Melissa Hunsberger
Emergency Services Planning and Training Coordinator
Melissa wears many hats at the Red Cross, sometimes literally. She's the in-house curator of vintage uniforms and specializes in answering the phone.
Blog Posts
The End is Really the Beginning of the Next Chapter
Posted Monday, April 5, 2010 at 1:37 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
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Tags: The Classifieds Lead Red Cross Volunteer to Her First Paying Job (Part 3)
Posted Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 4:22 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
This time is was Jacksonville, Florida. After living in Puerto Rico for the past three years and before that Portugal, the Layman family was again moving to a new city. The dentist she had been volunteering for in Puerto Rico would write her a letter of recommendation, which would later prove to be quite valuable.
Once in Jacksonville, Alicia and her husband decided she would need to begin working in order to help put their two children through school. Alicia didn’t know what kind of job to look for, as all she knew was dentistry. And so she began searching through the classified ads in the newspaper where she came across an opening at an oral surgeon‘s office. Alicia again believes that God guided her to this doctor and his practice. It turned out to be one of the most prestigious dental practices in the state. In fact the surgeon was president of the Florida Dental Association, a title he retained for many years.
Alicia had her first paying job in the United States as a dental assistant. The woman who trained her was selfless and gave away her knowledge freely. “All the knowledge that she had she wanted to pass on to another person,” says Alicia. Thanks to the letter of recommendation from the dentist in Puerto Rico and the fact that Alicia already knew the basics, she began to training as a surgical dental assistant.
As the training began, Alicia explained that she was somewhat hesitant because she disliked the sight of blood. The woman commented that most people felt the same way and they would give her three months to get over her fear. Alicia did just that and became a surgical dental assistant lending a hand with implants, biopsies, and wisdom teeth extractions.
Alicia and her family lived in Jacksonville for six years before moving to Horsham, Pennsylvania where she would begin her job search a new. Back to the classified ads she went, though with little success. She again turned to prayer regarding her situation and while searching through the phone directory she came across the name of an oral surgeon from Holy Redeemer Hospital. She picked up the telephone and before long Alicia had a new job. In each of these instances, Alicia partially credits the Red Cross with her success in finding a job.
Unfortunately, due to Alicia’s health, she would be unable to work for the next five years. However, once her health improved she began job searching again and just as before she prayed for guidance. While searching through the phone directory she again came across the name of an oral surgeon and phoned the office to see if there might be an opening. The surgeon’s wife answered the phone and stated the office was in search of a dental assistant. The woman was so impressed with Alicia’s knowledge and experience that she hired her over the phone. Alicia would go one to work for eleven years with the chief oral surgeon at Abington Hospital.
Thanks to the Red Cross Alicia was afforded many opportunities along with those other women who went through the same training program so many years ago in Portugal. Because of the success of her dental career, Alicia knew that one day when she retired she wanted to do something to give back to the Red Cross.
Red Ball Photos
Posted Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 5:57 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
In case you missed the Red Ball, click the photo below to see what a wonderful event the Red Cross hosted.
Age
Posted Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 10:34 AM by Melissa Hunsberger
In school, among friends, at most jobs, and in most groups that I am a part of, I am normally by far the youngest. The most significant age difference was as an AmeriCorps member with the American Red Cross. Not only was I the youngest of my group, but on disaster deployments, the average age of volunteers was at least 40. It often becomes an issue being considered the “kid.” Military life is a very different story, and now that I am noticing it, I am realizing a lot.
What Would You Buy With $50?
Posted Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 4:38 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
What would the Red Cross buy with fifty dollars? A lot of good! A gift of any amount helps families right here at home who have been affected by disaster. In fact
- $10 buys 2 blankets for victims in emergency shelters.
- $20 buys one kit with supplies to clean a home after a disaster.
- $50 buys groceries for one person for one week.
- $110 buys clothes for a child who has lost everything from shoes to shirts.
- $250 buys cots for a family of four for one week.
- $350 buys food and shelter for 25 people for one day.
- $500 helps with medical expenses for an adult injured in a disaster.
- $1500 is the average cost of disaster relief for a family.
To donate to the Red Cross, click here.
The Election
Posted Monday, March 8, 2010 at 12:24 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
The election did not go as smoothly as I would have hoped. Although nothing traumatic happened directly towards us, I still heard the sounds and felt the fear of the Iraqi people outside the gates. I was trying to sleep Sunday morning when I woke up to a large explosion. The booms continued, changing in sound and distance. I decided it was important to get up and make sure I was safe. I checked outside and it did not seem like anyone was running for cover. I went into the bathroom, and my lovely cleaning lady explained that the noises were car bombs in the distance. I tried going back to sleep and must say it was like counting sheep. I literally was counting the explosions until I fell back to sleep. It turns out that the sounds were combinations of things, and the final total of these small explosions is insane.
In addition to the election, it is also March which means it's Red Cross Month. Our team linked up with a unit on base, and we organized a 10K run and 5K walk on Saturday. It was a huge success, and more than 400 people showed up - everyone with Red Cross pride at six in the morning on a chilly Saturday. I ran the 10K and did great, which made me really happy. I have never run a 10K before, and I did it in 54 minutes, much better than I expected. I guess running and working out like I do here is paying off. I also designed the T-shirts for the event, and they were a huge hit. Everyone was upset when we ran out of our T-shirts. It really was great to see how many people support what we are doing here. I also designed a poster explaining what the Red Cross does worldwide. I was shocked to see how many people took the time to read it and learn about the organization that I am so passionate about.
All in all, the weekend was a huge success on so many levels. And as a side note, I learned that it can rain during a sandstorm, which means the rain is falling through clouds of dust. Therefore, the final result is falling mud, droplets of think brown water. Since all this occurred at night, I did not realize it until I woke up and found that everything I was wearing was brown and gross. The countdown continues and I will be leaving in 2 weeks, but I am sure I will have some more interesting stories to share.
National Red Cross Website Features Two of Our Very Own SEPA Volunteers
Posted Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 1:24 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
More bragging rights for the SEPA Chapter, though we prefer the humble route.
Click the photos below to read about two of our amazing 12,288 volunteers.
Patrick Green Carol Barnett
Must See of the Day
Posted Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 12:50 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Photo from ESPN.com
An Eye Opening Approach at the End
Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 12:16 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
A Mother and Child, Divided After Earthquake, Reunite
Posted Friday, February 26, 2010 at 1:54 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Read the full story that appeared in today's Wall Street Journal.
Julie Platner for the Wall Street Journal
Be the First to Know
Posted Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 6:14 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Why not start receiving text messages with actual information you can use!
Happy News Out of Haiti
Posted Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 12:51 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
As reported in today's Wall Street Journal, "Haitian Mother to Reunite with Son."
Ianthe Dugan/The Wall Street Journal
Dust Storm
Posted Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 11:04 AM by Melissa Hunsberger
Free Time
Posted Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 12:44 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Nothing Ordinary
Posted Friday, February 12, 2010 at 11:00 AM by Melissa Hunsberger
Laura Hahn is a former Americorps Member with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross who will be spending the next four months in Baghdad, Iraq. She will share her experiences on this blog.
The topic for this blog was originally really easy to come up with. This week was very eventful: It started out with me lying on the hospital floor, and it was supposed to end with me crossing the finish line of another race. The race did not happen because, once again, it rained and turned the base into a giant mud pit. However, I have plenty more excitement to share. I do apologize ahead of time for the randomness of this blog, but some stories are too good not to post.
Starting with the hospital. I am much better now, and I do thank everyone for all of the 'get well' emails. I have spoken before of the restaurants on base that are not Army run. They are the only places we can go to get away from the everyday food, but they do have signs that say “Eat at your own risk.” This may have been wise to read beforehand, although it most likely would not have stopped me. Anyway, long story short, my dinner was great until I woke up the next morning really sick. Within 24 hours, I was so sick I could not take it anymore. At 4am, I stumbled to work and got rushed to the TMC, which is the 24 hour clinic. A few minutes later, I ended up passing out on the floor of the hospital. The next thing I remember, I was waking up on the trauma bed with tons of people around. I must say, the whole thing was like a movie. It turned out that I had severe food poisoning and was very dehydrated. They drugged me really well so it is all pretty foggy, but an Army hospital in Iraq is nothing like home. The trauma bed was a battle stretcher (like a net). It was cold, and the air was flowing right through, making me shiver so hard. Plus, they don’t heat the IV fluid, and I remember telling the doctor how cold I was repeatedly while my teeth were chattering.
Another interesting difference is that they don’t have a bathroom in the clinic. This means that I needed to go to the trailer outside. And that was no easy task since I was unable to walk, had an IV inserted, and had no idea what was really going on. When I needed to go to the bathroom, they had to put me in a wheelchair, but since outside the clinic is all rocks and dirt, the wheelchair needed to be dragged by two nurses like a heavy wheelbarrow on a farm. To make things even more complicated, the bathroom is a trailer that is off the ground. So, once again, I had to be lifted to the bathroom. Needless to say, that whole thing was a mess and an experience I will make every effort to avoid. I am finally 100% better and will only be eating at the DFAC (cafeteria) until I come home.
Totally changing topics here, I had a few interesting encounters this week, which were eye opening and are important to share. The first was with the lovely Filipino cleaning lady I always talk about. She is so nice to me, and I try very hard to talk to her when I can. Well,we got to talking the other day and she said she has been here for six years and just signed up for another two years. Not once going on vacation or ever going home. This really made me sad. I know she does this job to support her family. She believes the Iraqi government won’t let her back if she goes home to visit, and, according to her, this is the best job she can get. Nothing at home would compare. At first, this made me mad, thinking that being away from her family so long is the only way. After thinking about it and seeing how she is never angry or bitter, I realized that it’s really great that America can provide this opportunity for her. She is treated just like me with all the food, benefits and living situation, and she is able to provide for her family in a way she never could otherwise.
Also on base are many guards that are from Africa. Similar to the Filipino staff, they get all the same benefits but are treated a little more strictly because they carry weapons. Well, this encounter was both comical and eye opening. I was running on the treadmill, and one of the guards got on the one next to me. At first, he looked kind of funny, holding on to the side bar really tight and fighting with the computer options. Then, the next thing I know, he let go and went flying off the back. A soldier ran over and gave him 20 minutes of instructions on how to use a treadmill. A lot of the African guards have not experienced many things provided on base that would be considered basic comforts to us. All the food options to them are something totally new, and, at the gym, they are always like a little kid walking in for the first time.
These encounters have added more to my cultural experiences than I ever could have expected to have on this trip. These encounters keep me traveling all over the world in search of something different, something that makes me think twice about things that we would never think about. Maybe I was just more aware of the little stuff this week since I was out of it for days and just glad to be back on my feet. I often come across many different cultural encounters throughout my daily routine, and it’s these experiences that keep me searching for new places to go.
A Day in the Life
Posted Monday, February 1, 2010 at 12:58 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Laura Hahn is a former Americorps Member with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross who will be spending the next four months in Baghdad, Iraq. She will share her experiences on this blog.
Once again I had another great blog request. I never thought about how an average day here is very different than back home. I’ve gotten into a routine and it just seems normal. I hope my daily routine is something interesting to read about.
1000 - 1200 Hours - Wake up: As you are all just going to bed, I am waking up for another productive day here in Baghdad. It is normally a good day when I wake up to my own alarm clock and no outside noises, if you get my drift. Since most of my emails come in while I sleep, the morning is spent trying catch up with replies, organizing donations, and following up with tons of random connections to the outside world, all by email in bed. This morning was even better because it was the first day all week that it was finally warm again, which put me in a great mood.
1200 - 1400 Hours - Gym: Working out here on base is much more of daily routine for everyone than it is at home. It is common to exercise 6 to 7 times a week, because physical fitness is really important in the military. Everyone who is deployed must maintain a certain BMI (Body Mass Index). So, since they feed us really well, the gym is very important. Besides, the gym is like a social thing on base for people that work night shifts, because there is not much else to do during the day. The gym is a funny place, because it is really rare for two females to be at my gym at the same time. So, needless to say, I get a lot of unwanted attention. I have gotten use to it and have started to run outside (instead of in the gym) whenever I get the chance. I should really try to write down all the pickup lines I get while I am working out. It was hard to get used to the weapons at the gym, and it is still odd to watch a guy bench press with a gun strapped to his leg or a knife on his belt.
1400 - 1430 Hours - Getting Ready: It has finally become normal to get ready in a trailer that I need to hike to from my room, all while my favorite cleaning lady continues to talk to me while I shower.
1430 – 1600 Hours - Hospital Visit: On base, we have a CSH, which is a small hospital. It is used to treat emergencies, minor operations like appendectomies, and to treat patients who are waiting to be sent for more advanced care in Europe or back in the States. Today we met with two soldiers who had minor injuries and a contractor who looked really sick and who had the worst hiccups. But he was very excited as I had a crossword puzzle book. We also visited a little Iraqi girl who had burns all over her body. It was really sad, because you could see the pain in her eyes. Unfortunately, since she didn’t speak any English, I could not really sit and talk with her. Since they don't have coloring books or anything, they have been getting her to draw on the walls to help her move around. The hospital does the best they can with what they have, but it’s not a lot. It makes me sad some days when we eat great meals at the DFAC, but the patients in the hospital don't even have a change of clothing or a toothbrush. Luckily, the Red Cross has started a new program that has allowed us to provide many needed supplies to the hospital, which will be very helpful long after our team leaves.
1600 – 1800 Hours - Work: At this point in the day, my case load at work is really low, because it is still early in the States. Therefore, the first few hours of my shift are spent on organizing activities. We are trying to have a Red Cross run in March, so today I worked on getting information together and creating a T-shirt design. Races are a really big deal here, and top finishers get a shirt. It becomes a big deal to have the best and the most shirts. All week, I have been working really hard at making a great design.
1800 - 1930 Hours - Temple: Fridays are my favorite time of the week mainly because temple is the highlight. It is the one thing I can do with the troops that is entirely on a personal level and not Red Cross related. Plus, we all have a bond and we've formed a great little community. They all have such great stories, and I have learned so much from each one of them. It’s interesting when we take time to talk about each week’s pasha and relate it to our deployed lives.
Today was really special because I got up in front of the group and said the prayer over the candles alone in Hebrew. It was very much an honor to even be invited up, and it was great to be able to contribute a little extra. After the service, I grabbed dinner to-go and raced back to the office, since at this point, most of the world is now awake and my day gets a lot crazier.
1930 - 0000 Hours - Work: I got back to work and had a ton of cases. I like when it’s busy, because it’s easier to be more productive with no lag time between cases. For a Friday, it was really busy. In any shift, I always have a mix of situations including illnesses, deaths, leave extensions, births, and always something random and crazy. Today, I had a high number of deaths, which can start to get to me after some time. However, I normally deliver messages to the same group of service members on the other end of the phone, and when delivering bad news, it helps take the edge off of the tough ones.
0030 Hours - Bed: Now, I am back in bed, ending my day like it started - on my computer, but now writing about my day. I have developed a routine here, which is important in order to keep going. Every day is unique in some way. Every day there are always new stories, adventures, and encounters. I love hearing the all the questions and comments, so please keep the blog ideas coming.
Inside These Walls
Posted Monday, January 25, 2010 at 12:53 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Laura Hahn is a former Americorps Member with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross who will be spending the next four months in Baghdad, Iraq. She will share her experiences on this blog.
As my deployment is now half over, sometimes I struggle to come up with a good topic. I have been making many requests for questions or topics and recently received a great one about the restrictions of being confined to a military base.
The most important rule I must follow here is: For no reason should I ever leave the base. At first I did not think this would be a big deal, especially since the base is large. But I have a lot of trouble staying in any one place too long. I am always in search of an adventure, and when I know many amazing things are outside these walls, it is easy to feel trapped. When I go for a jog, I can sometimes see a little over the wall, and the city looks so alive. Sometimes I can hear the sounds of the city like roosters or prayers being broadcasted on speakers for the whole city to hear. It’s strange knowing a whole world exists outside of the base, but that I can’t see it. Yet, watching the convoys prepare for missions and seeing the fear in the faces of the soldiers every time they leave makes the walls a little more comforting and less confining.
Coming to Iraq, I expected it would be an American bubble in a strange land, but a lot of things on base allow me truly experience the culture. For one, the food. (Though I have no reason to ever buy any since the DFAC has most everything you could want.) However, there are still a few restaurants and a convenience store on base that supply a lot of stuff you can’t find at the DFAC. For example, the convenience store looks like a bad gas station, but has fresh veggies and homemade bread, grape leaves, hummus, cheese, Turkish coffee (my favorite), and all the Cuban cigars you could ever want.
The Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant on base provides an opportunity to sit outside on the only grass field on base, enjoy good coffee, some unique food, and smoke a hookah which is very traditional in this area. Also on base are a lot of important sights, tons of lakes, palaces, and buildings that have a lot of history. Next week we are planning on taking informative tours of the structures, but it’s crazy how these buildings were once significant icons and are now office buildings and such.
I also did not expect to interact with as many locals as I have done so far. Many Iraqis on base run the little DVD shops and do a bunch of other stuff, but it’s great interacting with them all and hearing the stories they each have. Sometimes they bring me homemade food or introduce me to something I have never tried. This one guy that I have become friends with used to be a teacher, but now works here. Whenever he comes back from visits home he brings me gifts from his family to send to mine back in the States. It’s funny because he loves American coffee and I love Iraqi coffee so he asked me to teach him how to use a coffee machine, and he was totally fascinated by it. A few week later, he returned with a whole set of Iraqi coffee cups and all types of coffee.
The ability to bridge the gap between cultures is my favorite part of traveling to a new place. Being able to do that while still within these walls makes the experience amazing on many levels. Being able to experience two very different worlds while here and being able to share the different aspects of them is a unique experience.
Water Balloons and Paint Ball
Posted Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 5:50 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Laura Hahn is a former Americorps Member with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross who will be spending the next four months in Baghdad, Iraq. She will share her experiences on this blog.
In the wake of disaster, I feel this topic is necessary. I have always been drawn to humanitarian work because of my overbearing desire to help people at their worst. Watching the horror unfolding in Haiti from a television here in Iraq is a very eye-opening experience that has made me think a lot about what is going on around me.
I spend every day trying to help these soldiers and their families through long deployments, tragedies, and everyday fears. As much as my stories of all the activities that go on here make it seem more of a summer camp than a danger zone, I think I need to clarify that in order to make my point. I hope this is not taken the wrong way, but I am reminded daily that I am truly in the middle of a war. Some days are much scarier than others, and a lot of it I can’t talk about. But regardless of how hard I may try, it’s difficult to shake off some of the things that can wake me up or even interrupt daily activity. Survivor guilt is something I never experienced before this deployment. And it is strange, but more than once I have been faced with the realization that I could have easily been in the wrong place at the very wrong time. I have learned quickly what to avoid, although a lot of it is luck. I personally can’t really go many places except the limited area where I am allowed on base, and still I am faced with these fears. Those soldiers that are outside the base have to deal with much more stress and fear for their safety.
Explaining this brings me back to the tragedy of natural disasters. These disasters can’t be avoided, and the devastation is mind blowing. The fact that hundreds of thousands of people must suffer because of something they have no control over is unfathomable to me. Then I look around and realize I am surrounded by people inflicting the same type of fear on one another. I believe in why we are here and that what we are doing is right. I am honored that I see firsthand all the good that we do here for this country, and I can’t wait to come home and share the stories. I do everything in my power to support this war for freedom, but I just don’t understand how people could want to hurt other people on purpose, how people try to create disaster, or how people try to inflict pain and suffering on one another. I know peace is something that would take a miracle, but why can’t we get rid of all the rockets, weapons, and bombs and replace them with water balloons and paint balls? Why can’t the world’s problems be solved without inflicting pain?
As the week has gone by, I have become more proud to be part of the Red Cross, an organization that is always there when disaster strikes and when people are truly in need. It has been great seeing all the news headlines reflect the work the Red Cross is doing. And, most of all, it has been personally rewarding to get so many emails from friends, family, and others that read my blog and ask how they can get more involved with the Red Cross.
P.S. I have attached a picture from the finish line of the 5K I did today. I just wanted to share a picture I am very proud of with everyone.
Two Years of Volunteer Work, 592 Hours, and One Dental Exam (Part 2)
Posted Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 4:24 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Recently, I sat down with Alicia Layman, current SEPA Chapter Volunteer, to talk about her experience as a Red Cross Volunteer in Portugal. Read Part 2 of her story here.
The sight of blood makes Alicia uncomfortable, and she had difficulty with the oral surgery training. She much preferred assisting in general dentistry where she says she learned a lot and still loves helping people today. Alicia volunteered at Lajes Field’s dental clinic for two years and a total of 592 hours. Her husband received new orders, and they would soon be headed to Puerto Rico.
Before leaving Portugal, Alicia’s supervisor at the dental clinic insisted she take the dental assistant exam, which would allow her more opportunity to find a job once she returned to the United States. Again, Alicia says God was preparing her way, giving her opportunities, and sending her good people to help her.
Alicia was quite nervous about taking the dental assistant exam, since she knew it would be in English, her second language. Her supervisor reassured Alicia that she need not worry, as she would help translate any of the questions that Alicia did not understand. “Can you imagine that,” said Alicia, who was able to pass the exam. “I was very happy because I achieved something that I never dreamed, and I liked it (the dental work),” said Alicia.
While in Puerto Rico, Alicia did not work as a volunteer, because there was no Red Cross on the base at the time. But six months before she and her family were to leave the island, Alicia came into contact with a dentist who was planning to hold a Red Cross orientation. She informed him that she was already a Red Cross volunteer, and he quickly brought her on board to volunteer. As a native Spanish speaker, Alicia began translating instructions and teaching children how to brush and floss their teeth. Soon after that, it was time to move again.
The Little Things
Posted Monday, January 11, 2010 at 10:38 AM by Melissa Hunsberger
Laura Hahn is a former Americorps Member with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross who will be spending the next four months in Baghdad, Iraq. She will share her experiences on this blog.
This week is the halfway point of my deployment. It is kind of crazy when I think about it, since time has been flying by and I have not been home since early October. Luckily, my deployment is less than 6 months, but most of these guys are here for a year. Like I have said in the past, the biggest topics of conversation are always about when someone is going home and how much they miss it. Over the past few weeks, I have heard a lot of crazy things that some of soldiers start to miss after being here too long, and it took me a a little while to understand. I figured this week I could talk about some of the random things we take for granted at home.
The one big one that sticks out to me is smells. It might sound crazy, but everything here just smells like nothing or kind of like sand, dust, and dirt. So when you smell a random BBQ or a new car, it really will get your attention. While I was in training, we learned about the group of Red Cross girls that would go to Vietnam to help raise the moral of the men and women fighting there. One thing they all said they would do is make sure they had tons of perfume. For the guys, just to smell something different really made them happy and made them feel a little less far away from home.
It is really true. I try to stick to their advice and it’s noticed every day. I think the lack of smells was most noticed during the holidays. No matter how many decorations, presents, and cookies we had to make the season festive, there was no way to recreate the smell of baking cookies, winter snow, hot chocolate, and holiday spice in the air. About three nights before Christmas, a real pine tree was dropped off at my office, and we had a crazy amount of guys comment on how the smell was amazing. We did not even get to put decorations on it, because they kept coming by to take a few pine needles with them so that they could enjoy the smell a little longer.
Another big void here is something I would have never thought I would miss: normal commercials. We do have a few American television channels here through the Pentagon station, which is cool. We have a news channel, and every few hours it changes from CNN to FOX to NBC. There is also a movie channel and a sports channel that has every game imaginable from wrestling to football. But my favorite channel is the prime time one with talk shows like Dr. Oz, Oprah, and ER. The thing is, when a regular show goes to commercial, the Pentagon channel has all of their own. They are all Army related and very corny with messages like what forms need to be filled out for different issues, who to talk to about problems, don’t drink and drive, and a million other things to do and not to do. At first it was funny, but I miss advertisements very much. It will be really interesting to see what they come up with during the Super Bowl.
When I brought this topic up to some of the guys, they had a ton of random examples of things they miss. Some said fields of grass and flowers. Others said the sound of a child laughing and playing. Some said real silverware. Also, egg yolks and medium done meat, which we can’t have, since everything (even pancakes!) needs to be cooked twice and all the way through so no one gets sick. They miss driving on normal roads with lights and pavement. They miss sleeping a whole night without waking up from sirens, low flying helicopters, and gun shots. They miss wearing something other than a uniform and boots.
I am sure I could go on for a while, but these are good examples of the things that are not here and that can’t be sent in care packages. I do try hard to make the Red Cross building as homelike as possible, with fresh coffee always brewing and a plate of cookies on the table. However, some things can’t be simulated and are just things we will all learn to appreciate even more when we return home.
Red Cross Provides Opportunity for Ecuadorian Jobseeker (Part 1)
Posted Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 2:38 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Recently, I sat down with Alicia Layman, current SEPA Chapter Volunteer, to talk about her experience as a Red Cross Volunteer in Portugal. Read her story here.
She is forever grateful to God and to the American Red Cross for the opportunities each provided her. In fact, she never imagined she’d be able to work in the United States without a college degree.
The year was 1972 and Alicia Layman was on her way to Portugal. Her husband, a member of the United States Navy, had just received orders that he would be stationed at Lajes Field, Azores in Portugal. While living on base, she befriended a woman named Betty, who asked Alicia to join her at a Red Cross orientation to become Nurses’ Aides. Alicia was hesitant since she did not have any such experience. Betty promised her if Alicia went then she would too. And so they went.
Shortly after that, they began volunteering as Nurses’ Aides at the hospital on base. Alicia wasn’t able to do much for the patients other than greet them and ask questions about their medications. The doctors did the rest. Neither Betty nor Alicia felt very useful to the hospital, so they decided to check out the volunteer opportunities at the dental clinic on base. Alicia was nervous since she had no formal training in dentistry, but again Betty convinced her to look in it. “We went, and I loved it,” said Alicia.
After applying to the program, they had to be selected by one of the dentists at the clinic. Alicia told Betty, “They’re not going to pick us.” But, after completing the orientation, they received a call stating that the commander of the dental clinic wanted them both to work as his assistants. “And I said, ‘Wow, he is the top of the dental clinic.’ So we started as chairside assistants,” said Alicia.
Part 2 of Alica Layman's story coming soon.
Happy New Year from Iraq
Posted Monday, January 4, 2010 at 12:44 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Laura Hahn is a former Americorps Member with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross who will be spending the next four months in Baghdad, Iraq. She will share her experiences on this blog.
It’s hard to believe that it is 2010 already. I would love to share a great New Year’s Eve story like I have with past holidays. Unfortunately, New Years Eve here was not a normal night and I could only sum it up as the scariest night since I have been here. So although it was not an enjoyable holiday, it did give me a great opportunity to reflect a lot on the first half of my deployment and my hopes for the New Year.
When I wrote my last post on Christmas, I had done so in the middle of the day before my night shift started. That night, I had a bunch of visitors, many coming to talk and others with crazy gifts. Some solders made me presents with parts of their uniforms and one soldier actually gave me his uniform as present. It’s kind of funny to think about, but it made me realize how appreciated I am and how important the work is that I do. Over the past few years I have done a lot of humanitarian work all over the world, and it’s always been easy to see the impact of my work since I am helping someone with an immediate need. It may have been helping someone living in poverty in a third world country or a disaster victim, but, regardless, it is always easy to see the benefit of what I am doing. Being in Iraq and supporting the soldiers made it a little harder to feel the same reward, but I am starting to realize more that the little things I do every day are greatly helping to support those that are out here protecting my freedom, my dreams, and everything I care about at home. I actually heard some statistic today that 1% of the population is in the military protecting the other 99%. That fact is really crazy when you think about it.
As I was walking back from the gym yesterday, it was funny to look around and realize that this is not a normal setting to be living in. Some days more than others, I realize that I am actually in a war zone. From the helicopters flying low over my head, seas of T-Walls to protect us, constant sounds of gun fire and sirens, and being surrounded by soldiers with weapons, I am always reminded of the danger we all face just during daily tasks. But I believe in why I am here and that what I do is very important. When I see soldiers that are sometimes also affected by these realizations, I am reminded that they too have the same fears and concerns. They too are all mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters. They too worry about all the possibilities of what could happen, but they believe in why they are putting themselves at risk. This is why they are part of the one percent. They are the reason that I am proud to come to work every day and do everything I can do to make there day a little brighter.
As for a New Year’s resolution and my hopes for this year, I would have to say that all I could want is to continue to pursue what I am passionate about. I hope that when this adventure comes to a close in a few months that whatever I do next allows me to continue working in what I am so passionate about. Helping people makes me happy and allows me to be surrounded by amazing people that feel the same way. A few years back, when I was still in school, I would always say that I wish I could do volunteer work as a career. For the most part, I think I figured out how to get the best of both worlds, and I love every day of it.
To see more pictures from Laura, click here.
Red Cross Volunteers
Posted Monday, December 28, 2009 at 11:02 AM by Melissa Hunsberger
The American Red Cross of Southeastern PA has over 12,000 volunteers. And don't worry...Frosty's not one of them.
Photo: Lindsey Weber / American Red Cross
Merry Christmas from Iraq
Posted Monday, December 28, 2009 at 10:39 AM by Melissa Hunsberger
Laura Hahn is a former Americorps Member with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross who will be spending the next four months in Baghdad, Iraq. She will share her experiences on this blog.
I must first explain that I am writing this entry while in bed trying to recover from an amazing Christmas lunch. It is midday on Christmas, and I thought writing now would give me a great opportunity to share some good stories and feelings about celebrating Christmas in Iraq.
I woke up early this morning for what I think I can say is my first traditional Christmas morning: Presents under a tree with hot chocolate and cookies. I stumbled out of bed when I woke up, and as soon as I walked in the door, a very cheerful cleaning women ran up to hug me and say Merry Christmas. I see her a lot and smile, but I never get to really talk to her. It turns out she has been here six years in order to help support her family so they can build a house in the Philippines. She was very excited for Christmas, and she shared about how she and her friends would be cooking Philippine food today. I came back a little bit later with a gift for her, and I must say I have never seen someone so excited. It really started the day off on a great and happy note.
For many of you who are reading this via email, I hope you get to see it on Christmas morning. Over the past few weeks we have all talked about what we each want for Christmas. I have put a lot of thought into this because the common answer is to be home with family. Although that would be great, I think there is more to it. I wish that I wasn’t needed here and that we had peace on earth - no need for war and no need for all the families of soldiers to be separated.
But unfortunately world peace is something we can only hope for in the future. With that being said, my wish is for everyone who is free to dream, to believe in whatever they want, and, most important, to spend this day surrounded by loves ones. I also wish for everyone to be thankful for that freedom. Thankful for the soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and their families who have given up holidays like today to be here fighting for us and working hard every day.
I have been hearing stories from guys missing their new babies’ first Christmas. I'm also having to pass some emergency messages to service members that make it even harder to be here on a day they should be with family. Tragedies happen every day - holidays are no exception. So if you are reading this on Christmas, please do me one favor: At dinner tonight, share with everyone around the table how thankful you are for the troops all over the world supporting us. Be thankful for being able to have this day off, to not have to worry about anything, and to know that when you wake up tomorrow you will have the right to be anything you want.
I spent a lot of today handing out presents to the troops. I stood outside the DFACT when people were leaving lunch and handed each one of them gifts and cards. It was amazing to be able to actually give them something that they can unwrap and enjoy on Christmas. To be able to personally say thank you for everything they do. The best part of it was knowing that every gift was donated to the Red Cross by people back home. I want to thank all my family and friends who mailed me so many packages filled with great things. Every item was given to very grateful soldiers, and each gift truly made their Christmas much better.
Happy Holidays to everyone from Iraq, and thank you for your continued support.
8 Crazy Nights
Posted Monday, December 21, 2009 at 1:07 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Laura Hahn is a former Americorps Member with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross who will be spending the next four months in Baghdad, Iraq. She will share her experiences on this blog.
Holidays on an army base can be very interesting. Yesterday was the last day of Hanukkah, so I thought I would share a few stories of what it was like here on base and talk about the many religious activities here in Iraq.
I think I should start off by saying that I am not a very religious person. I was raised Jewish and went to a private Jesuit university, where I minored in theology. I even spent time studying in Israel, so my background and beliefs are all over the place. I do like to keep tradition, and since it’s important to stay busy over here, I have been using religion as one of my many extracurricular activities. Here on base, there are many religious meetings every day. We have chapels all over the place - more than one in each section. Religious practices vary from Wicca to Muslim, and there are always Bible studies, prayer sections, weekly services, and many other things. Some are run by chaplains and others by individuals that are here and practicing. The chapels themselves are very interesting, because some are more of a trailer or tent, but they all have steeples above. Since these chapels are used for all different religious purposes, they are easily and quickly converted, which is kind of funny sometimes.
Every Friday night, we have Jewish services, which are lead by young female soldiers on base. From what I hear, they used to have a rabbi, but he went home for an emergency. Try to picture about ten people - half of which have less experience with Hebrew and Judaism then myself (kind of surprising) and all trying to make it through a weekly service - with a combination of memorized prayers and readings in the Torah that have been translated to English. Since there are only a few of us who can read Hebrew, the services end up being about 95% in English, which is a new thing for me. It is always great to meet with different people and hear about the work they are doing here. Sometimes there is chalah (traditional Jewish bread) and it’s shared with a prayer. We also are the only people on base that are allowed to consume alcohol. We have a very limited supply of religious kosher wine, of which we get to have a few sips every Friday night out of small paper cups.
As for Hanukkah, we were very lucky to receive many donations from our communities back home. I greatly appreciated everything I got from everyone, including the gifts I was able to hand out on the first night, the cookies from my family, the menorah, and much more. On the first night, we all lit candles and held a service. On the seventh day, we had a great party. Thanks to the many donations, there were tons of goodies to share and hundreds of candles to light. The dfact (chow hall) here tried to help us out as best they could. For potato pancakes, they gave us a cambro of hash browns with apple sauce. They also gave us some fried pineapples, and I think they tried to give us jelly donuts, but they ended up being donuts with a scoop of jello on top. Soldiers came from all over our area of Iraq to participate, which was so great. The Pentagon even sent over a rabbi last minute just to be at our party. One of the soldiers told me a story of how his wife received a phone call the other day from the White House, and his children got to go be the only children at the White House to light candles. The best part of the party was being able to spend time with soldiers from all over the area and share stories of the traditions we all have at home this time of year.
We are now very busy at the Red Cross getting ready for Christmas. I have been wrapping gifts until the sun comes up in the morning. People have been so giving, and we have collected hundreds of gifts and thousands of cards for the soldiers. I promise to take tons of pictures and share many stories next week.
To see the latest photos from Laura, click here.
Two Faces of a SAF Red Cross Worker
Posted Friday, December 11, 2009 at 10:08 AM by Melissa Hunsberger
Laura Hahn is a former Americorps Member with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross who will be spending the next four months in Baghdad, Iraq. She will share her experiences on this blog.
I have been in Iraq now for about 4 weeks and feel that I can finally begin to talk about the work I am doing. I have explained before that my job description involves both delivering messages and providing morale activates for the troops. The extremes of both factes of this work took a little getting used to.
I work the swing shift from 4:00 pm until 1:00 am every night and, for the most part, I am the only Red Cross worker in the building at that time. I am mostly in the office doing case work while the building is filled with service members using the computers, phones, and relaxing in our TV rooms with snacks. For those that are not familiar with what case work is, I receive emergency messages from the States by computer, and then it’s my job to locate the soldier (not always easy!) and deliver the message to his or her commanding officer. The messages themselves can range from a birth notice to a death notification or the unexpected illness of a loved one.
Most of these messages request notification, which means the service member has no idea what’s going on at home, and I end up being the bad news giver. So when some hear my voice on the other end of the call, they're happy to receive news from the Red Cross girl (girls being very rare here). Other times, they are sad because it means I have more bad news for someone in their unit. I will spare you examples of these messages, but when you think about those really sad things you hope never happen, well unfortunately they do.
While I am very used to this and have learned to handle each case individually, I have also learned how to take the messages without becoming overly involved. While all of this is going on, I will have soldiers coming in because they want to talk or maybe they are looking for some hot coffee and a snack. (If you know me, I am always glad to feed everyone!) Sometimes the guys are super excited about something going on at home; maybe they are a little depressed after a day of work; many times it’s a practical joke they played on one of the other guys that they just have to tell someone about; but I think mostly it makes them happy to have a girl to talk to and someone who wants to hear their stories. Whenever my case load is low, I am usually planning fun activities, baking bread, decorating the office, or trying to come up with new ideas.
As a child, I loved the story of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and that is how it feels some days. I need to be able to turn the good guy and bad guy roles on and off all the time. It’s not easy, but it is very necessary and something that took some time getting used to. I love my job very much, and I am very passionate about what I do. No matter how my day goes, I always go to bed knowing I helped someone who truly needed it that day.
Which One of These Is Not Like the Others?
Posted Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 4:29 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Thanksgiving Day in Baghdad
Posted Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 12:47 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Laura Hahn is a former Americorps Member with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross who will be spending the next four months in Baghdad, Iraq. She will share her experiences over the next several months on this blog.
Thanksgiving in Baghdad was a much different experience than I could have imagined. Most people here including service members and civilians work 24/7 with no days off, and for most, Thanksgiving was a working holiday. Everyone was away from all their friends and family, and that was felt all over base, but the military does a great job to make everything very festive and fun.
There are about 7 chow halls here, and each one went all out with amazing decorations and food. They had ice sculptors, huge cakes, pictures made of colored rice, fountains of nonalcoholic wine, and tons of statues. As for food, they had everything and more. Two kinds of turkey, prime rib, ham, all kinds of potatoes, mac and cheese, tons of veggie dishes, different kinds of gravy, stuffing, a carving station, lobster, crab, shrimp, every kind of pie, and much more. All this complete with the highest general on base walking around and shaking hands with everyone, saying thank you for being here.
I went to dinner with my whole team and a bunch of soldiers. It was great to share a meal with these guys. Even if the conversation was of what they missed at home, it was still a great experience to share. I personally am very thankful for what everyone does for us here all the time, but to be able to share a special meal with them on a holiday was a great way to show thanks and a great example of why I am here and why I love what I do.
They also had a ton of special events, including concerts, visitors, and games. It’s really cool to see these famous people taking time to come here and show their support. And as most people may have seen, all the news channels were here filming events going on all day.
As for the day itself the Red Cross was able to provide free phone cards for everyone to call home. This was great, because is brought tons of people to the office. Also, our lovely pentagon television showed the parade and all the special TV events back home. The atmosphere was very festive and many people worked hard to help cover up the home sickness for many.
These soldiers do so much for us every day, along with the families that need to make up for their absence at home. The sacrifice they make to keep us safe is what I am most thankful for this holiday season. Being here supporting them is a way I feel I can give back.
It Rains in the Desert
Posted Monday, November 23, 2009 at 2:02 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Laura Hahn is a former Americorps Member with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross who will be spending the next four months in Baghdad, Iraq. She will share her experiences over the next several months on this blog.
One week here and it has been a great adventure to say the least. I could tell a million different stories already, but I first need to give a visual on what living in a war zone in the winter is like. I must say I did not picture this by any means.
It is winter time here, and although I am in the desert, it can get quite cold. During the day it warms up, but at night I have to wear Army issued under armor and need to get extra blankets. And since the bathroom is in a trailer outside, it is not fun very early in the morning. I do have a heater in my chew (room), but it is also the AC and very dirty. And if I learned anything from a year at the Red Cross in Philly, it is that dirt and heaters are no good. So I am just hoping it warms up soon, but since I’ve been able to wear shorts during the day and it’s the end of November, I am not worried at all.
Winter in the desert also means rain! I had no idea it rains so much. Rain plus dirt plus sand equals mud! The best way to explain the mud is to think about walking around in cookie dough and quick sand. It splashes and sticks to everything. There is no way to get away from it, and after you shower and change, it takes about 5 minutes of being outside to be covered in it from head to toe. (Which can be kind of fun when you look around and everyone is just covered in it!)
As for my room, it’s a large trailer split into 3 rooms by very thin walls. I am in the middle and two of my coworkers are on either end. I have 2 beds, a fridge, and a TV that no longer works.
The interesting part of this whole place is how it looks when you’re outside. I spent a lot of time trying to think of a good thing to compare it to, but I couldn’t come up with anything. And the pictures don’t really explain it either. It is kind of like a half done construction site because everything is either a trailer or a tent. And the base is surrounded by concrete walls that make it kind of tricky to find things, because every structure looks the same.
The base itself is about the size of Philly. I am not kidding it’s huge! I drive from work to some of the restaurants and it can take up to 30 minutes. There are a lot of old structures left, which is great, because you can go to all the old palaces and buildings that make the base kind of nice. There are even a few large lakes that are great for running and fishing. I was scared to drive around base at first, because passing huge trucks with big guns on these super dark roads can be scary, but everyone goes slowly so it’s not so bad after all.
The base is split into three sections: Liberty, Victory and Slayer. They all have PX’s (stores), Defacs (food), MWR’s (gyms and rec rooms), laundry facilities, chews, and little shops run by locals selling tons of cheap DVDs and electronics. I really thought that it would seem like I was more in the States being on base, but it is much different, and I am happy about that.
I could keep going, but I will save more for another time. I do have to say that it is more of a war zone than I thought it would be. I feel very safe, though, and the one thing I can compare to is the TV series MASH. In the week that I have been here, I have become very accustomed to sleeping through helicopters, sirens and, guns. I guess it is not much different from 48th and Walnut Streets in West Philly.
To view more photos from Laura, please click here.
Two Days, 800 Bags and a C130 Plane
Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 5:29 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
Laura Hahn is a former Americorps Member with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross who will be spending the next four months in Baghdad, Iraq. She will share her experiences over the next several months on this blog.
Well I never expected the trip from Georgia to my location to be so long. It’s currently day 2, but everything has blended together. We were taken from our temporary housing early Friday morning (November 13th) and put in a large warehouse to sit for hours, but there were tons of TVs and food. People came around and handed out books and great stuff for the trip. We then got a few briefings for encouragement and were all put on a huge plane! I can’t explain too much about the trip, but the plane was really old and the thing would rattle, shake, and not work. There were a few spots that I got kind of scared. We made a few stops on the way that were only open to us and we were again very warmly welcomed. The food never ended, I mean feeding some of these guys cannot be easy, but it is getting hard trying to keep up.
I am very excited to be on my own schedule soon. We finally landed in Kuwait, which was really eye opening. I knew it was the desert, but man it really is. You can be outside for a few minutes and you’re covered in a film of sand and dust. We were then put in the middle of a convoy and the hour ride to the air base turned into 4 hours with a few unexpected and unexplained issues. It was at this point that I think that I realized were I really am.
The ride was long and really crammed with the windows shaded and driving down dark roads of sand. In the front row they had 2 young soldiers, which are part of the group bus security. One of the two was a really young specialist, holding his gun and looking scared out of his mind, not knowing what to do or what will be next. I started thinking about it and it’s funny how we sit on our couches watching what’s going on in the Middle East. The news makes you think of the politics behind it and feel bad for the families every time there is bad news, but when you’re truly here, in the heart of it and you can feel the emotions of the ones that are out there fighting it makes you feel that the world is not so big after all.
We got to the air base and after a few briefings we were sent to the big truck that had all our bags in the field. This made the whole trip worth it. Imagine about 200 people from civilians, to government works, and soldier forming a chain to unload all 800 bags. I jumped in the truck with not much sleep and still in the same clothing I had been wearing for days and just started moving bags. We did it so quick that the all bags had been organized in minutes.
Then I had to say goodbye to the people I have spent months with training. Then a few hours later I got on a C130 in full gear and headed to Baghdad. It was an unreal ride, kind of felt like I was in a movie, climbing into the plane and running out when it landed. I have been here now a few days and I will write about it all in my next blog very soon.
Former Americorps Member Deploys to Baghdad for SAF Work
Posted Monday, November 9, 2009 at 8:58 AM by Melissa Hunsberger
Laura Hahn is a former Americorps Member with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross who will be spending the next four months in Baghdad, Iraq. She will share her experiences over the next several months on this blog.
I started working with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross because of my interest in disaster relief and without much military affiliation. I would have never guessed that this is what I would become so passionate about. Since tomorrow is my birthday, I think it is a very good time to share the story of the one case that fueled my passion for SAF (Service to the Armed Forces) work.
A year ago, I was working at the Chapter when I received a phone call from a mother who was very upset - she was trying to get her two sons home from Iraq, because their father's condition was declining quickly. I spent a lot of time on the phone with her trying to get their locations and verification. All day, I was checking up on the case and letting her know the status of her sons, and right before my shift was over, I received confirmation that both sons received the message and were granted leave. I called her at the hospital to let her know, and she started crying. She told me this was the best birthday gift she’d ever received. I explained to her that it was my birthday, too, and I could not have asked for a better gift myself.
My new title is Assistant Station Manager Reservist, and I will be stationed in Baghdad, Iraq until April. We currently have deployment stations in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. Teams average about 4 people and are deployed every 5 months to assist service members currently on deployment. Our major task is to deliver emergency communications to soldiers, since they may not have another way to receive news. The Red Cross has a system in place to get messages to service members very quickly and accurately. Aside from communications, we are on site for troop morale, recreation, hospital visitation, and, for some, a simple distraction from the reality of war.
I have just finished 3 weeks of training in Ashburn, VA, and I am on my way to Fort Benning, GA for my last week of military training and to pick up the gear I will need overseas. This is my first deployment so I have not yet experienced the daily activities. But, from many briefings, I have been able to paint a very good picture of it.
We are not considered military, so we don’t wear military uniforms. However, we do use the same gear, follow the same rules, and eat, travel, and prepare with the troops. I will be working every day, including holidays, for the next four months for about 12 hours a day. Again, not being there yet, it’s hard to say what I will be doing each day, but it will include casework, delivering messages to service members, developing recreational ideas, and being an ear for those who need to talk openly with someone not in the service.
I get asked a lot why I chose to do this - move out of my great apartment and travel away from my friends and family. To be honest, I don’t think I have given the same answer twice. The biggest thing is that I have loved working at the SEPA (Southeastern Pennsylvania) Chapter and doing SAF work for a year, but I can’t turn down an adventure. I love to travel and meet people while doing something big and helping those that truly need it. I could not see any better way. I have always enjoyed being the one on the other end of the phone helping families in times of crisis, when they need their loved one home. Being on the other end of the process and helping the soldier, marine, or sailor come home promises to be a very rewarding experience and an adventure of a lifetime.
Some SEPA Fast Facts
Posted Friday, November 6, 2009 at 8:49 AM by Melissa Hunsberger
1. On May 15, 1919, three hundred SEPA Red Cross Canteeners served hot roast beef dinners to16,000 men of the returning 28th Division in just 110 minutes. Now that’s what I can fast food.
2. During the Spanish flu epidemic that struck Philadelphia in September 1918, the Red Cross Disaster Services opened 32 emergency hospitals within 48 hours.
3. The Motor Corps, made up of 103 female volunteers, operated their own cars acting as chauffeurs to government officials.
4. During peacetime the Chapter raised for Disaster Relief:
• 1923 Japanese earthquake……….$483,825
• 1926 Florida tornado…………….$152,245
• 1927 Mississippi floods………….$645,664
• 1928 West Indies hurricane……...$345,301
• 1931 Drought relief……………...$446,725
• 1936 Spring floods………………$253,295
• 1937 Ohio-Mississippi flood…….$660,908
5. Between January 1941 and December 1945 a total of 4,059 Volunteer Nurses Aides were trained and served 1,128,538 hours in 57 civilian and federal hospitals.
I'm full of useless knowledge, so stay tuned cause there's plenty more where this came from.
Image: YesterYearsNews.com
The Bridge Will Show You Some Love
Posted Friday, October 16, 2009 at 12:22 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
It doesn’t occur too often at my local grocery store, nor at the gym and never at the post office. But I’m patiently waiting for it to happen…for someone to provide amazing, unparalleled, heart-felt customer assistance. Heck, at this point I’d be excited if someone acknowledged my existence in the checkout line.
But instead of using this blog spot to complain about the lack of customer service, I’m doing my part on a daily basis to combat it, and so are many of my co-workers here at the Red Cross. Just spend a half hour on the Bridge (that’s our Emergency Communications Center) and you’ll see us in action.
We receive numerous calls each day from folks in need of services that the Red Cross doesn’t provide, but we never just say no. Instead, our call agents work to refer callers to other agencies that may be able to help them. You’d be surprised how many unfriendly callers suddenly change their attytood when they realize the Red Cross really is there to help even if all we can do is provide them with a telephone number of another organization.
So the next time you're on the 3rd floor, stop by the Bridge and feel the love.
The "Burgh" and 300 Cots
Posted Friday, October 2, 2009 at 11:46 AM by Melissa Hunsberger
I've been with the Red Cross SEPA Chapter for 9 years, and recently I had another in a long line of firsts. The G20 Summit was held in Pittsburgh, PA so I and.....yeah, that's right, PITTSBURGH! Really? Yup, delegates and financial experts from around the world gathered together to tackle global economic problems... and meet in Pittsburgh. Anyway, we were asked to provide 300 cots for the law enforcement officers handling security for the event, so I drove out with my co-worker Byard to deliver the goods.
Out and back in 14 hours, that was one looooong day, including the time to unload all 300 cots ourselves. There were lots of strapping guys standing around watching us, and I was thinking "Hey, yin'z wanna help us out here?" (Pittsburgh people know what yin'z means.) But in the end I was happy to help, especially after seeing the Youtube videos of protesters at the summit rolling a steel trash dumpster down the street into law enforcement vehicles. I'm sure those officers needed a good rest after that day!
This guest blog spot is brought to you by Sean McGarry, Disaster Action Team Leader in Emergency Services.
A New Bullet Point on My Resume
Posted Monday, September 28, 2009 at 3:55 PM by Melissa Hunsberger
So I took a short hiatus from blogging, unintentionally, and put my writing skills (or should I say my ability to link seemingly unrelated subjects to work) elsewhere. In fact I’ve spent nearly the past three weeks or so piecing together the script for an annual event we call “The Celebration of Volunteers.” Think wedding reception for 600 of your closest friends and family combined with an awards show. Minus the open bar and celebrity misbehavior of course! And so needless to say the script, while probably overlooked by most attendees, is an integral part of the evening’s success.
And that it was, as more than 300 volunteers were recognized and received awards for their amazing dedication to the Red Cross. The feat is achieved in just 2 hours, and this is where tight, seamless script writing comes into play. While some might refer to the task as a labor of love, I like to think of it more as a necessary evil. But one that keeps me honest. I’m learning to appreciate writing in all its many forms.
Donors Give More than Just Blood and Bucks...
Posted Friday, September 4, 2009 at 10:42 AM by Melissa Hunsberger
In fact one donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, (even I don’t know who “they” are) donated 50 Britney Spears concert tickets to the Red Cross. This past Sunday twenty-five lucky winners, myself included, got a chance to experience “The Circus.” Britney’s latest tour has little to do with her music and is much more concerned with the entertainment/wow factor, not that I’m criticizing. She’s out done herself.
Think Ringling Brothers meet Vegas show girls meet fashion label Heatherette and you’ll get a pretty good sense of the show’s ambiance. It’s a two-hour escape from reality chock full of acrobatics, swinging trapeze artists, and a bit of magic. (Britney is sawed in half at one point and magically disappears from stage the next).
While you might not have the means to make such a grandiose contribution to your favorite charity or cause perhaps take a word of advice from Britney Spears, who affirms in her new song Circus, “There's only two types of people in the world. The ones that entertain and the ones that observe…” While you might not be an entertainer like Spears, may I suggest you not stand on the sidelines either.
There are lots of other ways to give back that don’t involve money, you just need to think outside the box, much like Spears does. You can donate items like your old eyeglasses which are then sent to developing countries or how about donating a pair of used running shoes to non-profit that helps engage the homeless in exercise. And what about your time? You got more of it than you think, it just depends on how you use it.
My Days as an AmeriCorps Member…
Posted Monday, August 31, 2009 at 11:37 AM by Melissa Hunsberger
I think we got paid about 450 bucks every two weeks. I lived in a tiny studio apartment near the Italian Market where the temperature inside never got above 50 degrees in winter and the mice came to visit much too often.
You know what though, I’d do it all over again if I could and I wouldn’t change a thing. The year I spent with the Red Cross as an AmeriCorps member was not only rewarding, but helped me to understand that there is a much larger world outside of myself, one where people were facing much tougher decisions. Yet through it all, I learned that I could step outside of myself and help some of those people.
I remember the first house fire I responded to with another volunteer. It was somewhere in North Philly. The family had been at church when the fire started and when they returned most of their basement was a blackened mess. The smell of smoke was overwhelming and I left the scene reeking of it. But it was a powerful experience, and one I won’t soon forget.
Most of my time as an AmeriCorps member was spent answering phone calls in the communications center regarding disasters and military messaging. It was the kind of job that when you left at the end of the day, you knew you’d done something worthwhile.
I have to be honest though--I got involved in the AmeriCorps program for two reasons. One, I wasn’t sure I could handle two years in the Peace Corps (which was what I had originally planned to do after college) and two, I wasn’t able to find a job after graduating. But in the end I was right where I was supposed to be.
