American Red Cross Blood Services
 Northwest Iowa Blood Drives

Monday, November 24 & Tuesday, November 25 - 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Hope Reformed Church - Spencer, Iowa
Appointment:  DyAnn at 712-262-5657

Wednesday, November 26 - 12:00pm - 6:00pm
American Legion Community Building - Ringsted, Iowa
Appointment:  Gayle at 712-866-1326

Sign up Online at www.givebloodgivelife.org

  November 2008

The Spencer Daily Reporter / Dickinson County News partnered with the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter on November 8th to hold a Garage Sale to benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  The chapter accepted donated goods from residents and businesses in the community.  Several RSVP volunteers sorted and marked the goods for sale with members of the After Five Kiwanis club staffing the actual sale day.  Just over $3000 dollars was raised towards the chapters $30,000 goal.

October 2008

The Iowa Great Lakes Chapter officially opened the Emmetsburg satellite office on October 23rd.  The chapter hosted a "Business After Five" event to offer those in the community to come by and see what the office will offer.  Current Board members and new board members attended the event along with several health and safety instructors from the chapter.  Initially, the office will be open on Wednesdays from 9am to 4pm.  The hours and frequency are expected to increase as Red Cross volunteers are secured to staff the office.  The office phone is: (712) 852-2099.

  October 2008

Thanks to the generosity of the Palo Alto County Board of Supervisors, the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter has opened a satellite office in the Brink Building at 2105 Main Street in Emmetsburg.
Initially, the office will be open Wednesdays from 9am to 4pm.  Expanded hours are planned as Red Cross volunteers are secured to staff the office.  Special thanks also go to Iowa Telecom and Scott Telephone for donated services to make the office become functional.
A Business After Five is planned for Thursday, October 23rd from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at the office location.

  September 2008

The Emmetsburg Kiwanis Club invited the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter to its September 18th club meeting to present the chapter with a $500 check designated for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  Accepting the check were Iowa Great Lakes Chapter board members Gennifer Scott and Mark Hunefeld along with Executive Director Bill Campbell.  Bill also gave the program for the evening talking about the devastation left behind from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and the Midwest Flooding.  He spoke in detail on the importance of giving to the Disaster Relief Fund during this critical time.

  September 2008

At the 2008 Clay County Fair, a Homemade Salsa Contest was held in the new U.S. Cellular Plaza on the fairgrounds.  Over 35 entries of salsa were entered from mild to hot to volcano hot.  Fairgoers paid three dollars to go through the line to taste each of the recipes.  They were also given chips and water to wash it down.  The Iowa Great Lakes Chapter and the American Red Cross were the recipients of the monies raised at the event.  Gayle Simons, superintendant for the Clay County Fair presented Executive Director Bill Campbell with $400 from the event which was designated for the Iowa floods of 2008.

  September 2008

The Iowa Great Lakes Chapter was again represented at the 2008 Clay County Fair.  The chapter booth was located in the northwest corner of the Depot Building on the fairgrounds.  Each of the nine days of the fair, chapter volunteers along with the Executive Director staffed the booth where the public was invited to stop by and get health and disaster related information as well as purchase first aid kits and the popular emergency crank radios.

  July 2008

Each year, the University of Okoboji weekend in the Iowa Great Lakes features the Okoboji Marathon.  Over 500 participate in the full marathon, half marathon, 10K, triathlon and bike ride around West Lake Okoboji.  Along the 26 mile route are 15 refreshment stations that are staffed by volunteers of the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter.  In return for operating the water stations, the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter receives a generous donation from the organizers of the event.

  July 2008

The Iowa Great Lakes Chapter responded to a multi family house fire in the early morning hours of July 1.  The fire began from improperly disposed of smoking materials and resulted in the death of one of the occupants on the first floor.  Chapter caseworkers met with the families in the early morning hours and provided them with a motel room and personal care items.  The chapter then met again with the families first thing the next morning to provide them with immediate care items such as food, clothing and bedding items.  The chapter also assisted the father of the deceased with funeral arrangements and other support.
All Red Cross services are free to those that are affected by disaster.  These services are made possible by donations made to the local chapters of the American Red Cross.

  June 2008

The American Red Cross "Learn to Swim" lessons began a summer long session at area pools.  Since 1914, the American Red Cross has been the leader in swimming lessons and life-guard training.  Each year young children learn life saving swimming skills from Red Cross trained safety instructors.  These classes range from an introduction to water skills up to diving skills and fitness swimming.
These week long classes are available at a minimal charge by contacting the aquatic facility in your community.  Thanks to the City of Spencer and Spencer Family YMCA, the Spencer "Learn to Swim" classes are FREE to all participants.  The Spencer "Learn to Swim" begins June 30th.  Signup sheets at the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter, Spencer Family YMCA and the Spencer Aquatic Center.

  May 2008

The Iowa Great Lakes Chapter offered immediate assistance at two residential home fires during the month of May.  The first occurred on May 17th in Wesley, Iowa located in eastern Kossuth County.   The single occupant woke up to a fire in the kitchen area which resulted in the home being destroyed.  The resident was not injured.
The second incident happened in Newell, Iowa in Buena Vista county.  The couple living in the home woke up to fire and smoke in the house which resulted in major damage to the home.  The family pets were also lost in the blaze.  In both cases, immediate assistance of food, clothing and offer of shelter was given from the chapter Disaster Relief Fund.  There is no charge to victims of disaster.

  April 2008

CF Industries, Inc. in there continued support of American Red Cross Disaster Services, has made a $500 donation to the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter to aid in replacement of cots and equipment to be used in shelter facilities in times of emergency.  Spencer Terminal Superintendant, Mark Feldman presented Iowa Great Lakes Chapter Executive Director Bill Campbell with the check to purchase the equipment.  CF Industries has a long history of support of the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter and of the services provided by the American Red Cross.

  March 2008

On Monday, March 3rd, the Mayor of Spencer signed a proclamation naming March, American Red Cross month in Spencer.  In the proclamation it recognizes the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter for the role it plays in providing essential health and safety instruction and disaster services.  Every day, volunteer with the Red Cross carry out the mission of providing essential services to people in their communities.  Along with the mayor and Executive Director Bill Campbell, Spencer City Councilmen Ed Krebs, Steve Bomgaars and Ron Hanson joined in on the signing of the proclamation.

  March 2008

The Iowa Great Lakes Chapter was a participant in the Estherville Farm and Home Show on February 29th and March 1st at the Estherville Armory.  Numerous patrons stopped by the booth to view the safety and preparedness information and to purchase an Emergency Crank radio.  Due to the blizzard in 2007, the Farm and Home show had to be cancelled but this year turned out to be a sunny warm winter day with no travel difficulties.

   February 2008

A training workshop on Providing Emergency Assistance was held in late February for volunteers of the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter.  13 members of the Disaster Assistance Team (DAT) took this day long instruction on meeting immediate needs of those that have experienced a disaster such as a residential home fire.  Leading the training were two volunteer trainers from the Siouxland Chapter in Sioux City.  Instruction included the proper use of forms and skills and tools needed to meet all needs of those affected.  The Iowa Great Lakes Chapter continues to look for dedicated volunteers to join the DAT team in Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Palo Alto and Kossuth counties.  For more information contact the chapter office at (712) 262-1574 or toll free (888) 292-1574 or email at:  arcigl@smunet.net.

  February 2008

The Christian Women's Fellowship of First Christian Church in Spencer chose to do a local mission project this year.  The three CWF groups of the church collected and assembled "Immediate Need Comfort Kits" for the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter.  These kits are individually packaged with personal hygeine items for Men, Women and Children and are distributed to those who have experienced disaster such as a residential home fire.  Through the efforts of these ladies, 19 kits were assembled.  The purpose of the CWF is to provide opportunities for spiritual growth, enrichment, education and creative ministries to enable women to develop a sense of personal responsibility for the whole mission of the Church of Jesus Christ.  Pictured above is Nancy Triggs (right) with the CWF of First Christian Church.  Nancy is presenting the kits to our Disaster Services Chair, Ardelle Faulender.

January 2008

The Iowa Great Lakes Chapter took possession of a 6x12 Covered Utility Trailer that will be used to contain Disaster Services equipment such as shelter cots and blankets and clean up materials.  The chapter was able to purchase the trailer through the Spencer Renaissance Initiative grant program of which the chapter was approved for a $2500 grant.  Special thanks go to Galen's Pro Mow of Spencer, Spencer Signs and Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative.  The chapter will continue to pursue other grants in the five county jurisdiction to replace cots, health and safety manikins and other needed equipment.

December 2007

The Northwest Iowa Two-Cylinder Club and the local Tri TTT each donated and assembled Comfort Kits for use by the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter.  These kits are given to those affected by residential home fires and other personal disasters.  The kits include needed personal care items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste,  brushes and combs, tissue and bath toweling.

December 2007

CF Industries continues its support of the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter.  Mark Feldman, superintendent of the Spencer Terminal presented Executive Director Bill Campbell with a check for the chapters Disaster Fund.  This fund is used to provide immediate assistance to those displaced or affected by fire or other occurance.  CF Industries has long been a supporter of the American Red Cross.

September 2007

Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney visited the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter booth at the Clay County Fair in September of 2007.  Romney was visiting with fairgoers as he prepared his campaign for the Iowa Caucuses which were held in January of 2008.  Mr Romney visited with Executive Director Bill Campbell and representatives of Emergency Management on what communication needed to take place to inform citizens to always keep 72 hours worth of consumables, water, flashlights and batteries in case of an emergency.

May 2007

On Sunday, May 6th the Red Cross office which for many years was located on the second story above the Hen House in downtown Spencer moved to a new ground floor location at Gateway North in Spencer.  More than two dozen employees of the Spencer terminal of UPS helped make the move down that steep staircase downtown to the new location in north Spencer.  Thanks to the men and women in brown the move took place in just two hours.  The new office of the Iowa Great Lakes Chapter was made possible by community minded individuals and the Board of Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College.  The Chapter thanks them for there continued support and generousity.