American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties: Month in Review – December 2017
SAN DIEGO – January 4, 2018 – The American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties operates with the mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Throughout December 2017, the following key programs and services were provided throughout the region, which covers all of San Diego and Imperial Counties as well as American Samoa:
DISASTER SERVICES
Responded to 36 incidents, with 29 of those being home fires:
- Served 168 families including 383 individuals
- Provided canteen services twice serving snacks and drinks to 50 first responders
Lilac Fire Response:
- As the Lilac Fire burned in North San Diego County, the local Red Cross established several shelters including the Bostonia Recreation Center, East Valley Community Center and Palomar College gymnasium.
-The City of Oceanside opened a shelter at Oceanside High School, which the Red Cross took over operation the next morning. A total of 242 disaster workers took part in the Red Cross response
- We have opened 122 cases for families who had their homes severely damaged or destroyed by the fire to assist 266 people with their recovery needs
- Throughout the shelter operation, we provided 573 overnight shelter stays, 837 Disaster Health Services contacts, 295 Mental Health contacts, 2,875 meals and snacks
- The Red Cross has also helped 270 people affiliated with the San Luis Rey Training Center by facilitating medical clinics and emotional health support
In calendar year 2017, the local Red Cross responded to 339 incidents across San Diego and Imperial Counties and America Samoa. Home fires accounted for 258 of those incidents (76%). A total of 554 families were assisted, including 1,587 individuals. Canteen services were provided 37 times serving 891 first responders and 165 citizens
SERVICE TO THE ARMED FORCES (SAF)
- Provided 7,028 services to 4,145 military members, veterans and spouses
- Conducted 11 outreach and pre-deployment briefings, fulfilling 100% percent of command requests and reaching over 3,990 military families; also conducted two resiliency workshops
- Service to the Armed Forces caseworkers conducted family follow up on 155 emergency cases for the San Diego Region
- Distributed over 6,000 Holidays for Hero cards received from 24 states to local military families and veterans
VOLUNTEER SERVICES
- Local Red Cross services were supported by volunteers who spent a total of 4,679 hours throughout the month of December to aid the Red Cross mission.
- The December 2017 Volunteer of the Month is Dawn Ridz. Dawn is a member of the Volunteer Services Team and is a tremendous help in connecting with hundreds of new volunteers who applied in the wake of the heavy disaster season. She personally called, emailed, screened and placed new volunteers in almost all departments. Additionally, Dawn deployed for three weeks to Puerto Rico as a disaster responder and was a wonderful representative of our region. Dawn has great energy, and a host of outside skills she has made available to the Red Cross. She is committed to seeing us execute our mission with excellence.
WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN PROGRAM (WIC)
- A total of 24,390 women, infants, and children received nutrition counseling and support in December 2017
- For more than 40 years, the local Red Cross has administered the WIC program in San Diego County. WIC is a supplemental nutrition assistance program that provides families in the most vulnerable communities with access to nutrition education, breastfeeding support, community resources, and groceries.
NEW REGIONAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Sean Mahoney became the American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties Regional Chief Executive Officer on December 18, 2017. Additional details are in the original CEO announcement news release.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Harlem Globetrotters’ Great Assist – Friday, February 16 and Friday, February 23:
- The American Red Cross is in the second season with the Harlem Globetrotters as its official charity partner. The Harlem Globetrotters will feature the Red Cross at more than 300 games throughout the basketball season, including in San Diego on February 16 and February 23. The game will feature a Red Cross PSA, in-game player announcement and more.
Disaster Preparedness Academy – Friday, March 23:
- At this fourth annual event, participants will gain valuable skills and insights necessary to protect their business, employees, family, and community from the potential impacts of disasters or emergencies.
For more information about the American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties, please visit redcross.org/sandiego.
About the American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties
The American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties is the most trusted community service organization in education, preparation and response to natural disasters and human emergencies. With the public’s ongoing support, we provide lifesaving preparedness training; disaster relief services; services to deployed military personnel and their families, and nutritional counseling through our Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. Through Prepare San Diego, a regional resiliency initiative, the Red Cross brings together key community and business leaders from the region to create a sustainable network that encourages preparedness, carries out response and recovery plans, and strives for resiliency in the face of disaster, meeting all aspects of the disaster lifecycle. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/sandiego or connect with us on Facebook and YouTube and Twitter.
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