August 2012 | Issue 3
Newsletter WELCOME
Corinne Ambler EDITOR
¡ Outreach Volunteer Rosemary Fisher delivering Winter Warmer packs to cold Christchurch residents. Photo: David Wethey.
WINTER WARMER PACKS FOR 4,500 COLD CANTABRIANS Hundreds of volunteers have pitched in to help New Zealand Red Cross pack and distribute another 4,000 Winter Warmer packs to Cantabrians. An initial distribution of 500 in June was snapped up so quickly that Red Cross urgently sourced a second round. Volunteers from Red Cross, the Student Army, Lions Club, Canterbury University and various schools put together the packs, and many others helped distribute them. Project leader Colleen Ruru says she was touched by the humanity she saw during the project. “It was an amazing project that really brought out the best in the Canterbury community, and highlighted the support people had for each other.” She says people were picking up packs for those they knew were sleeping
rough, and Red Cross also gave them to people sleeping in cars and caravans. “A policeman even came in to get one for a man he knew was sleeping under a bridge.” Among the many thank you letters sent to Red Cross was one from Lynne Absolum, who thanked Red Cross for giving her kids something special. Her children Arlais (5) and Blaise (12) (pictured) wrote, “Thank You Red Cross People & your Supporters! We love our new things and we appreciate what you have done for us”.
Welcome to the August edition of the New Zealand Red Cross Recovery newsletter. This month we’ve been incredibly busy distributing another 4,000 Winter Warmer packs to those who are feeling the cold. Also, one of our Outreach volunteers has received a special award, and the national board has honoured members of the Red Cross Earthquake Commission for their work distributing appeal funds. If you’d like to see what we’ve been doing in Canterbury over the last six months have a look at our July 2012 Canterbury Earthquakes Recovery Update on our website www.redcross.org.nz
corinne.ambler@redcross.org.nz
In this issue 4,500 Winter Warmer packs distributed across Christchurch Outreach volunteer named Community Crusader Special volunteers help pack torch radios Red Cross Earthquake Commission receives medals
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NEW ZEALAND RED CROSS ELIZABETH MCNAUGHTON – NATIONAL RECOVERY MANAGER seven new programmes within the next six months. The first is a comprehensive package to support those who lost loved ones in the earthquakes.
ELIZABETH MCNAUGHTON NATIONAL RECOVERY MANAGER
It’s been a month since I returned from my Winston Churchill fellowship trip, and I’m enjoying putting into practice the lessons and ideas I studied in other disaster areas around the world. The next six months will see a rapid expansion of our recovery work with communities. We aim to implement
This builds on the two bereavement grants we have already allocated to these people, and the support groups we have been running for them this year. In addition, we are working hard to reach more people through our grants, and have expanded the criteria for several of them, in recognition of the great need we are seeing on the ground in Christchurch. People are the heart of any city and recovery effort, so our challenge now is to bolster the spirits of Cantabrians where we can, and focus on the vision of vibrant neighbourhoods that
will once again flourish. I met up with Daniel Homsey in San Francisco and we had many conversations about empowering neighbourhoods, strengthening relationships and networks and the use of social media in recovery. I am very pleased he has contributed to this month’s newsletter and look forward to continuing to share ideas. To listen to Daniel’s video message for Christchurch visit http://youtu.be/le4Gf9E_cvY
Elizabeth McNaughton
GUEST COLumn
Daniel Homsey Neighborhood Empowerment Network, City and County of San Francisco
experienced two of the last major earthquakes to strike our city. The first was in 1906 and the most recent was in 1989. Each time San Francisco picked itself up and dusted itself off and set out on a reconstruction effort that set a goal of building a better city than the one we had before. While we certainly weren’t perfect in achieving that standard, in the end I believe we came close.
Like millions of people around the world, I was shocked by the devastation that struck Christchurch as a result of the earthquakes that have occurred since September 2010. To see one of our planet’s most loved cities be so deeply impacted by seismic activity has been not only saddening, but humbling as well.
That’s why it was an honour to have the chance to come to New Zealand in May of this year and see for myself the amazing courage and tenacity that the people of Christchurch have shown in their effort to rebuild their city. I was inspired by the Gap Filler art that has appeared in newly vacated lots all over town as well as by the Restart Shopping Centre which has kept the downtown a vibrant and exciting place to visit and shop. Christchurch is well on its way to recapturing its rightful seat on the international stage.
Being a fourth generation San Franciscan, my family has
On a personal level I was deeply moved by the spirit of the people
My name is Daniel Homsey and I manage the Neighborhood Empowerment Network (NEN) here in San Francisco.
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of Christchurch and their deep commitment to each other during these times of unprecedented stress. A highlight for me was when I met with over thirty Red Cross volunteers who set out every day across the city to check in on the elderly residents who may be unwilling, or unable, to ask for the help they need to weather the years of recovery ahead. I returned to San Francisco more resolute than ever to empower our communities to be ready to navigate any challenge, big or small, that may come along. Since May we’ve been sharing ideas and resources with groups helping rebuild “The Garden City” and I look forward to one day walking the paths along the river Avon with my children and sharing with them stories about the courage and strength the people showed during this important time. If you’d like to learn more about the NEN, please visit www.empowersf.org Daniel
Recovery NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2012 programmes
¡ Robbie Drew with Crusaders No. 10 Dan Carter.
¡ Robbie Drew with Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder.
Red Cross volunteer honoured by award New Zealand Red Cross Outreach Volunteer Robbie Drew says he was ‘blown away’ when he received the More FM Community Crusader Award recently. Robbie won the award last month, and was treated to a whole morning with the Crusaders rugby team. “I got into the main area, got to meet all the boys, it was quite an honour. I was given Dan Carter’s ball, and presented with a jersey which all the
team had signed.“ Robbie’s daughter Amanda Geddes went with him and took photographs of Robbie with Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Todd Blackadder. “I told Todd Blackadder that we Cantabrians are very proud of the team. He told me that it is people like us, volunteers for Red Cross who are doing the real work while they are just playing rugby!” Robbie has been with Red Cross since the beginning of this year. He was out
Working together in Christchurch A very enthusiastic group of volunteers has been putting together torch radio kits for New Zealand Red Cross in Christchurch.
in a truck delivering Winter Warmer Packs when we spoke to him, and says Cantabrians love them. He also volunteers at Burwood Hospital, and works as a professional singer and entertainer. Robbie says he wants to auction off the jersey for charity. “The award, and the time I’ve spent with the whole Crusaders team is now something I can tick off my bucket list. It was a real privilege,” he says. are able to see if these guys who say they want a job are viable to work so this is a bit of a test as to how well they go.” Mr Walker says everyone is really enjoying the work.
¡ L to R: Nichole Hibbs, Pam Miles, Fiona Berry, Joel Foreman.
Each Wednesday around seven volunteers from SkillWise, which supports adults with intellectual disability, head to Red Cross HQ in Birmingham Drive where they spend the afternoon putting the kits together.
SkillWise employment co-ordinator Roger Walker says the arrangement is a win-win for everyone involved. “It is beneficial for Red Cross and beneficial for us too as our people are getting great work experience. We
“Absolutely every one of the 30 people we have rotated through this work has been really enthusiastic and into it. No one has not wanted to go back and do it again.” Volunteer Trent Waldron was surprised to find that in one day the team had managed to pack 500 torch radios. “It is something good that we do for the Red Cross, who are doing it for the community. It feels good to learn a new skill and work with other people in the community,” says Trent.
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NEW ZEALAND RED CROSS Recovery NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2012 GRANTS
STAFF PROFILE
Wendy Davie ¡ New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission members with their certificates and
earthquake medals. L to R: Michael McEvedy, Paul Steere, Nicky Wagner, Sir John Hansen (chair), Red Cross national president Penny Mason, Barry Corbett, Lianne Dalziel, Roger Blair. Absent: Jane Huria, Jerry Talbot.
Red Cross board honours Earthquake Commission members New Zealand Red Cross has formally thanked the 9 members of the Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission for their work over the last 18 months. At a function in Christchurch attended by Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlee, Earthquake Commission members were thanked by Red Cross National President Penny Mason, and given earthquake medals and certificates. Mrs Mason told commission members overseeing the distribution of the appeal funds is a daunting job, and requires compassion and sound judgment. “None of our work in Canterbury would have been possible without your expertise and commitment.” Earthquake Commission chair Sir John Hansen told the gathering his work for Red Cross had been the most fulfilling
of his career, and was a privilege. And Minister Gerry Brownlee thanked Red Cross staff and volunteers for putting service above self, and said many New Zealanders did not realise how widespread the work of Red Cross was. “I remember arriving at Pike River and you guys were already there, doing welfare work with the families.” The Commission plans to wind down its work and disband by the end of this year.
REMINDER! Our Winter
Assistance Grant has been extended to include ALL people living in homes significantly damaged by the earthquakes or who have had to move into damp or hard to heat accommodation. Up until now the grant was only available to the elderly, young or sick. Applications close October 1. Go to www.redcross.org.nz and click on Grants.
KEY STATISTICS
69
$
million distributed in grants
outreach visits
Her role involves investigating and developing recovery programmes, with the help of stakeholders, the community and other recovery team members. She also oversees current recovery programmes, making sure they are well resourced, and operating efficiently. Wendy says every day is different and usually involves a lot of face to face time with volunteers, staff, stakeholders and residents. “I enjoy the days when I go on outreach and get into the community with our volunteers. Knowing that we are able to make a real and tangible difference to the lives of people in Canterbury is fantastic. Wendy says it is a privilege to be part of the recovery of Canterbury. “As a family we have chosen to stay and make a difference and be part of whatever the future holds, so this role is just my small contribution to the bigger picture, and it is a challenging but exciting journey.”
Contact National Office
80,000 1,464 2,494 grants recipients
Wendy Davie is the Community Recovery Manager, based in Christchurch.
door knocks
26,100
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torch radios distributed
PO Box 12140, Wellington 69 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6144 Phone: 04 471 8250 Email: national@redcross.org.nz Website: www.redcross.org.nz