A Year in Review: Belize Red Cross San Pedro
The Belize Red Cross San Pedro Branch (BRCSP) would like to thank everyone for their support over the course of 2015. The Branch is working hard for the community to make Ambergris Caye a safer place. Special thanks to Mayor Daniel Guerrero for coming to the Red Cross Christmas party and bringing an oversized check from the San Pedro Town Council to help us continue our work.
In Review; First Aid/CPR Training:
2015 brought our First Aid/CPR training to a new level, with the certification of an instructor who lives on the island. Ashty Dennison is currently the only FA/CPR instructor certified by Belize Red Cross on the island. Martin Dawson is our certified assistant.
This year - 64 people were trained in 6 sessions; 6 businesses, 2 schools, 3 private citizens and 2 new Red Cross volunteers were represented. Since our re-inception in 2013, 263 have been trained from 46 businesses and 2 lives have been saved; both were children.
What's Ahead; First Aid/CPR Training:
After monitoring Asty teaching a class, the school President of Washington University was impressed with her professionalism. He has indicated a desire to have training done at the beginning of each semester. Negotiations for that will be scheduled in January.
Anyone that is interested in joining the 46 businesses that are sending staff for training or taking First Aid training as an individual should contact the branch's new FA/CPR Coordinator Aimee Fearneyhough via info.brcsp@gmail.com
Courses run monthly at a cost of $50 BZ.
In Review; First Aid Stations: BRCSP had stations at 3 events this year; at the 5k walk for Mental Health Awareness, Lobsterfest and the Saga Halloween party. The Red Cross gave out plenty of water, and administered bandages to a couple of blistered heels and ice for a hurt knee. The most popular activity at the stations has been blood pressure checking.
What's Ahead; First Aid Stations: An email was sent to the San Pedro Town Council office to ask for an agenda of events and permission to have a Red Cross First Aid presence on hand to render assistance if needed.
In Review; Blood Drives: Blood drive Coordinator Sue Barkhouse successfully planned and executed 3 blood drives in 2015 - February 7, June 27 and October 3; with 100 pints collected. If you have a rare blood type please make contact info.brcsp@gmail.com
What's Ahead; Blood Drives: 4 quarterly blood drives to be scheduled for 2016.
In Review; Trainings:
Trainings attended by the San Pedro Branch were:
Resource Mobilization Training; Ashty Denison, Sue Barkhouse and Wendy Alter
Street Mediation Part 2; Shirlee Arnould
First Aid Instructor; Ashty Denison and Martin Dawson
Street Beat Follow up attended by Shirlee Arnould and Laurie Norton
What's Ahead; Training: Training opportunities come from Belize Red Cross Headquarters and we will always send volunteers subject to availability and interest.
In Review; Youth: The 5 attended Zoo Camp July 6 - 10 said it was an awesome learning experience. $400 was raised by the youth at a golf cart wash on May 30, to cover their travel costs.
San Pedro Branch youth representative attended a symposium on August 14, put on by the United Nations Department of Youth Services; celebrating the International Youth Day 2015 (August 12). This year's the theme was "Youth Civic Engagement". The main goal of the theme was to promote young people's effective inclusiveness in civic engagement at all levels.
What's Ahead; Youth: Our branch is in need of an adult Youth Coordinator to arrange more youth activities. If you are qualified and interested in this position please email info.brcsp@gmail.com
In Review; Volunteer Vacations: BRCSP hosted 4 groups who assisted with various projects and events while on Ambergris Caye.
Texas A&M group - March 14th - 17th and 21st 2015 - They were interested in learning more about tropical diseases and conditions that are more common in Belize.Red Cross arranged them to go on a Dr's office tour and talk to all the doctors to get their questions answered.
Florida Association for Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas
(FAVACA) - March 26th - 28th 2015 - Brought to San Pedro Branch by Director General Lily Bowman, Belize Red Cross. The purpose was for them to do a comprehensive assessment of San Mateo in order for the Belize Red Cross to use in applying for grants to fix the infrastructure of this area so it would no longer be a threat to the people and environment.
Sperro - June 5th - 8th 2015 - Sperro is a not for profit organization made up of 18-35 year old young adults who share a desire to serve the community. While planning their trip they reached out to work with the Red Cross in San Pedro. The group of 26 was very eager to participate in an island food drive.
United Methodist Church Johnstown Colorado - June 4th to 25th
San Pedro Branch paired them with Ambergris Caye Elementary School to catalogue their library to the Dewey Decimal system. Along with the initial plan, the group took the initiative to notice ways they could improve the safety of the school and do some construction work. They made a stairway safer, fixed a sink so it was within easier reach of children for hand washing, fixed other plumbing and built a wheelchair ramp. In addition to all the work done The Johnstown group donated tools and money to the school.
FAVACA June 13th - 21st 2015
FSU EMHS in partnership with the Belize Red Cross Society a team of 16 assisted by Red Cross volunteers did a full assessment to measure the water and sanitation situation of the San Mateo community and to assess storm vulnerabilities. The 9 day research project included a site survey of the San Pedrito neighborhood.
What's Ahead; Volunteer Vacations:
We will host a group from a dentist office in the US that will be working with the Polyclinic in April.
2015 Fundraising events:
May; El Patio Dinner $1338.00
June; Blue Water Grill's "Match the donations" program, $502.00
Last Friday of the month Crazy Canucks Trivia, $1075.00
Minute to Win It - Roadkill Bar, $185.00
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