Red Cross Goes to the State House
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| Disaster-trained volunteers from Berlin and Concord were recognized for their response to a late night fatal apartment fire in Berlin last January. They are show here with Governor Lynch and Priscilla Greene (third from right), NH State Relations Representative for the Red Cross. |
CONCORD - Mar 27, 2007 - Leadership staff and volunteers from New Hampshire chapters of the American Red Cross convened at the State House in Concord on Tuesday, March 27 to participate in "Red Cross Day at the State House."
Representatives of the NH chapters met with 16 legislators to raise awareness of the life-saving services of the Red Cross in New Hampshire and to build relationships with state officials. Tables were set up in the State House cafeteria with information about NH Red Cross programs, classes and volunteer opportunities, as well as demonstrations of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on human and pet manikins.
The Red Cross Blood Mobile was parked in front of the State House. Forty blood donors gave 33 pints of blood, an outstanding collection for one day, according to Blood Services staff. Three Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) were available for tours to demonstrate how they are set up for delivery of food and supplies at the scene of a disaster.
At a mid day Volunteer Awards Ceremony, Governor John Lynch, Director Chris Pope, NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and Red Cross directors honored outstanding volunteers from the chapters and the Northeast Blood Services Region. Some of those 22 volunteers were recognized for decades of dedicated service, while others for their exceptional response to emergencies in New Hampshire.
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| Doug Keith from the Great Bay Chapter in Newington met with Representative Trinka Russell (D-Rockingham) to discuss services of the Red Cross in NH. This was one of several meeting between NH chapter leaders and State legislators. |
Governor Lynch reminded the audience of the critical services of Red Cross volunteers during the devastating Alstead floods in 2005, calling the work of the Red Cross the "glue that held together the disaster relief effort."
The Governor gave a special State Commendation to Doris Peterson, the retiring executive director of the Durham Chapter who volunteered for the chapter for 50 years. From the Concord Area chapter, a Red Cross disaster team of ten volunteers from Berlin and Concord were recognized for their outstanding response to a fatal apartment fire in Berlin in January. Tom Wertman, an employee at the Hood milk production plant in Concord, was honored with at Certificate of Merit, the highest award from the American Red Cross, for his use of CPR to aid a fellow employee who collapsed on the job.
"During this day, the chapter staff and volunteers were successful in building and strengthening state relations for all the NH Red Cross chapters," said Priscilla Greene, NH State Relations Representative for the Red Cross.
For more information about the services, health and safety classes, and volunteer opportunities at the Red Cross, call the chapter at 603-225-6697.
More Photos from Red Cross Day at the State House in Concord, NH
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| Three Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) were available for the public to see how they are set up for responding at the scene of a disaster.
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| Youth Board members from the Concord Area Chapter participated in the day at the State House.
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| Tom Wertman received the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit for giving CPR to a fallen worker at Hood milk processing plant.
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| Director Chris Pope greeted (L to R) Youth Board Coordinator Becky Coliandris and board members Maddie Cole and Beth Cairns from the Concord Area Chapter.
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