Volunteer Profile | Scott Kahler

by Kelly Norton, Volunteer Contributor 

Who: Scott Kahler, American Red Cross in the National Capital Region volunteer

What: Scott received the Joan White Grass Roots Service Award from Volunteer Alexandria for his impressive service to the Alexandria community. This award is given annually to a volunteer in the community who "selflessly committed  time, energy, and skills to help an organization to further its mission."

When: The awards ceremony was held on Friday, October 25th.

Where: Alexandria, Virginia 

Why: For the past seven, years Scott has volunteered with the Red Cross on the Disaster Action Team (DAT) in Alexandria, responding to emergencies, including residential and commercial fires, to ensure those affected have housing, clothing, and food. He also monitors scanner radios within Alexandria and the surrounding communities to keep residents alert about incidents. In addition, Scott provides leadership to Ready When the Time Comes (RWTC), a corporate volunteer program. In this role, he serves as a leader for his group of Deloitte colleagues, trained in Red Cross shelter management and ready to be called upon during a local disaster. 

Scott's also a leader in a variety of other areas, including client casework and driving Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV). 

Missing giving back to the community, Scott first began volunteering with the Red Cross in 2001 after he left military service. He was part of the response team during Hurricane Katrina that worked to open shelters, which was a powerful experience for Scott.

"I like helping people. It gives me satisfaction. The gratitude of people - since the Red Cross was the only one doing anything at the time and knowing I was one of them - was phenomenal!"

Scott's commitment to helping others is further demonstrated through his work for No Borders Youth Chorus, which he helped found in 2011 and brings youth from around the world, including Canada, Germany, England, Australia, and China to Carnegie Hall each December to participate in the US/Japan Goodwill Concert. All funding for the Chorus comes from grants and generous donations so that the young singers can have this amazing experience.

In all of his volunteer work, Scott demonstrates true grass roots efforts by working together with his community partners on shared concerns to affect change.

When asked about receiving the Joan White Grass Roots Service Award, Scott was appreciative, noting that he especially like that the Red Cross was getting recognized for their efforts in the Alexandria community.

Congratulations, Scott! And thank you for your inspiring service!  

Remembering Superstorm Sandy | Lessons from a Disaster Deployment

"Styrofoam Lady"

By Chuck and Marge Pulfrey, Disaster Action Team (DAT) Volunteers

When it became necessary to switch from serving meals from cambros to serving meals out of Styrofoam cases, a great opportunity for the Red Cross to support recycling and to further serve our clients became apparent. One such client spied an early Styrofoam case and asked what we did with them after they were used. We told her that they had to be discarded due to the effort and expense involved in getting them sanitized and she told us about her best friend, a veterinarian actively engaged in capturing, neutering, and releasing feral cats. Those cats that can be socialized are placed in adoption. The anti-social cats are returned to the wild along with a shelter made out of... Styrofoam boxes. The emergency response vehicle (ERV) drivers were immediately on board with this win/win approach and by the time we ended our deployment, enough used Styrofoam cases were provided to our client and the vet for them to host a 60-person class in making these recycled cat shelters. 

Remembering Superstorm Sandy | One Year Later

Superstorm Sandy dealt a devastating blow to the East Coast one year ago today. As this date approached, images like those on this recent BuzzFeed have served as intense reminders of what happened and how far we've come. While there's still much work to be done and there are many people still picking up the pieces from Sandy, the American Red Cross was there to help then and continues to assist one year later.

Last year, launching the biggest response in more than five years, the Red Cross mobilized to aid victims of the storm - opening hundreds of shelters, serving nourishing meals and snacks, and distributing millions of relief items. 17,000 Red Cross workers (90% were volunteers) offered comfort to those affected. Today, the American Red Cross continues to address long-term needs, working with government and nonprofit partners to assist those requiring help on the path to recovery. 

Red Cross NCR Response at a Glance

• Opened or supported 14 local shelters
• Provided 300 overnight shelter stays
• Served approximately 1,900 meals and snacks
• Mobilized 200 local volunteers and staff to engage in relief efforts immediately before & following the storm
• Deployed all 6 of the region's Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) to New York & New Jersey

Learn more about the American Red Cross' massive response to Superstorm Sandy by reading our one-year report.

Tips for emergency preparedness can be found on the American Red Cross website. Safety information is also available on our Facebook and Twitter. Don't forget to download the Red Cross mobile apps, too! 

#TBT | Musical Mission Moment

We're tickling the ivories with a Red Cross tune for this inaugural Throw Back Thursday post. Written by Nortier Simanungkalit, an Indonesian songwriter known for his hymns and marches, this National Capital Chapter composition highlights the key services of the Red Cross and the seven Fundamental Principles under which the organization operates. 

Break out your keyboard and sing along with us!

Lyrics: American Red Cross, National Capital Chapter, led by volunteers. Works tirelessly twenty four hours a day. Provides disaster services; Health, safety and emergency services for the people. Allegiance to humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. Teaches and improves peoples lives. Whenever and wherever people need help, Red Cross will be there. We are the first to arrive, and the last to leave. American Red Cross. We'll be there, we'll be there. 

October in a Nutshell

Make Halloween Safe & Less Scary

by Squiggy the Squirrel

Whether you’re a goblin in Alexandria, a superhero in Prince George’s County, a zombie in DC, or a witch in Prince William County, Halloween characters will take over the night. But even scary creatures need to be safe and celebrate Halloween right. Halloween's greatest hazards aren't vampire and villains, but falls, costume mishaps, and automobile accidents. The Red Cross and I want your family to have a safe Halloween so we're providing these tips - the lucky 13:

1. Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home!
2. From the bravest of superheros to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!
3. If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don't go inside.
4. When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.
5. Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing to be seen in the dark! (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, and brooms and the edges of your cape!)
6. Whether you walk, slighter or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.
7. As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And speaking of streets, the corners are the place for trick or treaters to cross no matter their pace.)
8. Wigs, capes, and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!
9. Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn't a safety gamble!
10. You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (Between parked cars is no place to hide, be sure that you're seen whether you're a clown or a bride.)
11. Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!
12. You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.
13. Have a grown-up inspect your candy when you're done trick-or-treating to remove open packages and choking hazards before eating.

Consider downloading the Red Cross First Aid app in case of any trick-or-treating emergencies. This app gives you instant access to the information you need to know to handle the most common first aid emergencies. It includes videos, interactive quizzes, and simple step-by-step advice. It's never been easier to know first aid! 

Glow sticks, lanterns, and safety, oh my! Bring along these fun favorites from the Red Cross Store on your Halloween outing and be prepared for life's emergencies!

And my final note - whether you're an adult, kid or team, have a safe and happy Halloween!

xo,
Squiggy

Talk to Us!

Your Personal Home Fire Prevention Plans

We're turning up the heat on your plans to prevent home fire and want to hear from you! Submit photos and videos of the steps you're taking to be prepared and we might post them here on our blog. Get creative and talk to us! Here are some ideas:

• Tap into your acting skills and act out scenarios 
• stop, drop, and roll!
• practice your fire escape plan
• Channel your inner chef and demonstrate how to cook safely
• Review the Red Cross Fire Prevention & Safety Checklist
• Public speaking prowess? 
• give a tutorial on how to check your smoke alarm and change its batteries
• take us on a tour to see the fire hazards you've removed from your home 

Learn more about fire prevention and gather additional ideas here!

To submit:

1. Fill out this form and click submit
2. Email your photos/videos to meredith.brandt@redcross.org.

Hot Tips for Fire Prevention Month

Prevent, Plan, and Practice!

by Lisa Newman, Volunteer Contributor  

Many people know that the American Red Cross responds to a high number of emergencies each year - more than 70,000 annually! But did you know that home fires are the most common disaster Americans face every year? Fire Prevention Week has just ended but we have the remainder of the month (October is Fire Prevention Month!) to prepare our families and homes. 

Fast Facts:

• Every 8 minutes, the Red Cross responds to disaster, the majority of which are home fire.
• Home fires kill more people in the United Sates than all natural disasters combined.
• Only 26% of Americans are prepared with a strategy and rehearsed escape plan.

PREVENT

• Keep items that can catch on fire at least 3 feet away from anything that gets hot, like a stove.
• Avoid smoking in bed.
• Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to sleep.

PLAN

• Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside of sleeping areas.
• Test smoke alarm batteries every month and change them at least once a year.
• Make sure everyone in your family knows at least 2 ways to escape from every room of your home.
• Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the 2nd and 3rd floor. Make sure everyone in your home learns how to use them ahead of time by reading the manufacturer's instructions and understanding the steps to use them. Store them near the window where they will be used.

PRACTICE

• Practice your fire escape plan at least twice a year. Designate a meeting spot outside that's a safe distance from your home. Make sure all family members know the meeting spot.
• Have your family practice escaping from your home at different times of the day. Practice crawling low and how to dial 9-1-1. For additional fire preparedness tips and escape planning, click here.
• Teach your family to stop, drop to the ground, and roll if their clothes catch on fire. Practice this with your children.

Simple Safety:

• Never open doors that are warm to the touch.
• If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. If possible, place a towel under the door and call the fire department to alert them to your location in the home. Go to the window for help, waving a bright colored cloth or a flashlight. Do no break the window. Instead, open it from the top and bottom. 
• Once you get out of your home, stay out under all circumstance until a fire official gives you permission to go back inside.

Squiggy the Squirrel | In a Nutshell

Many folks in our region are accustomed to seeing squirrels dodge through the streets (if you've ever wondered why there are so many, read this 2008 article from the Post & Courier). But only a few have had the chance to meet our chapter's very own Sciuridae. We sat down with Squiggy to talk about her affinity for the Red Cross and what she hopes to teach our readers.

Why do you love the Red Cross?

I used to be really nervous about experiencing a disaster. It seems like any time you turn on the TV you’re seeing some sort of natural disaster or scary situation. The Red Cross has taught me how to be prepared for the unpredictable, which has made me feel less afraid. I love that the Red Cross empowers everyday people to be ready for these situations and prepares them in a variety of ways, from health and safety courses, to disaster preparedness education and blood donations.  Because of the Red Cross, I’m not a scared squirrel anymore! In fact, I'm now squared away! 

What’s got you so excited about working with the Red Cross?

I can’t wait to help our readers and our communities in the region feel less squirrely about disasters! Stay tuned for monthly tips to help you overcome some of your disaster fears! I also have my very own page on the blog where readers can interact directly with me!

What’s been your favorite Red Cross memory so far?

Definitely working with the Taste of DC event in 2011. Not only did I get to work with youth volunteers in a Lady Gaga inspired video, but I also danced on stage with Rusted Root at the actual event! If you haven’t seen these videos, you should watch them on the National Capital Region's YouTube channel. 

No Small Feat

After a number of years away from the blogosphere, the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region is back (on Blogger) and better than ever! In what will be an ever-evolving platform, this is where we'll post stories, interviews, videos, preparedness tips... and much more!

As with any social media platform, the evolution of this site will be no small feat. So please bear with us. We’re excited to use this new (to us) stage to share the Red Cross story – a story that also involves no small feet.

The footprints we leave are large – both in our services and by the sheer number of volunteers and partners that make our work possible. We hope that we can leave similar impressions on the hearts of those we touch. We know our hearts are full because of each of you. Thanks for embarking on this journey with us and for your continued support of the Red Cross!