American Red Cross: Leavenworth County Chapter

Sudden cardiac arrest causes 250,000 deaths each year. As many as 50,000 of those lives might be saved with the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs)

More children die each year from drowning than from firearms. (Source: National Safety Council)

According to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 81 workplace fatalities in Kansas in 1999. Clearly, injuries and even deaths happen in the workplace, but the American Red Cross Workplace Safety Training is one step businesses can take to protect their employees.

Contact the American Red Cross to learn more about how its health and safety training programs can prevent injuries and save lives.

Ice Storm Affect Local Area

In November of 2007 a major ice storm effected the Leavenworth County area, along with much of northeastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri. In response the Leavenworth County Chapter prepared to respond to the need for a warm, safe shelter for residents in need.

Working with no power in our own facility the Red Cross accessed likely sites and selected the gymnasium of the Riverfront Community Center in Leavenworth for an appropriate site. Within a short time volunteers had set up a shelter that remained open for 4 days and nights. 44 individuals made their home with us for some portion of that time.

Volunteers, the City of Leavenworth, Trinity Lutheran Church, Wallula Christian Church, Harris Brothers Cleaners and individual donors made this work possible.

CHAPTER EXECUTIVE RETIRES

Jo Burkett, Executive Director for the Leavenworth County Chapter since 1990, will retire on March 31, 2008. Her prior history with Red Cross covers 11 additional years started as a “Blood Aide” while in high school. She has also served as a volunteer in a Germany and the local area. Prior to taking the position as director she served as Interim Red Cross Station Manager at Ft. Leavenworth, KS.

“I have loved my time with the Red Cross and especially my time as director of the Leavenworth County Chapter” states Burkett. “When I took the position in 1990 I was an Army spouse and our family had lived in no one location longer than three years. During our 23 years in Leavenworth, my family has truly learned to think of it as our home. After retirement I plan to return to my roots as a volunteer and spend more time with my children and grandchildren.”

There will be a reception to bid farewell to Jo Burkett at the Men’s Waiting Room in the Riverfront Community Center on March 29 from 1 to 3 PM.

This Page Last Updated: March 12, 2008