2009-11-04 - Director's Weekly Update

Last week in review-October 24-30 This was an extremely busy week. *        Saturday October 24 turned out to be a beautiful fall day.  While it began cool and cloudy, by 11:00 the sun was shining.  The Red Cross Safety Lane at Kidapalooza was a huge success.   *        The Citizens Police Academy finger printed over 500 children.  They did this at the County Fair and finger printed about 600 over those 5 days. *        Bob and Faye Florida came prepared to cook and serve hot dogs.  They cooked and served over 1,000.  Napa also donated the hot dogs, Sureway donated the buns, Capitol Theaters donated the popcorn, drinks were donated by Goldenrod. *        Volunteers came from HOSA at Central, the Homeschooler Association, Murray State Ambassadors, and the Citizens Police Academy.  *         Monday the staff got busy cleaning up the ERV, the Disaster Trailer and putting away all that was gathered to be taken to the Safety Lane Event. It was a real team effort. *        The staff prepared our meeting room here in the building for a Celebration Luncheon for the leadership of the Major Gifts Campaign. Volunteer, Karen Wolcott, prepared a lovely lunch and helped decorate the tables.  While the Major Gifts Campaign has a few more details to be completed, it was reported that the total amount in donations and pledges was $62,760!!!  We expressed our appreciation to those volunteers who served as Captains and Team members.  A special Thank You went to Kent Mills who chaired the campaign.  We also looked forward to our 2010 Hopkins County Major Gifts Campaign with 'things to remember'. *        Brenda Parker met with a family that had a fire here in Hopkins County.  A family of two who had lost everything. *        Tuesday started with our staff meeting.  Mitizi Geary, branch office manger in Greenville, joined us. *        The Youth Committee met at 4:00 Monday afternoon, to evaluate the Safety Lane at Kidapalooza.  They also looked at the day and follow up activities.  They also made of list of things to remember for next year. This committee welcomed a new youth member, Rachael, from Central High School.  *        Wednesday, Brenda Parker went to Princeton to meet with a family who had a fire.  This was a family of 6.  Our faithful volunteer, Garnet Pennington went with her.  *        Hannah Parker went to Christian County to work on shelter agreements with Julie Peterson.  These were schools who agree to be shelters in the event of a need. *        I met with a new volunteer, Patsy Floyd.  She has already assisted us in many ways. *        Wednesday, Brenda Parker and Tina Owen met with representatives from First Baptist Church there in Hopkinsville.  One of their buildings was used for the shelter during the Ice Storm.  The congregation wants to be better prepared to assist Red Cross should the need happen again. *        Mitizi Geary and LeAnn Shemwell assisted a person who had a house fire. *        Wednesday, Brenda Parker went to Caldwell County to finalize the first month's rent for the family who had a house fire two weeks ago. *        Ike Standifird and I went to be judges at the Chili Contest at Madisonville Community College.  We both tasted the entries in the mild category.  It was fun. *        All of the Human Resources committee members met to interview two very good candidates for the Emergency Services position in the Christian County office.  Tina Owen, Service Center Manager in Christian County, joined in the interviews.   *        Thursday, we received the copy of the lease agreement for the building in Cadiz signed by the landlord.  Susann Searatt is busy looking at a new coat of paint for the walls. *        Friday, Brenda Parker met with Keith Putnam the Emergency Management coordinator for Muhlenberg County.  They discussed the procedure for requesting a Red Cross shelter to be set up. *        Mitizi Geary and LeAnn Shemwell went to Muhlenberg Community Hospital to meet with a family that had a house fire.  This was a family of 6. *        Tomasha Matchem and Brittany Wiersman raked leaves that fell during the rains and wind.  They made progress despite the wind.  They will finish the next pretty day we have. *        Heather Staggs and I spent part of this week writing the Owensboro Medical Health System grants.  These are due November 6.   This week-Monday, November 2- *         Brenda Parker and volunteer Karen Hane met with a lady that had a house fire here in Madisonville. Since July 1, 2009 in Hopkins, Muhlenberg and Caldwell County, we have assisted 21 families who have had fires in their homes.  This is 74 people. Nine were in Hopkins County, Nine were in Muhlenberg County.  Three were in Caldwell County.  This is much more than we usually have in the first four months of the Fiscal Year.