My Red Cross Story: Debbie Ranier

Debbie Ranier started her journey with the Red Cross as a volunteer in 2013. “I held a seat on the board of directors, was a member of the board recruitment and development committee and was also a community volunteer leader.” She is now our Executive Director for the Eastern Kentucky Chapter. “I was a volunteer for four years before interviewing for the position in November 2017. I have now been on staff for six and a half years and love everything about the position.”

“Knowing in some small way I am providing hope to folks in their darkest hour is the most rewarding part of my job. Also, working with volunteers who give so much of themselves every day to ensure people’s lives are a little easier following a disaster.”

One of Debbie’s favorite memories was giving blood alongside a volunteer who had never given before and was a little anxious. “It was rewarding being able to comfort the volunteer and see them so humbled and honored following their donation.”

Debbie chose to become involved with the Red Cross because of the impact the brand and mission have as being one of the most iconic and historical nonprofits. “When I was growing up, I experienced bad flooding in my county and the Red Cross was there, certainly left an impression on me. So, when I was in a place I could give back I reached out.” Debbie is proud to be involved with the Red Cross and its mission and sees how much work is done for families every day who lose everything to fire or other disasters.

Debbie’s passion to ensure people are having their needs met following a disaster is evident with her servant’s heart. She strives to keep personal and professional goals at the forefront. “A personal goal is I am a Christian and my faith in Jesus is very important to me. I am on a journey to learn how to pray more effectively and take better care of myself/health. A professional goal is to always try to get “inside” the mission as much as possible to remind myself why and how important my job is and to continue to strive to develop a strong board of directors and find new volunteers and donors daily.”

Outside of work Debbie enjoys to workout, hike, read and travel. A fun fact about Debbie is her birthday is July 4th and her initials are DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), which she says was not planned. We are grateful to people like Debbie who embodies the values and mission of the Red Cross. #WomensHistoryMonth

Volunteer Appreciation Month: Tracy Counts

This #VolunteerAppreciationMonth, we are taking a moment to recognize our volunteers in the Kentucky Region! Meet Tracy Counts, Community Volunteer Lead (CVL) for the Red Cross Eastern Kentucky Chapter. Tracy has lived in eastern Kentucky for 30 years and works at Morehead State University as a Transfer Advisor and Recruiter.

Tracy began volunteering with Red Cross in 2015, after an apartment building fire. “My husband’s office building was right beside the fire… the police officer said he needed to find somewhere to get these people to safety. I said, ‘I can handle that.’ We turned our church fellowship hall into a shelter. We were the logical choice because of space and proximity. We housed 41 people in our hall for 10 days. Fed over 70 people for every meal,” said Tracy. She is a proud member and leader of First Presbyterian Church in Hazard, Kentucky.

Photo courtesy Tracy Counts

When deadly floods struck eastern Kentucky in 2022, Tracy was up all night. “It was hell on earth. When people were showing me where water lines rose in their house, I couldn’t believe it,” said Tracy. “[The church] started taking donations for clothes and supplies. Friday evening, Perry County had no water. We had to open church for sheltering. We ended up with 29 people who were rescued by the national guard. They had been out in elements for 2 days, almost 3. All of them had been rescued by helicopter.”

One thing Tracy tries to do is let people know about Red Cross resources. “Appalachia tends to be self-reliant. I let them know that it doesn’t hurt to reach out. As a friend of mine has told me: let people love on you,” said Tracy. The church is now the clothing and household supply drop off point for the long-term recovery program for Perry County. Their latest program is helping people restore their canning and gardening.

“I have cleaning buckets and supplies in my car. I have dropped them off at places that looks like it needed it… We have worked with areas to put on fall festivals so the kids would have something else to think about. We have done laundry detergent drop off at laundry facilities that were open, and donated pet food to animal shelters,” said Tracy. She says the most important thing is sticking together and understanding Appalachian culture. “Your neighbors helping you and understanding your values is the biggest blessing you can have.”

Tracy is honored to work with the Red Cross because of the quick response we have. “In eastern Kentucky, [Red Cross] are going to be the first ones there. They will help. No one was prepared for this type of catastrophe. Red Cross was the first on scene…. That’s the team environment we all need to be part of. If you want someone to be there with you in that moment, it’s the Red Cross.”

Thank you for your work, Tracy! The work you do continues to impact the lives of people in eastern Kentucky. 

Learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross at redcross.org/volunteertoday

Volunteer Appreciation Month: Michael Randles

Michael and Mylie.
Photos courtesy Michael Randles.

 #VolunteerAppreciationMonth We love having new volunteers representing Gen Z! Michael Randles has always felt called to help people during a crisis. “I am a firefighter EMT by trade in Illinois. I went into service straight out of high school. I was 19 years old,” said Michael. He did some volunteering with disaster response and emergency management organizations, like Team Rubicon. Michael worked in the communications and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) divisions at his local counties’ emergency management department.

Currently, Michael is a thriving college student. “I decided to pursue my bachelor’s degree at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in Fire Arson and Explosion Investigation,” he said. Michael knew he wanted to keep volunteering while at college. “Red Cross has always been on my bucket list. I admire what they do, especially for victims of house fires,” said Michael.

Michael volunteers with our Red Cross Eastern Kentucky Chapter as a member of the Disaster Action Team (DAT), Duty Officer, and Disaster Health Services (DHS). “I do Duty Officer most frequently. That works best for me because I can do it from my dorm room. I get dispatched for disasters in my area. I verify the event, make initial contact with families, and assign DAT responders to work with them,” said Michael.

Deployed virtually for the 2021 western Kentucky tornados and the 2022 eastern Kentucky floods, Michael worked as a Disaster Health Services volunteer. “We filtered through requests of people who had unmet medical needs due to power outages,” he said. His favorite memory is helping an elderly woman after a house fire. “She was 80 years old and lived alone. She needed her dentures replaced… I was so thrilled to be able to call her and say, ‘hey we got the cost approved, make your appointment.”

Michael has loved his volunteer journey so far. “It’s such a great experience to surround myself with people who care about people who they have never met… Beyond helping people, it’s a great way to give yourself life experience, see different perspectives, and learn new skills,” he said. When he travels home, Michael spends time with his siblings, Virginia, Kevin, and Steven. He also works on a hot air balloon crew. Michael loves spending time with his hound mix, Mylie, and is a member of the EKU marching band. “I play trumpet. I’m going to be a section leader next season.”

The Red Cross Kentucky Region loves having such a rising star on their team! Thank you for all you do to help your community, Michael. We will be cheering you on in your college endeavors at EKU!

Learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross at redcross.org/volunteertoday

Volunteer Appreciation Month: Lisa Maples

Lisa Maples joined our volunteer team at a trying time. She was on call the day after flooding inundated eastern Kentucky in the summer of 2022. “Red Cross has on their website to turn compassion into action…The Red Cross volunteers are compassionate people who are working hard to do more than feel sorry for someone. We are turning it into action. I can be a part of that,” said Lisa.

Volunteering for a little over a year, Lisa is motivated to answer the call. She is a retired nurse where most of her time was spent helping emergency services. She enjoyed the fast-paced work of helping people in the middle of a crisis. Once the COVID-19 pandemic spread, she was looking for virtual volunteer opportunities. “I found the Duty Officer position with Red Cross. It was a perfect fit. I get to interact with [individuals and families] in their greatest time of need… I’m doing the same thing I’ve done my whole life, just in a different role,” said Lisa.

Lisa describes the Duty Officer role as detective work. “People call the 1-800 number after they have a fire. That call dispatches to me. I go in and read the information, and then I reach out and see exactly what happened: how many people were involved, if they have pets, have they lost prescriptions or glasses? Do they have a safe place to stay?” She then connects with the fire department in the area to make sure they have all the correct information, then calls the local Red Cross team to go provide on-site support.

“It’s challenging, but I love it!” said Lisa. “It keeps me sharp. I’m looking out for the [families] and getting their needs met. I look forward to the days I’m on duty.” Lisa assists with the Bluegrass Area and Eastern Kentucky Chapters. She was pivotal during the initial response of the eastern Kentucky floods, answering the phones and keeping people calm. “It was total devastation. People had lost loved ones, pets, cars, houses. That day, we were doing what we needed to do. Taking the calls, giving them comfort. It was a hard day but rewarding because I got to be involved in helping folks.”

Outside of volunteering, Lisa enjoys camping with her husband, Greg. Their family has a permanent camp site on Lake Cumberland with a boat. They camp and boat with the whole family: their son, Mike with his wife, Teresa, their 2 grandchildren, Liam and Lucas, and their 2 Norfolk Terriers, Cooper and Keegan.

Learn how you can become a Red Cross volunteer: redcross.org/volunteertoday

Red Crossers Visited Communities Across Kentucky to Help #EndHomeFires for Sound the Alarm

A Red Crosser installs a smoke alarm
in a home in Madisonville, KY

This November, our Red Crossers visited communities across the Kentucky Region to make homes safer before the winter season by providing fire safety education and installing free smoke alarms in homes that needed them as part of our Sound the Alarm campaign. Thanks to the work of our volunteers and partners, we are proud to announce that we:

• Made 480 homes safer across Kentucky
• Installed more than 1,250 smoke alarms in homes that needed them
• Provided fire safety education to more than 1,200 of our neighbors

We are so thankful for the partners and supporters who made this possible! It is thanks to the efforts of our community that we could achieve our mission. Special thanks to Lexington Fire Department for their ongoing support of our Sound the Alarm campaign for the past several years.

Red Crossers prepare for a day of installing
smoke alarms in Eastern Kentucky

We would like to thank the following community partners for their help as we work to #endhomefires:

Western Kentucky Chapter

• Ohio Co. Fire Assoc.
• Ballard Co. FD
• Calloway FD
• Cuba FD
• Salem FD
• Goreville FD
• Alton Fire Department

South Central Kentucky Chapter:

• Franklin Simpson FD
• Glasgow FD

Bluegrass Area Chapter

• Corbin City FD
• Georgetown FD
• London City FD
• Madison Co. FD
• Nicholasville FD
• Shopville FD/Pongo FD
• Scott Co. FD
• Swiss Colony FD
• Winchester FD
• Woodford FD

Eastern Kentucky Chapter

• Cumberland City FD
• Harlan City FD
• Lynch FD
• Middlesboro FD
• Bath Co. FD
• Hazel Green FD
• Hazard City FD
• Lewis Co. EMA
• Menifee Co EMA
• Morehead City FD
• Benham FD
• Coon Creek FD

Louisville Area Chapter

• Pleasure Ridge Park FD
• Franklin Co. FD
• Simpsonville FD

Recognizing Eastern Kentucky Chapter Volunteer, Jamie Taylor, for Receiving Regional Volunteer of the Year!

Jamie, second from the right, after receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award

Volunteers are the heart of the American Red Cross and make up 90 percent of our workforce. While we are grateful for the service of all our volunteers, each year the Kentucky Region honors the work of several key Red Cross volunteers who dedicate many hours in service to the Red Cross and their local communities.

One of those honors is our regional Volunteer of the Year award. We are excited to announce that Jamie Taylor, a volunteer from our Eastern Kentucky Chapter, recently received this year’s regional Volunteer of the Year award!

Jamie has been a Red Cross volunteer for 6 ½ years. In the past year alone, Jamie has gifted the Red Cross more than 250 volunteer hours as part of our Disaster Action Team (DAT). Whether it was a home fire 20 minutes from his back door or 3 hours and counties away, Jamie always accepted the call and stepped up to help people in their time of need in his Red Cross vest and with a smile.

Jamie also single-handedly developed and grew the Eastern Kentucky Chapter Logistics team, working his way through training and in-person responses to become the Chapter Logistics Lead. He volunteers to showcase our Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle at local festivals and parades and supports additional volunteer recruitment efforts. He also regularly volunteered at all the local blood drives and recruited for the DAT team while volunteering.

In addition to his service here in Kentucky, Jamie has served more than 690 hours while being assigned to multiple disasters across the country. Our Volunteer of the Year fulfilled varying roles during those disaster responses. He supervised shelters during wildfire responses in California and the middle Tennessee floods, worked as part of the feeding team during the Western Kentucky tornado response, and distributed emergency supplies while responding to the Oklahoma tornadoes. During the summer flooding in Eastern Kentucky, Jamie cut his vacation short to return to Kentucky to help with sheltering his community. After that, he raised his hand to help people in Florida by distributing emergency supplies after Hurricane Ian. Since becoming a Red Cross volunteer, Jamie has deployed to nearly 70 disasters. His goal is to eventually deploy to 100.

When asked why he joined the Red Cross and why he keeps deploying, Jamie replied: “I just really like to help people!”

We are so proud to name Jamie Taylor as the Kentucky Region Volunteer of the Year!

Learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross at redcross.org/volunteer.

Volunteer Appreciation Month: Lukas SaintClair

Lukas SaintClair has lived many lives. His career began in the United States Air Force as an Intelligence Analyst in 1981. While in Germany, Lukas received communication from the Red Cross about a sick family member. “This was back in the 80’s when there were no cell phones. You used radios and MARS networks to communicate,” said Lukas. After receiving the message, Lukas thought to himself that one day, he would help people and join the Red Cross.

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Lukas has traveled the world. He has painted street art in Paris and Amsterdam, lived in Berlin as an artist, played in a band, and was a visual performance educator. While in Germany with the Air Force, he assisted at Red Cross blood drives. “Life is like riding in a taxicab. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Let life lead you and opportunities will make themselves available,” said Lukas.

When Lukas’ father became ill, he decided to move back to Kentucky to be with him in his final days. While at home, Lukas decided to get involved with the Red Cross Eastern Kentucky Chapter. Lukas became a disaster mental health volunteer (DMH) as a clinical counselor. Once he retired from counseling, he switched over to be a disaster action team volunteer (DAT).

“We show up behind the fire department during disasters. Families and individuals who are impacted don’t have to worry about what they are going to do, what they will wear, or where to go. We give them relief to take care of immediate needs for the next few days,” said Lukas. It’s important for DAT volunteers to respond quickly and be on site within a matter of hours. Due to this, Lukas built his own response vehicle and kept it packed with blankets, care kits, water, and snacks. “We have no idea how fragile this planet is. Things can change in a heartbeat. I love being a DAT responder. Best job I’ve never been paid to do,” said Lukas.

Lukas considers himself a full time Red Cross volunteer. He is always up for any DAT job and considers himself a part of the “A-team.” Lukas has a robust educational background, with Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees in counseling and human development. He is currently working on a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management and a Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Apologetics. Lukas sees the Red Cross as one big family. “If somebody comes up with a Red Cross on their shoulder, they are immediately my family,” said Lukas.

The Kentucky Region is grateful to have committed and caring volunteers like you, Lukas! This #VolunteerAppreciationMonth, we are recognizing some of our dedicated volunteers. You can become a Red Cross volunteer by going to redcross.org.

Kentucky Red Cross Honors the Life of Debra “Granny” Smith

Today, the Kentucky Red Cross honors the life of one of our volunteers, Debra “Granny” Smith. Debra passed on Tuesday, September 7. Debra has been a beloved volunteer with the Red Cross Eastern and Bluegrass Area Chapters since 2015, and gave more than 5,000 volunteer hours to the Red Cross.

Debra was recruited as a volunteer by her granddaughter, Bluegrass Area Chapter Disaster Program Manager Amanda Shotton, and began volunteering wherever she was needed. Eventually she settled into the Duty Officer role supporting our Disaster Action Team (DAT). She also worked closely beside her daughter, Eastern KY Chapter Disaster Program Specialist Melissa McGill, to ensure there was volunteer coverage for the chapter.

Debra (center) with Melissa (left) and Amanda (right)
volunteering at a Sound the Alarm event

Debra could be counted on for many roles within disaster services, including Disaster Action Team Intake, Duty Officer, and providing preparedness education and administrative support to the chapters. During just this past year, Debra was instrumental in making sure Red Cross services continued during the pandemic as well as during the many disaster responses Kentucky faced, including the recent flooding in eastern Kentucky.

Due to her extensive experience, leadership abilities and dedication, Debra served as a leader and mentor to volunteers throughout the Region. In the Eastern Kentucky Chapter, Debra helped guide both new and experienced DAT members. Within the Bluegrass Area Chapter, she served as a mentor helping train responders in the roles of both DAT member and DAT Duty Officer.

Debra also worked closely with her daughter and granddaughter as part of her disaster team role and on our home fire and preparedness campaigns. She attended Sound the Alarm events, Pillowcase Project presentations, delivered smoke alarms, input forms from events and more. While preparedness programs were paused for much of the 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Debra continued to strengthen our community ties by working closely with fire departments and county dispatchers.

Debra’s continued contributions to the Red Cross, the Kentucky Region and both the Eastern Kentucky and Bluegrass Area Chapters were an ongoing example of the best of Red Cross volunteers, and for those reasons, earlier this year she was nominated for a Clara Barton Award in both chapters. The Clara Barton Award recognizes meritorious service in volunteer leadership positions held over a period of years. Her dedication to the Red Cross mission and service delivery on behalf of individuals and families rose above the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, and her positive attitude, love of the mission and willingness to help regardless of the area of responsibility, embodied and exceeded the characteristics honored by the Clara Barton award.

Debra’s dedication to her community and family is indicative of the kind of person she was: Someone who was always willing to help those faced with tragedy and disaster. She was an exemplary volunteer, a dear friend and has left a lasting mark on the work of our disaster services. She will be greatly missed.

Credit to: Zach Stokes and Jim Mistretta

My Story Monday: Jamie Taylor

Jamie has volunteered with our Red Cross Eastern Kentucky Chapter for 5 years and donates his time as a Disaster Action Team volunteer and blood donor ambassador. He dove into volunteering in 2015 when floods struck his Martin County, KY community and helped serve as a guide for Red Cross volunteers while they worked on assessing flood damage.

“There were some people who weren’t familiar with Martin County like I was,” said Jamie. “The next thing I know, I’m signed up.”

While Jamie’s early deployments kept him close to home, where he supported flooding and other local disaster responses in the Kentucky Region, he has since deployed 25 times to help support disasters across the country. Many of his deployments have been to hurricanes in the southern states, the first being Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The farthest Jamie has ever deployed was to California, where he assisted with the response to the Oroville Dam crisis.

Jamie typically works as a shelter supervisor on deployments. Shelter supervisors guide and support the day-to-day activities within a shelter, including providing information to shelter residents, coordinating meals and making sure the needs of the shelter residents are being met.

His most memorable deployment experience happened during Hurricane Florence in North Carolina. Due to severe flooding, Jamie and several others were airlifted to the local school where they were going to work as shelter volunteers.

“It was the first time I ever got to ride in a Black Hawk helicopter,” said Jamie. “It was the only way I could’ve gotten to the job site. When we got to the shelter, we landed on a tennis court or football field and walked into the school."

Jamie also worked as shelter manager on his two most recent deployments this fall, where he spent several weeks in September and October supporting Baton Rouge and New Orleans residents after Hurricanes Laura and Marco. His role involved keeping track of local conditions, making sure COVID-19 safety protocols were being followed, and making sure residents’ needs were being met in the hotel they were using as a non-congregate shelter.

Even after a busy hurricane season, Jamie is still always prepared to answer the call when disaster strikes.

“It’s an opportunity to go to different states that I’ve never gotten to visit, [and] that same desire to help people. I’m always up and ready.”

You can learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer by visiting redcross.org/volunteertoday.

National Volunteer Week: Eastern Kentucky Chapter

As we come to the end of National Volunteer Week, we want to again express our gratitude to all of the volunteers from across our region who make our mission possible every day. Thank you all for your hard word and dedication! We hope these words have inspired you as you have inspired us!
 
Today we bring to you from the Eastern Kentucky Chapter:

BOBBY SULLIVAN, Pikeville. “I see hope shine through in the toughest of times. American Red Cross should be in every community.”

Bobby (right) with Debbie Ranier,
Executive Director of our Eastern Kentucky Chapter

Bobby certainly has been that ray of hope, as in the short time he’s been with the Red Cross he has been nothing short of amazing. Since March of 2018, Bobby has been a disaster team member, a member of the Regional Volunteer Steering Committee, and the Disability Integration Program Coordinator for the Eastern KY Chapter, as well as the Disability Integration Program Lead for the Region.


PAUL HELO, Ashland. “Susan and I joined the Red Cross to make a difference in people’s lives who are going through the worst times of their lives. This also applies to my Mental Health work, especially with those who have suffered the loss of loved ones, including animals. God has blessed us and we feel a responsibility to give back. Joy shared is doubled and sorrow shared is divided.”

Paul has spread his talents regionally, acting as the Disaster Mental Health Program Regional Lead as well as taking the Services to Armed Forces (SAF) Reconnection Workshop regionally. He has also fulfilled several roles on a local basis, including installing smoke alarms as a Home Fire Campaign member, teaching for the Pillowcase Project in area schools, and acting as a SAF Volunteer Partner.


LYNETTE ALLEN, Ashland. “This is the way I can help and serve those who need it most. I’ve fallen more and more in love with the Red Cross mission and its positive impact on others.”

As a Blood Donor Ambassador, Lynette has worked the majority of blood drives in the Ashland area since 2017. Her dedication to making sure patients in the hospital have lifesaving blood is inspiring. While working at the drives, she makes sure the donors feel welcome and the donors actually ask for her by name. Thank you, Lynette, for your extraordinary volunteer work with the Red Cross!

Our Red Cross volunteers are community heroes who give their time to help others. Join their ranks and be part of our lifesaving work! Visit redcross.org/volunteer to find an opportunity near you.

Welcome to New Arrivals on our Disaster Team!

We are excited to welcome three new faces to our disaster team here in the Kentucky Region!

Welcome Racheal Greer, Nikki Salladay and Tiffany Gartley!

Racheal

Nikki

Tiffany

Racheal is joining us as the Disaster Program Specialist for Eastern Kentucky serving the region in the Eastern Kentucky Chapter. She will primarily be based out of the Pikeville office. Racheal has spent several years serving the community members of Kentucky through her role in Emergency Management. She worked many local disasters in Pike County serving in the EOC as well as being deployed to the Western part of the state to serve on the State IMT during severe flooding of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, earning membership into the Kentucky Colonel organization.

Nikki is joining us in the Senior Disaster program role serving the region and will be primarily based out of the Louisville office. Nikki joins the Kentucky American Red Cross team most recently from the Michigan Region where she has been serving as the Disaster Program Manager in the Grand Rapids area. She has a background in working with and for volunteers with the Red Cross and prior to joining the Red Cross. She is no stranger to Kentucky as she was born and raised on the south end of Louisville and has several family members throughout the state.

Tiffany is joining us as the Disaster Program Specialist for Western Kentucky and will be serving the region in the Western Kentucky Chapter based out of the Paducah office. Tiffany joins us with an extensive background working for non profit and government based organizations in the Paducah area. Over the years she has held vital roles within reputable organizations such as the Paducah Housing Authority, Boy Scouts of America, United Way of Paducah-McCracken County, Kentucky Career Center/Kentucky Works and Ttec. Caring for others and doing the right thing are passions for Tiffany. She is excited to have to opportunity to be a part of the Red Cross team and continue her career aligned to a mission that she believes in.

Welcome, everyone!

Kentucky Red Cross and Kentucky Power Kick Off National Preparedness Month with AEP Foundation Grant

Each September, National Preparedness Month encourages Americans to be prepared for disasters in their homes, businesses and communities. Every 8 minutes, the Red Cross responds to a disaster, and the vast majority of these are home fires. One of the best ways to prepare for a home fire is to have working smoke alarms, which can reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by nearly 50 percent. On Wednesday, Kentucky Power awarded a $40,000 American Electric Power Foundation grant to the Kentucky Red Cross to support Home Fire Preparedness efforts and provide free smoke alarms in Eastern Kentucky.

“We’re making this important grant award today in recognition of National Prepa
redness Month,” said Kentucky Power President Brett Mattison. “The Red Cross responds to more than 300 home fires in Eastern Kentucky every year. This grant will allow them to help families prepare should disaster strike.”

The AEP Foundation grant will allow the Red Cross, volunteer fire departments, Kentucky Power volunteers and others to canvass low income areas and provide smoke alarms to those in need. Smoke alarm installations funded with the grant are planned for October in Greenup County and in Letcher County in spring 2020.

“With this generous donation from the American Electric Power Foundation homes will be made safer and lives will be saved,” said Debbie Ranier, executive director of the Eastern Kentucky Chapter of the American Red Cross. “Partners like Kentucky Power mean so much to this organization. We appreciate their time and generosity put into helping the American Red Cross carry out its mission daily. They are truly a part of our Red Cross Family.”

This week, a Red Cross emergency response vehicle funded with a previous $150,000 AEP Foundation grant left Ashland with the husband-wife volunteer team of Mike and Charlene Qualls for its first national disaster response. The vehicle, Eastern Kentucky’s first, was dispatched to North Carolina in response to Hurricane Dorian.

Thank you, Kentucky Power, for your generosity and your commitment to making our community safer!

Learn more about our Home Fire Campaign here.

#MyStoryMonday: Jim Hall

Written by: Gabby, Holy Cross High School Intern

Jim Hall has been a volunteer since May 21, 2014. Jim is the longest serving board member of the entire Eastern Kentucky Chapter. He has been the head of the chapter over the past several years while the Red Cross transitioned into its Regionalization model. 

Jim was in Ashland when it was a two county chapter, a five county chapter, and a twenty-three county chapter. Jim has been there for major flooding, tornadoes, and numerous fires. Not only did he provide financial support, but he has also provided moral and logistical support as well. He has yet to decline a favor that he could do. As the need for help increases, so does Jim’s contribution. He is the epitome of what being a Red Cross Board Member means.

Eastern Kentucky Chapter Receives New Emergency Response Vehicle

The American Red Cross Eastern Kentucky Chapter unveiled its newest tool today, Wed., Sept. 5th, in Ashland, KY to assist area residents during crisis – its very own emergency response vehicle. The vehicle, the first of its kind for the Eastern Kentucky Chapter, was purchased with a $150,000 grant from the American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation presented by Kentucky Power.

Photo credit: Kentucky Power

“Eastern Kentucky is no stranger to natural disasters like floods yet has never had its own dedicated Emergency Response Vehicle,” said Kentucky Power President Matt Satterwhite. “This modern vehicle will help the Red Cross quickly respond in our communities during emergencies. The devastation resulting from the recent hurricanes and the flooding and power outages that followed, show the value this vehicle will bring to our region and beyond.”

The Red Cross uses Emergency Response Vehicles with response, relief and recovery operations to provide food, water, personal hygiene kits, blankets, cots, volunteer help and other assistance to those in need. The new vehicle is a mobile feeding station capable of serving up to 25,000 meals to people affected by hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, forest fires, blizzards, ice storms or other natural disasters.

Photo Credit: Kentucky Power

“This vehicle could not have been possible without the generous grant donation from The American Electric Power Foundation,” said Debbie Ranier, executive director of the Eastern Kentucky Chapter of the American Red Cross. “We honestly see Kentucky Power and AEP as part of the Red Cross family. This vehicle will serve American Red Cross Disaster Relief well for the next 10 years and beyond, not only in eastern Kentucky, but also for our neighbors in southern Ohio, West Virginia and the nation.” 

The unveiling comes as the Red Cross, the Ashland Fire Department and others recognize National Preparedness Month. Celebrated each September, National Preparedness Month encourages Americans to be prepared for disasters in their homes, businesses and communities.

#MyStoryMonday: Debbie Ranier

Debbie Ranier is the poster of continued growth and success at the Eastern Kentucky Chapter. Debbie’s willingness to help shows with every event or any situation she takes on. 

Debbie has supported the Red Cross in many roles with grace and expertise including: Community Volunteer Lead, Board Member, Events Committee Member, Communications Support and Disaster Services. Debbie is a strong advocate for those we serve, donors and volunteers.  Debbie is considered the epitome of a strong working board member and a stellar volunteer. Thank you, Debbie!

If you would like to find out more about joining the Red Cross as a volunteer, please visit www.redcross.org/volunteer

Volunteering from a College Student’s Perspective

The following post was written by Laiken Hobbs, a volunteer from Eastern Kentucky.

When I first got the opportunity to become an intern with American Red Cross I was ecstatic. My first meetings with the Eastern Kentucky Chapter Director, Joanna, consisted of talking about all the opportunities ARC had to offer me. All I can remember is wondering where I was going to “start.”

I’ve had many “first experiences” with the Red Cross that have given me new perspectives on life. What some would consider “simple experiences” have changed the way I process my own thoughts and also carry out my everyday routines.

Home Fire

Learning you typically have less than two minutes to escape a home fire was eye opening for me, especially as a college student. I’m now more aware of my surroundings in the home I rent. I make sure to unplug all things as I leave my house, especially my straightener, and also check all smoke alarms, upstairs and downstairs. I also try to be cautious if our fire alarms are flashing red to indicate they are dying. It’s important to always be aware of your surroundings especially when you have the “I’ll do it later” college mentality.

I stress to my friends, co-workers and even acquaintances the importance of smoke alarms in homes and how the Red Cross will install them for free. When I actually got the opportunity to go and install smoke alarms in homes in the Eastern Kentucky region, I felt like I was making a difference by simply installing smoke alarms in these homes knowing these individuals more than likely couldn’t afford smoke alarms on their own.

West Virginia Floods

I can honestly say I have never learned as much as I learned about communication as I did when I traveled to West Virginia (WV) to the WV Red Cross headquarters. Due to flooding in July, WV was in a state of emergency and many towns were completely destroyed. Joanna had always talked to me about what a Red Cross crisis situation was like, but experiencing it first hand was one of my best experiences I’ve had as an intern. I sat in awe and stared at multiple people trying to get a glimpse of what task they were doing. As a public relations “junkie” I felt like I couldn’t get enough of what was going on. I was amazed there were so many people appearing from so many parts of the country. Every time I walked in and out of room, it seemed that volunteers were multiplying.

I felt excited when Red Cross people I had never seen before, were excited because the fundraising team got more money donated. I felt emotional when reading the Facebook messages of people who were asking for help. I felt like even though I really didn’t have the slightest clue of what was happening around me that I was contributing to making a difference by doing the smallest tasks. It was this day that I realized how big of an organization the American Red Cross really is.

Blood Drive

It took me awhile to come around to donating blood due to being terrified of needles. When I found out there was a blood shortage, I worked up the nerve to donate. I was amazed and impressed with how great my first donating experience was. Being a tech savvy college student, I immediately downloaded the blood donor app and kept very close watch on it to find out my blood type and my donated blood’s “journey.” I shared the app with my friends and it appealed to them making them want to donate blood too. When I found out my blood type was O+ making me a universal donor, I automatically decided I would give blood regularly. When I can give blood again in September, I will round up my friends and make sure to bring them with me.

When you’re a college student life is so fast pace. It’s the beginning of the fall semester and you blink and its Christmas break. Being a Red Cross intern gives me so much more than experience and communication skills. I feel like it’s my way of giving back to the world. Have you ever heard the saying, “Be the type of person you want to meet?” I live by the saying and the American Red Cross helps me to do so. If I were in need of fire alarms would I want to have them installed in my home for free? Yes. If my home of 21 years was destroyed by flood waters would I want and need assistance? Yes. If I were in need of blood, would I accept a donation by someone who was kind enough to donate in order to save lives? Yes. Even as a college student, when you feel like you’re living in a whirlwind, the small amount of time you can give impacts more people than you realize.

If you would like to find out more about joining the Red Cross as a volunteer, please visit www.redcross.org/volunteer

Flat Gap 2015

The following post and poem comes from Rodney, a terrific volunteer in Eastern KY. He and his wife Vicki, became Red Cross volunteers several months ago after being moved to make a difference after witnessing the impact of severe flooding in their area.

Last year, I wrote a poem after seeing the devastation caused by the flooding in Flat Gap, KY. When my wife Vicki and I heard about the flooding at Flat Gap in July 2015, we were moved to help and headed to a relief center in Paintsville, Ky. It was inspiring to see so many high school age students working the relief center - sorting supplies and helping victims load the supplies into their cars. The response to help from the local communities was truly tremendous.

We didn't see all of the disaster area that day, but we saw enough to be overwhelmed by the devastation and could only imagine how the affected people must have felt. The traits of the people in particular impressed us - their fortitude, their resilience, their determination to persevere in spite of the tragedy they had just experienced. That is what I tried to express in the poem.

Since I had recently retired from work we had been considering ways that we could serve the community. This experience motivated us to explore the best avenue of service for us, which was the Red Cross. We joined online and we were quickly signed up for orientation, training and placed in service as disaster responders and as presenters for the Pillowcase Project (a preparedness program for children). We have helped open a shelter in Louisa, responded to house fires and tornadoes, and taught many children emergency preparedness. Being Red Cross volunteers has been as fulfilling for us as we had hoped. We feel like we can do so much more to help our neighbors in their time of need as Red Cross volunteers.

-Rodney

Flat Gap 2015

March snows,

Never before so much.

The people shouted, “Stop!”

But the snows said, “No.”

“I will fill your roads,

I will block your paths,

And when I melt

I will soak your ground.”

Frustrated,

The people pushed on…

April rains,

Never before so much.

The people cried, “Stop!”

But the rains said, “No.”

“I will rot your potatoes,

Wash away your tiles and roads,

And when I flood

I will saturate your ground.”

Angered,

The people pushed on…

July thunderstorms,

Never before so much.

The people wailed, “Stop!”

But the creek said, “No.”

I will become a river

Roaring through your mountain walls,

Demolishing your homes,

Taking with me precious lives,

And when I rage

I will sanctify your ground.”

Hardened,

Toughened,

Enlightened,

The people pushed on…

Rodney Gould July 21, 2015

Volunteer Profile: Jane Holycross

Jane Holycross is a Red Cross Volunteer with many different titles. Her journey with the organization began in April 2014 after an injury displaced her from her factory job, and she started working at the front desk of the Red Cross office in Sydney, Ohio. She had little knowledge of the Red Cross, however, once she started networking with other staff, she joined and took all the necessary classes to become a Disaster Responder. In September 2014, she moved back to her hometown to have surgery, and upon recovery, she reached out to the Eastern Kentucky Chapter Red Cross to see if they needed any assistance. She was welcomed with open arms by Executive Director Joanna King.

Jane currently has a leading role in The Pillowcase Project, a program that is committed to helping elementary schoolers become better prepared for a disaster or emergency. As part of the program, the students receive a pillowcase to build their own emergency supply kit. “My girls and I grew up having a crafty side, so I enjoy making these projects,” she explained. Her most memorable Red Cross moments come from her experiences with the students. “The joy of watching a child’s face and knowing that they are learning from you on how to be prepared is priceless, the Thank You notes we receive back from them will put a tear in your eye,” she said.

Being with the Red Cross for two years has taught Jane a lot about the importance of volunteering. “Volunteering is a great way to do something for your community, whether it’s a disaster call or doing an event based project, a volunteer can never do too little,” she said.

If you would like to join the Red Cross as a volunteer, please visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.

Volunteer Profile: Debbie Ranier

Meet Debbie Ranier, a Red Cross volunteer who knows just how far a helping hand can go. Her way of life growing up helped mold her into a very supportive and giving person. Her grandmother volunteered often and helped her understand the importance of being there for others.

In March 2012, Debbie witnessed the aftermath of a horrific tornado that swept through Morgan County. She saw firsthand through her job at Servpro how much the Red Cross is needed in these disasters and how we postively impact communities near and far. From that day forward, she knew the Red Cross was an organization she wanted to be involved with.

Debbie’s most memorable Red Cross moment occurred last spring while she was assisting with a mass distribution in Morehead, Kentucky. “A man pulled up to receive supplies and while I was handing them to him he said ‘I have always given to the Red Cross, but never thought I would ever need the Red Cross,” she said.

Having been with the Red Cross for two and a half years now, Debbie has a bright future with the organization. She currently serves as a board member for the Eastern Kentucky Chapter, and she is a newly appointed Community Volunteer Leader. Her willingness to be a positive factor in the community is ever-growing.

“A typical day for me with the Red Cross is impacting others to find it in their heart to have a passion for giving to this wonderful organization,” said Debbie. “Describing volunteering to be rewarding to me is an understatement.”

If you would like to join the Red Cross as a volunteer, please visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.