Partners Respond: Helping Our Community Heal

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OMAHA, Neb. (December 7, 2007) After providing immediate assistance over the past 24 hours to families and friends of the victims of the shooting at Westroads Mall, today the American Red Cross has been working actively with other service providers to partner in the relief effort.  This afternoon twenty-two individuals from nine community health organizations employing behavioral health professionals met to implement plans for the days ahead in the wake of a tragedy only 24 hours old.  Represented at the meeting were: the American Red Cross, Omaha Metropolitan Medical Response System (OMMRS), Douglas County Emergency Management Agency, United Way of the Midlands, Region 6 Behavioral Health Systems, University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Psychiatry, Alegent Health, Mutual of Omaha’s Employee Assistance Program and Lutheran Family Services.  Meanwhile, the Salvation Army continued to provide canteen services to Emergency Responders still working at the Westroads Mall. 
 
“It is truly gratifying to see how the many concerned service providers of the greater Omaha metropolitan area are pulling together to help our community heal.  Meanwhile, spontaneous memorials and religious observances have spread through the city, and businesses and individuals have been offering donations of all kinds,” said Tina Price, CEO of the American Red Cross.
 
On Friday, the Red Cross will continue to have trained mental health professionals on hand at the Westroads Mall and at the chapter offices at 2912 S. 80th Avenue to take calls or drop-in visits from anyone wishing to talk through their concerns.  When the Westroads Mall re-opens for business, a variety of Red Cross trained volunteers will be present and utilizing their special skills.  The team will include qualified members of the “Canine Crisis Support” teams.  These volunteers, who are credentialed by the Red Cross specifically to work with emergency situations, will bring their trained dogs and will be available to talk and interact with mall customers and employees.  
 
Chaplain Vicki O’Hara, who holds a masters in divinity degree and is chair of the Spiritual Care Committee for the Red Cross, and her crisis support dog, “Gus”, were on hand at the Family Assistance Center at the Hampton Inns on Wednesday night, providing support while family members awaited word about their loved ones.  According to O’Hara, a four-year Red Cross volunteer, “…dogs reduce the physiological signs of stress and provide a calming effect.”  She added that animals offer a bridge to open communication for people finding it difficult to express feelings during a traumatic situation. (photo available)
 
Also over the next few days, the American Red Cross Heartland Chapter (Omaha) and the American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter (Council Bluffs) will have their Emergency Response Vehicles positioned near mall entrances as Red Cross volunteers are assisting employees in their return to their workplace.  
 
American Red Cross Blood Services has supported local hospital needs, sending an extra 20 units of O positive blood to both the Creighton University Medical Center and The Nebraska Medical Center for the patients affected by this tragedy.  “We are committed to ensuring no patient goes without the blood they need.  At this time there is no critical need for blood, but we encourage donors with appointments to be sure to keep them in the coming days so we remain prepared,” said staffer Danelle Schlegelmilch.  To ensure blood continues to be available for patients tomorrow and further into the future, donors can make and appointment to give blood by calling 1.800.GIVE.LIVE or by going online to givebloodgivelife.org.
 
The American Red Cross, Heartland Regional Chapter  responds to about 200 fires and other disasters each year, assisting hundreds of children and adults with immediate needs including financial assistance for food, clothing, and shelter, as well as, referrals to community agencies and crisis counseling.  We are the lead agency in teaching life saving skills in our community in areas such as CPR, first aid and aquatics.  In a year's time, thousands of units of blood are collected for distribution and use in local hospitals.   We assist military families during crisis by relaying urgent emergency messages between them and their service member when they are separated due to training, deployments and remote assignments.  The Heartland Chapter also serves the local community by providing a food pantry and financial assistance to help families in crisis pay their utilities.  The chapter is grateful to the hundreds of trained volunteers who help carry out the mission of the American Red Cross every day.

Contact: Deborah Neary
American Red Cross Heartland Regional Chapter
402-343-7714 (office)
402-689-3775 (cell)
 
Contact: Danelle Schlegelmilch
American Red Cross Blood Services
402-321-3576 (cell)

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