Red Cross Philly bloggers are staff members and volunteers of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross. Each post is an insight into the daily work of the Chapter-our day-to-day fulfillment of the mission of the organization.
Last month Karen filled this blog with tips on how to stay safe through the winter season. She pointed out potential fire hazards that come to light during this time of year—vital information as the winter finds more house fires in Philadelphia than any other season. However, there’s another issue that comes with these cold, gray, short, and lonely winter days: the winter blues.
Most of the Red Cross AmeriCorps members moved here in August, and most of us moved from warmer climates. Two of our members moved here from southern California, and another two from Virginia and North Carolina. Our fears that our first Philly winter would send us shivering home to hole up and watch reruns of The Simpsons (nothing past the 6th season, of course) or doing a little research on our new city by watching It’s Always Sunny, were only worsened by a snow storm in October. 
Raz came to the realization that all of her favorite decorative scarves she brought from home would be useless against these biting winds. Courtney began to think of her under armor base layer as her skin. Brian and I were left bewildered that there could be snow on the ground and people were still expected to go to work and schools were still running. As the days got shorter and the nights got colder, we all became sadder. The sun had set on the dog park by the time we got home from work; the farmers market stopped running on Thursdays; we stopped catching up or hanging out with friends after work. But then, December came, and so did a change of attitude. Sure, it could have been the fact the temperatures made it the 60s on four different days, but more importantly, Red Cross Education Specialist Claire Morton convinced most of us to join a community dodge ball league.
Now we spend these winter nights looking forward to the 9 match games we play each Thursday. On Thursdays, we are no longer cold AmeriCorps members muddling through or first northern winter. We are the Black Team, dominating the West Philly Community Center. Well, dominate may be a bit strong. We do, however, have a great time playing and in this way dominate our winter blues. So, that wraps up our first tip for beating the winter blues: join a local recreational team, such as dodge ball. 
You don’t have to be good (looking at you Swiss Cheese and Butter Fingers), we’ve really only won the games where we had twice as many people as the other team; you just have to commit to getting out of your house to hang out with people. This will hopefully be the first of many installments on how SEPA AmeriCorps NPRC members are beating the winter blues. Please, reader, feel free to leave us your suggestions. We’ll probably try them out, and may even blog about them. (images used with permission)
January, 16, 2012. While most people were excited to have the day off and sleep in, I woke up at 5 a.m. to meet at the Winchester Playground, for a Service Project in Philadelphia. I have to admit, I was a little nervous first of all about oversleeping, but that worry was solved by having two alarms set. My second worry was regarding my activities for the day. I knew I would be the only Red Cross representative working with HOPEworldwide and One Day at a Time (two amazing non profits in the area) and I wanted to make a great impression. When I arrived at the playground, I was immediately given a warm welcome by the director of HOPEworldwide and my worries were put at ease. The day was a HUGE success. All the volunteers and surrounding neighborhood really supports the mission behind American Red Cross, HOPEworldwide and One Day at a Time. The volunteers gladly braved the cold to deliver 300 door hangers and 75 bags filled with fire safety info. I really enjoyed working with other non profits and listening to several firefighters give a presentation on Fire Safety.
This resolution is going so well.
I wanted to introduce myself on a more personal level and give a brief overview of my service term here at the SEPA Red Cross in Philadelphia. My name’s Kyle Holter and I’m a native of Rochester, NY. I graduated from Vassar College last year with a degree in English and, wanting to spend the year somewhere new, decided that serving with AmeriCorps would be a great way to gain experience (something I didn’t get a lot of in English classes) and explore a new city while contributing to a common good. So here I am!
As NPRC members in Philly, the other AmeriCorps and myself rotate through a number of different positions at the Red Cross: Preparedness Education, Youth Services, Disaster Response, “The Bridge”, and Red Cross House. Some of my fellow members, I hope, will take up the blog-gauntlet I’m presently throwing down and describe their current rotations. I’m serving from now until the end of the year as a caseworker at Red Cross House (RCH) with Liz Vaden, my fellow NPRC.
Red Cross House, for those who don’t know, is a transitional housing facility designed to shelter families who have been affected by disaster. It is completely one-of-a-kind, unique to Philadelphia. Working here would be a great option for anyone who wants a boots-on-the-ground experience in social work! As a caseworker, I meet with families who have been displaced from their homes to develop short- and long-term recovery plans. For some families, this means finding temporary housing while waiting for repairs to wrap up on their original home. For others, it means finding a new home entirely. I have, on average, one or two new cases everyday and anywhere between five and ten prior clients to meet with or contact by phone. The workload varies with the incidence of disasters in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. Over the course of a year, it averages out to almost two fires everyday! My rotation at RCH has moved this plain statistic into a very real light, and brought me to what now seems the late realization that disaster is the rule rather than the exception. Or rather, for individuals disaster is the exception, over a broad population it is the rule. As someone relatively untouched by disaster, I’ve found working at the Red Cross, and at RCH in particular to be both a poignant and educational experience, well worth the spartan AmeriCorps lifestyle.
Nineteen days later than culturally typical, the other AmeriCorps NPRC members here at SEPA chapter and I have made a resolution for the New Year: blogging! Outreach via social media! Laying the virtual groundwork for hypertextual community! Simply, we’d like to explain who we are and what we do here in Philly for the Red Cross on a day-to-day basis. If I were flattering myself I’d say these immortal phrases must be posted for the edification of posterity, but the fact that we’ve been asked to blog might have something to do with this belated resolution. And perhaps this blog could serve as enticement to future members! We, therefore, the representatives of the National Preparedness Response Corps, in general congress, assembled, appealing to the supreme judge of social media for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of this city, solemnly publish the SEPA NPRC blog 2012. Another minor resolution & memorandum: fit in some more overdone colonial America references. All props are the exclusive right and privilege of Philadelphia, city of brotherly love.
Speaking of belated, in addition to covering all the up-to-the-minute NPRC news you so desperately desire, we’d like to commemorate the halfway mark of our AmeriCorps term by looking back on all the unblogged events of the past six months: the unsung deeds of Philly NPRC August ’11 to January ’12. Famed exploits include tales from the shelter operations during Hurricane Irene– “The Night of Two Thousand Cots Spread Over Five Different locations,” “The Next Night of One Thousand More Cots,” and “Oh and Don’t Forget the Blankets and Pillows and a Thousand More Cots” (runner-up bad jokes include: “A Fistful of Cots”, “A Few Cots More,” & “The Cots, the Cots, and the Cots”)– stories of where to find germs, courtesy of the kindergarten students of Red Cross’s “Scrubby Bear” classes, and whispered legends of the glitteriest holiday cards this side of the Mason-Dixon. Look for these and other sagas of adventure & service through AmeriCorps (including national disaster deployments!) in the weeks to come.
I’ll leave you with this photograph, which, better than any other I know, typifies the optimistic– nay! revolutionary– AmeriCorps spirit. Raz Tadeo, fellow NPRC & Community Educator extraordinaire, fixes her stalwart gaze on the middle distance, somewhere between a commitment to service foreground and philosophically humanitarian background. No need mention it was taken during our weekly dodgeball game; that face speaks for itself. More on that subject and others in future posts!
It’s really difficult to believe two years ago today, one of the worst earthquakes to hit humanity struck Haiti.
As I reflect on that day and everything since, a few key thoughts come to mind.
I still can’t truly fathom how much destruction the earthquake caused. Think about what it would be like if America’s largest city suddenly collapsed in ruin and it was virtually impossible to get in, get out, or even communicate for months. As bad as the images on TV and internet were, they couldn’t truly do it justice.
I had only been working for the Red Cross for about 3 months. I was still not entirely in my comfort zone. But when I got word that an earthquake hit Haiti and that this was going to be real bad, there was no time to be overwhelmed. No time for asking “What do I do?” Being the
Communications Director meant being the first point of contact for people wanting to help and for information about what the Red Cross was doing to help. So as you can imagine, my phones and email were deluged at all hours of the day and night for about two weeks. In addition to handling dozens and dozens of media requests daily, I was in charge of scheduling the many media related fundraisers, like telethons and radiothons. I handled scheduling and providing talking points to the innumerable public appearances our chapter was asked to make.
The most lasting impression is that of Georges, one of our disaster volunteers. He is from Haiti. For days he didn’t know if his mother or sister were alive. It was agonizing for him and us, not knowing their fate. But he continued to volunteer because he knew people relied on the Red Cross here, just like they were relying on the Red Cross there. Happily his sister and mother survived and were in touch within about a week.
There was a lot riding on everything we said and did. The American Red Cross reputation and the trust of literally millions of people who donated was at stake. It was truly the first time in my professional life where I believed that what I was doing mattered. That’s not an exaggeration either. Sure my previous work was rewarding and meaningful, but nothing like this.
I’m very proud of not only what the national American Red Cross has achieved and is achieving to help Haiti, but also what my local chapter did. SEPA chapter provided care and comfort to some 30,000 Haitians living in the Philadelphia area. We provided opportunities to reconnect loved ones here and there. We sent four workers to Haiti. And thanks to the generosity of the people of Philadelphia, we were able to raise more than $7 million dollars.
I feel a little guilty looking back at it, because I remember moments where I would complain about the long hours, not seeing my family, and being awakened at 2 a.m., when in reality, I had it pretty good. My hardships were nothing compared to what the people of Haiti were going through and besides, they were only temporary.
I think about Haiti often, even two years later, but for a different reason. Haiti was the first time I truly understood the power of the Red Cross. The impact it can have on the lives of others. Trust me, that leaves a lasting impression.
Since Haiti, I’ve been to hundreds of fires and saw the faces of thousands of people who just suffered the worst moment of their lives. I was in North Carolina and Joplin, Missouri to assist with Red Cross relief efforts after horrific tornadoes there. On a grand scale the damage and loss of life don’t compare. But to each of those individuals and families affected by those tornadoes and fires, what they just endured is every bit as devastating as Haiti because they too lost everything, and in many cases a loved one. I have to remind myself to treat all disasters, large and small, with the same care and interest even if everyone else doesn’t. As a member of the Red Cross, that’s my job.
My heart still aches for the people of Haiti, but it is also filled with pride at the amazing work the Red Cross has done to make their lives better, safer, and healthier. Much has been achieved, but much still needs to be done.
I encourage you to go to Redcross.org/Haiti to read a full report on what we have achieved there and what our plans are for the future. You can also click here to see a brief video and see for yourself the progress.
Finally, I want to say thank you to everyone who donated their time and money to the American Red Cross to help the people of Haiti. Thanks for your trust.
I've never been one to make resolutions... for some reason, I just never really had anything THAT important I wanted to accomplish over a YEAR... my goals were shorter term. Get a promotion I applied for... Get my boyfriend to propose.... Get married... have a healthy baby.. Ok, so these aren't your typical "resolutions"- more goals than anything. Yes, sure, I need to get more exercise and we ALL should make healthier choices, but these are things I deal with on a case by case basis... like when I choose what to eat for lunch, dinner... snacks... and even what to give to my daughter. I try to make healthier choices.
Maybe this is the year to make a real resolution. One to be Red Cross Ready. I am certified in CPR and First Aid, but I know I need a refresher course in 2012. I also know that we need to upgrade a couple of our smoke detectors in our home. This is a short term resolution for me.. It will be completed by the end of January. I plan to take an infant CPR and first Aid course... because while our current daughter is past the infant stage, I'm due with a second daughter in April. It's time to refresh my skills to be as ready as possible for emergencies in case they occur. I resolve to make a REAL kit and put it in a place that we can grab in case of a fire or disaster in our home. I resolve to make a new plan for evacuating our home in case a fire or emergency strikes... one that accounts for the new baby.
Join me in my resolution... Take time to make yourself Red Cross Ready! Sign up to take a class.... read up on how to be prepared.
One more thing to think about when you're making resolutions for 2012:
If you’ve been out doing some last-minute holiday shopping, I’m sure you realized you are not alone. The streets are packed this time of the year, and exasperated drivers are everywhere. I, of course, have left all of my shopping to the last minute, a decision which I regret every year. Last night, I attempted to make a quick run to the mall for some things, but I actually gave up and turned the car around when I saw how backed up the traffic lights in my area were. Where did all these people come from?!
Fortunately, when Christmas finally does arrive, I won’t have to do much traveling at all to be with my family. For those of you who aren’t quite that lucky, make sure you do everything you can to prepare for the trek ahead of you and make your travel as stress-free as possible. Check the tire air pressure before you leave and make sure the windshield fluid is full. Get a good night’s sleep so you can be rested and alert while driving. And, as my mom would say, there are lots of “crazies” out there, so pay attention! Give the road your full attention and avoid distractions such as cell phones. You never know when something might happen. If something goes wrong and you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible. Please be a safe driver this season, and good luck to everyone during their holiday travels
No one knows how to keep bills low like a poor college/graduate student. Trust me, I know, not because I currently am one, but because I have many friends who are and I always bring an extra blanket when I go to visit. I am one of those lucky suckers who moved back in with her parents post-college. My former roommate is one of those lucky suckers sharing an apartment and working her way through grad school. According to her, lights are only used as necessities, not luxuries. Showers and other water usage should be kept short and to the point. And she and her current roommates refuse to turn on the heat until the thermostat reads “frigid.”
You don’t have to go to that extreme, but there are many ways you can keep the heating bills comfortably low this winter. Get the furnace cleaned and be sure to change the filters. Don’t block any heat vents with furniture. If you aren’t using a room, close it off and turn off the heat in that particular room. You shouldn’t have to walk around the house wrapped in a fleece blanket, but maybe turn the thermostat down just a bit and pull on a sweater. I bet you can find an awesome Christmas sweater for this time of the year. Follow these simple steps and you can save this holiday season, and throughout the winter, without becoming a Grinch.
After a span of unseasonably warm temperatures at the beginning of the month, it’s finally starting to feel like December. Not that I minded the 50-60 degree temps, I am very much a warm-weather person, but now at least it feels more Christmas-y. With this colder weather comes the desire to keep the house warm and toasty, perhaps gather around a fire in the fireplace or hook-up a portable heater in a bedroom for some extra warmth. Unfortunately, cold weather heralds not just the start of the winter season, but the start of the home fire season as well.
By all means, gather around the fireplace this winter. But don’t leave the fire unattended. Also make sure your fireplace and chimney are cleared and working properly before getting the fire going. My family has not used our fireplace for years (we have a pet parakeet and his little lungs wouldn’t be able to handle it), but we have had everything from raccoons to bats living in our chimney. Yes, we got it taken care of and our chimney has been critter-free for a long time now, but just imagine if we had decided to light a fire one night without checking it out first? Now, I’m not saying you’ll have a raccoon in your chimney, but at least make sure your fireplace and chimney are clear and ready for use.
Don’t take chances with your home and family this winter; take precautions. Never leave a portable heater or fireplace unattended. Do not use a stove or oven to heat your home, that’s not what they are meant for. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside of all sleeping areas. Check to make sure existing smoke alarms are working properly and change the batteries if they aren’t. Keep your family safe and warm this winter by being cautious while heating your home.
The dangers of alcohol have been hammered into me from a young age. I am a product of my elementary school’s D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program, my junior high’s T.A.D.A. (Teens Against Drugs and Alcohol) club, and my high school’s health education classes and numerous campaigns to keep teens from driving impaired. In college, the bar rose yet again in an attempt to keep young adults safe with DUI checkpoints set up by police along busy roads on game days and weekends. I’ve grown up watching T.V. shows addressing the issue of drunk driving, and seen many PSAs warning against driving impaired. Yet each year, over 10,000 people die in drunk-driving accidents. That’s 1 person about every 50 minutes, a statistic that blows my mind.
The holidays are a time to let loose and celebrate, and I love the spiked punch, New Year’s champagne, and Christmas eggnog just as much as the next person (well, not exactly. I don’t like eggnog and I prefer wine to champagne, but you get the idea). But we all need to remember to enjoy the holidays responsibly. If you’ve been drinking, DON’T drive. Period. Even a slight “buzz,” an I’m-fine-I’ve-had-barely-anything feeling will impair your judgment and driving skills. Designate a driver ahead of time and stick to that plan. If you’re driving yourself to holiday festivities, skip the booze and head to the soda or “mocktails”; I still love non-alcoholic sparkling cider.
When you are on the road this holiday season, unfortunately you need to keep in mind that not all drivers may behave responsibly. Wear your seat belt and slow down. Keep distractions (like cell phones) to a minimum. Education, information, statistics, DUI checkpoints, and PSAs can only do so much to keep people safe this holiday season. Ultimately, the choices are yours to make. Celebrate safely so everyone can keep the holiday cheer flowing!