our readiness for the 70,000 disasters the Red Cross responds to every year, whether they are hurricanes that affect millions of people here or abroad, floods that affect thousands, or a house fire that drives one family from its home.

Here in Central Texas, the Red Cross has responded to 85 fires so far this year, and across Texas, the Red Cross has already responded to two significant floods.

While the news media has focused its attention on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and on Haiti, it’s important to know that the American Red Cross has responded to 29 significant disasters in the U.S. so far in 2010. These have included floods in Tennessee, North Dakota, the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, tornadoes in the South and Midwest, and major fires in communities across the country including those currently taking place in California.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts between three to seven major hurricanes this year. Major hurricanes are those Category 3, 4, and 5 storms that do the most damage such as Hurricanes Andrew, Katrina, Rita and Wilma, with winds in excess of 100 miles per hour. More than 35 million people live in regions vulnerable to Atlantic hurricanes, and many in the Gulf Coast region are already experiencing hardship as a result of the oil spill.

The Red Cross is very worried about predictions of a severe hurricane season and the possibility that people will need to evacuate their homes for longer periods of time given the oil in the Gulf.

While media and public attention comes when a hurricane makes landfall, what’s often missed are the preparations made by the Red Cross to be ready to respond well before the hurricane hits. For example, the Red Cross already has pre-positioned equipment and materials near areas that could be hit by hurricanes. In addition, the Red Cross frequently moves supplies and people closer to an area threatened by a hurricane so they can be ready to respond quickly.

These preparations are costly. For example, as Hurricane Alex gathered strength in late June and threatened the Gulf coast, the Red Cross deployed 133 people, 17 emergency response vehicles and kitchen equipment to south Texas and put other vehicles and crews on stand-by.

And these disaster preparations are on top of the other floods, tornadoes and fires that the Red Cross is already responding to on a nearly daily basis.

The Red Cross spends about $450 million a year responding to nearly 70,000 disasters across the country – floods, wildfires, tornados and home fires.

No other non-governmental organization can respond to disasters on the size and scale of the Red Cross—but the Red Cross depends on donations from the American public to be ready. And we work hard to be excellent stewards of those donor dollars.

That’s why the Central Texas Chapter and other Red Cross chapters across the country are asking for help for disaster relief, and we hope that people will respond. They can click, text or call to donate to the Red Cross to help people affected by disasters like hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, fires and earthquakes, as well as countless crises at home and around the world.

People who want to make a contribution can visit http://www.redcross.org/, call 1-800-RedCross to support American Red Cross Disaster Response, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Every single donation brings hope to those in need.

GOOD NEIGHBOR: GREATER AUSTIN MERCHANTS COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

Mohmmad Ali, Amir Karovaliya, Marty McKellips (ARC), Sharif Prasala.

American Red Cross of Central Texas CEO Marty McKellips presented the Greater Austin Merchants Cooperative Association (GAMA) with a Good Neighbor Certificate at their offices on July 21,2010.  

GAMA serves convenience store and gasoline station owners by equipping them with bulk purchasing power, industry know-how, and the right connections to strengthen their business practices.  In cooperation with their member stores, GAMA has partnered with the American Red Cross of Central Texas through Fund Red canister drives, placing more than 700 canisters in their stores to collect donations from customers and patrons.  

Since 2008, GAMA member stores have raised more than $7,500.00 for relief efforts in response to Hurricane Ike and the Haiti Earthquake, while also helping the local chapter provide relief to families affected by disasters here in Central Texas.

Thank you GAMA!

Amir Karovaliya, President of GAMA and Marty McKellips, CEO of The ARC of Central Texas

I LIVE HERE, I GIVE HERE

Our very own Marty McKellips, CEO of the American Red Cross of Central Texas, recently sat down to talk about the importance of donating locally.


Disaster and Crisis Response: Marty Mckellips; CEO of the Red Cross of Central Texas from I Live Here, I Give Here on Vimeo.

THE RED CROSS OF CENTRAL TEXAS SHOWS ITS PRIDE

Left to Right: Barry Boyce, Sarah Clark, Jose Dominguez, Laura Morrison, Marty McKellips, Debbie Immel

Last weekend marked the first time our Red Cross chapter participated in the annual Austin Pride Parade!  We weren't sure how it was all going to work out and getting everything organized in the weeks leading up to the parade was trying at times, but it ended up being so incredibly fun!  Walking through the staging area before the parade began and seeing all of the organizations that came out to support the LGBT community made me so proud to be an Austinite.

And then a funny thing happened.  As the Red Cross contingent marched down to the Warehouse district with the ERV following close behind (sometimes a little too close!), I started to hear spectators cheering for the Red Cross!  Cheering and waving their arms and giving high fives as we passed by!  Cheering because we were part of this event, cheering because of the great work that we do and cheering because we were doing our part to support all segments of this community.  That night, I was so proud to be a part of the American Red Cross.

After the parade was over, we picked up one of the most nicely dressed hitchhikers that I've ever seen.  It turned out to be City Councilwoman Laura Morrison who was also one of the Grand Marshals of the Pride Parade!  She was kind enough to take a picture with us and even let Jose wear her sash.

We are definitely planning on participating again next year and hope to have even more staff and volunteers come out and march with us.  I, for one, will not miss it!

~Sarah Clark, Executive Assistant   

RED CROSS RESPONDS TO TRAGIC FIRE IN EAST AUSTIN

From Marty McKellips, Chief Marketing Officer

It was pouring rain when I arrived at the fire scene on Knight’s Circle in East Austin Friday Morning.  Steve Hailey, our Emergency Services Director, and one volunteer were already there.  Steve briefed me on the tragic news that although six people were safe, one young man did not make it out alive.  He was 28.  His friends were gathered under the carport of the house next door where a number of them live.  I learned they were mostly young musicians in a band called Bankrupt and the Borrowers.  They lived and worked together, as a very close family would, and this was certainly a very difficult time for them.  

Just a few minutes later, our Disaster Action Team Captain Carole Leandra arrived and began talking to the clients about their immediate needs. Most of the residents had escaped the fire in only what they wore to bed the night before and the cold front combined with the rain was making everyone shiver.  Luckily, Jose Dominguez arrived quickly with blankets from the chapter.  I looked at those young faces and could not imagine how they were feeling.  The trauma of a fire is bad enough, but losing a dear friend is unimaginable.

We were all very relieved to see our fabulous mental health volunteer Pat Grajkowsky. Steve briefed her and she went into the house to talk to those grieving. 

Fire trucks came and went in shifts as the firefighters put out hot spots and began the investigation into the cause.  They were asking the survivors where any important and valuable items might be located.  Some instruments and amplifiers were retrieved but their cases were charred and I have no idea if they would still work.  The band had a sold out show scheduled for that evening and I wondered about the mood in the club when the news spread about this tragedy.

The news media were lined up across the street and I begin filling them in on what the Red Cross was providing.  My main message was that these services were being delivered by volunteers and we need more people to step up and help us help our neighbors. 

One young man stepped up to me and said, “I want to thank the Red Cross for everything.  I worked for the Red Cross during Katrina so I already knew how great you guys are.”  All I could say was how sorry we were for their loss.

Although this is a sad way to begin a Friday morning, I am glad I could be there.  It reminds me again of just how important the Red Cross is and why I am so lucky to be part of something that helps people everyday.

For more information about the fire and a memorial for Jon Pettis, please click here.

Marty

FOLLOW UP FROM SUNDAY'S EDGE CREEK APARTMENT FIRE

From CEO Elaine Acker

 
The chapter responded to a multiple unit fire on Sunday morning at the Edge Creek Apartments. There were 48 units affected, and it looks like 24 have been completely destroyed. We’ve opened about 18 cases so far to assist clients. Marty McKellips was among the first on the scene, and she described it this way:

"I arrived on the scene about 8:15 am and some of our casework volunteers were already present and working with clients.  Many people were wearing only pajamas; some people were crying and all were very stressed. I requested mental health support and a volunteer arrived to offer that type of assistance. As the morning wore on, the number of volunteers grew and we were able to assist everyone waiting by about 12:30. Those in pajamas could now get a change of clothes, food, and knew they would have a place to stay tonight. It was a great tribute to our volunteers.

I want to commend Emergency Services Director Steve Hailey and all of our amazing volunteers and staff for a job well done. This was Steve’s first response with our Chapter."

Details From Emergency Services Director Steve Hailey's Initial Incident Report:

The American Red Cross of Central Texas provided:
10 Cases of Water
5 Boxes of Snacks
100 Comfort Kits

Eighteen client cases were opened while on-site. Five families were put up in hotels for three nights each and more casework will be conducted with residents throughout the week.

Thank you to Starbucks for their coffee donation.

More news coverage:
Statesman:

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/07/20/0720fire.html

News 8:

http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=246880

CEO UPDATE

From Elaine Acker, CEO

Happy Monday to all,
I hope you all have a short holiday week ahead. Here’s what’s going on here at the Chapter:

Bastrop Fire Response this past weekend
On a sad note, there was house fire this past weekend in Bastrop. Some family members made it out safely, but two elderly people died. Volunteer Elaine Thompson continues to be our rock in Bastrop County, and along with her team, she will be coordinating with the family and emergency services to provide any needed assistance.

Volunteer Recognition and Annual Meeting Set for August 23
Save the Date! We’re confirmed for our Red Cross chapter annual meeting and Volunteer Recognition event. It’s Sunday, August 23 at the Dell Diamond. We’ll conduct a little business, celebrate the amazing volunteers without whom we would not be able to deliver services to this community, and enjoy an All-American outing. This event will be big fun for the whole family, so I hope everyone – staff, board, and volunteers - can join us. We’ll be sending a “Save the Date” note to volunteers this week.

New Employee Announced in Emergency Services
Lane Pearson, who has been working in Emergency Services as a contractor, is now a permanent employee. Lane has accepted the Emergency Services Response role effective immediately, and we value his tremendous dedication to the Red Cross mission, and the broad knowledge he brings to the role. Please join me in welcoming Lane (permanently!) to the team.

America’s Charities Workplace Giving Campaigns
I’d like to thank our board members who came out to the America’s Charities reception on Tuesday evening: Michael, Calvin, Felicia, Stacy Armijo, and Judge Shepperd came and spent time with Marty and me learning more about opportunities with workplace giving. Several staff members attended the America’s Charities annual meeting and speaker’s training the following day and I think we’re all looking forward to the fall campaigns.

Watch FOX News on Wednesday, July 1
Marty McKellips is scheduled to do a morning interview on FOX on Wednesday to talk about Fourth of July safety. There’s BBQ involved. Sounds good – even at 7 a.m.

Luling Watermelon Thump
Volunteer Dave Crittenden braved the heat to represent the Chapter at the annual Luling Watermelon Thump (pictured below). Dave has worked hard to raise visibility and volunteers for the Red Cross in Caldwell County, and we appreciate everything he does for this Chapter. We have plans to increase outreach through community events in other counties, so if you have suggestions about especially high-profile events, please let us know.

Holiday
The Chapter will celebrate the Fourth of July by closing the offices on Friday, July 3.

I wish everyone a SAFE and fun weekend!

One World Camp Slideshow
Click on the image to view the slideshow.

DONATE TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS LIKE THESE 

GREETINGS AND HAPPY MONDAY - CEO UPDATE

From Elaine Acker, CEO

A World Apart, a Moment Together
Saturday was one of the most amazing experiences of my professional life. After months of working with our partners at One World Theater and LifeSize Communications, Saturday was the big day. Because of our Chapter, 12 military children were able to participate in One World’s summer theater camp. Because of LifeSize, most of those children were able to share their experience with their deployed family members. Can you say “goosebumps?”

The technology was incredible – the deployed parents watched the performance live. We could see them on the screen as part of the audience, looking proudly at their kids. There are no words to describe how rewarding this was. I walked in, saw the military parents’ faces on the screen, and felt the tears bubbling up. It worked. It really worked. I have to say an extra special THANK YOU to Michael Chaison without whom it would never have come together. Check out just a few of the photos below. Stay tuned for a slide show…

In the meantime, here’s the link to one of the News mentions:
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/A_world_apart_a_moment_together

The Education and Training Team reports that they have just inventoried all the products currently in stock, and it sounds like there’s a big SALE in the works! Keep an eye out for that announcement and you’ll have a chance to stock up on Red Cross goodies.

Also, the new course schedules are now posted online. Take a look and stay current on your training. And with Hurricane season officially here, be sure to take a look at any disaster classes that could help you learn even more about preparedness and response.

Outreach Efforts
Marty is off and running in her new role as Development & Communications Manager, Williamson County, and she and Melissa G. had a great visit with Sun City residents last Thursday. They talked about preparedness for the entire Sun City community, and the presentation was broadcast on Sun City’s community television network.

Volunteer Jim Dixon took the ERV to one of the Wal-Mart locations in Williamson County and had a chance to visit with area residents and help tell the community more about how to prepare for disasters. This kind of visibility will make a huge difference!

Debbie, Marty, and I have all done recent presentations to the City of Austin’s Public Works Department. By the time we’re done with the eight scheduled presentations, we will have reached more than 500 Public Works employees, reminding them about preparedness (especially since so many of them have a disaster response role as well), and also reminding them about the upcoming workplace giving campaigns in the fall.

Annual Meeting
Don’t forget to save the date, AUGUST 1, for our annual meeting and volunteer recognition celebration! We don’t have all the details yet, but it will be late afternoon – early evening. More info to come.

Questions? Comments? News? Send me a note! Thanks!

PAT GREEN PROCLAMATION DAY

From Marty McKellips, Volunteer and Board Chair-Elect

The Central Texas Chapter was delighted to be part of a presentation Saturday at Threadgill's to honor musician Pat Green with a Pat Green Day Proclamation. Mr. Green is a member of the Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet and is a big supporter.

Volunteer and Board Chair-Elect Marty McKellips said this: 

"I presented the award in front of a crowd of loyal Pat Green fans, most of whom had won the privilege of attending this VIP event in radio contests. People were there from as far away as Oklahoma. There was a free buffet of Threadgill's favorites. The fans were very enthusiastic and cheered at the mention of the Red Cross, the Celebrity Cabinet and the work the Pat Green had done for us. He then performed an intimate set taking questions from the audience between songs. One fan suggested the Pat Green Day in Texas should be an annual event."

LOCAL AGENCIES STILL RESPONDING TO IKE

Local Agencies Still Responding to Ike by Richard Whittaker
Austin Chronicle
"But the biggest local burden was and still is being shouldered by the American Red Cross of Central Texas. Its shelters held a fraction of the 25,000 maximum evacuees the Red Cross agreed to take in, but it was still a costly undertaking. Nationwide, the Red Cross opened 916 shelters in 17 states, said Central Texas board Chair-elect Marty McKellips. "We provided 14 million meals and snacks, 100,000 comfort kits, 100,000 cleanup kits, and at the start of the season, we had no money in the disaster relief fund." Read the full story...