Canadian Red CrossBC Southern Interior Annual Review 2007-2008

Here When You Need Us

Readers of the Kamloops Daily News voted Red Cross as their favourite local charitable organization!Pictured above are some of the front line team who make us so proud in Kamloops: Tave Dandy, Celine Calfa, Irene McClennan, Peggy Armstrong, Dick Strutz, Krishna Parghi, Phyllis Ferguson, and Melinda Hirt.

Photo courtesy of Murray Mitchell, Kamloops Daily News

The Canadian Red Cross Society is a non-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the situation of the most vulnerable in Canada and throughout the world.

The Canadian Red Cross Society is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement) which includes the International Committee of the Red Cross, more than 185 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

With its national office in Ottawa, four zone offices (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Western) and regional offices within each zone, the Canadian Red Cross assists millions of people affected by disasters and conflicts in Canada and around the world through its Disaster and Conflict, Health and Injury Prevention and Humanitarian Issues Programs as well as outreach programs tailored to meet the needs of individual communities across the country.

In keeping with the Fundamental Principles of the Movement, the Canadian Red Cross is committed to social justice and diversity and has served Canadians since 1896. Volunteer members govern the Society at all levels.

Our Mission

The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

Our Vision

The Canadian Red Cross is the leading humanitarian organization through which people voluntarily demonstrate their caring for others in need.

The Fundamental Principles

Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, Universality

“In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to be healed. In every heart, the power to do it.”

-Marianne Williamson

It has been another eventful year for the Red Cross in the BC Southern Interior and it has been a privilege to be part of it.

I feel very fortunate to be working with such dedicated and visionary people on our council and I thank each one of them for their efforts.

The other part of Red Cross that continues to impress me is our volunteers that give so much of their time and talent to the work of the Red Cross in their local communities. I thank you for your time and efforts to make a difference in peoples lives.

Last but not least I want to thank the resourceful and dedicated staff who cover the range of activities in our Region. The work you carry out is truly amazing and it is a privilege to be tasked along side you with the regional work of the Canadian Red Cross.

I look forward to another year of service to those in need of basic humanitarian support in our communities, across Canada and around the world.

More than 400 local Red Cross volunteers live and serve in nearly every community of the Southern Interior of BC. These volunteers are dedicated to the principles that inspire the mission and work of the Red Cross throughout the world.

We focus on helping communities and families prepare and recover from the impacts of fire, flood and other emergencies. With the support of local authorities and media, this and all other assistance is made possible through the compassion and generosity of individuals and companies from both near and far.

The growth and prosperity of our region has left many vulnerable people behind. Red Cross works in collaboration with all like minded agencies and local authorities to address risks and to respond when needs are identified.

The Canadian Red Cross has a century-long history of belonging and contributing to the communities in Canada. In the BC Southern Interior we provide programs and services through more than 30 community locations including three staffed regional service centres at Kamloops, Kelowna, and Castlegar.

On behalf of those who benefit from the services and programs made possible by the volunteers and staff of the Canadian Red Cross, I extend sincere thanks for your continued and growing support for our work here in the B.C. Southern Interior Region.

Message from the regional council president and the regional director

Claire Kooistra, Regional Council President

John Richey, Regional Director

Thank you for supporting the BC Southern Interior Red Cross. Because of your support we’ve been able to assist people in need and

help make our community a safer place to live and play.

HUMANITARIAN VALUES We protect lives and ensure respect for the human being

The efforts of the Okanagan College Social Entrepreneurship students, in partnership with local schools, have saved over 2,000 lives through the Canadian Red Cross MALARIA BITES campaign.

1547 students were reached at 6 schools and 3 colleges through the MALARIA BITES campaign and the CARR Project.

2 presentations were delivered on Humanitarian Values educating a total of 127 adults.

A total of 15 family enquiries were successfully matched with individuals or family information through our Restoring Family Links service.

Red Cross engaged eight agencies in a survey to identify unmet needs for newcomers to Canada.

More than 300 people were reached throught an Introduction to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Staff and volunteers reached 55 adults with messages through RespectED presentations about the prevention of child abuse.

The Kelowna Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault Prevention Committee was initiated by Red Cross staff and supported by the City of Kelowna, RCMP, Elizabeth Fry Society, Crime Stoppers, and Interior Health Authority Drug and Alcohol. This information campaign is targeted for nightclub and bar staff to assist victims and spot offenders.

Volunteers reached 6062 people through 9 public speaking opportunities about Humanitarian Values and the Canadian Red Cross RespectED: Violence and Abuse Prevention program.

“I now know the difference between the types of abuse, between discipline and abuse. All my staff needs to know this information.” -RespectED workshop participant

HUMANITARIAN VALUES We protect lives and ensure respect for the human being

Stuart Wood Elementary School students are presented with a Malaria Bites t-shirt signed by the Kamloops Blazers for their generous donation to the Malaria Bites campaign. Framed picture donated by Norm Osenton. Picture above: Katie Rae (Red Cross practicum student), Dave Chyzowski (Director of Marketing for the Kamloops Blazers), Spike Wallace (Kamloops Blazers

Alumnae Community Liason), and Celine Calfa (Service Area Manager).

DISASTER & CONFLICT We provide relief when individuals and communities require support

“We will never be able to adequately thank all of you for the care, compassion, and quiet strength that has been provided for Kathy and myself. Without your help and understanding we don’t know where we’d be today.” -Kathy & Barry McLean, residents affected by the 2003 BC Forest Fires

The Disaster Management Capacity and Assessment Tool and analysis was completed for BC Southern Interior to assist with planning and project needs for future responses.

47 new Disaster Management volunteers from across BC Southern Interior participated in Level One of the national training program.

Four Disaster Management Instructors were certified and are active in the development of regional response team.

Red Cross celebrated Emergency Preparedness Week, May 4-10th, in Vernon, Salmon Arm and Kelowna with a variety of disaster preparedness and awareness activities.

Red Cross Disaster Management staff and volunteers trained at total of 100 local emergency social services volunteers in Inquiry, Search & Reply, and Supervisor Training.

As part of an ongoing series of sustainability conferences hosted by the Lake Country based Fresh Outlook Foundation, Red Cross personnel facilitated Disaster Management Planning workshops at conferences in Kelowna, Nelson, Nanaimo and Prince George in March. www.freshoutlookfoundation.org

Red Cross Tsunami Delegate Jean Slick, led a planning workshop in Revelstoke and shared her experiences leading recovery operations for the Canadian Red Cross in Indonesia.

DISASTER & CONFLICT We provide relief when individuals and communities require support

Red Cross helped plan and participated in Emergency Preparedness Week Expo in Vernon.Picture above: Local fire and rescue personnel help children try on their equipment.

HEALTH & INJURY PREVENTION We reduce suffering, save lives and build safe and healthy communites for individuals at vulnerable times in their lives

14,102 children participated in Red Cross Preschool Swim lessons and 12,960 youth participated in Red Cross Swim Kids.

Throughout the region 261 Water Safety Instructors and 103 Assistant Water Safety Instructors were trained.

Recertification sessions for Water Safety Instructor Trainers were hosted by the City of Kamloops and in Castlegar.

1,299 people received training in Standard First Aid and 1,467 in Emergency First Aid and 3,707 in CPR and AED.

A total of 1,084 youth graduated from the Red Cross Babysitting course.

First Aid Leadership course educated a total of 66 people in Summerland, Kamloops, Salmon Arm, Cranbrook, Fernie, and Trail.

A First Aid Instructor Trainer course was held in Kelowna and there are new First Aid Instructor Trainers in Nelson, Kamloops, Kelowna, Kimberley and Cranbrook.

An Aboriginal Outreach project was undertaken in the region and regional staff were able to attend the Red Cross National Conference of Aboriginal Outreach Workers in Ottawa in March.

Volunteers reached 2,176 youth through the RespectED: Violence and Abuse Prevention program with messages about the prevention of child abuse, relationship violence, and bullying and harassment.

Five RespectED presentations were delivered to the Western Hockey League educating 64 players.

“I will look at bullying in a more knowleadgeable way. Time to open my eyes and not be so naive.”- Elementary School Teacher after participating in a Bullying Prevention Workshop

HEALTH & INJURY PREVENTION We reduce suffering, save lives and build safe and healthy communites for individuals at vulnerable times in their lives

Red Cross First Aid saw continued strong growth in the number of people trained. A participant in a local First Aid class practices wrapping a bandage on another participant.

HEALTH & INJURY PREVENTION We reduce suffering, save lives and build safe and healthy communites for individuals at vulnerable times in their lives

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your help and the equipment use when I had a hip replacement. I couldn’t have done it without your lending program. Thank you again for being so helpful and friendly” -Linda Olsen, Medical Equipment Loan Service client

A total of 37 Medical Equipment Loan Service (MELS) depots throughout BC Southern Interior served 16, 550 clients with 28, 394 pieces of equipment,

MELS volunteers provided 125 Palliative patients with 240 pieces of equipment.

Over 500 deliveries were made in the region providing 1,250 much needed pieces of equipment to MELS clients.

32 hardworking volunteers in the four MELS Repair Centres serviced more than 990 pieces of equipment.

As part of a province wide grant, the BC Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance (MEIA), $400,000 was receivedto support the equipment loan service for the purpose of improving client access and equipment inventory in the region.

The Interior Health Authority and Red Cross made a region wide palliative equipment service agreement that is now fully operational and valued at approximately $200,000.

A new MELS technician has joined the team in BC Southern Interior to oversee and support inventory, maintenance, facilities and the new part time Palliative technicians.

Vernon MELS was a pilot site for the development of the national Health Equipment Loans Program (HELP) standards.

All BC Southern Interior MELS volunteers were trained to meet the National Standards of Cleaning and Disinfection.

HEALTH & INJURY PREVENTION We reduce suffering, save lives and build safe and healthy communites for individuals at vulnerable times in their lives

The Red Cross Health Equipment Loans Program (HELP)Vernon volunteers demonstrate the use of a wheelchair.

ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY We mobilize sufficient support and resources to carry out our humanitarian mission

“When help is urgently needed, Red Cross society is the first thing that comes to mind...We trust the Canadian Red Cross to deliver the funds and help immediately to Earthquake victims in China.”-Zhen Zhou, Kelowna Chinese Students Society

Expenses by Program 2007-2008

Total Expense $941,087

Volunteers & SupportServices

21%

Facilities5%

Fundraising8%

Equipment Loans56%

Disaster Services1%

RespectED9%

Revenue by Source 2007-2008

Total Expense $941,087

Grants14%

Gaming12%

Donations35%

United Way6%

Direct Marketing1%

Support from Red Cross30%

Program Sales2%

6,000 individual donors supported MELS throughout BC Southern Interior for a total of $246,647 and $27, 722 worth of donated equipment.

Red Cross partnered with Wal-Mart to raise over$32,000 for Disaster Management in BC Southern Interior.

Across BC Southern Interior Red Cross reached 39,000 people through special events and presentations promotinghumanitarian values and response.

ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY We mobilize sufficient support and resources to carry out our humanitarian mission

WALMART Annual Campaign a great success! Regional Director, John Richey with Vernon Walmart Staff.

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BC Southern Interior Region

Okanagan 5-1414 Hunter CourtKelowna, BC V1X 6E6

Phone (250) 763-1859 Fax (250)763-6131Toll Free 1-800-661-3308

Thompson-Nicola/ Columbia-Shuswap943 Victoria Street

Kamloops, BC V2C 2C1Phone (250) 372-2334 Fax (250) 372-0869

Toll Free 1-877-372-2334

East & West Kootenay1250A - 26th Street

Castlegar, BC V1N 4C9Phone (250) 365-3911 Fax (250) 365-6242

Toll Free 1-800-761-0099

Email bcsi@redcross.ca

www.redcross.ca/bsci