Jamie Kendall has been with American Red Cross for a year, taking on the position of executive director of the Southeastern Coastal Georgia Chapter after working for seven years in fundraising and development for land conservation organizations.The Tennessee tornadoes are Jamie’s first emergency response and, prepared as she thought she was, the power of her experiences came as a surprise. “I didn’t think that I was going to be as emotionally involved as I was,” Jamie said.

“I realized there is really no way not to get emotionally involved,” said Jamie. “Going in, I thought that as a professional staff person I should not show my emotions, should not get involved. But I realized I’m human, and I have to be emotionally involved, and that’s okay. For me, the recovery will be in taking home and sharing the power of those experiences, for this truly tells the Red Cross story about we do.”

On a cold afternoon, six days after the disaster, Jamie and two other Red Cross public affairs colleagues on a photo and story reconnaissance pulled over to talk to a young red-haired woman searching the rubble of the cement-block foundation where her home had stood. She said she survived the tornado with bad cuts and lacerations probably because her husband of three months had thrown her into the bathtub and then covered her with his own body.

The young woman woke to see the family peering over her. Her husband was nowhere in sight. Rescuers pulled the rubble off her and got her to a hospital, after telling her that her husband was dead in the field. It was only later at the hospital she learned he was there too, alive but in a coma. That afternoon, she has left his bedside for the first time to return to the house.

“As we were listening to her, I broke down and cried at how raw the situation was,” said Jamie. “That’s the word I keep coming back to. Everything was so raw.”

Sharing what she’s seen and heard will be a big part of managing the emotional impact,” said Jamie. “I want to go back with personal experiences to tell the Red Cross story.”

She tells of another encounter that day that will be her “take-home message.”

Jamie recounts, “On the road, in one of the impacted areas, we stopped to talk with a homeowner named Jeff who survived the disaster with his wife and teenage daughter, but whose stone house, the first the family has owned, will probably have to be pulled down.

“I was astonished at what a positive attitude he had about the experience,” said Jamie. “Facing losing his home and possessions, he realized that those were not the things that were important. It was the lives and safety of this family members and neighbors that counted.

“And then Jeff gave me this story, which will be my take-home story. He told me that the day after the tornadoes, strangers kept showing and offering help. ‘I kept telling them that I didn’t need help, to go help my neighbors, like the widow street.’ Jeff said.”

After doing that for a day, said Jeff, a gentleman arrived who also asked what he could do to help.

“When I again told him to go help others, that I didn’t need help, he put his hand on my shoulder, looked me in the eye, and told me ‘son, don’t deny others their blessing.’ Then it hit me, yes I did need help, and it was important to allow others to give me that help.”

Recalling this, Jamie said, “Then it hit me as well, that this is what Red Cross is. It’s a blessing for me to help others. And that is the story I am going to take home to my neighbors and supporters about Red Cross. It’s renewed my belief in the mission of Red Cross, and I will be taking it with me into the next stressful assignment.”

Story contributed by Peter Seares, a veteran news service editor and volunteer with the Red Cross Green Mountain Chapter. Seares lives in Brattelboro, Vermont.

Video compilation of Red Cross response to tornadoes.

 Country Music Superstar Auctioning Off Memorabilia, Recorded PSAs to Help Survivors

WASHINGTON, February 13, 2008 — In response to the tornadoes and severe weather that caused significant damage to communities in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee,

country music superstar and American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet volunteer, Sara Evans, is auctioning off memorabilia through MissionFish, the exclusive charity solution provider for eBay Giving Works.

Items to be auctioned off include an autographed top and dress that Sarah wore in her video “As If.” Both items come with a copy of the video and an autographed “Greatest Hits” CD which contains the hit “As If.” All proceeds from the auction will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which helps the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the southern tornadoes.

The online auction is available to the public now through Tuesday, February 19 at 5:30 pm/CST and can be accessed by going to www.saraevans.com.

The tornadoes and severe weather system cut a swath of destruction that resulted in an estimated 59 deaths, and injured hundreds more. The Red Cross immediately mobilized volunteers and supplies and responded to the storm, providing shelter, feeding victims and emergency workers and lending emotional support to help survivors and emergency workers manage the fear and anxiety that disasters bring. Relief efforts are ongoing, with distribution of supplies, such as clean-up kits, into the affected areas. Red Cross case workers will work with survivors to provide additional emergency assistance based on the damage sustained to their homes.

Evans birthday was on February 5, the same day that the tornadoes stuck. In lieu of gifts, Evans’ fans have been asked to donate to her favorite charities. In support of the Red Cross, fans across the country donated blood or recruited blood donors. In response to the Middle Tennessee tornadoes, Evans also donated her time by recording public service advertisements to encourage donations via www.redcross.org. Additionally, she taped a specific message for tornado preparedness for future disasters. The advertisements will be available soon via www.redcross.org.

“I am so honored to be a part of the National Celebrity Cabinet. The American Red Cross sustains victims during disasters and has supported countless families through the recent tornados that devastated Tennessee and surrounding states. We are still seeing the devastation nightly on the news and I encourage everyone to support their efforts not just now, but all year long. You never know when a disaster will affect you or someone you love,” said Sara Evans.

In addition to this auction, people can support the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and help provide food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the southern tornadoes, by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800- RED CROSS to make a donation. People interested in donating blood can learn more and schedule an appointment by visiting www.givelife.org or calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE.

Poor Flat Stanley. He may have thought he was preparing for a cruise, so how did he end up tornado-devastated Tennessee?

It’s all because of Beverly Thomson, a resident of Lebanon, Mo., who for the past seven years has been a dedicated volunteer with the American Red Cross – both at her home chapter and at more than 20 national disaster responses. By coincidence, Beverly was called by Red Cross to give assistance to those affected by the recent tornadoes at the same time she was helping a granddaughter prepare a class project. And that’s where Flat Stanley’s fate took a dramatic turn.

As the name implies Stanley is as flat as a layer of wallpaper, but his boyish cardboard figure doesn’t seem to mind. He just goes with the flow. He doesn’t even mind being called a “learning tool” by Mrs. Tyre, who assigned her third-grade class to make replicas of Flat Stanley and send them on an imaginary journey – properly dressed and properly equipped.

The goal: to give the youngsters an opportunity to learn about how other people live, dress, eat, entertain themselves and, in general, survive. Beverly and 9-yeaar-old Kelsey Winsfrey intended to send their cardboard character on a cruise, with casual wear, swim suit, snorkeling equipment and a hearty appetite from cruisedon’s infamous “eat ‘til it hurts” regime. Just as in real life, Stanley’s plans changed when Beverly learned she was needed in Tennessee. In the limited time she had to prepare for travel, Beverly enlisted her granddaughter to plan, design and conjure a new wardrobe for the ever-ready Flat Stanley.

Wearing an improvised Red Cross hat and vest complete with I.D. badge, Stanley accompanied Beverly to the American Red Cross temporary disaster headquarters in Gallatin and from there to a Service Center in LaFayette, where he will sit in on interviews conducted by Beverly to determine client needs.

His revised assignment may not carry the glamour of a sea cruise, but the rewards are greater. Instead of indulging himself, he’s vicariously serving the needs of people whose lives were disrupted quickly and violently. He’ll have plenty to report when he gets back – about the way Red Cross opened shelters to provide a safe haven for those displaced through no fault of their own, about the thousands of meals provided by Red Cross, about the health and mental health services provided through this humanitarian organization, about further help they can expect in re-starting their lives. He’ll tell them about the many other services provided mostly by volunteers like Beverly Thomson and paid for by people across America, who donate to help those unfortunate enough to be in the path of an angry Mother Nature.

And, who knows? Maybe some of those third-graders at Lebanon’s Joel E Barber School will come away with a greater appreciation for what they have and a stronger desire to help those not so lucky.

Call 1-800-REDCROSS to learn how you can join Flat Stanley’s Help Team.

Story was written by Ellen Scarborough a retired newspaper reporter and volunteer from the Greater Carolinas Chapter. Ellen lives in Charlotte, NC.

 Trained Interviewers to Meet With Clients and Provide Emergency Assistance

Gallatin, TN, February 10, 2008 – The American Red Cross, in its continuing efforts to assist the victims of the tornados, will open Red Cross Service Centers in various locations throughout the affected areas of Tennessee. The centers will be located at the following sites:

Hickory Hill Community Center
3920 Ridgeway
Memphis, TN 38115
901-566-9685
Hours: 9am-12pm

Old Sears Store
329 Highway 52 Bypass East
Lafayette, TN 37083
Hours: 8am-6pm

Jackson Area Chapter
1981 Hollywood Drive, Suite 100
Jackson, TN 38305
731-427-5543
Hours: 9am-5pm

Fairview, TN
2714 Fairview Blvd
Fairview, TN 32062
202-230-4535
Hours: 8am-6pm

Centerville United Methodist Church
103 College Street
Centerville, TN 37033
Hours: 9am-4pm

Hartsville Aid Station
303 E. Main St.
Hartsville, TN 37074
Hours: 8am-8pm

Starting today, February 11, 2008, these service centers will be open to individuals or families who live in the affected areas and need assistance.

At the service center, each individual or family will have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with a trained interviewer to help determine needs and provide urgently needed assistance. Assistance may include providing them with the means to pay for what they need most — from groceries, new clothing, and rent to emergency home repairs, transportation, household items, medicines, and tools. Red Cross may also be able to refer victims to other agencies which can assist with their needs.

Individuals or families who apply to the Red Cross for assistance must bring with them some form of identification showing their address, as proof that they lived in the area affected by the disaster.

There is absolutely no charge for any Red Cross disaster assistance. All disaster assistance is free — a gift from the American people. No repayment is required or expected.

Disaster victims who–because of age, physical difficulty, or similar reasons–cannot come to a Red Cross Service Center, may also use the Red Cross Hotline to request assistance.

To obtain information about Red Cross assistance for disaster victims, call the Red Cross Hotline at 1-866-GET-INFO. TDD 1-800-526-1417 for hearing impaired callers.

NASHVILLE (February 11, 200 – In the aftermath of the devastating tornadoes that took lives, damaged and in many cases destroyed homes in Middle Tennessee, the Nashville Area Red Cross is working quickly to raise funds for the relief effort. 

The American Red Cross is committed to providing disaster victims with emergency assistance in the form of food, clothing and shelter and financial assistance is the most effective way to meet the needs of the affected communities. Middle Tennessee corporate citizens are providing the lead gifts to the fund-raising efforts for the tornado relief effort. 

The Memorial Foundation has already committed $200,000; Nissan North America is donating $120,000; and Dollar General has pledged to give $100,000 towards the tornado relief efforts.  

“Whenever a disaster like this strikes our community the Memorial Foundation feels the responsibility to step up to respond by helping the Red Cross to help those families who have lost everything,”  said J.D. Elliot, President of the Memorial Foundation. 

“Tennessee is our home so we felt a responsibility to help our neighbors,” said Dominique Thormann, Nissan North America’s senior vice president, administration and finance. “As a corporation, we are committed to helping the communities in which we live and work especially in time of need.”

“Everyone at Dollar General is saddened by the tragedy and devastation caused by the recent tornadoes,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s CEO. “We support the efforts of the Red Cross to help the victims recover and rebuild their lives.”   To provide further assistance, Dollar General is accepting donations to the Red Cross tornado disaster relief effort in all of its stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee through February 22. To find the store location nearest you, visit www.dollargeneral.com.  

With the continued support of community partners such as Dollar General, the Memorial Foundation and Nissan North America, the Nashville Area Red Cross should be able to raise the funds required to meet the immediate emergency needs of all the families affected and help them on the long road to recovery.  

Disaster assessment should be completed today, but casework is expected to continue throughout the weekend in Mississippi at the service center.

Service Center
North Oxford Baptist Church
County Road 101
Oxford, MS

Nearly 28 homes have been destroyed with at least 20 more sustaining major or minor damage throughout Lafayette, Tippah and Alcorn Counties.

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