Volunteer Voice December 2013

December 2013

The Volunteer Voice Holiday Open House Who: All Red Cross Volunteers & Community Partners Where: ACS Classroom in Davis Hall (Bldg 108) When: 9 December from 11:30-13:30 Please bring an appetizer, side, or dessert to share and register at http://www.perfectpotluck.com/meals.php?t=WSHF8232 November Volunteer of the Month: Vicki Lucio

Typhoon Haiyan Funds for Recovery Thank you Musgrove Family and the Vicenza Military Community for your support of Red Cross recovery efforts in the Philippines after the devastating Typhoon Haiyan. Your contributions of $4,200 are inspiring and will certainly help make a difference. For those still wishing to donate, please go to http://www.redcross.org/chari table-donations and select “Donate Now” under Typhoon Appeal.

Interested in becoming Disaster Trained to assist at an Emergency Shelter?

On 10 December from 0830-1630 the Red Cross will be having an all day training that encompasses “Disaster Services: An Overview” and “Sheltering Fundamentals.”

Registration is mandatory, so stop by the Red Cross Office to sign up. Training is free!

Get Involved!

Gift Wrapping Fundraiser

Armed Forces Bowl Game

4 December from Noon-6pm And 13 December from 10am-4pm At the PX

30 December at Hoekstra Field

Supplies are provided; all you need to do is wrap!

Sign-up to help with a shift on Volunteer Connection under “Shifts” -> “Fundraiser”

Volunteers needed to serve food, assist with set-up, clean-up and more Sign-up to help on Volunteer Connection under “Shifts” -> “Special Events”

December 2013

American Red Cross Christmas Tree!

The Red Cross has donated a decorated Christmas tree to the Vicenza Community Club’s Annual Tree and Wreath Auction.

Included with the tree is a complete first aid kit, a gift certificate to a Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED class and much more. The auction will take place 10 December from 15001900 at the Golden lion Conference Center. Please stop by and make a bid!

NEW: Monthly Blended Learning The American Red Cross Vicenza has added the CPR/First Aid/AED Course in a blended learning format of online and hands-on to its monthly offering of classes. It will be switching each month from weekday morning to weekday evenings to accommodate a variety of schedules.

Winter Safety & Kids Monitor children for wet clothing, chilling, and fatigue. They are often too enthusiastic about playing in the snow to notice they are too cold or not feeling well.

Required: Local Background Checks All Red Cross volunteers are asked to drop by the Red Cross Office, if they have not done so, in order to complete a local MP Background Check and a mental Health Background Check as required by USAG Vicenza. If you have any questions about this new requirement, please call 044471-7089 or email Vicenza@redcross.org.

Drive Safely in the Winter

 From Nov. 15 until April 15, all vehicles in Italy must be equipped with winter tires or have snow chains on board when traveling on roads with the blue sign posted. Snow chains must be certified UNI 11313 or the Austrian ONORM V5117.

Winter/all season tires must be marked with one of the following: M&S, MS, M-S, M+S. If driving out of the country, check for further requirements before departing.  Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.

Regularly check antifreeze and other fluids. If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.  Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).  Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.  Even if the roads seem clear, drive slowly in freezing temperatures (especially over bridges) in case of black ice.  When driving in snow, drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement.

December 2013

Red Cross Club

By Alexis Camuso

November was another very active month for members of the VHS Red Cross Club. Student members handed out First Aid supplies on November 6th at the Running of the Herd, on Del Din. In addition, on November 12th, three Club members assisted the Girl Scouts in making First Aid kits for the Girl Scouts’ First Aid badge. Club member, Mariah Marbut, also volunteered with the Red Cross tent during the Cancer Run on post.

Antonietta Ramirez was recognized as Club Member of the Months for July-August. Austin Walker was recognized as Club Member of the Months for September-October.

Don’t Forget: Submit your Volunteer Hours!

Volunteer Connection is the place to record volunteer your hours. Instead of logging them on paper, just sign into volunteer connection, go to “My Profile,” select “Shifts/Hours” and log them there. We will review them every week and approve them so that they will show in your record. Log in at https://volunteerconnection.redcross.org

Safety Tip of the Month 

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Inspect Fireplaces ~ Have your chimney inspected by a professional at the start of every heating season. Creosote, a chemical substance that forms when wood burns, builds up in chimneys and can cause a chimney fire if not properly cleaned.

Beware of Holiday Candles ~ Keep candles away from decorations. Keep candles, matches and lighters, out of the reach of children.

Test Tree Trimmings ~ Decorate only with lights labeled testing in laboratory. Never use candles to decorate Christmas trees. Don't overload electrical outlets. Unplug all lights before leaving home or going to bed.

December Calendar 4 – Gift Wrapping 5 – New Volunteer Orientation 7 – CPR/First Aid/AED Course* 9 – Holiday Open House

12 – Blended Learning CPR/First Aid/AED Class (Skills Session)* 16 – Food Handler’s Course 30 –Armed Forced Bowl

10 –Disaster Training *Advance registration required at the Red Cross Office

Questions, comments, concerns?

American Red Cross Building 333 Caserma Ederle Vicenza, Italy Phone: 0444-71-7089 Vicenza@redcross.org www.facebook.com/ARCVicenza