Clara Barton School Student & Teacher Share Their Story “After the Fire”
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Wednesday, March 3, 2010 — With March proclaimed as Red Cross Month, the Greater Rochester Red Cross kicked-off its annual celebration today at the Clara Barton School.
Red Cross Month is a time to highlight the programs and services offered in our community and the volunteers and partners who work every day to help save lives or rebuild lives that have been shattered by disaster down the street, across the country and around the world.
“The Red Cross works tirelessly to be there with help and hope when people need it most–and we are grateful for the public support that enables us to continue our work – here at home and abroad, said John Buttrill, CEO of the Greater Rochester Red Cross. “Red Cross Month is a great for people to get involved with the Red Cross such as signing up for a CPR, first aid or another Red Cross course; giving a financial gift that can save the day when the next disaster strikes, getting involved as a volunteer, or donating blood.”
Just as the Red Cross relies on volunteers to ensure its services are delivered 24/7 we also work closely with other organizations and establish partnerships to leverage resources and better serve our community. The Greater Rochester Chapter and Prevention 1st Foundation formed a new partnership to help children in kindergarten through sixth grade, their classmates and families affected by house fire disasters with a new program, “After the Fire.”
Developed by Prevention 1st and distributed in Monroe County and Rochester City schools with the help of the Red Cross, “After the Fire” was not only piloted at the Clara Barton School, but it was also first used at the school by a 6th grade teacher to help his students cope…after a fire.
Dale Spafford, 6th grade teacher at Clara Barton School utilized the “After the Fire” program materials when one of his students suffered a house fire in October. “After the Fire helped me as a teacher, said Dale. “It gave me the structure how to teach this important information.” As a result, Dale has added a testimonial, which is now incorporated in the materials that go to schools and homes, “After the Fire: The Teachable Moment.”
The American Red Cross touches the lives of millions of people every year through its network of 34,000 employees and more than 600,000 volunteers in more than 2,000 locations across the United States and more than 30 countries around the world.
From Haiti to home, the Red Cross helps all people. The Red Cross has responded following the Haiti earthquake in January, working to turn despair into hope. The Red Cross is there in Haiti now – and Chile and we are here each day across the country for families who need us.
Last year alone, the Greater Rochester Chapter’s 2,200 volunteers helped more than 400 families with shelter, food, and clothing when fire forced them from their homes; they trained nearly 50,000 people in First Aid, CPR, water safety and other life saving courses; they made more than 290,000 nutritionally balanced meals for the homebound and elderly; mentored nearly 200 city school students and guided them towards a promising future; staffed nearly 1,200 blood drives; and kept more than 350 U.S. military families connected with their loved ones.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation in 1943, recognizing the American Red Cross as a true reflection of the humanitarian and volunteer spirit and calling on Americans to “rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross.” Every president since that time has recognized the work of the Red Cross with a Red Cross Month.
Throughout the month of March, the Greater Rochester Red Cross is celebrating with special events and discounted safety training classes that give the public a chance to learn more about the Greater Rochester Red Cross and all the ways they can be involved.
For more information on March is Red Cross Month and the events open to the community contact Nadine Krimow, Communications Manager at the Greater Rochester Red Cross at 585-241-4419 or visit us at www.RochesterRedCross.org.
The Greater Rochester Red Cross is dedicated to preventing, preparing for and responding to personal and community emergencies. Chapter services to the community include disaster relief, health and safety training, (CPR, First Aid, Water Safety, etc.), Community Outreach, Food and Nutrition Services, Service to Armed Forces, Youth Services, and Hispanic and African-American initiatives. Please visit us online at www.RochesterRedCross.org for more information.
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