Fall 2010 Newsletter
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Damaging Tornadoes and Wind Storms
The summer of 2010 brought a number of damaging
storms to our region. In June, a fierce storm causing
at least ten tornadoes and up to eight inches of rain
raged through portions of Zeibach and Dewey
counties. Eight Red Cross volunteers responded by
setting up a shelter in a local school and providing
food, clothing and counseling to area residents.
Formal damage assessments on homes in the area
were completed.
In July, several homes in Todd County were
damaged or destroyed by straight line winds. Once
again, Red Cross staff and volunteers responded to
document the severity of damage and assist victims
with identifying resources for their recovery.
Red Cross hosts First Aid Station at Sturgis Rally!
Thanks to the generosity of the Safeway Foundation, the Black Hills
Area Chapter set up a First Aid Station from August 8th-14th at the
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Our team included eleven volunteers and
three staff members who cumulatively invested 1,078 man hours.
Seven of the Red Cross team members completed a specialized “First
Responder” training to learn advanced first aid techniques to reduce
the burden on the local EMS system. We provided direct care to 63
individuals and distributed 210 gallons of water from our hydration
station. We are delighted by the success of this event and look
forward to providing this service at future community functions. Mm
On August 1st at the Canyon Lake Resort and Chophouse, 172 friends of the Red Cross attended the 2nd
Annual Wine & Jazz Festival. We enjoyed a beautiful summer day on the lake with live music from Michael
Shaw, the Sugar Free Jazz Quartet and Meridith Garofalo; wine from Stone Faces and cheese from Wooden
Shoe Cheese Company. Several area businesses contributed to our exciting live auction. Our deepest
gratitude to all those who contributed, volunteered or attended this wonderful event! See you next August!!
Fall 2010 Newsletter
Hermosa Wildland Fire
Several wildland fires occurred on Friday, August 27th; the largest being two miles west of Hermosa. The Black
Hills Area Chapter deployed an Emergency Response Vehicle to the area to provide mobile feeding and hydration
for First Responders. As events unfolded ARC resources responded with mass care services to include six
volunteers, a shelter trailer, opening a shelter/welcoming center at the Hermosa
Middle School and continuing to support First Responders. All activities were
coordinated with wildland fire officials, Emergency Management, law
enforcement and local community members. The shelter provided services for
four clients who were able to return to their residences shortly after midnight.
Lighting is suspected as the cause of the fire.
Services to Armed Forces
On Tuesday, September 28th; the Red Cross participated in the annual
“Veteran’s Stand Down” held in Rapid City. This one day event is a
collaborative effort between local Veteran’s Affairs, community
organizations and other governmental agencies to provide homeless
Veterans with services and personal items. Seven representatives of
the Black Hills Area Chapter distributed 71 hygiene kits and 76 pair
of wool socks to Veterans. The Chapter also participated in two
health fairs sponsored by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs during
October. The first was held at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center,
the second at the Hot Springs VA Medical Center. Red Cross staff
and volunteers distributed first aid kits and preparedness handouts to
Veterans in attendance.
Upcoming American Red Cross Events:
Date:
Time:
Location:
Event Description:
11/10/10
9am-7pm
Red Cross Office
Open House for New Community Building
11/11/10
11am-2pm
Veteran’s Day Parade
Signing of Holiday Card for Local Service Members
11/13/10
6:30pm-9pm Alternative Fuel Coffee
Michael Shaw “Stardust Ballroom” Fundraiser
11/16/10
1pm-4pm
Rushmore Mall
Signing of Holiday Card for Local Service Members
11/27/10
6pm-8pm
Downtown Rapid City
Festival of Lights Parade
11/29/10
1pm-4pm
Rushmore Mall
Signing of Holiday Card for Local Service Members
Together we can save a life! Please donate today.
1221 N. Maple Avenue, Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 342-4010 or toll free at (888) 271-3130
www.blackhillsredcross.org
Outcomes for Fiscal Year 2009-2010

The Black Hills Area Chapter of the American Red Cross serves a population of over 230,000
people and covers an area of over 38,000 square miles including all of western South Dakota to
include four reservations.

We serve all people regardless of age, race, gender or socioeconomic status. The age served last
year ranged from 0-82 years. Almost 80 percent of those served for disaster services fell below the
federal poverty level.

Last year we responded to 102 house fires and four major storm disasters! Services were made
available to 334 adults and children, providing lodging, food, clothing and basic hygiene items.
All of this assistance is provided at no cost to victims of disasters. This is a free service.

Through our Armed Forces Emergency Services program, we were able to connect 164 military
families. We also briefed 925 individuals preparing for deployment on accessing our services
anywhere in the world through our Service to the Armed Forces grant. There is no charge for this
service.

In 2009, our Rural Training Initiative prepared 201 rural western South Dakota residents and
community leaders in 13 communities for operating a shelter. The Red Cross also pre-positioned
cots, blankets, MREs and water in these regions. This is a free service.

We depend on volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to carry out our mission as they constitute
97 percent of our total workforce. This year, volunteers made the success of the Chapter possible
by donating 3,300 hours of time. They were there to help individuals and families when they
needed it most.
American Red Cross Trainings Completed in Fiscal Year 2010:
Training Name
First Aid & CPR
Epinephrine Auto Injector
Number of Classes
Total Trained
422
2,716
2
15
1
9
153
899
30
244
Training
Wilderness & Remote First Aid
Aquatics & Water Safety
Babysitter’s Training,
Family Caregiving &
Nurse Assistant Training
Expanded Locations for Adult CPR Classes
Compression-Only CPR
This fall, the Adult CPR schedule was
increased to include Spearfish, Sturgis and
Eagle Butte. Upcoming class dates are:
Spearfish Recreation/Swim Center
Saturday, December 18th: 9am-12pm
Saturday, February 26th: 9am-12pm
Sturgis Community Center
Saturday, November 20th: 9am-12pm
Saturday, January 22nd: 9am-12pm
Eagle Butte Health & Wellness Center
Monday, October 25th: 9am-4pm
In a life-threatening emergency, doing something is better
than doing nothing at all. If you haven’t been trained or
can’t recall how to perform full CPR, the Red Cross
recommends two simple steps to help someone survive a
cardiac arrest:
1. Call 911 or the local emergency number.
2. Give continuous chest compressions until medical help
takes over.
Compression-Only CPR enables untrained bystanders to
react and respond when they witness an adult or adolescent
suddenly collapse.
The Red Cross strongly encourages people to get full CPR
training and to have at least one person in every household
trained in lifesaving skills. Training in full CPR is
important because it can be performed on children and
infants as well as adults and is vital following a drowning.
Take the time to get trained in CPR/AED and First Aid
today….you could literally save a life!
Purchase an Automatic External
Defibrillator (AED) for your organization!
For more information contact us at 342-4010
Go to redcross.org or call 342-4010 to sign up for training
in full CPR and much more.
Buy A Blanket Coming Soon!!
During the month of January, the Red Cross is partnering with local
Family Thrift Center stores to raise funds for winter disaster relief
through a “Buy a Blanket” program. American Red Cross volunteers
will greet Family Thrift Center customers in each store and offer them
the opportunity to purchase a “virtual” blanket for $6.00. All funds
raised will support local disaster efforts. Support the Black Hills Chapter
of the American Red Cross in a tangible way…buy a blanket!!
Culver’s Day of Caring
This December, Culver’s of Rapid City is hosting a “Day of Caring” to support the local Red Cross. They will
donate a percentage of each sale on the designated day directly to the Black Hills Area Chapter. Enjoy a
famous butter burger or signature frozen custard while supporting the Red Cross.
We will announce the selected day on our website and Facebook page.
2010 Holiday Giving Catalog
“Gifts That Save the Day”
Are you struggling to find meaningful gifts for
family and friends? Research shows that more
than four out of five people would prefer to
receive a meaningful gift that would help
someone else instead of a traditional holiday gift.
This catalog provides many options including
phone cards for troops, hot meals, infant care
kits, CPR training, temporary shelter and much
more. The catalogs are available in our office or
through redcross.org/gifts.
American Red Cross
Black Hills Area Chapter
OPEN HOUSE!!!!!!
Join us to help celebrate
and rename our new building;
previously know as “Fire
Station #7.”
Wednesday, November 10th
9:00am – 7:00pm
1205 N. Maple Avenue
Rapid City, SD 57701
For more information call
605-342-4010
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1221 N. Maple Avenue
Rapid City, SD 57701
Return Service Requested
Flu Checklist
Common Steps to Stop the Spread of Germs:
 Wash hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
 Avoid or minimize contact with sick people, 3 feet distancing is recommended.
 Cover your mouth and nose with tissues when you sneeze or cough. If you don’t
have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow.
 Stay away from others as much as possible when you are sick.
Common Flu Symptoms:
 High fever, severe body aches, headache, extreme tiredness, sore throat, cough,
runny/stuffy nose, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Are You Considered High Risk for Flu-Related Complications?
 The following groups of people are at an increased risk: people age 50 and older,
pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions, children age six months
and older and people who live with or care for anyone who is high risk.
 People at high risk should have their vaccinations updated every year and receive
pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine if age 50 or older, as directed by their physician.
Get Your Flu Shot Every Year for the Best Chance of Protection!!
Be Red Cross Ready