Here’s my gift of:

Inside

Spring 2012

page 4

P2 A message from the CEO

P3 Ready at a moment’s notice

P4 Western Washington Heroes

To find out more about how you can be a Red Cross volunteer, visit redcrosswashington.org

My Red Cross Story:

What I saw in JoplinAbout a year ago, my mom, who is a Red Cross Disaster Action Team member, asked me and my sister Sierra if we wanted to join the Red Cross as youth volunteers. I said, “sure,” but after several meetings I started wondering when I would actually be needed, and for what purpose.

Then Sunday, May 22, 2011, happened.

That day, a massive tornado tore through Joplin, MO— the deadliest in nearly 60 years. What I’ve seen is really hard to explain. It’s one of those things you have to experience for yourself to comprehend what kind of devastation has happened here.

I went to the shelter at Missouri Southern State University, thinking it would be like all the other shelters I had worked at before. I was wrong. This one was much bigger and had many more people in it. And there were so many children.

The needs were immenseIn addition to feeding at the shelter, I helped provide health care, child care and basic supplies like toothpaste, soap and towels—anything the people needed. Then on Tuesday, May 24, there was another tornado warning, and we had to rush everyone to safety in the basement.

We fed over 300 people for each meal of the day. Sierra and I also handed out a large bag full of our old toys and stuffed animals to children in the shelter. Their faces lit up with such joy—the toys were just some small objects of hope to hold on to. I’m proud to know my sister and I were a little part of that hope.

And I want to take this opportunity to send a wish to all the people of Joplin, MO. Please keep your sense of hope— you are not alone.

Jerrika Walkup, 15 years old American Red Cross Youth Volunteer

Jerrika serving food to disaster victims at a Red Cross shelter in Joplin.

“I’m asking all teenagers out there to join me

to band together and help your neighbors

in times of need.”p My check is enclosed, payable to the American Red Cross Western Washington Chapters.p Please charge my: p AMEX p MC p VISA p Discover p Diners Club

p $25 p $35 p $50 p Other $__________

Visit us at redcrosswashington.org or call 1-888-926-3543

Please return this form to: American Red CrossWestern Washington ChaptersDonation Processing CenterPO Box 91210Seattle WA 98111-9310

19575A-47116

March is Red Cross MonthEvery 60 seconds, the mission of the Red Cross benefits 250 people. This year, we’ve celebrated “March is Red Cross Month” by inviting people throughout the nation to share their Red Cross stories. What’s yours? Write your own story by volunteering, taking a lifesaving training class or donating financially. Thank you for taking part!

Share your story at redcross.org/story

To give today, go to redcrosswashington.org or call 1-888-926-3543. We appreciate your support!

Red Cross recognizes Western Washington Heroes

Heroes Cassidy Turner, Connor Reid, Sandra Guoan and Cory Nelson helped rescue a small boy from a community pool in Port Angeles.

Last fall the American Red Cross Olympic Peninsula and Mount Rainier chapters recognized more than 40 special individuals throughout Jefferson, Clallam and Pierce counties at their annual Heroes Breakfast and Dinner. From performing lifesaving CPR on a stranger to rescuing a family from their burning home, these very special heroes personify the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross and help keep Western Washington safe and strong.

The Olympic Peninsula Chapter’s 9th Annual Real Heroes Dinner took place on November 3. Special thanks to Event Sponsor Green Crow, Dinner Sponsors 7 Cedars Casino and Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Platinum Hero Sponsors Chevron, First Federal, Bob and Marge Helander, Kelley Shields, Inc., Dr. John Skow and Jeanne Skow, and George and Shirley Williams, and Gold Table Sponsors Tom and Jay Dee Anderson, Auto Works, Kathleen and Bill Benedict, Judy and Mike Blair, Columbia Bank, Hermann Bros. Logging & Construction, Inc., Jim and Debbie Jones, Kiwanis Club of Port Angeles and Kiwanis Club of Port Townsend.

The Mount Rainier Chapter’s 18th Annual Pierce County Heroes Breakfast took place on December 9. Thank you to Major Sponsors the Mattich Family and MultiCare Health System, and Award Sponsors Boeing, Columbia Bank, Franciscan Healthcare and TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

Connect with us!Find out how your donations are making a difference online at:

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

CARD NUMBER EXP. DATE

SIGNATURE SECURITY CODE

@E-MAIL ADDRESS (to receive Red Cross alerts, news and information)

PHONE

facebook.com/seattleredcross

facebook.com/redcrossrainier

twitter.com/seattleredcross

twitter.com/redcrossrainier

A publication of the American Red Cross Western Washington Chapters

page 2 page 3

It all happened in an instant.

On February 4, 2011, then 9-year-old Anaiah Rucker of Madison, GA, saw that her younger sister had wandered into the path of an oncoming truck.

Acting quickly, Anaiah pushed her sister out of the way. Her swift response saved her sister’s life—and nearly caused her to lose her own. The truck slammed into Anaiah instead.

CPR saved her life

Miraculously, moments later, passerby Loretta Berryman was able to perform CPR on the critically injured child, keeping her alive until more help arrived. Though Anaiah lost her leg as a result of the accident, her life had been saved, thanks to Loretta’s quick action and training.

Loretta later received a National Certificate of Recognition for Extraordinary Personal Action from the American Red Cross.

Training a community

The story of these two heroines drew attention from the media, including Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The popular television show not only helped build a wheelchair-friendly home for the Rucker family, it also partnered with the American Red Cross to train the community in Citizen (Hands-Only) CPR during the week of filming.

Citizen CPR is a technique that involves performing chest compressions on an

individual who has suffered sudden cardiac arrest. No mouth-to-mouth contact is required. It’s an especially effective lifesaving method for situations where a person suddenly collapses.

“We want to thank Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and the [Red Cross] Eastern Georgia Chapter for all of their efforts to help make the Madison area safer by empowering people with the knowledge and skills to respond to an emergency,” said Ruben Brown, Atlanta-based communicator for the Red Cross.

You too can be prepared when crisis hits. For details on Citizen CPR and other lifesaving training in your area, visit redcross.org/training

Anaiah Rucker meets Extreme Makeover: Home Edition star Ty Pennington.

One tragedy, two heroes

Update: Four-star donation stewardship Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent evaluator of charities, has once again awarded the American Red Cross its “Four Star Rating”—the highest possible rating. This award signifies that the Red Cross “consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way.” Rest assured that every gift you give to the American Red Cross will be put to work down the street, across the country and around the world.

A message from the CEO

A woman saving a life with CPR. Military families connected in emergencies through our services to Armed Forces. These are just a couple of the stories you’ll find in this issue of Crossnotes—stories that show how, with a little knowledge and training, anyone can be a hero when the need arises.

It’s your support that makes these stories possible. Your help enables us to provide training in CPR, first aid and other lifesaving techniques, as well as critical services for disaster relief.

As you read this issue, I invite you to reflect on the ways the Red Cross has made a difference in your own life. Whether you’ve volunteered, taken training or given financially, you have a Red Cross Story, too.

Thank you for your partnership, your compassion and your generosity.

Randy HutsonRegional CEOAmerican Red CrossWestern Washington Chapters

The American Red Cross provides service to 1.4 million active-duty military personnel, while also reaching out to more than 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families.

At 75 years old, Charles Wilson is the most traveled member of his local Red Cross chapter—and shows no signs of slowing down.

Since beginning to volunteer at his local chapter, he’s assisted with relief efforts related to flooding in New Jersey, tornadoes in Oregon, ice storms in Oklahoma and other disasters.

Charles, who has lived his entire life in Fort Worth, TX, welcomes every opportunity to travel. In keeping with his Red Cross training to always be prepared, he makes sure that when the call comes, he’s all set to answer.

“I keep [a] bag packed with some jeans, some shirts, a toothbrush,” he said. So when the next disaster strikes, he added, “I don’t know if I’m going, but I’ll be ready.”

Longtime Red Cross volunteer still ready at a moment’s notice

Charles Wilson, who joined the Red Cross as a volunteer five years ago, is ready at a moment’s notice to go where he’s needed.

Service members count on the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program to link them with their families back home when major life events occur and to connect their families to local resources. Red Cross staff located around the world go the extra mile to connect family members for life’s transitional moments.

Bringing loved ones together

A service member’s mother contacted the Red Cross for help when her oldest son, Adam, stationed with the Air Force in South Korea, wanted to come home to attend his grandfather’s funeral. Two days before the funeral was scheduled, Adam was still a 14-hour flight away, unsure if he would be granted leave. The Red Cross provided the

verification Adam’s command was looking for in time, and he arrived home just as the graveside service was beginning. “I have always known the Red Cross is there for the catastrophic events, but never would have thought they would be there to support my family in our individual catastrophic event,” his grateful mother said.

Helping share the joy

Air Force member Nate Farrington was stationed in Iraq when his youngest child was born. Thanks to the webcam-equipped computers in the Red Cross station in Balad, Nate did not have to miss the special event. He witnessed his daughter’s arrival at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, thousands of miles and several time zones away. No matter where military members and their families are stationed, they can rest assured the Red Cross will do everything possible to deliver notifications and provide support when they need it most.

Many military families rely on the Red Cross to help keep them connected when a member is deployed.

Your donation at work: Serving our troops

What’s your Red Cross Story?

Interested in volunteering with the Red Cross? Visit redcross.org for more information.

For more information on our Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program, go to redcross.org

page 2 page 3

It all happened in an instant.

On February 4, 2011, then 9-year-old Anaiah Rucker of Madison, GA, saw that her younger sister had wandered into the path of an oncoming truck.

Acting quickly, Anaiah pushed her sister out of the way. Her swift response saved her sister’s life—and nearly caused her to lose her own. The truck slammed into Anaiah instead.

CPR saved her life

Miraculously, moments later, passerby Loretta Berryman was able to perform CPR on the critically injured child, keeping her alive until more help arrived. Though Anaiah lost her leg as a result of the accident, her life had been saved, thanks to Loretta’s quick action and training.

Loretta later received a National Certificate of Recognition for Extraordinary Personal Action from the American Red Cross.

Training a community

The story of these two heroines drew attention from the media, including Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The popular television show not only helped build a wheelchair-friendly home for the Rucker family, it also partnered with the American Red Cross to train the community in Citizen (Hands-Only) CPR during the week of filming.

Citizen CPR is a technique that involves performing chest compressions on an

individual who has suffered sudden cardiac arrest. No mouth-to-mouth contact is required. It’s an especially effective lifesaving method for situations where a person suddenly collapses.

“We want to thank Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and the [Red Cross] Eastern Georgia Chapter for all of their efforts to help make the Madison area safer by empowering people with the knowledge and skills to respond to an emergency,” said Ruben Brown, Atlanta-based communicator for the Red Cross.

You too can be prepared when crisis hits. For details on Citizen CPR and other lifesaving training in your area, visit redcross.org/training

Anaiah Rucker meets Extreme Makeover: Home Edition star Ty Pennington.

One tragedy, two heroes

Update: Four-star donation stewardship Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent evaluator of charities, has once again awarded the American Red Cross its “Four Star Rating”—the highest possible rating. This award signifies that the Red Cross “consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way.” Rest assured that every gift you give to the American Red Cross will be put to work down the street, across the country and around the world.

A message from the CEO

A woman saving a life with CPR. Military families connected in emergencies through our services to Armed Forces. These are just a couple of the stories you’ll find in this issue of Crossnotes—stories that show how, with a little knowledge and training, anyone can be a hero when the need arises.

It’s your support that makes these stories possible. Your help enables us to provide training in CPR, first aid and other lifesaving techniques, as well as critical services for disaster relief.

As you read this issue, I invite you to reflect on the ways the Red Cross has made a difference in your own life. Whether you’ve volunteered, taken training or given financially, you have a Red Cross Story, too.

Thank you for your partnership, your compassion and your generosity.

Randy HutsonRegional CEOAmerican Red CrossWestern Washington Chapters

The American Red Cross provides service to 1.4 million active-duty military personnel, while also reaching out to more than 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families.

At 75 years old, Charles Wilson is the most traveled member of his local Red Cross chapter—and shows no signs of slowing down.

Since beginning to volunteer at his local chapter, he’s assisted with relief efforts related to flooding in New Jersey, tornadoes in Oregon, ice storms in Oklahoma and other disasters.

Charles, who has lived his entire life in Fort Worth, TX, welcomes every opportunity to travel. In keeping with his Red Cross training to always be prepared, he makes sure that when the call comes, he’s all set to answer.

“I keep [a] bag packed with some jeans, some shirts, a toothbrush,” he said. So when the next disaster strikes, he added, “I don’t know if I’m going, but I’ll be ready.”

Longtime Red Cross volunteer still ready at a moment’s notice

Charles Wilson, who joined the Red Cross as a volunteer five years ago, is ready at a moment’s notice to go where he’s needed.

Service members count on the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program to link them with their families back home when major life events occur and to connect their families to local resources. Red Cross staff located around the world go the extra mile to connect family members for life’s transitional moments.

Bringing loved ones together

A service member’s mother contacted the Red Cross for help when her oldest son, Adam, stationed with the Air Force in South Korea, wanted to come home to attend his grandfather’s funeral. Two days before the funeral was scheduled, Adam was still a 14-hour flight away, unsure if he would be granted leave. The Red Cross provided the

verification Adam’s command was looking for in time, and he arrived home just as the graveside service was beginning. “I have always known the Red Cross is there for the catastrophic events, but never would have thought they would be there to support my family in our individual catastrophic event,” his grateful mother said.

Helping share the joy

Air Force member Nate Farrington was stationed in Iraq when his youngest child was born. Thanks to the webcam-equipped computers in the Red Cross station in Balad, Nate did not have to miss the special event. He witnessed his daughter’s arrival at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, thousands of miles and several time zones away. No matter where military members and their families are stationed, they can rest assured the Red Cross will do everything possible to deliver notifications and provide support when they need it most.

Many military families rely on the Red Cross to help keep them connected when a member is deployed.

Your donation at work: Serving our troops

What’s your Red Cross Story?

Interested in volunteering with the Red Cross? Visit redcross.org for more information.

For more information on our Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program, go to redcross.org

Here’s my gift of:

Inside

Spring 2012

page 4

P2 A message from the CEO

P3 Ready at a moment’s notice

P4 Western Washington Heroes

To find out more about how you can be a Red Cross volunteer, visit redcrosswashington.org

My Red Cross Story:

What I saw in JoplinAbout a year ago, my mom, who is a Red Cross Disaster Action Team member, asked me and my sister Sierra if we wanted to join the Red Cross as youth volunteers. I said, “sure,” but after several meetings I started wondering when I would actually be needed, and for what purpose.

Then Sunday, May 22, 2011, happened.

That day, a massive tornado tore through Joplin, MO— the deadliest in nearly 60 years. What I’ve seen is really hard to explain. It’s one of those things you have to experience for yourself to comprehend what kind of devastation has happened here.

I went to the shelter at Missouri Southern State University, thinking it would be like all the other shelters I had worked at before. I was wrong. This one was much bigger and had many more people in it. And there were so many children.

The needs were immenseIn addition to feeding at the shelter, I helped provide health care, child care and basic supplies like toothpaste, soap and towels—anything the people needed. Then on Tuesday, May 24, there was another tornado warning, and we had to rush everyone to safety in the basement.

We fed over 300 people for each meal of the day. Sierra and I also handed out a large bag full of our old toys and stuffed animals to children in the shelter. Their faces lit up with such joy—the toys were just some small objects of hope to hold on to. I’m proud to know my sister and I were a little part of that hope.

And I want to take this opportunity to send a wish to all the people of Joplin, MO. Please keep your sense of hope— you are not alone.

Jerrika Walkup, 15 years old American Red Cross Youth Volunteer

Jerrika serving food to disaster victims at a Red Cross shelter in Joplin.

“I’m asking all teenagers out there to join me

to band together and help your neighbors

in times of need.”p My check is enclosed, payable to the American Red Cross Western Washington Chapters.p Please charge my: p AMEX p MC p VISA p Discover p Diners Club

p $25 p $35 p $50 p Other $__________

Visit us at redcrosswashington.org or call 1-888-926-3543

Please return this form to: American Red CrossWestern Washington ChaptersDonation Processing CenterPO Box 91210Seattle WA 98111-9310

19575A-47116

March is Red Cross MonthEvery 60 seconds, the mission of the Red Cross benefits 250 people. This year, we’ve celebrated “March is Red Cross Month” by inviting people throughout the nation to share their Red Cross stories. What’s yours? Write your own story by volunteering, taking a lifesaving training class or donating financially. Thank you for taking part!

Share your story at redcross.org/story

To give today, go to redcrosswashington.org or call 1-888-926-3543. We appreciate your support!

Red Cross recognizes Western Washington Heroes

Heroes Cassidy Turner, Connor Reid, Sandra Guoan and Cory Nelson helped rescue a small boy from a community pool in Port Angeles.

Last fall the American Red Cross Olympic Peninsula and Mount Rainier chapters recognized more than 40 special individuals throughout Jefferson, Clallam and Pierce counties at their annual Heroes Breakfast and Dinner. From performing lifesaving CPR on a stranger to rescuing a family from their burning home, these very special heroes personify the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross and help keep Western Washington safe and strong.

The Olympic Peninsula Chapter’s 9th Annual Real Heroes Dinner took place on November 3. Special thanks to Event Sponsor Green Crow, Dinner Sponsors 7 Cedars Casino and Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Platinum Hero Sponsors Chevron, First Federal, Bob and Marge Helander, Kelley Shields, Inc., Dr. John Skow and Jeanne Skow, and George and Shirley Williams, and Gold Table Sponsors Tom and Jay Dee Anderson, Auto Works, Kathleen and Bill Benedict, Judy and Mike Blair, Columbia Bank, Hermann Bros. Logging & Construction, Inc., Jim and Debbie Jones, Kiwanis Club of Port Angeles and Kiwanis Club of Port Townsend.

The Mount Rainier Chapter’s 18th Annual Pierce County Heroes Breakfast took place on December 9. Thank you to Major Sponsors the Mattich Family and MultiCare Health System, and Award Sponsors Boeing, Columbia Bank, Franciscan Healthcare and TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

Connect with us!Find out how your donations are making a difference online at:

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

CARD NUMBER EXP. DATE

SIGNATURE SECURITY CODE

@E-MAIL ADDRESS (to receive Red Cross alerts, news and information)

PHONE

facebook.com/seattleredcross

facebook.com/redcrossrainier

twitter.com/seattleredcross

twitter.com/redcrossrainier

A publication of the American Red Cross Western Washington Chapters