I just wanted to give a brief update to everyone on the Miami County office after its devastating loss after a broken water line. Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and staff we have sorted through all the items in the office and disposed of the ruined and out dated items. We have also been doing a lot of tearing out to make room for the new.
Many contractors have been bidding on projects and we plan to move forward very soon. I don't want to give away many surprises but I will say that there will be a new, refreshed face to the office.
While the loss was monumental for us it was also a great time to refresh the Miami County office and do some upgrading. My hope is that we will reopen during the first week or two of March but I will have a more firm date in the near future.
I want to thank everyone for the support and patience during this transition. We are diligently working to reopen the office but also want to make sure we have all repairs completed in a quality manner. Also, thank you to those of you who have sorted wet items, swung sledge hammers and will soon be holding paint brushes. If you are interested in helping us with some of the upgrading and have experience in doing some basic home improvements please feel free to contact Mitch at either office number.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Will You Be A HERO?
As mentioned in an earlier post we will be conducting our annual Heroes for the American Red Cross campaign in March of 2009 in both Wabash and Miami Counties. This campaign involves individuals, businesses, churches and other civic organizations to raise funds and awareness for the American Red Cross during the month of March.
This campaign runs in conjunction with March is Red Cross Month and all the funds raised from the campaign support local Red Cross programs.
So will you be a HERO for the American Red Cross? Being a HERO doesn't require super powers. To be a HERO for the American Red Cross we just ask that you, your business or your group commits to raising $1,000 during the month of March. Raising $1,000 isn't as hard it may seem, think about things you can do such as bake sales at work, special offerings at church or other great ideas. Another easy way to raise $1,000 and become a HERO is to donate $100 of your own money and find 9 friends or coworkers who will match your gift.
Think of the impact your gift of $1,000 can have in your community. Your gift of $1,000 can help family with their immediate needs after losing their home and possessions in a fire. Your gift will also support the many other programs we offer including Health and Safety, Services to the Armed Forces, Transportation and Blood Services.
If you are interested in becoming a HERO for the American Red Cross please contact the local offices at 260.563.2658 or 765.473.4461. We look forward to hearing from you, a HERO for your local community and the Red Cross.
This campaign runs in conjunction with March is Red Cross Month and all the funds raised from the campaign support local Red Cross programs.
So will you be a HERO for the American Red Cross? Being a HERO doesn't require super powers. To be a HERO for the American Red Cross we just ask that you, your business or your group commits to raising $1,000 during the month of March. Raising $1,000 isn't as hard it may seem, think about things you can do such as bake sales at work, special offerings at church or other great ideas. Another easy way to raise $1,000 and become a HERO is to donate $100 of your own money and find 9 friends or coworkers who will match your gift.
Think of the impact your gift of $1,000 can have in your community. Your gift of $1,000 can help family with their immediate needs after losing their home and possessions in a fire. Your gift will also support the many other programs we offer including Health and Safety, Services to the Armed Forces, Transportation and Blood Services.
If you are interested in becoming a HERO for the American Red Cross please contact the local offices at 260.563.2658 or 765.473.4461. We look forward to hearing from you, a HERO for your local community and the Red Cross.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Peru Office
The American Red Cross of Miami County is use to responding to disasters through out the community but this week they had to respond to a disaster of their own. Over the past weekend a major water line between the first and second floor within their building at 16 N. Miami Street broke causing massive water damage to most the building. It is estimated the line broke on Saturday while the office was closed for the weekend and was not discovered until Monday morning. By then there had been major damage to the first floor and basement where many supplies were stored.
The office at 16 N. Miami Street has been temporarily closed while a restoration company tears out the water damaged areas and dries out the building to prevent and mold or water issues. After the building has been dried out which could take up to two weeks the Red Cross will be seeking local contractors to assist in rebuilding the damaged areas so the office can be reopened. Immediately after the incident the office initiated their Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and transferred all office functions temporarily to their Wabash County office until the Peru office can be reopened.
Mitch Figert, Executive Director of the American Red Cross in Miami and Wabash Counties stated, “We knew we had to keep services up and running and se we practiced what we teach other business to do and immediately implemented our COOP plan. This included transferring phone lines to the Wabash Office and getting critical files and materials out of the building.”
Clients will see little changes in the services as they are all up and running, including transportation, there will just be no staff at the Peru office. You can still call the local phone number, 473-4461, to avoid long distance charges and it will be forwarded to the Wabash office. Anyone needing to pick up supplies or meet with a staff member should also still utilize the local number and set up an appointment to meet with a staff member in the Peru area.
Figert continued, “We have someone in Peru nearly everyday working with the insurance company and restoration crew so we will still be able to meet with clients and deliver supplies on an appointment only basis.”
The Red Cross is grateful they did have insurance on their building and contents but know there are going to be expense above the insurance settlement. They are roughly estimating damages at this time of both structure and contents damage to be nearly $50,000. They are asking anyone in the community who can support them as they begin the recovery process to send their financial gift to P.O. Box 429, Peru, Indiana 46970.
“We are working closely with our insurance agent to be as efficient as possible as we move forward with the repairs but are already aware we will have some expenses out of our budget. This will strain what was already a tight year for us. Once we enter the rebuilding phase we are planning on using as many local contractors as possible to keep the monies in our local community,” Figert added.
It is estimated the Peru office could be closed for at least 6 weeks as they recover from this unexpected loss. They also encourage other businesses in the community to remember to plan for the unexpected and make sure they are Red Cross Ready by practicing the three simple steps including: Be Informed, Make a Plan and Get a Kit.
“I know there are better days ahead for the Red Cross in Miami County. This just reminds us that no one is safe from disasters, not even the Red Cross,” Figert closed saying.
The American Red Cross of Miami County is a United Way agency. Anyone with questions about the Red Cross can contact Mitch Figert at 765-473-4461 or figertm@usa.redcross.org.
The office at 16 N. Miami Street has been temporarily closed while a restoration company tears out the water damaged areas and dries out the building to prevent and mold or water issues. After the building has been dried out which could take up to two weeks the Red Cross will be seeking local contractors to assist in rebuilding the damaged areas so the office can be reopened. Immediately after the incident the office initiated their Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and transferred all office functions temporarily to their Wabash County office until the Peru office can be reopened.
Mitch Figert, Executive Director of the American Red Cross in Miami and Wabash Counties stated, “We knew we had to keep services up and running and se we practiced what we teach other business to do and immediately implemented our COOP plan. This included transferring phone lines to the Wabash Office and getting critical files and materials out of the building.”
Clients will see little changes in the services as they are all up and running, including transportation, there will just be no staff at the Peru office. You can still call the local phone number, 473-4461, to avoid long distance charges and it will be forwarded to the Wabash office. Anyone needing to pick up supplies or meet with a staff member should also still utilize the local number and set up an appointment to meet with a staff member in the Peru area.
Figert continued, “We have someone in Peru nearly everyday working with the insurance company and restoration crew so we will still be able to meet with clients and deliver supplies on an appointment only basis.”
The Red Cross is grateful they did have insurance on their building and contents but know there are going to be expense above the insurance settlement. They are roughly estimating damages at this time of both structure and contents damage to be nearly $50,000. They are asking anyone in the community who can support them as they begin the recovery process to send their financial gift to P.O. Box 429, Peru, Indiana 46970.
“We are working closely with our insurance agent to be as efficient as possible as we move forward with the repairs but are already aware we will have some expenses out of our budget. This will strain what was already a tight year for us. Once we enter the rebuilding phase we are planning on using as many local contractors as possible to keep the monies in our local community,” Figert added.
It is estimated the Peru office could be closed for at least 6 weeks as they recover from this unexpected loss. They also encourage other businesses in the community to remember to plan for the unexpected and make sure they are Red Cross Ready by practicing the three simple steps including: Be Informed, Make a Plan and Get a Kit.
“I know there are better days ahead for the Red Cross in Miami County. This just reminds us that no one is safe from disasters, not even the Red Cross,” Figert closed saying.
The American Red Cross of Miami County is a United Way agency. Anyone with questions about the Red Cross can contact Mitch Figert at 765-473-4461 or figertm@usa.redcross.org.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Disaster Training
I am excited to announce that we will be offering Regional Disaster Training in Wabash County at the end of January. This training will allow volunteers, either current or new, the basics they will need to join the local Disaster Action Teams and also be able to join the DSHR system and deploy to National Disasters when the need arises.
This training is not often offered locally so this is a great chance to get trained without traveling too far. The training will be held at the Honeywell Center from January 28 - February 1. Classes being offered include Fulfilling Our Mission, Client Casework, Shelter Operations, Disaster Frontline Supervisor, Disaster Assessment and Serving People with Disabilities Following a Disaster.
To register for this training please contact the Wabash Office at 260.563.2658. Space is limited so please do not hesitate to contact us. My thanks goes out to Katherine MacAulay and the volunteers at the Northeast Indiana Chapter in Fort Wayne for making this a reality!
This training is not often offered locally so this is a great chance to get trained without traveling too far. The training will be held at the Honeywell Center from January 28 - February 1. Classes being offered include Fulfilling Our Mission, Client Casework, Shelter Operations, Disaster Frontline Supervisor, Disaster Assessment and Serving People with Disabilities Following a Disaster.
To register for this training please contact the Wabash Office at 260.563.2658. Space is limited so please do not hesitate to contact us. My thanks goes out to Katherine MacAulay and the volunteers at the Northeast Indiana Chapter in Fort Wayne for making this a reality!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Wabash County Community Foundation
Wabash County recently received $4,003 from the Community Foundation of Wabash County to support local Health and Safety programs. This grant will allow for the purchase of training equipment and also scholarships for various new programs including Babysitting, Family Caregiving and more. Thanks to the Community Foundation for being a continued supporter of the Red Cross in Wabash County!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
