CANADIAN RED CROSS ANNOUNCES 2012 HUMANITARIAN AWARDS FOR NOVA SCOTIA, NEW BRUNSWICK, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR.
HALIFAX, N.S. (August 22, 2012) – The Canadian Red Cross today announced that Dr. Martha Jodrey, philanthropic champion for students with learning disabilities, will receive its 2012 Humanitarian award for Nova Scotia. The Red Cross also announced that Haligonian Samantha Miller, a student at Citadel High School, will be its 2012 Young Humanitarian for Nova Scotia. Miller has been involved in volunteering, fundraising and mentoring in her community for over ten years.
"Dr. Martha Jodrey personifies what we seek to highlight with these awards, which is that amid all other demands in people’s lives, there are those who make time for volunteerism, advocacy and philanthropy, and whose leadership inspires others to pursue humanitarian goals," said John L. Byrne, director general of the Canadian Red Cross in Atlantic Canada.
Jodrey has been a tireless champion for students with learning disabilities for over 27 years. She has fundraised for institutions and challenged governments for greater awareness, and has introduced academic support programs for students at every academic level. Jodrey became the driving force behind the endowment of the Gail and Stephen Jarislowsky International Chair in Learning Disabilities at Mount Saint Vincent University. It is the first Chair of its kind in Canada and only one of four in the world, which provides Bachelor and Master of Education graduates with enhanced knowledge and intervention skills in identifying and teaching children with learning disabilities, in a classroom setting. Further information on each recipient is available online at www.redcross.ca/humanitarian.
"Samantha Miller has expressed since childhood a desire to help others raising close to $15,000 in donations in lieu of birthday gifts. With the diversity of her activities and accomplishments to date while still pursuing an education, the future is bright for both Samantha and other humanitarian projects she’ll no doubt undertake," said Byrne. Miller has successfully fundraised for many organizations including Children’s Wish Foundation, Run for the Cure, War Child and Free the Children. She is responsible for engaging other youth by organizing an upcoming new initiative, the Cold Campout, with which she is determined to raise $100,000 for the Canadian Red Cross.
Miller shares her passion with every generation. Through her mentoring and role as a volunteer coach of an under 10 girl’s soccer team she encourages youth to be actively involved. She has also built lasting relationships with the IWK, QEII and Alice House and where she serves those in need. Jodrey and Miller will be honoured on October 24, 2012 at the Humanitarian Award gala dinner held at the Cunard Centre in Halifax, sponsored by law firm McInnes Cooper, to raise funds for Canadian Red Cross disaster relief and educational programs in the province.
Recipients for New Brunswick are Gerald L. Pond and young recipient Lauren Chartrand. Recognized for his tireless contribution to reduce poverty in the region, Gerald Pond was inducted into the New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame in October 2007 and most recently was recognized at the first annual Canadian Startup Awards with the Canadian Angel Award 2011. His involvement as chairman of Mariner has brought forth corporate social responsibility initiatives which assist and support organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Saint John, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the United Way. Over the years, he has been instrumental in the success of many local start-ups and his knowledge and leadership have made him an inspiring mentor to many companies and individuals in the IT Community of Atlantic Canada. Lauren Chartrand, at age 14, is the youngest recipient to receive the Canadian Red Cross Young Humanitarian award. In 2011 Chartrand joined the Beyond the Hurt program as executive member bringing her message to combat bullying out of the shadows and into the public arena by actively fundraising and promoting the program within her school, community and across her home province. She presented to the University of New Brunswick as well as to faculty at the District 18 Teachers’ Conference becoming a knowledgeable source and reference for students and educators within the Fredericton and surrounding area. Pond and Chartrand will be honoured on October 23, 2012 at the Humanitarian Award gala dinner held at the Saint John Trade & Convention Centre.
Recipients for Prince Edward Island are The Honourable Catherine S. Callbeck and young recipient Scotty Joe Smith. The Honourable Catherine Callbeck has made tremendous humanitarian contributions over the course of many years through her active involvement in the advancement of women, and women in politics, early childhood development, literacy, family resource programs and various charitable and public service groups and organizations at all levels. She is currently a member of advisory committees or councils for PEI Literary Alliance, Family Resource Programs Canada, and the Child Alliance Advisory Committee of PEI. Scotty Joe Smith has demonstrated commitment to serving others through his involvement with Development and Peace in the Philippines and his current work as a lay missionary with the LAMP program in the Dominican Republic. He has grown into the role of teacher, educating children in English, Math, and Science and assisting with daily activities relating to social issues like child labour, women's rights, sex tourism, drug use, and family violence. Callbeck and Smith will be honoured on October 25, 2012 at the Humanitarian Award gala dinner held at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel in Charlottetown.
Recipients for Newfoundland and Labrador are Vince Withers and young recipient Jillian Peddle. Vince Withers, a well-known, dedicated community leader and St. John's native, spearheaded the Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador finally bringing stakeholders together on this issue. Shortly after it was established, he played a key role in the opening of the Renata Elizabeth Withers Treatment Centre for HOPE, named after his daughter who passed away from an eating disorder. Withers spends countless hours listening to clients and families to help improve their access to services. Memorial University alumna and volunteer Jillian Peddle maintains an exceptional level of commitment to her community and humanity around the world. In her over 10 years with the Salvation Army and other community organizations in St. John’s, Peddle assumed many leadership roles including her involvement with MUN Oxfam Society and as a member of the Salvation Army’s Student Fellowship group. In 2007, she travelled to Dominican Republic to volunteer through Absolute Hero Holiday. There she spent time with children in orphanages, taught music, assisted Haitian refugees and local hospital clinics, and helped construct a community centre. Withers and Peddle will be honoured on November 22, 2012 at the Humanitarian Award gala dinner held at the Delta Conference Centre in St. John's.
Recipients of Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian and Young Humanitarian awards are selected among nominations received from the public. For information on the Nova Scotia award gala or ticket reservation contact Sara Burke at (902) 424-1427 or email: ns2012humanitarianawards@redcross.ca.
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2012 CONFERENCE ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT - OCOTBER 3 -5, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
Registration is now open for the 6th annual Canadian Red Cross Conference on Disaster Management at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax from Oct. 3-5, 2012. Our theme is: Community Resilience: Prepare, Respond, Rebuild.
This year will feature much more interactive programming and will see participants leaving the conference with an action plan on how their organization or community can build on what it does well and benefit from the collective expertise in the room.
New this year is a pre-conference workshop which provides a Certificate in Disaster Health Management for those who participate in all 3 modules.
Conference Dates:October 3-5, 2012
Pre-conference Workshop: October 2-3, 2012
Host Hotel: Delta Barrington
Conference Location: World Trade and Convention Centre, Halifax, NS
To register to attend or to learn more about this year's conference program and the Certificate in Disaster Health Management, please click here to be directed to the conference website.
CANADIAN RED CROSS WINDS UP PERTH-ANDOVER FLOOD RESPONSE
FREDERICTON - June 29, 2012 - This weekend marks 100 days since flash flooding forced hundreds from their homes and businesses in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, and the Canadian Red Cross said today that its relief operation in response to the disaster is now complete, including distribution of donated funds.
The Red Cross was contacted by village officials as soon as it became clear on March 23 that flash flooding was imminent and evacuation was necessary for about a quarter of village residents and their homes or apartments, along with many waterfront businesses, municipal offices, schools and the community hospital.A Red Cross team arrived within two hours including volunteers and equipment to set up a reception and registration centre and an emergency shelter in a local school.
In total, the Red Cross registered 412 evacuees from 185 homes and apartments. It provided many of them with meals, emergency purchases of clothing including winter-wear, personal-care kits and 150 pre-assembled kits containing a variety of residential clean-up tools and products.A team of 40 disaster volunteers from across the province contributed 2,517 hours of support over several months.
The Red Cross also organized a donor appeal that received just over $230,000 from individual Canadians, many local, regional and national businesses and groups, plus a benefit concert from which proceeds were matched by the provincial government, and donations made at the checkouts of NB Liquor outlets.
Bill Lawlor, Red Cross director of disaster management for New Brunswick, says the donated funds paid for some of the initial emergency relief operations but the bulk of it was used to provide extra help to seniors and low-income households who struggled the most with flood-related expenses.
“We’ve learned from similar disasters in New Brunswick and elsewhere in Canada how to focus on the most vulnerable and maximize the benefit to them by offering aid that does not duplicate what’s available from other sources like the government’s Disaster Financial Assistance program or insurance,” said Lawlor. “We work with government, insurers and our clients so we know what other programs will cover and then we identify separate expenses we can cover, which raises the overall benefit to those who need help the most.”
Donated funds were used to help flood victims replace some household items, lost or damaged medical or mobility equipment, and to offset extraordinary transportation costs between the village and other locations where they had to live temporarily. The Red Cross also paid some clients’ power and other utility bills, leaving more of their own money for other emergency needs.Only three per cent of donated funds went to mandatory administrative and fund-raising costs such as processing and issuing tax receipts and book-keeping required of all registered charitable organizations.
Separate from donated funds, the Canadian Red Cross also managed on behalf of the Department of Social Development longer-term lodging, meals and other support needed for families that were displaced in some cases for several months. Only one family is still being supported by that program but Lawlor said they expect to return to their home in the coming days. Those expenses totalled $252,874, which the Red Cross said was fully covered by the New Brunswick government as part of its overall response to the flood.
As the final step in its relief operation, the Canadian Red Cross met Thursday night in Perth-Andover with village officials, other community groups and some of the businesses that provided goods or services during the flood response, to summarize its operation and present citations expressing thanks for their support.
CANADIAN RED CROSS ACCEPTING FINANCIAL DONATIONS FOR NEW BRUNSWICK FLOOD RELIEF
FREDERICTON (March 26, 2012) – Canadians looking to assist those impacted by flash flooding in Perth-Andover and other New Brunswick communities have the option of making a financial donation via the Canadian Red Cross either securely online or by calling 1-800-418-1111.
Immediately after civic authorities declared a state of local emergency and ordered mandatory evacuation of homes in low-lying areas along the St. John River, the Canadian Red Cross took action. It deployed more than 25 of its most experienced disaster volunteers from New Brunswick and elsewhere in the Maritimes to the affected area to assist municipal authorities, impacted families and individuals by equipping and managing a reception centre and shelter, handing registration of evacuees and coordinating emergency lodging and feeding, and meeting other urgent needs.
Cleanup and recovery will be a long and in some cases costly process. Financial donations will help with that work, and allow the Canadian Red Cross to offer supplementary assistance to highly vulnerable groups, namely seniors and others on limited incomes experiencing financial hardship as a direct result of flood damage to their principal dwelling. Details on eligibility criteria and applications are shared directly with affected residents. The extent of this assistance is dependent on donations and to ensure maximum benefit to clients, the Red Cross aid is structured to not duplicate the Disaster Financial Assistance program announced by the Province of New Brunswick, or deal with losses that may be covered by insurance.
The Canadian Red Cross has also provided residential flood cleanup kits that contain a number of useful items to assist in basic cleanup, such as large 40-litre garbage bins and bags, buckets, mops, brooms and cleaning or disinfecting products and a guide booklet. Distribution of these kits in is being coordinated on behalf of the Canadian Red Cross by volunteers with the Perth-Andover Fire Department. While these kits are helpful to many, in homes with major damage such as where flood water permeated walls, insulation, carpets or furniture, there is significant potential for mould and other serious electrical, structural, health and safety concerns, so it is highly recommended that inspection, repair and cleanup be carried out by professionals.
A Canadian Red Cross guide to flood cleanup that is distributed with the kits is also available online here. Similar tips and other advice including health considerations is available from the New Brunswick government here.
Canadians wishing to help support relief efforts underway are encouraged to contribute by
By contacting their local Red Cross office. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked "NB Spring Floods 2012" and mailed to the Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2
