When Disaster Strikes
It’s Red Cross Month, and Ed Teixeira of Civil Defense, HPD Chief Boisse Correa and HFD Chief Attilio Leonardi join Coralie Matayoshi, Red Cross executive director, in saluting the organization that is always there when flood, fire, hurricane or other disaster strikes Hawaii.
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Donation collection takes place Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at various Oahu locations and intersections. All funds remain in Hawaii to support local services. Remember, tsunami relief donations go to Southeast Asia — these funds are for needs in Hawaii.
Many citizens encounter the Red Cross through a simple donation, without fully realizing it is the lifeblood of the organization. Without it, the Red Cross would cease to exist because it derives no funds from government. Yet, many people believe it to be a government agency because of the seamless way it helps the public.
The largest humanitarian organization is often misunderstood. It generally shuns blatant self-promotion because its actions touch people in a very personal way. You can’t get more personal than consoling someone who has lost everything in a house fire or has lost a loved one in a disaster.
Manoa flood victim Harald Ebeling learned the value of Red Cross from personal experience.
“It has triggered my first substantial donation; I’m so impressed with them,” he says, recalling the loss of his home in recent heavy rains.
Dealing with disaster is a front-line priority for the Red Cross, but it’s not all that it does.
Test your knowledge of the American Red Cross. True or False?
• American Red Cross only helps hurricane disaster victims.
False. Red Cross responds to disasters every two to three days in Hawaii. Often there are manmade disasters and traumas, such as house fires, shootings, hostage situations and aircraft crashes. Red Cross volunteers consoled and counseled workers in the aftermath of the tragic Xerox shooting, for instance.
Red Cross also saves lives through prevention and preparedness. In the past year, it trained 37,000 people in first aid, CPR, swimming, lifeguard, water safety and nurse aide training.
Edwin and Tencha Paguirigan are parents of two kids in Red Cross’ summer swim program at Ala Moana Beach. Noticing the shortage in volunteers, both have become involved as water safety instructors. Lifesaving aquatics courses last year taught 9,446 people how to be safe in and around the water.
“When they first walked up to me, I said ‘are you speaking to the right person? I’m not a member of the Red Cross.’ I didn’t realize they were touring the neighborhood and helping wherever help was needed.”
Ebeling’s home at Woodlawn was shaken off its foundations by waters that diverted from an overflowing Manoa Stream. Ebeling, his wife and two children, ages 2 and 8, were inside the home at the time.
“The Red Cross was there the next morning while we were wading through mud and rubble,” Ebeling says. “It was devastating to lose everything. But it was not just Red Cross’ actual help (that was consoling), it was the overall attitude, helpfulness and friendliness.”
Diane Kahakelii, an ex-Makiki resident now living in Hilo, is a mental health counselor who has helped victims in helicopter crashes and other emergencies. She became involved in the Red Cross 18 years ago after retiring from the Department of Health, but wanting to remain of service to her community.
Al Paalani, a disaster action team member since 1998, expanded his volunteer time to coordinate the First Aid Station Team (FAST). Last year, the team logged 1,115 hours, manning first aid stations at community events, such as the Great Aloha Run, 50th State Fair, and Girl Scouts Sports Day.
Disaster action teams are on-call 24/7. Volunteer team captains sleep with phones at their bedside. Hotlines are linked to police and fire departments and Civil Defense. Trained volunteers provide food, clothing, temporary shelter, stress relief and grief counseling, as needed. During a crisis, volunteers also support rescue workers with beverages, snacks, and words of encouragement.
• American Red Cross is a government-funded agency.
False. This is the biggest misconception about the organization. Red Cross is an independent humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by Congressional Charter for certain functions. It gets no funding from federal or state government. Not a penny.
It relies on the aloha spirit and generosity of contributors to provide critical services. When victims are given monetary support for property losses or temporary housing, they’re told the money is a “gift from the people of Hawaii.”
Public support accounts for 69 percent of Red Cross’ income. Another 31 percent comes from other revenue, such as grants and program fees. Most of the income, 84 percent, goes into programs, with 13 percent going into fundraising, and 3 percent to management.
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