There are so many ways to support the American Red Cross— by volunteering, making a donation, donating blood and using your own hidden talents. 

Wenelie Jugarap had no experience in organizing events of any kind, but after Typhoon Ketsana and Parma hit the Phillippines on September 26, 2009 she was struck with such a deep passion to help those in need.

Typhoon Ketsana and Parma affected more than 2.5 million people, creating the worst flooding in more than 40 years in the capital city of Manila and others in the northern part of the country.

When Wenelie first heard of the typhoons she made a monetary donation to the American Red Cross but wanted to do more.

Through the support of friends and some persistent efforts she was able to secure every Friday night in the month of October to collect donations, at the Pig’n Whistle restaurant.  The benefit concerts showcased performances by Camille Velasco, a finalist from the third season of American Idol, and the bands Adams Attic and the Station.

“I am but one person, but I was able to mobilize my peers and other people in lending a helping hand” said Wenelie.

For more information on hosting an event benefiting the American Red Cross, contact Monica Leon at (310) 445-2685 or leonm@arcla.org.

On January 12, 2010, Haiti had a devastating earthquake which killed more than 200,000 people and left 2 million homeless. Immediately, the students of Northridge Middle School had an enormous desire to help those in need.

Although the majority of the 975 students who attend the school are economically challenged (with 87% on a free or reduced breakfast and lunch program), that did not dissuade them from raising funds for Haiti relief. After all, the mission of the school is to create an environment where the students learn how to “make character count.”

The students asked the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) if they could raise money to help the Haiti earthquake victims and expressed a desire to do this through the American Red Cross. The students knew of the American Red Cross because of their conversations at home with their families. The PTSA said yes immediately and told the students whatever monies they raised, the PTSA would guarantee a pledge of $100.

With the students hard at work babysitting, cleaning yards, and whatever they could do to make extra money, the PTSA and school coordinator Judi Greenberg contacted Sher Hogan, an American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles Disaster Action Team volunteer.

Sher was very moved when hearing about the tireless work of these tenacious and compassionate children and called Chief Communications Officer Charlie Sardou of the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles. He too was on board to personally help. Sher worked with Judi and coordinated with the school to have a special appreciation assembly.

On February 2, 2010, just three weeks after the devastating earthquake, the students presented a check to Charlie in the amount of $2,205. Then they gave an additional $108 in monies raised the day of the event, for a grand total of $2,313.

“The school recognition event was a mammoth success,” said Sher Hogan. “These students are the leaders of tomorrow, and they deserve to be recognized.  They have made us all proud.”

PTSA President Alma Valdivia added, “The PTSA feels it is important for the students to learn that donating and giving back is an important way of life. The PTSA, as well as the teachers and staff, are so very proud of the students for all their hard work. And when it comes to character — character counts — and you can count on them.”

Also attending the assembly were several community leaders, including John Bwarie of Councilman Greig Smith’s office. “These students saw the opportunity to contribute, to raise funds that would directly benefit those in need and they were hugely victorious in their endeavor,” he said.

“This is an outstanding day to see our teachings have not fallen on deaf ears,” said Judi Greenberg. “We appreciate the hard work of Sher Hogan and everyone who helped make this day possible.”

Photo: Commending the students of Northridge Middle School for their fundraising efforts are (l to r) John Bwarie, Deputy District Director, District 12, Councilman Greig Smith’s office; Deborah Wiltz, Principal, Northridge Middle School; Judi Greenberg, Coordinator, Northridge Middle School; Scott Sterling, Northridge South  Neighborhood Council; Sher Hogan, American Red Cross DAT Team & Northridge South Neighborhood Council; Charlie Sardou, Chief Communications Officer, American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles and Alma Valdivia, PTSA President, Northridge Middle School and her niece.

The Red Cross Service to Armed Forces (SAF) program helps members of the military and their families with emergency communications, emergency financial assistance, counseling service and referrals. 

One of the growing components of the chapter’s SAF program is the U.S. Dept. of Defense-sponsored Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. This program is specific to Reserve and National Guard military members and their families providing information, referrals, and services.

Yellow Ribbon events prepare activated Reserves and National Guard servicemembers for predeployment, mobilization, and reintegration, while also providing support to the families when their loved ones are deployed. The program also assists in reintegrating soldiers with their families, communities and employers upon redeployment or release from active duty.

Eric Brubaker, program manager, Service to the Armed Forces, American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles, said the program is increasingly needed with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In the past six months, the Red Cross has promoted the program at two events, including a recent event that was held at the Westin Hotel in Los Angeles, with more than 200 attendees representing the service members and families of eight units.

The Yellow Ribbon program helps soldiers and families deal with the day-to-day, practical impacts of deployment on the household. The American Red Cross is proud to be an integral part of this program,

For more information about SAF or Yellow Ribbon, please contact Candice Dietz, program coordinator, Service to the Armed Forces at DietzC@arcla.org or call (310) 943-5289.

American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles volunteers, Rachel Tarses and Bill Alley, were awarded Bronze Stars for providing Red Cross assistance to U.S. Armed Forces serving in Operation Desert Storm.

Once Upon a Time in Our Chapter

By Barbara Wilks
Chapter Historian

May 15 is Armed Forces Day, a time for the nation to remember and honor those who fight in our country’s military forces to preserve freedom. We especially honor those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. and while they do, the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles is ready to help them and their families with emergencies.

This is not the first war for the Red Cross. It’s not even the second or third. The American Red Cross has been assisting members of the military and their families since the Spanish American War in 1898. The chapter has been actively providing aid since it was established in 1916 and collected materials and gifts for soldiers serving on the Mexican border under General John J. Pershing.

Cell phones and computers have changed communication between service men and women and their families somewhat. They often can hear good and bad news rapidly. If that news requires them to be at home with their families, however, it is the Red Cross that helps them obtain an emergency leave. In 2009, however, the Red Cross did provide approximately 640,000 emergency communications, messages of births, deaths and critical illness.

One thing that has not changed is the staff of dedicated Red Cross field directors who serve with the troops. In 1991, The American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles was proud that two of those brave people who went with the U.S. military to Operation Desert Storm were two experienced chapter disaster volunteers, Rachel Tarses and Bill Alley.

They lived in tents in the hot Saudi Arabian desert, worked 15-hour days with gas masks at their elbows and worried about SCUD missile and gas attacks, but they got the job done. Despite the hardships, both came home agreeing they would go again without hesitation.

For their courage and dedication, they were among the seven Red Cross workers awarded the Bronze Star, which is given to those individuals who, while serving in any capacity with or in the U.S Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by meritorious achievement or service during armed conflict.

Assistance for the military and their families is mandated by the American Red Cross Congressional Charter granted in 1905, and the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles stands ready to help in wartime or peace.

The Red Cross is now implementing a new model whereby chapters nationwide, including local chapters, are reviewing ways to increase operational efficiencies by forming regional partnerships.

“By combining our strengths — including sharing systems and expertise — we can continue to run highly successful chapters in our communities,” said Paul Schulz, CEO, American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles.

Seven L.A. County Red Cross chapters — Claremont, Arcadia, Glendale, Santa Monica, Antelope Valley, San Gabriel Pomona Valley and Greater Los Angeles — are realigning into a regional grouping under the direction of the Greater Los Angeles chapter. The Rio Hondo and Long Beach chapters are not part of the current reorganization.

By July 1, 2010 (the new fiscal year), the chapters will consolidate accounting operations and donor information. Board members, volunteers and staff members from the seven chapters are also reviewing how to better work together to raise funds, provide disaster services and offer Health and Safety courses. 

“In aligning the resources at our local chapters, we will ensure that the donor dollars we receive go even further,” said Schulz.

Claudia Hanrahan (left), vice president, Oh Cal Foods, meets with Red Cross volunteer Colleen Beatty about local Subway stores providing meals for Red Cross shelter residents during catastrophic and seasonal disasters.

By Julie Walmsley, Emergency and Disaster Response Volunteer

If a devastating earthquake — like the recent quakes in Haiti, Chile and China — jolts the Los Angeles area, the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles may be faced with serving more than 2 million meals a day to displaced residents. Where will all that food come from?

Thanks to a newly inked agreement with local Subway franchises in Los Angeles County, approximately 350,000 Red Cross disaster shelter residents may be eating turkey, roast beef, veggie and other sandwiches every day the shelters are open.

Red Cross volunteer Colleen Beatty, a marketing consultant who had previously worked with Subway, helped coordinate initial discussions between the Red Cross and OhCal Foods, the Woodland Hills-based development agency for Los Angeles area Subway franchises.

Now, in the event of a catastrophic disaster, each of the 578 Los Angeles area stores still operating will prepare 700 sandwiches a day, which will be distributed to residents being served by all L.A County Red Cross chapters.

Claudia Hanrahan, vice president of OhCal Foods, explains that Subway can mobilize to respond to a large-scale disaster because of its global resources and purchasing co-op.

“When the what-if scenario happens, our restaurants are able to get food from other regions,” said Hanrahan. “The franchisees are excited about the opportunity of helping our neighbors.”

Subway will also provide food and snacks to the Red Cross for shelters opened during seasonal disasters, such as wildfires and mudslides.

Alex Rose, Emergency & Disaster Response agreements specialist, said the partnership was tested during the winter rainstorms. “Our Red Cross disaster teams opened evacuation centers at the exact same time in San Pedro and Sunland, and it was gratifying to know that meals were immediately available from Subway for everyone seeking refuge in our shelters.”

OhCal Foods, Subway franchises and Subway patrons recently supported international Red Cross disaster operations by generously donating to Red Cross Haiti relief efforts.

By Nikki Davis, Communication & Marketing Volunteer

Haiti.   Chile.   Mexico.   China.   Los Angeles?

The 7.2 Easter Sunday earthquake outside of Mexicali was the third major quake to rattle the western hemisphere since the beginning of 2010. Witnessing the aftermath of these quakes — the building destruction, infrastructure meltdown and loss of life — Southern Californians are left wondering: What can I do to survive if a catastrophic earthquake hits Los Angeles?

Predicting the Big One

Seismologists say that the area is long overdue for a major quake — the Big One. Southern California lies on several faults, including the Newport-Inglewood and Puente Hills faults, and the infamous San Andreas which runs over 800 miles through California and Mexico.

While scientists cannot predict where and when a temblor will occur, it is certain that a major quake along any of these fault planes would impact millions of people and cause billions of dollars in damages.

Are You Prepared?

“The April earthquake in Baja was a wake-up call that earthquakes can happen right here in our own backyard,” said Anna Bourne, manager, Preparedness Education, American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles. “Every family member needs to be prepared.”

Knowing what to do before, during and after an earthquake can increase your chances of survival and the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles can help. Residents are encouraged to visit the Prepare LA+ website, which provides step-by-step information about how to prepare for a quake at home, school, and work.

Did You Know? — The last earthquake along the San Andreas fault was the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, measuring 7.8. More than 3,000 people were killed. The last major temblor in the area was the 1994 Northridge earthquake measuring 6.7, which claimed over 60 lives and resulted in $21 million in damages.

Paul Schulz (center), American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles CEO, presents a plaque to Farmers Insurance Group Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Mark Smith (l) and CEO Robert Woudstra for supporting local and international efforts.

To help bolster its volunteer ranks during a catastrophe, the Red Cross has launched “Ready When the Time Comes,” a program that provides disaster training to employees at businesses who will then become part of the Red Cross volunteer reserves.

To kick-start the program in the Los Angeles region, L.A. area title sponsor Farmers Insurance Group of Companies® contributed $30,000 to the Greater Los Angeles Red Cross and $20,000 to other Southern California chapters.

“We are in the disaster response business and see this partnership as a natural fit,” said Farmers Insurance Group Inc. Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Kelso. “We greatly admire and respect the worldwide work the American Red Cross does and look forward to working with this fine organization.”

The American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles estimates it will need 20,000 volunteers to provide services to people uprooted by a large-scale disaster— far more than the 2,500 Red Cross volunteers who are currently trained.

“During disasters, we need as many people as possible to help us deliver services, so we are very grateful to Farmers Insurance Group for its financial contribution to launch this program, as well as its commitment to allow the Red Cross to train employees,” said Paul Schulz, CEO, American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles. “We hope other companies will follow the lead of this forward-thinking company.”

Help for Haiti

In addition to taking a lead role in the Ready When the Time Comes partnership, Farmers also donated more than $260,000 to the Red Cross for Haiti relief efforts. This donation is a combination of money raised by Farmers employees, agents and district managers, and dollars matched by Zurich Financial Insurance. Farmers further celebrated the new partnership by hosting blood drives at its University of Farmers building in Westlake and at Farmers Home Office in Los Angeles.

For information about the “Ready When the Time Comes,” program, please visit the PrepareLA+ website. For businesses interested in participating in the program, please call Amy Keller at (310) 445-2685 or email her at kellera@arcla.org

Actress Chelsea Staub delivered a check to the Red Cross with the proceeds from her Harmonies for Haiti concert. She also delivered cupcakes to staff and volunteers, including visitor Sydney Diaz, daughter of staff member Monica Diaz.

Residents across the Southland have donated generously to help the immediate and long-term needs of Haitians — and in many cases mobilized others. Chelsea Staub and Christopher Hawley are two peforming artists who utilized their talents to coordinate fundraising events benefitting the Red Cross Haiti relief efforts.

Chelsea Staub Coordinates “Harmonies for Haiti”

Twenty-one year old actress and singer Chelsea Staub, best known for her role on Disney Channel’s JONAS brought  together more than 20 actors and musicians for a benefit concert called Harmonies for Haiti, held at the House of Blues. Members of Red Cross youth clubs at local high schools attended the concert. In April, Chelsea personally delivered a check for more than $12,000 raised that evening by her and her pals to the Greater Los Angeles Red Cross. She brought along two dozen Sprinkles cupcakes to thank Red Cross staff and volunteers for their hard work.

Haiti’s Devastation Strikes a Personal Chord for Guitarist Christopher Hawley

Christopher Hawley

Guitarist and singer-songwriter Christopher Hawley has been to Haiti more than 20 times since his grandparents moved there 30 years ago. His annual trips fostered a passion for the people, culture and music of Haiti. After hearing about the devastating quake, he decided to donate all door proceeds from his shows at The Good Hurt and The Stronghold in Venice to the American Red Cross. “I knew the money from my fans would be used by the Red Cross to help the Haitians I care about,” said Hawley. He remains very concerned about life in Haiti: “The entire country is in my heart and I just want to help.”

In less than 90 days, the American Red Cross has already spent $111 million (more than one-fourth of the total raised) to meet the most urgent needs of earthquake survivors. The American Red Cross will continue to support hundreds of thousands of additional survivors in the next three to five years by investing in shelter, water, sanitation, livelihoods, disaster preparedness and health programs.

Progress Made

In the past twelve weeks, the global Red Cross network has collectively:
• Handed out tarps, tents and toolkits for nearly 373,000 people.
• Provided relief items for 400,000 people.
• Distributed 60 million liters of clean drinking water.
• Built more than 1,300 latrines.
• Helped vaccinate more than 152,000 people against deadly diseases.
• Coordinated the shipment of more than 2,100 units of blood to medical facilities.
• Treated more than 86,000 people at Red Cross hospitals or mobile clinics.
• Registered more than 28,400 people with missing loved ones on its family linking Web site.
• Deployed more than 900 responders to Haiti, including 165 representing the American Red Cross.

Working Through the Haitian Red Cross

The approach used by the American Red Cross in responding to international disasters is different from the response to disasters that occur in the U.S. Rather than send in large numbers of American Red Cross volunteers who may not speak the language or know the culture, the American Red Cross instead works through that nation’s Red Cross or Red Crescent society. In this disaster, the American Red Cross and the Red Cross network are working with the Haitian Red Cross to deliver relief supplies through the network of 10,000 Haitian volunteers.

Relief and Recovery Plans

Since the earthquake, the American Red Cross has raised more than $409 million for the Haiti relief and recovery efforts. To date, it has spent approximately $111 million, with about 50 percent of the money spent on emergency relief, such as food and relief supplies; 39 percent for shelter; 5 percent for livelihood development through activities such as cash assistance; 5 percent for water and sanitation; and 1 percent for health.

Of the more than $400 million raised to date, the American Red Cross expects to spend approximately $200 million to meet the survivors’ immediate needs — mostly in the first 12 months following the earthquake. The remainder of the funds raised will be allocated for long-term recovery.
During the next three to five years, the American Red Cross expects to apply:
• 39 percent of the total funds raised for shelter;
• 18 percent for emergency relief;
• 17 percent for water and sanitation projects;
• 16 percent for helping families rebuild their lives through grants, loans and other financial assistance;
• Other spending areas in the multi-year plan include helping communities prepare for future disasters such as floods, hurricanes and earthquakes and strengthening health programs.
The allocations in the American Red Cross plan likely will shift somewhat in the years ahead in order to be responsive to the fluid situation in Haiti and the evolving needs of the Haitian people

Shelter is a Priority Now and in the Months and Years Ahead

In one of the fastest shelter-relief operations in recent years, the Red Cross and other humanitarian agencies provided emergency shelter supplies to nearly 1.1 million people—90 percent of the 1.3 million homeless— as of April 5. Efforts are on track to get emergency shelter supplies to the remaining families in need by May 1. Of the total 1.3 million homeless, the Red Cross network is responsible for providing tarps, tents and tool kits to 400,000 people in Port-au-Prince, Leogane, Carrefour and Jacmel, and so far has reached 93 percent of that group.

Red Cross volunteers in Atlanta are helping to assemble emergency shelter kits to benefit 50,000 Haitian families in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International. The emergency shelter kits are funded by a $3.8 million grant from the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross network in Haiti is working toward providing enclosed, transitional shelters for 250,000 people currently living in settlements at risk for catastrophic flooding. These shelters are safe and robust and can be moved or extended by families where space and resources allow. An initial shipment of building supplies for 1,000 shelters has already arrived in Haiti, and enough materials for an additional 5,000 shelters will be delivered in coming weeks. Together, these first shelters will house up to 30,000 people.

Click here to learn more and read the complete three-month progress report.

You can help the victims of countless crises, like the recent earthquake in Haiti, around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online.