Fischer Teams-Up with Red Cross for 2015 Holiday Mail for Heroes Campaign

November 20, 2015 Leave a comment


U.S. Senator Deb Fischer’s office is teaming up with the American Red Cross to help Nebraskans send holiday wishes and appreciation to members of the military, their families, and our veterans. This is the third year Senator Fischer’s office has coordinated the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign with the Red Cross. Senator Fischer released the following statement encouraging Nebraskans to participate:

 

“The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is a simple way for Nebraskans to share their holiday cheer, along with their gratitude, to the men and women of our military. I hope the people of Nebraska will join me in sending greetings to the dedicated members of our armed services around the world, their families, and our veterans.”

 

The Holiday Mail for Heroes program collects cards and messages to send to our military men and women serving both abroad and in our local communities. Nebraskans who wish to participate can make or purchase a card to sign, and mail them to Senator Fischer’s Omaha office. In order to guarantee delivery, cards must be received by December 6, 2015.  They can be dropped off at, or mailed to, the following address:

 

Office of Senator Deb Fischer

11819 Miracle Hills Drive

Suite 205

Omaha, NE 68145

 

In addition to your homemade cards, Senator Fischer and the Red Cross have created a card specifically for Nebraskans that can be printed and signed at home. You can download cards through Senator Fischer’s website by clicking here.

 

To ensure holiday cards can be quickly screened and mailed, the Red Cross asks participants to follow the guidelines listed below:

 

  • Ensure that all cards are signed.

 

  • Use generic salutations, such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals cannot be delivered through this program.

 

  • Only cards are being accepted. Do not send or include letters.

 

  • Do not include email or home addresses on the cards. The program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.

 

  • Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos. These items will be removed during the reviewing process.

 

  • Please refrain from choosing cards with glitter or using loose glitter, which can aggravate the health issues of ill and injured warriors.

 

  • If you are mailing a large quantity of cards, please bundle them and place the cards in large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes. Each card does not need its own envelope. All envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.

 

 

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Resources Available for Tornado Victims

June 25, 2014 Leave a comment


During the past eight days our office has been in contact with several agencies and individuals regarding much needed assistance following the tornadoes that devastated rural Wisner in District 16. Although progress has been made, after seeing the damage during onsite visits, there is much work ahead. Residents of Wisner, Pilger, and surrounding areas affected by the June 16 tornadoes who are in further need of assistance are encouraged to attend the special Multi Agency Resource Center (MARC) to be set up at the Wisner Fire Hall in Wisner.

 

The hours of operation are:

Wednesday, June 25, 8am-6pm (Red Cross caseworkers only);

Thursday, June 26, 10am-8pm;

Friday, June 27, 10am-8pm; and

Saturday, June 28, 9am-4pm.

 

The following resources will be available:

All Hands Volunteers;

American Red Cross;

Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (chaplains and mental health workers);

The League of Human Dignity;

USDA Office of Rural Development

The Salvation Army;

Veteran’s Services (available Thursday only);

Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD); and

Nebraska Health and Human Services Division (mornings, longer as needed).

 

Please contact Cindy Pfennig, Disaster Preparedness Specialist with the American Red Cross, at (402) 990-6893 with questions regarding the one-stop assistance services being offered on Thursday through Saturday.

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Seery’s Journey to Help Those When Disaster Strikes

May 22, 2014 1 Comment


“Ever since I was little, I always wanted to find ways of helping people. That is why I became a volunteer firefighter,” stated Susan Seery of rural Oakland.

As time passed, Susan realized she wanted to go beyond being a firefighter. She felt there was much more she could do to help others. “I decided to look into the Red Cross. I always hear about them. They are always on the scene after a disaster strikes,” Susan said. “I then thought to myself, that is another way I could help people out.”

Thus, the next chapter of her life began. “I looked them up, gave them a call and took some classes,” Susan stated.

After taking the required classes, Susan became a member of the Red Cross, responsible for client case work. “This means I would fill out their information and what they lost,” Susan said. “Some clients would receive funds to help replace some of what they lost.”

Her first time helping those in need was after a tornado hit Macy. “The people there were so nice and happy to see us,” Susan stated. “One gentleman gave me a big hug and told me thank you.” He also said he was surprised they were there. “He told me he didn’t think anyone would ever help us out. It broke my heart,” Susan said.

Having heard someone say that, Susan decided she wanted to help people even more. “I decided to become a Volunteer Red Cross Supervisor,” Susan stated. She took several online classes in pursuit of her goal, which she achieved.

Being a Supervisor means she has many more responsibilities when disaster strikes. “I can do mass feedings, help with shelters, damage assessment and much more,” Susan said. “I can also get called out when a home is destroyed by a fire.”

Susan’s next call of duty came after a tornado hit Beaver Crossing. “Pretty much the whole town lost everything. It was the first time I have seen such destruction like that in person,” Susan stated. “In Macy, we weren’t able to go out because everything was blocked off. In Beaver Crossing, we needed to survey the damage.”

Susan’s favorite movie is Twister. “To se a town destroyed in person is devastating. My heart went out to all the people there and the other seven towns that were affected by the storms on Mother’s Day,” Susan said.

Susan is also nationally recognized. “This means if there is a national disaster in another state, I would be deployed for up to two weeks to help with those affected for any type of disaster,” Susan stated. “This includes disasters from flooding to tornadoes.”

Susan was very moved by the disaster and how devastating a tornado can be to everyone in its path. “ After I got home that night, I hugged my kids and told them that I love them very much as I do every day,” Susan said. “But, I hugged them a little tighter, knowing things can change in an instant.”

 

Tornado strikes Battle Creek. All Photos/Credit of Susan Seery of the Red Cross and rural Oakland resident.

Tornado strikes Battle Creek. All Photos/Credit of Susan Seery of the Red Cross and rural Oakland resident.

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Susan Seery, Volunteer Red Cross Supervisor. Photo Courtesy of Susan Seery.

Susan Seery, Volunteer Red Cross Supervisor. Photo Courtesy of Susan Seery.

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