February 2009

Volume 1, Issue 6

American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis, 441 East 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202 www.redcross-indy.org 317-684-1441

Llyn Harrington, New Chief Greetings from the FBCI Corner…

Operating Officer By
Jillian Luttrell and Justin Gray

T
By
Joyce Armour his month we would like to welcome Englewood
Christian Church to the Faith-Based Community
J oin us in welcoming Llyn
Harrington, our new Chief
Initiative. ECC trained on January 10. Despite winter
weather advisories, 25 enthusiastic congregants gave up
Operating Officer. their Saturday morning to become ECC’s Action Team. We
really appreciate their determination and also want to ex-
Llyn comes to us with both
tend a huge thank you for being such gracious hosts and
Red Cross chapter and na-
engaged participants. We really enjoyed meeting all of you
tional strengths. He was Ex-
and getting to know your church a little bit better.
ecutive Director for eight
years at the Ft. Wayne chapter Englewood Christian Church is on the Near Eastside of
(now the Northeast Indiana Indianapolis. It has remained in that neighborhood since its
chapter) and Director of ARC- founding in 1895. This commitment to their neighborhood
One with the American Red and community was one of the major factors that drew
Cross. Llyn decided to return Justin and I to ECC. ECC is a congregation that has learned
to chapter management be- to adapt to the changing landscape of the city and has taken
cause he believes there is more the initiative to reach out to its neighbors facing issues such
opportunity at the chapter level to have a bigger and longer as housing, employment, and childcare.
lasting impact on the organization and the people we serve.
One of the unique components of ECC is the Englewood
Llyn’s goal for our already high-performing chapter can be Community Development Corporation. The ECDC is a non-
summed up as continued process improvement. He is opening profit organization which is church-driven but a separate
doors both individually and collectively, to enhance processes legal entity from the church. Currently the ECDC owns and
and improve on an already high-performing organization. operates a lawn care service, a bookkeeping service, a book-
Such changes do not suggest that we are doing things wrong; it store, a PC repair service, and a commercial cleaning ser-
is a matter of identifying more efficient and cost effective vice. They are also involved in housing: the ECDC has
ways to our approach to delivering services and conducting aided over 25 households of various backgrounds in becom-
business. ing residents of the local church neighborhood.
His overall vision is to ensure the future success of the organi- We, at the FBCI, are very excited to be partners with such
zation by improving systems and processes to reduce costs, an engaged and dynamic church. It is great to see an organi-
while maintaining and enhancing quality. One way of accom- zation rise to meet the needs of the congregants and com-
plishing this is through shared services with other chapters. munity. We really look forward to further developing our
relationship with ECC!
On a lighter side, Llyn’s hobbies include wood working, com-
petitive archery, and snow skiing. You can read the complete story of ECC at their website:
www.englewoodcc.com.
Again, welcome Llyn to the Greater Indianapolis family.
Emergency Services Newsletter 2

Volunteer David Scott Receives Mayor’s Community Service Award

O n December 16, American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis volunteer David Scott was honored as one of the 21 recipi-
ents of the 2008 Mayor’s Community Service Award. “Today, we honored our city’s volunteers for their servant leader-
ship and exceptional commitment to our community,” said
Mayor Greg Ballard. “These volunteers have dedicated years
of hard work and service to helping their neighbors. Our city is
better because of them, and it was an honor to be able to offer,
on behalf of all citizens of Indianapolis, our deepest gratitude.”
Each recipient’s name will be engraved on a brick to be placed
at the Mayor’s Volunteer Plaza at the 11th Street Admiral
Spruance basin on the Canal (information and quote from
www.indy.gov).

Read about David’s service to our chapter in the essay com-

piled to nominate him for this award. The essay was written
by Brad Schleppi, Terri Held, Heather Starr, and Kathy
Wooten, and was compiled by Kate Ayers.
David Scott receiving award from Mayor Ballard.

2008 Mayor Ballard’s Community Service Award

Nominee: David Scott
Over the past 15 years, David Scott has proved to be an outstanding, reliable, versatile, and compassionate volunteer of
the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis. David is using his retirement to serve the community and has found
that the Red Cross is the best fit for him. “When my wife worked for the Red Cross, I became more acquainted with the
various services and how the organization helps the community. It is the perfect way to give back.” In an organization
led by volunteers, David sets an example for all, not only by dedicating at least twenty hours per week, but also by his
attitude of service and leadership.

Since becoming a member of the Board of Directors in 2003, David has never failed to exercise his primary duty to be
fiscally responsible and he is always cognizant of the needs of the chapter and community. David is an ambassador for
the organization by providing support to other Red Cross chapters. Serving at a high-level has not removed David from
the community. Instead, he sees the value of being involved as a hands-on volunteer. In fact, David is one of our most
versatile volunteers.

David plays two roles as a Disaster Services volunteer: he is an active member of the Disaster Public Affairs Team and
an Emergency Response Vehicle driver. When disasters, such as last summer’s tornadoes and floods, hit Indianapolis
and the surrounding area, David works with other volunteers and staff to inform the media and community about Red
Cross relief activities. During a disaster response, David also helps to provide food and water to people affected by the
disaster by driving the ERV to the sites of disaster and assistance.

David does not only show his commitment to service during disasters; he is always active. As a driver in Transporta-
tion Services two days every week, David provides clients with transportation to medical appointments. These clients
are typically low-income with no other reliable means of transportation. Some depend on the Red Cross for transporta-
tion to dialysis. Others are pregnant mothers who, without drivers like David, would sometimes forego these vital medi-
cal appointments. He also transports clients to physical therapy, which helps to improve their quality of life or enables
them to rejoin the workforce. David is unfailingly kind to clients and patients under all circumstances. As a First Aid
Team Leader, David helps to coordinate events and manage other volunteers. During the Indiana State Fair, he has the
role of the First Aid Site Coordinator, a position that requires exceptional organizational and leadership abilities.

David Scott is an exceptional volunteer who dedicates his time, energy, ideas, and talents. He is a role model and men-
tor for other volunteers. With a cool temperament and kind heart, he works hard to help people in his community in a
variety of ways. With the experience of his hands-on volunteering, David provides guidance and leadership to the chap-
ter. The concern and compassion he displays for the community are most noteworthy.
Emergency Services Newsletter 3

Volunteer Spotlight: Kim Douglas

by

Adam Ansari and Kate Ayers

I f you are wondering how to

get more involved with the
Red Cross, Kim Douglas would
ES: Wow. That is really amazing
that you spend as much time with
your daughter and still somehow
be able to give you a few sugges- find time to participate in all
tions. Kim started volunteering these activities around the com-
for our Red Cross chapter over munity. What do you think you
three years ago and hasn’t slowed like most about volunteering?
down since. In fact, Kim has
become more and more involved Kim: I like helping people in
and now uses her time and skills need. I think helping people in
to serve in several different de- need is the most gratifying reward
partments. She is in the building a person can receive. You may or
two days each week helping may not receive a thank you, but
Heather Starr with the daily op- just knowing you did something
erations of First Aid, including is worth it.
volunteer interviews and attend-
ing meetings as Heather’s stand- ES: Well put. So, what is your
in when needed. As a First Aid favorite movie and book, and
volunteer, she works the State why?
Fair, the 500 Festival, and many
other events. Kim is also an instructor for CPR and Disaster Services, Kim: Tombstone and Man in the Iron Mask are my favorite movies.
recently teaching two Fulfilling Our Mission classes. In addition, Kim And why, hmm; Tombstone because it is historical and Man in the
is on the Disaster Action Team (DAT) in Marion County and the Mo- Iron Mask because … it is just a good movie. Favorite book, I like all
bile Feeding Response Team (MFRT). During larger disasters, Kim Danielle Steele books for leisure, and for personal enjoyment I like a
supports the Red Cross response by serving as a Health Services vol- book called Personality Plus. It goes through all the different types of
unteer. We hope that you learn more about Kim from this article and personalities that there are. I guess it helps me get along with a wider
are encouraged in your own Red Cross service. variety of people.

ES Newsletter: First of all, we want to thank you for taking time out of ES: Tombstone is my favorite movie too. Anyway, tell us something
your busy schedule to sit down with us. about yourself that other Red Cross volunteers might be surprised to
know.
Kim: Oh, please. It is no problem at all; to tell the truth, this sounded
kind of fun. Kim: I play BINGO, a good amount. I never won anything big
though, probably because I don’t play a lot of cards, only like 24 or
so.

ES: Well let’s get started then, tell us how you ended up getting in-
volved with the Red Cross?
Kim: I had actually wanted to get involved with the Red Cross for a
number of years before I officially became a volunteer about three and
a half years ago. I had put all my paperwork in just prior to Katrina. I
waited to be called and I ended up working at the shelter at the State
Fair Grounds. Since then, I think I have just been in love with the Red
Cross and volunteering.
ES: When you aren’t volunteering what do you do?
ES: 24 or so! Ha-ha, we thought you said not a lot. Ok, what is the
most memorable experience you have had volunteering at the Red
Cross?
Kim: The night the tornadoes hit in June we had to set up a shelter at
around 25th and Post Street. As we opened the shelter, Scott Newman,
director of Public Safety in Indianapolis, was bringing an older lady
into the shelter. He placed her hand in my hand and said to me, “I
know you will take good care of her.” That was really awesome. The
fact that he knew I, as a Red Cross volunteer, would take good care of
a perfect stranger really meant something to me.

Kim: I spend a lot of time with my 23 year old daughter who suffers
from cerebral palsy, a handicap affecting her physical motion. I’ve
maybe thought about doing something further with my knowledge of ES: That is a very sweet story Kim. Alright, last question: if you could
physical disabilities by teaching the “Serving People with Disabilities” give one piece of advice to new volunteers, what would it be?
class here at the Red Cross. I also work as an EMT and teach EMT
classes at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Kim: Be involved in as much as you can, it is extremely rewarding!

Thank you, Kim, for your dedication and excellent service to the Red
Cross!
Emergency Services Newsletter 4

Red Cross Links and Resources

American Red Cross on Facebook!
http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/American-Red-Cross/24472055070

A recap of the 2008 floods on Crossnet.

https://crossnet.redcross.org/news/chapters/fundraise/090106_FloodsTornadoesStewardshipReport.asp

You can find plenty of interesting topics on the national website.

http://www.redcross.org

“Brush Fires in the Sky”

Taken by Teresa Cummings on January 22, 2009. This view is from the parking
lot of the Indianapolis Red Cross Building at sunrise.
Emergency Services Newsletter 5

Madison County DAT News

New Marion County DAT Members
By
Adam Ansari
W elcome Madison
County Disaster
Action Team members!

T
This is a bit overdue, but
his month we would like to welcome 8 new members to the
Marion County DAT team. They have completed all the
since last fall, nine new
required courses and will be serving Marion County by February volunteers joined our
1st. These individuals include Gail Gainer, Jennifer Jansen, Lisa ranks. Tom Ayers, Don
Herber, Margaret Mercer, Marian Byrd, Patricia Cox, Steve Billey, Mike Burton, Steve
Schlegel, and Adam Ansari. The ES Staff wants to thank you all Caves, Bev Graddy, Gayle Johnson, Jerry Johnson,
for your gracious decision to become part of the Disaster Service Bryan Thomas, and Gerry Williams are now serving
Team and we look forward to seeing all of you in the near future. the Red Cross and their community as DATs. Most
have already responded to numerous house fires. We
are very glad to have them!

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esnewsletter@redcross-indy.org Jenny Davidson and Brian Thomason