Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Hope in the Shape of a Teddy Bear

Even though the holidays are long gone, this story still resonates for many Red Cross volunteers and staffers.

On December 24th, the person at dispatch received a call regarding a fire at a ranch-style house in Homestead. The house belonged to a small business owner who makes a living selling affordable cars to farm laborers in the area. When the Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers arrived they found the home totally destroyed. Only the father was there, the mother and daughter had gone out to run last minute errands before their Christmas dinner and weren't back yet.

In preparation for the holidays they had decorated a big tree with lights and had even installed a life-sized dancing Santa. The fire started when the outlet where everything was plugged in overheated. The father was in the yard mowing his lawn when he heard his dog barking desperately. He turned to see his house on fire and sprung into action. He had just enough time to go inside to retrieve the family dog. For us, at the Red Cross, it is unfortunately a story we have heard before around this time the holiday season.

The DAT leader assessed the damage and because the family has no relatives in the area, gave them a hotel voucher for three nights and a card with money for food and clothes. As the Red Cross volunteer was leaving, he pulled out a teddy bear from his car and gave it to the father to give to his twelve-year-old daughter.

It was at this point that the man started to cry. He thanked the Red Cross volunteer and explained that he was heart broken he had to tell his little girl that she had lost her teddy bear collection in the fire. But thanks to the American Red Cross and its donors, Roberto the volunteer was able to give one little girl who had just lost all her belongings the first teddy bear for her new collection.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Red Cross Volunteer Recognized as Unsung Hero

Longtime American Red Cross volunteer Dr. Margaret Blair, of Islamorada, will be recognized at the Unsung Hero Awards on Friday! Dr. Blair has volunteered for the Red Cross in three states, leads our fundraising team in the Keys and in 2010 helped us create the local Clara Barton Society, paying tribute to the Red Cross founder.


The awards luncheon is sponsored by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys and will be held at the Casa Marina Resort in Key West.

Congratulations to Dr. Blair! We're very lucky to have her.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Two Years After Haiti Earthquake, American Red Cross Remains Very Active in Recovery Efforts

Two years after the Haiti earthquake, the American Red Cross continues to help people rebuild their home and lives, with hundreds of millions of dollars committed to the ongoing recovery effort.

In a two-year update, the American Red Cross highlighted its emergency work after the 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, as well as its recovery efforts over the past year.

“People in South Florida and across the country responded to help Haiti, and their donations are making a difference with recovery and rebuilding,” said Sam Tidwell, CEO of the South Florida Red Cross. “The money provided life-saving relief to millions of Haitians after the earthquake and is now being used for longer-term housing, health, safe water and other recovery programs.”

Other highlights of the past year include:
  • Providing clean water and sanitation services to more than 369,000 people
  • Providing health services and hygiene education to more than 2.4 million people
  • Reaching more than 3 million people with cholera treatment and prevention
  • Teaching more than 436,000 people how to better prepare for disasters
  • Providing livelihoods assistance – grants, jobs and other help – to 114,000 people
The American Red Cross received about $486 million in donations following the earthquake, and has spent and signed agreements to spent $330 million on Haiti earthquake relief and recovery efforts in the first two years. The largest portion of spending has gone to food and emergency services, followed by housing, water and sanitation, health, livelihoods, disaster preparedness, and response to the cholera outbreak.

The two-year report on Red Cross relief and recovery efforts in Haiti can be found at www.redcross.org/haiti.



Thursday, January 5, 2012

Burger King Corp. Gifts Red Cross with New Emergency Response Vehicles

Miami, FL (January 5, 2012) — The American Red Cross recently rolled out 10 new emergency response vehicles, generously provided by Burger King Corp. (BKC).
South Florida Red Cross is a grateful recipient of one of these new vehicles, which we call “ERVs.”

A dedication ceremony was held Monday, December 12, at Burger King’s global headquarters, 5505 Blue Lagoon Dr., Miami.

Earlier this year, the restaurant chain collected contributions from its customers over a six-week period in support of the Red Cross. The collected donations were used solely to purchase as many ERVs as possible to serve communities across the country.

“We are very thankful to BKC for their commitment in helping the community in times of disaster,” said Sam Tidwell, CEO, American Red Cross South Florida Region. “These vehicles are essential in disaster relief operations. They provide mobile and stationary feedings, distribution of items, and, if needed, are used to do casework and transfer supplies.”

The 10 new ERVs feature the BURGER KING logo as a way to recognize the company’s generous contribution. The new vehides join a fleet of more than 300 Red Cross emergency vehicles around the country and have already been used in disaster relief operations in Alabama, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Miami.


Pictured: the ribbon cutting in front of the new ERV, from left: Peter Giamalva- Red Cross Division Vice President of Development; Cesar Gonzalez- Chief of Staff for U. S. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart; U. S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros Lehtinen; Steve Wiborg- President, Burger King Corp. North America; Glen Helton- Senior Vice President, Burger King Corp.; Sam Tidwell- CEO, American Red Cross, South Florida Region.

Photo credits: Courtesy of Burger King Corp.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Red Cross to Celebrate Florence Spottswood Humanitarian of the Year Event

Come join the American Red Cross for its annual Florence Spottswood Humanitarian of the Year Gala.
 February 4, 2012   6:30 pm - 10:00 pm



Justin and Eileen Kawaler


The Florence Spottswood Humanitarian of the Year Award is named in honor of Florence Spottswood, founder of the American Red Cross Chapter in Key West in  1917, whose grandson, Mr. Robert Spottswood, has been a member of the dinner committee since its inception in 1995. The award recognizes outstanding leaders who best exemplify the principles of the American Red Cross: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Chaired by the 2011 honorees, Eileen and Justin Kawaler invite you to an evening of fun, food and music. All contirbutions benefit the lifesaving programs of the Red Cross in the Florida Keys.

For reservations and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Betsy Dietz at: 305-292-1145 or betsy_dietz@yahoo.com

March is Red Cross Month