Disaster Relief Hero

Amanda Logan has been a disaster services volunteer through Walton County for more than four years. She is always willing to go out to a disaster regardless of whether it’s day or night. Amanda’s compassion for others and willingness to serve, makes her a very special person. She has personally responded to more than 50 single family fires in the Walton County area in the past year. In the middle of January, Amanda responded to a fire in Loganville involving a family of five. Their house and their possessions were totally destroyed in the fire. The American Red Cross met their immediate disaster needs by providing a hotel for the family. Unfortunately, they had no resources for permanent housing. Amanda, knowing of their needs, contacted a personal friend and found a place that the family could call home.

In addition to her disaster response skills, Amanda has served as a Disaster Action Team captain. Over the past year as captain, she has led, trained, and mentored a team of 15 disaster volunteers. She also participates in disaster training exercises and helps raise funding for the Walton County area. As the mother of two small children, she still manages to find time to give to the American Red Cross. Her generous spirit and willingness to drop everything when the need arises makes her a true disaster relief hero.

Congratulations Randy Rigney

The East Georgia American Red Cross would like to recognize Randy Rigney for his 10 amazing years of service with the Red Cross Disaster team. He volunteered his time as a DAT member, staffing for disaster relief operations, training and mentoring volunteers, and wherever else his expertise has been needed. Rigney has helped over 1,000 families that suffered a divesting loss due to fire, tornado, flood, or hurricane. His giving spirit has even landed him in the disaster relief operation for the tornadoes in Enterprise, Alabama and in Athens, GA assisting the evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. In 2009 Rigney received the Disaster Relief Hero award, recognizing all of his hard work and dedication with the American Red Cross.

Wishing him well at his retirement gathering is former chapter executive Jennifer Pennington, who was also with the East Georgia Chapter for 10 years.

RMS Has Caught the Giving Bug

The six grade social studies classes at Russell Middle School donated $643.05 to assist with the relief effort in Haiti. The children had been learning about the small country when the earthquake hit and wanted to try and help. East Georgia Chapter Board Chairman David Waters accepted the check and personally thanked C.J. Cook, a student who made a donation of $100.

School isn’t what it used to be……It’s better!

Hull-Sanford Elementary is a learning institution in Madison County teaching more than just reading, writing, and arithmetic. These educators are also teaching their students selflessness and compassion.

For two weeks the teachers in each grade have been sharing photos and stories while explaining to the children what has happened in Haiti. This spiraled into a fundraiser, with children bringing in whatever they could to donate to the Haiti relief efforts. Collectively this school raised a whopping $806.

In a school were the ages range from 5 to 10 years old, one would assume the money came from the children’s parents but that wasn’t the case at all. Brothers Zac Collins and Christopher Collins donated the money they received for Christmas. “It’s important because it can help save lives and families,” said Christopher.

And the giving didn’t stop there. Kindergartner Garrett Gilreath emptied out his piggy bank and put every penny into the Haiti Relief Fund. Even as we were taking the picture above Garrett was digging in his pocket and trying to donate his snack money.

Braves are up to Bat for Haiti

The Atlanta Braves' Troy Glaus, Matt Diaz, Clint Sammons, Eric O'Flaherty, Frank Wren and Glenn Hubbard made an appearance at Academy Sports and Outdoors February 10, 2010 to sign autographs for their biggest fans as part of their Braves Caravan tour around the state. They were also there to help assist the East Georgia American Red Cross in raising money for the Haiti relief efforts.

And what Braves event would be complete without the loveable mascot Homer?! As the Braves were signing autographs, Homer collected donations from the line of fans that wrapped around the store.

The celebrity line-up didn’t end there; we also had an all-star turnout from the volunteers at the American Red Cross East Georgia Chapter, who also collected donations for Haiti and eagerly answered questions for aspiring volunteers.

If you didn’t make it to the event but are still interested in volunteering for Disaster Services have no fear. You can get information by calling the East Georgia Chapter at 706.353.1645 or by visiting http://eastgeorgia.redcross.org/.

Are you as Generous as a 5th Grader?

The boys and girls of Oconee County Elementary School proved to be in a class of their own by donating $1100 for the Haiti Relief fund. On the day of the fundraiser the students wore their pajamas to school and their hearts on their sleeves. Ms. Evilsizors 4th grade class brought in the most money, winning the much coveted ice cream party. This money will help to fund the Red Cross in providing food, shelter, and medical supplies to the impoverished island of Haiti.


“The students felt deep pain for the children and other victims of Haiti. PJ day was a way to raise money quickly and the students themselves could participate” said OCES paraprofessional Elizabeth Marbut.

If these children have you giddy to give, you can donate to support the relief effort in Haiti at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Mobile donors can text “Haiti” to 90999 to make a $10 contribution. A $10 donation can provide a family with two water cans to store clean drinking water, a blanket appropriate to the climate or other supplies to give people the ability to cook for their families.