Fired Up for a Frozen Showdown

Fired Up for a Frozen Showdown

Posted on May 13th, 2013 by Laura Howe

Wow! What an end to All Star Celebrity Apprentice. The last two contestants are standing and it’s Trace Adkins and Penn Jillette! Penn’s a great competitor, but we love Trace and the voice he’s given to disaster victims the last several weeks. All of us at the Red Cross are so proud of Trace and what he’s accomplished on behalf of our organization and all the people we serve. He’s represented the Red Cross with integrity and lots of heart and we’re cheering him on to the finish line.  

We’re not just cheering him on, we’re ready to put our money where our mouth is-literally-and we hope you will too. This week’s task involved Trace and Penn developing custom ice cream flavors for the Walgreens Delish brand. Team Trace developed “Maple Macadamia Mash Up“, based on his favorite candy flavor-maple nut. (Team Trace also had to create a commercial for the ice cream, which featured Gary Busey busting a move because the ice cream is so good. I can’t wait to see the final product next week.)

If Trace’s flavor is the top seller this week, he’ll win an extra $100,000 for the Red Cross and disaster victims around the nation. That’s 10,000 meals for disaster victims or 20,000 blankets for people who stay in our shelters. That also means you don’t have to ask me twice to buy ice cream.

So get yourself down to a Walgreens or a Duane Reade store this week and pick up Maple Macadamia Mash Up. When you do, make sure you tweet some photos of yourself enjoying that creamy goodness. Not only will you help the Red Cross and propel Trace to the top of the boardroom, but you can also rest assured that, somewhere in America, Gary Busey is doing a happy dance. That should make everyone smile.

American Red Cross Volunteering: A way of life for Gage County Disaster Volunteer Carolyn Nelson

In 1981, Carolyn Nelson was a young Army Officer’s wife at Fort McClellan, Alabama where her husband, Jim, was an Army Captain in the Judge Advocate General‘s (JAG) Corps.    Carolyn heard about volunteering for the American Red Cross through the Officers Wives Club and decided to try it, so she volunteered at the hospital on Fort McClellan as “Chairman of the Hospitality Cart.”   Carolyn found the volunteer work to be very rewarding and by the time she and Jim left Ft. McClellan in 1983, she had volunteered with the Red Cross for more than 600 hours over two years.

After Jim left the military, they moved back to their home state of Nebraska.  One Sunday afternoon shortly after their return to the Cornhusker State, Carolyn and Jim attended a local YMCA open house where they met and visited with the Gage County Red Cross Chapter Director.  Remembering how much she enjoyed Red Cross Volunteer work at Fort McClellan, Carolyn immediately jumped back into being a Red Cross Volunteer. 

Carolyn’s enthusiasm, energy and contributions as a Red Cross volunteer resulted in her not only serving on the Gage County Red Cross Chapter Board but eventually becoming the board chairperson.  In addition to her service on the board, Carolyn also served on the Committee for Services to the Military and the on the Disaster Committee, both as a member and as chairperson.   During her 32 years of volunteering, Carolyn has provided Red Cross disaster assistance services in a number of significant, Nebraska events including the 1993 Big Blue River flood, the 1996 Beatrice Tornado, the 2001 Virginia tornado, and the Hallam tornado in 2004.  Carolyn has also assisted in organizing a telethon with a local radio station to raise funds for victims of Hurricane Andrew and been active with the Red Cross Blood Mobile both as a volunteer and as a blood 

donor. 

Carolyn has received extensive Red Cross training including disaster assistance training in Kansas City, and a variety of classes in Omaha, Lincoln and Council Bluffs, Iowa.  A highlight of her Red Cross training was being invited to attend a Weapons of Mass Destruction course in Pine Bluffs, Arkansas in 2004. 

Carolyn regards volunteering for the Red Cross as an important part of her life and a “great journey” of which she is very proud.  Carolyn has a deeply rooted willingness to help others and many wonderful memories of people coming together to help each other in times of need through the Red Cross. 

Referring to her many years of dedicated service to the Red Cross, Carolyn said, “I never wondered why I volunteered or kept volunteering, and never thought about not volunteering.  Volunteering for the Red Cross was and still remains a part of my life.  I am proud to be a Red Cross Volunteer.”

Celebrating Volunteers in Action

(Red Cross workers from left to right: Lonnie Hyter, Doris Hyter, Patricia Bainton, Liz Baliff, Roland Stewart, KC MCCarron, Debbe Moreau, Erika Baker, Jessica McGhee, Linda Lovett, Stacie Knight, Barb Herring, Bob Arsenault, Joe Schwartz, Kathleen Brandt & Frankie Brandt)

Written by: Weysan Dun

(Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, April 24, 2013)

On a cool April spring day, 15 dedicated and well trained American Red Cross workers joined nearly 70 men and women from Offutt Air Force Base at Offutt Base Lake Pavillion. One by one, men and women filed into the large pavilion to enjoy a warm lunch and each others company.  On this day and in this room, military rank is not as important as the amount of hours each individual has donated to make their community a better place - you see they are all volunteers here to be honored at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Reception. 

Every year, the American Red Cross partners with the Offutt Airman and Family Readiness Center to celebrate the dozens of volunteers who give hours working with non-profit groups. Anthony Secrist, Operations Security Program Manager at STRATCOM, received the Volunteer Excellence Award for 2013. 

The Volunteer Excellence Award is given only once in a lifetime and recognizes outstanding volunteer community service in the local community.  Colonel Hans Palaoro, Vice Commander of the 55^th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base presented the award to Mr. Secrist in recognition of his sustained volunteer community service.  Mr. Secrist’s volunteer service includes delivering meals to elderly and other home-bound individuals in Belleview, coaching youth soccer teams, and assisting Girl Scout Troop 43530 where his wife, Yolanda, is the troop leader.

Mr. Secrist said he is motivated to volunteer because he wishes to “give back to the community” and because it is “the right thing to do.”  He has been involved with volunteer service to the community for many years and greatly enjoys helping others. 

In his remarks to the reception attendees, Colonel Palaoro said, “I thank you for the positive work you do.  It’s wonderful to see people working together.” 

The Annual Volunteer Appreciation at Offutt Air Force Base is one of a number of events jointly sponsored and conducted by the Red Cross in partnership with the Offutt Airman and Family Readiness Center.  This long-term partnership has existed for more than 10 years.  Other annual events collaboratively conducted by the Red Cross and the Offutt Airman and Family Readiness Center include the Information Fair, the Spring Spa for Military Spouses, and the Right Start Base Orientation for new service members and their families.   

American Red Cross Worker Bob Bell Honored for 15-Years of Service

Bob Bell has been an American Red Cross volunteer since his retirement in 1998. His vast experiences as an EMT and volunteer firefighter made him a natural fit for Disaster Services and Health and Safety.

Volunteering out of the Prairie Valley Service Center in Columbus, Bob enjoys helping others, and says, “I would like to keep volunteering and assisting wherever he can, just as long as he can help.” His role as a Disaster Action Team member allows him to travel and meet new people, which he finds very satisfying. He also conducts training for new volunteers, boosting their competency level.

Bob's many contributions on the disaster team includes: responding to over 30 national disaster including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy. Locally, he assists in all fires, floods, and tornadoes which he gladly supports. Bob is also skilled in client casework, setting up shelters, and the operation and maintenance of the emergency response vehicle

.

Bob, thank you for all the time and expertise you give to those who need you during times of disaster - you ARE the American Red Cross.

Susan Puckett, Devoted to the American Red Cross Mission

It is easy to say Susan Puckett has devoted her life to the health of others, not only is she a full-time nurse, but also volunteers as a Red Cross staff nurse, caring for over one hundred disaster workers in Kearney.

Her infectious smile and compassionate personality makes her job as a nurse that much easier. In her role, she reviews annual volunteer health statements, and teaches all disaster health classes, including first aid, and CPR. She consistently receives high marks on her instructor evaluations, and whenever she's not teaching, she responds to disaster calls, including the devastating Hallam Tornado. In addition, Susan gives her time during community events at the Red Cross First Aid tents, and she has represented Red Cross at a recent Trailways bus accident near Gibbon.

“She is a compassionate, caring person with no limit on giving of herself and her nursing skills. Your health is foremost in her mind, and if you talk to her long enough, she'll get around to asking you if your Tetanus shot is up to date,”said John Jones. “Susan is a joy to work with and remains an indispensable part

of our community.”

National Volunteer Appreciation Week - Valued Red Cross Friend Jerry Retzlaff

71-year old Jerry Retzlaff has dedicated his life to serving his country, the past five years have been with the American Red Cross Central Plains Chapter as a Disaster Action Team member. 

          Jerry is always ready and willing to answer the call for help, he has deployed for big named disasters like Tropical Storm Isaac, Hurricane Sandy.  Here at home, Jerry has worked bulk distribution, feeding and client casework for people impacted by tornadoes or wild fires.

“Jerry is my go-to guy when I need items moved. For example he helped bring a truck full of food and supplies from Norfolk to Ainsworth, where firefighters needed support during an exercise,” said Nicole Boettger.

Jerry is also a member of the American Legion Osmond Post 326 in Osmond, Nebraska, he earned his eligibility as a Gulf War era veteran serving in the Navy as a Supply Chief Petty Officer.   He has held a variety of positions throughout his career in The American Legion, serving as County Vice-Commander, District Vice-Commander and currently as the District 2 Commander.

Jerry and his wife, Theresa, reside in Plainview, Nebraska. They have three children and eight grandchildren. He is a member of United Methodist Church in Plainview, Nebraska.

The Art Behind the Decadent Red Velvet Red Cross Cupcake

Written by: Liz Dorland

When you walk into the bustling Jones Bros. Cupcakes kitchen, you are hit with the sweet smell of yummy cake batter baking, the buzz of mixers hard at work, and the sight of people frosting
dozens upon dozens of scrumptious cupcakes.

Ren Rieur arrives at Jones Bros. Cupcakes around 6:00 in the  morning, ready for a fast-paced and productive day. Wearing a black baker’s cap, the Executive Pastry Chef buttons his white jacket before pulling out a cake pan and lining it with 18 bright red cupcake wrappers. The delicate art of baking takes practice and precision, and Jones Bros. customers have come to expect the ultimate sweet specimen every time. Rieur’s mission is to mix the batter for hundreds of cupcakes and bake them to perfection all while managing a busy kitchen.  Carefully and quickly, he pours luscious smooth Red Velvet batter into each wrapper before setting them in a hot oven. 

Wearing a bright lavender shirt, Cake Decorator Courtney Kotzian skillfully makes the decorations that will top the Red Velvet Red Cross Cupcakes rising in the oven.  She has been working at Jones Bros Cupcakes for about a year and says she loves her job.  To create the American Red Cross Button Logo, Kotzian lays smooth sugary white fondant circles on a pan of parchment paper, grabs a tube of Red Cross Red frosting and begins to effortlessly pipe crosses on each individual disk.  Kotzian says, “We’ve cut out and used at least 1,000 fondant crosses so far this month.”

This is the third year Jones Bros. Cupcakes Owner, Bill Jones has created and sold the Red

Velvet Red Cross Cupcakes to celebrate March is Red Cross Month.  Throughout March, Jones Bros will donate .50 cents of each Red Velvet Red Cross cupcake sold (up to $2,000) to the American Red Cross.   Every time a customer bites into the moist Red Velvet Red Cross cupcake, they not only do they get a mouth full of decadent pastry and cream cheese icing, but they are literally putting their money where their mouth is by helping the Red Cross prepare, respond and recover to the nearly 70,000 disasters across the country.  Bill Jones says, “We love helping the American Red Cross, it’s fun for us too.”