Founded in 1914 in Virginia

American Red Cross--Preparing for Disasters

Posted by Ann Sullivan 
on Mar 15, 2016
 
 
Lorri Powers, the CEO the Red Cross of Coastal Virginia (2nd from right) with club members who have served the local chapter as either a director or Board President (from left to right):  Mal Branch, Gary Boswick, Marty Raiss, Joey Rothgery, and Cy Grandy.
 
Meeting Highlight:  We are delighted to welcome Anthony Mia back to Norfolk Rotary.  He left Hampton Roads several years ago for job positions in Richmond and later in Arizona.  Anthony introduced his lovely wife, Susan.
 
The Program – “Dealing with Disasters”
 
Our local Director of Red Cross of Coastal Virginia, Ms. Lorri Powers was introduced by Mal Branch. The local Red Cross was founded by our very own Cy Grandy’s grandfather. The scope of the work of the Red Cross is much broader than the disaster relief and blood services with which we are traditionally familiar. The Red Cross provides disaster preparedness, health and safety services, international relief, and services to the armed forces. 
 
In our local community, the impact of the Red Cross has been huge:
 
  • Helped 832 community members after home fires and other disasters in Coastal Virginia
  • Empowered 30,422 area residents and employees with lifesaving skills like first aid/CPR, water safety and babysitter’s training
  • Assisted 2,663 military members, military family members and veterans in our community
  • Collected 51,238 pints of local blood
  • 36,639 volunteer hours reported by 974 volunteers
     
    The American Red Cross impacts lives every day:
     
  • Every 60 seconds 44 people are assisted by the American Red Cross
  • 190 times a day Red Cross workers help a family affected by a home fire or disaster
  • 1,000 times a day the Red Cross provides services to military members, veterans and their families
  • 5,000 times a day a person receives a Red Cross  blood transfusion
  • 15,500 times a day a person receives lifesaving Red Cross health and safety training
  • 308,000 times a day a child receives a measles or rubella vaccination from the Red Cross and its partners

The Meeting: The group was opened with a beautiful rendition of When Irish Eyes Are Smiling – by a quartet featuring Pam Tubbs and Chip Vogan. Jim Cleary led us in prayer. The school of the week was Larchmont Elementary.

 
Visitation Report: We had no one to report on the visitation report.
 
Visitors: Alan Nelson introduced our guests, Melody Nemie, Ed Carr, Denise Stewart, C. Richard Gillcrest, and Susan Mia. 
 
Announcements and Club Business:
 
  • Kevin and Lisa Stephens were introduced as prospective new members by Joe Massey. Kevin is working with NATO, and Lisa is a former teacher.
  • A new member sponsor pin was presented to Sigur Whitaker for her excellent work.
  • Joe Massey was recognized for the tv coverage given to him by his students glowing praise for him after our Career Day and for his work in creating a program entitled “Dismantling Jim Crow” an effort to end racism and recidivism.
  • Mal Branch was recognized as the Rotarian of the Day. His career as a retired aviator was recognized as well as his service as the former president to Virginia Ship Repair Association.
  • A Suds & Buds reminder was made for the gala on May 13, 2016. Sponsorships are needed. This is a fellowship outing at Bay Resort and Golf Club.
  • An announcement was made concerning the Golf Outing on May 21 – Steve M. Jones is organizing this. Signups available online.
  • Linwood Beckner reminded us of the upcoming social at Harbor’s Edge on ______________.
  • An announcement was made by Jim Kitz concerning a March service opportunity – we are collecting clothing for St. Columba Ecumenical Ministry’s closet, which will be delivered to the closest from our meeting of March 22, 2016, which will be the final day for our warm clothing drive in support of St. Columba Ecumenical Ministries. Please drop off your gently used donations near the sign-in area before the meeting. 
  • The following Rotary training opportunities coming up in April were announced – April 2 district grants webinar, April 9 Rotary Leadership Institute training at Virginia Wesleyan College, and April 23 Rotary district training assembly in Williamsburg. Look for details.
  • A special thank you to Laurie Harrison at EVMS for hosting a visit to the simulated patient’s program to include viewing and interviewing live acting and robotic patients.
  • All Months have 3 lunch meetings and 1 makeup event for perfect attendance (months with 5 Tuesdays do not change that)
     
Fines and Happy Bucks:
 
  • Edna Baere-Kolovani and Sally Hartman for YWCA Women of Distinction awards
  • Mark Johnson for being on stage at the Chrysler at the Alvin Ailey Dance performance.
  • Erin Thomasson and Bruce Laderberg for Cornhole for the Cure story in the Compass.