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Teen, family awakes in time to escape blaze caused by short in electric blanket Grand Island Independent - Wednesday, March 25, 2009 For one Grand Island teen, there was no lounging in bed Tuesday morning.
He woke up just in time to see the electric blanket on his bed burst into flames.
The teen woke up at about 6:50 a.m. Tuesday to the sound of crackling from an electrical short, said Grand Island Fire Capt. Todd Morgan.
The boy’s bedroom is in the basement of 1228 N. Kennedy, but he was able to make it out of the home with another teenager and an adult without being injured, Morgan said. “I don’t have a single electric blanket in my house,” he said.
The fire damaged the basement bedroom and melted a water pipe, which caused water damage to the basement. There was also heavy smoke damage throughout the one-story, ranch-style home, Morgan said.
The majority of the firefighters who responded to the home at the corner of 13th and Kennedy were on the scene until 8 a.m. Investigators stayed until about 9 a.m. As of Tuesday morning, they were still trying to determine what caused the short that led to the fire, Morgan said.
Firefighters from all four stations responded with the ladder truck, two engines, a heavy rescue truck and an ambulance. The Central Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross was also on the scene to assist the home’s residents, he said.
“They are always there. From the smallest to the largest fire, they’re there. I can’t say enough about the Red Cross,” Morgan said. Bloodmobile attracts 350 potential donors Grand Island Independent - Saturday, March 21, 2009 More than 350 potential donors turned out to the Central Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross during February and early March.
Andrew Danner was a first-time donor.
Reaching gallon levels were Amber Hancock, Pam Christensen and Chris Lane, one gallon; Jessie Kiser, two gallons; Michael Smith, three gallons; and Roger Schmit, 12 gallons. Eighty-five people were present to donate whole blood during the week of Feb. 9.
C.J. Simons, Keith Bride Jr. and Wilma Dickson were first-time donors.
Reaching gallon levels were Melody Grim, one gallon; Tim Knouse, two gallons; Dawnita Buck and Connie Werner, three gallons; Susan McWilliam, four gallons; Tim Burnham, six gallons; and Terri Jensen, nine gallons.
Sixty-three people were present to donate whole blood during the week of Feb. 16.
Caitlin Fenster, Robert Alder and Douglas McDonald were first-time donors.
Reaching gallon levels were Brett English, one gallon; Brian McDonald, five gallons; Patricia Welk, eight gallons; and Jeanette O’Neill, 12 gallons.
Fifty-nine people were present to donate whole blood during the week of Feb. 23.
L.G. Throop, Socrro Aguilar and Jesus Alarcon were first-time donors.
Randy Grotzky reached the three-gallon level. Robbie McCurdy reached the seven-gallon level. Troy Hughes reached the eight-gallon level.
The bloodmobile attracted 86 potential donors during the week of March 2.
Shawn Cole and Nathan Collingham were first-time donors.
Reaching gallon levels were Roxanna Thompson, two gallons; Roger Splattstoesser, three gallons; and Jerry Taylor, six gallons.
The Central Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross hosts a bloodmobile Mondays through Fridays at 404 E. Third St. Call 382-3790 to schedule an appointment. Red Cross Month highlights agency’s impact Grand Island Independent - Friday, March 13, 2009 The chest compressions of CPR, the puffs of rescue breathing and the wrapping of a warm blanket around someone in need all reflect a common mission.
All are ways in which the Central Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross changes lives in 20 Nebraska counties.
“Change a Life” is the theme for a writing contest being sponsored by the American Red Cross as part of Red Cross Month this March. Central Nebraskans are invited to tell how the Red Cross has changed their lives or the life of someone they know.
Many people associate the Red Cross with blood donation, and certainly, blood donors change the lives of others every day.
“There is someone in a bed with an IV in their arm who is alive because of something you did in 40 minutes,” noted Renae Foster, director of preparedness for the Central Plains Chapter and herself a lifetime blood donor.
But the Red Cross also performs a wide range of other services, some of which Foster referred to as the organization’s “hidden secrets.”
In the past year, the Red Cross trained 10,788 people in lifesaving skills, such as a CPR class presented on Tuesday. The Red Cross also assisted 385 people after last spring’s storms, assisted 216 military families and responded to 78 local emergencies.
High-profile emergencies, such as the Jan. 23 blaze at the Normandy Apartments, attract much of the public’s attention, but they are far from the only ones to which the Red Cross responds.
“We go to every resident fire,” Foster said.
After a fire is called in to the local Fire Department, “the Red Cross is the next call,” she said.
The Red Cross might be at the scene of a house fire for an hour or so but was at the Normandy Apartments for several hours. Four staff members and about 10 volunteers responded.
“We couldn’t have helped that whole apartment building with just staff,” Foster said.
The blaze forced residents out into the 14-degree weather.
“It was so cold out,” she said. “We did a lot of warming.”
Facing difficult conditions to better the lives of others is all part of the Red Cross’ mission, however.
“It doesn’t matter how cold it is or how hot it is,” Foster said. “We’re there.”
One volunteer who has served literally all over the map and under a variety of conditions for the Red Cross is Len Sloan of Grand Island.
Sloan began volunteering for the Red Cross in 1976 as a CPR instructor when he served on the Grand Island Fire Department. He retired from the Fire Department in 1981 but worked as a machinist until 1995.
During that time, he served the Red Cross in disaster relief work and then became disaster chairman for nine years.
“We had a strong contingent of volunteers going out on national disasters,” Sloan said.
But he couldn’t volunteer for national service because of his job commitment.
After his second retirement, Sloan became a national disaster volunteer and then was hired as a disaster reserve.
He recalled the first disaster he responded to as a national volunteer, a flood in New Orleans in the spring of 1995. His job was to interview victims to help determine their needs.
“I got to visit and go through a lot of the homes in the area,” Sloan said.
Many of them had a high-water mark about 3 feet up on the walls. The residents needed everything the Red Cross could provide — emergency food, clothing and shelter.
Sloan went on to respond to 80 disaster operations in 12 years.
“I was all over the country,” he said.
He has a map with a pin for everywhere he has been across the country with the Red Cross.
“There are pins in that map all over the country,” Sloan said.
“I’ve met some fabulous people — worked with and disaster victims alike,” he said. “The Red Cross pretty much changed my life.”
Opportunities to volunteer are another strength of the Red Cross, Foster said.
Disaster team members, for instance, don’t have to be available to travel all over the country, she said. The Red Cross also needs blood donors, people for classes such as CPR and even clerical help.
“We have a position, I think, for everyone,” Foster said.
She and Executive Director Donna Titman both mentioned the need for financial donations, as well.
Contributions of time or money can be made by calling 382-3790 or by visiting cpredcross.org.
Red Cross sponsors ‘Change a Life’ writing contest
Central Nebraska residents are invited to tell how the Red Cross has changed their lives for an opportunity to win prizes donated by country music artist Keith Urban and Philips Healthcare.
Participants are invited to tell, in 75 words or fewer, how the Red Cross has impacted them or someone they know. Entries can be submitted by logging onto redcross.org between now and 12 a.m. EDT on March 16. Winners will be announced on March 31.
The grand-prize winner will receive a two-day trip for two to Washington, D.C., to see Keith Urban perform on Aug. 20. The package includes hotel accommodations, backstage passes and a tour of the American Red Cross national headquarters.
The second-prize winner will receive a 52-inch Philips HD LCD television and DVD player and a library of Red Cross preparedness, health and safety DVDs.
Thank you - Normandy fire victim Grand Island Independent - Friday, February 20, 2009 As one of the victims of the Normandy fire on Jan. 23, I wish to express my gratitude to: the firemen for their services, the Red Cross for their care and concern for my needs, to Jerry Lewandowski, the managers and his staff of the Normandy for their assistance, to Dixie Best who gave me a temporary home and to all my friends who have been so kind and helpful in so many ways. I thank you and ask God to bless you for everything you have done for me.
Sister M. Frances Ann Havel
Thank you - Chili Cook-Off Grand Island Independent - Friday, February 20, 2009 The 21st Annual Chili Cook-Off held on February 14th was a great success! Over 700 people dined on the best chili around! The 39 chefs made the competition even more intense and fun. The total net revenue raised to date is over $8,000! A special thank you goes out to Hugh Miner and Bruce Swihart at Fonner Park for the use of their facility and their support during their busy opening day and JBS Swift for donating the beef for the chili!
All of the volunteer time, gifts in-kind, and community donations helped to raise funds needed for direct emergency services to those in need. This support makes a difference in the lives of disaster victims, patients needing blood, those serving in the military and their families, kids learning to swim and caring citizens who are being taught skills in CPR and First Aid.
A sincere thank you to all the area business', organizations, chefs, judges, volunteers and the community for their support!
Sonya Koperski Board Chair, Central Plains Chapter
American Red Cross Discriminating tastes: Red Cross Chili Cook Off marks 21st year Grand Island Independent - Saturday, February 14, 2009 Brad Fossberg knows the American Red Cross Chili Cook Off.
He has been in the middle of the action as its emcee for the past several years.
But when he entered the Fonner Park Concourse on Saturday morning and took a whiff — this time as a judge — he knew this year’s experience would be different.
“It’s all of your senses,” said Fossberg. “It just kind of overcomes you a little bit.”
Fossberg was one of five chili judges who got a different taste of the 21st annual cook-off on Saturday. Long before nearly 1,000 people thronged the chili booths, these five got an exclusive first crack at the entries.
What did they learn? Well, for starters, 40 bowls of chili is quite a bit.
“When we started, we were eating a whole bowl,” Fossberg said. “By the end, you’re eating a bite.”
Fossberg was worried about having to endure flaming hot bites of chili, but he found that the entries were more mild than hot.
Another judge, Lee Elliott, wasn’t concerned about hot chili. Still, his limits were tested by Matthew Armstrong’s “Almighty Dollar Hollar” chili, with its six pounds of habanero pepper.
“My lips went numb for about 20 minutes,” Elliott said.
Armstrong was proud of his chili’s fire-breathing reputation.
“My favorite is when the teenagers try it,” Armstrong said, grinning widely. “They tell you they’re fine, and then three minutes later, you see them pouring down Pepsi.”
The cook-off raises about $10,000 each year for the Red Cross’ Central Plains chapter of Grand Island, said Donna Titman, the chapter’s director.
Perhaps more importantly, she said, it has become a community tradition over two decades.
“The community depends on it, and the Red Cross depends on it,” Titman said.
She said she had heard that this year’s entries were as consistently strong as ever.
Wayne Sasge, a veteran judge at this year’s cook-off, agreed.
When you’ve sampled nearly 40 varieties, it’s tough to determine the best bowl of chili, Sasge said. But this year was particularly difficult.
Sasge had to go back for another sample of each of the finalists to refresh his memory.
After that many bowls, the other judges said, they’re pretty chili-ed out for a while.
But Sasge was ready for more. After the judging was over, he took another bowl of the winning chili.
“I’d rather have chili than a good steak,” he said.
Chili Cook-Off winners
- Best All-Around Chili: Grand Island Physical Therapy
- Best All-Around Chili Honorable Mention: Contryman Associates
- Hot and Wild Chili: McCoy Transfer
- Most Original Chili: Grand Island Little Theatre
- Easy on the Tummy Chili: Principal Financial Group
- Thickest Chili in Town: Platt-Duetsche
- Best Display: Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals
- Best Display Honorable Mention: GISH National Honor Society
- Best Apron: Central Community College
- People’s Choice Award: Global Industries
Today is a big day at Fonner Park and the Heartland Events Center Grand Island Independent - Saturday, February 14, 2009 There may be nothing better on a snowy, cold day like today than a warm bowl of chili — or several of them if you happen to be at Fonner Park around noon. Today is the annual Red Cross Chili Cook-off in the Fonner Park concourse. With over 45 chefs and organizations competing for various recognition, the variety of chili recipes is somewhat overwhelming. Attendees can sample many of the recipes and then vote for their favorite. In addition, many door prizes are presented to attendees throughout the event, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It is one of the principal fundraisers for the local Red Cross chapter and is counted on to fill the coffers as the spring and summer disaster needs impact the chapter’s resources. The Red Cross is always there for us — it is not asking too much for us to venture out into the chilly air for some delicious chili. Local resident encourages blood donations Grand Island Independent - Wednesday, February 11, 2009 According to the American Red Cross, many first-time blood donors give the same reason for never having donated before — no one ever asked.
That simple statement was enough to spur Valerie Hetrick into action.
The Grand Island resident, herself a first-time blood donor, plans to give blood Friday at the Central Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross in Grand Island and is encouraging other first-time donors to do the same.
“If everyone took an hour, rolled up their sleeve and gave blood, think of all the people we could save,” she said. April Oppliger, communication and public relations specialist for the American Red Cross, said one donation can save up to three lives.
“It’s a simple process that takes a short amount of time and is relatively painless. And you get goodies at the end,” Oppliger said.
The blood supply is currently stable, but maintaining that stability this time of the year can be difficult because of cold and flu season. For that reason, the Red Cross is always looking for healthy donors, she said.
Hetrick is asking people to donate Thursday through Wednesday in Grand Island, and today and next Thursday in Hastings. However, Oppliger said people are welcome to come any time the donation centers are open. Calling 1-800-givelife or visiting givebloodgivelife.org and making an appointment can save time, she said.
Hetrick said she was motivated to do community service after her grandmother’s death in October 2008. She formed the Marjorie Joy Foundation to honor her grandmother and has been asking people to make donations to established charities and organizations.
Before Christmas she cleaned out her closet and some of her grandmother’s belongings, and donated the items to the Crisis Center.
“I wanted to do something in her memory,” Hetrick said. “She’d give you her last bite of food or her last $5. I want to make a difference and see a smile on someone else’s face.” Thank you - Help after fire Grand Island Independent - Friday, February 6, 2009 Late Friday afternoon, January 23,2009, a very serious fire broke out at the Normandy Apartments in a one-bedroom apartment unit. Within a few minutes the Grand Island Fire Department was there as was the Grand Island Police Department and, shortly thereafter, the Central Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross.
It is very difficult to put into words the depth and breadth of my gratitude and appreciation for the highly professional skills and expertise of our firefighters, our policemen and the Red Cross personnel. So, in order to express my gratitude, I am writing about what I have observed and what I know to be true.
Our firefighters' work is very hard and dangerous and requires many diverse skills. Friday at the Normandy the firefighters went about their work with speed and confidence which is evidence of their excellent, intense training and fine tuned management skills. In face of great personal bodily harm, they worked courageously; in face of extremely cold temperatures and inclement weather, they harnessed and controlled a very serious fire. When told what a great job they did, the typical response from the firefighters was "we were just doing our job". Our firefighters deserve high commendation and recognition for their superior job performance in saving life, limb and property. I thank you a million times over.
The officers from the Grand Island Police Department staid the course of protecting firemen from interference in their work and protecting the Normandy, our tenants and our property. They too faced the frigid elements of the out-of-doors for many hours. I thank you a million times over.
The personnel from the Central Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross came immediately to the aid of our displaced tenants and the firemen. My gratitude is immeasurable for their compassionate concern and much needed help. To help the Red Cross, St. Paul"s Lutheran Church opened their doors so the Red Cross could set up their station to help the displaced tenants and very, very cold and tired firefighters. To the Central Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross and to St. Paul's Lutheran Church I extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the many things you do in times of great distress. What would we do without you? I thank you a million times over.
Special recognition and gratitude for their composure and wise decision-making is given to Lori Welte, who discovered the fire;called 911; and, notified the tenants of the hazardous fire;and, to Jeremy Lewandowski, our manager at the Normandy, who facilitated the work of the firefighters on the complex and the work of the Red Cross. Both Lori Welte and Jeremy Lewandowski demonstrated wisdom and stability in a perilous time and they continue to extend their big, compassionate hearts to our tenants. I thank you a million times over and I will continue to be grateful to you for all eternity.
In addition, I want to thank the fine citizens of this community for their support and generosity. Without the reality of our infrastructure---our fire protection, our police protection, our educational institutions, our churches and charitable agencies and volunteers, our utilities departments and our public servants, the city council and city administrators---I could not go about my daily life with the ease and comfort I enjoy everyday. Thank you, Grand Island, for being a great and wonderful place to live and grow!!!!
Katharine S. Mayer
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