Upshur County Commission Proclaims March American Red Cross Month

March 3, 2023

Mountaineer News

Upshur County Commission

L-R: Upshur County Commissioner Sam Nolte; Director Steve Wykoff, Upshur County DHSEM; Disaster Program Manager Dawn Onesto, American Red Cross Central Appalachia Region; Executive Director Jason Keeling, American Red Cross Central Appalachia Region; Upshur County Commission President Kristie Tenney. / Mountaineer News Photo

BUCKHANNON - During their meeting on the morning of March 2nd, the Upshur County Commission proclaimed that March 2023 would be American Red Cross Month.

Jason Keeling, Executive Director and Dawn Onesto, Disaster Program Manager from the Red Cross Central Appalachia Region were in attendance to address the Commission.

Keeling began by calling attention to work the organization is doing locally and thanking Commission for its support.

"Red Cross month is to recognize what we're doing in the various aspects of our mission, which is to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies," Keeling said. "And we do that to the power of volunteers and generosity of our donors, and we have a multi-prong approach to doing so", he said.

"Of course, you're familiar with our efforts to collect life-saving blood, and last year in Upshur County, 300 units were collected at 11 drives. Multiple of those drives were held at local institutions, such as West Virginia Wesleyan College, Upshur County High School and various area churches. And we're just very grateful to those who volunteer their spaces and their service to aid these efforts", he said.

Keeling went on to explain additional services the organization provides, including those to members of the armed forces.

"We also provide aid services to members of the armed forces and their families, and last year we provided 12 case services to families in (Upshur) County. Primarily, that’s an emergency communication service. We’re actually chartered by the US Government," Keeling said

"If there is a stateside emergency, we are tasked to verify that and request the service member be released for a period of time to address emergencies at home," he explained.

According to Keeling, the American Red Cross provided ten Upshur County families with recovery services in the aftermath of a disaster in 2022... the most common disaster being home fires.

"So our volunteers and staff are there to ensure our clients have their immediate needs met: shelter, clothing, food, replacement of lost medications, eyeglasses, and emotional support... and helping them make a plan for how to recover," he said.

Keeling closed by providing CPR and first aid service statistics from 2022, stating that 425-course completions occurred in Upshur County, which helps to ensure community members are better prepared in the event of a medical emergency.

Watch Jason Keeling, Executive Director of the Red Cross Central Appalachia Region address the Upshur County Commission:

Central Appalachia Region Disaster Program Manager, Dawn Onesto, updated the Commission on the preparedness programs currently being offered, including a children's program geared toward preparation in the event of any kind of disaster, and the Home Fire Safety Campaign; a program that saves lives through installing free smoke alarms in homes that don't have them, and by educating people about home fire safety. Watch Onesto's full address here:

The proclamation was then read aloud and the month of March was declared American Red Cross Month in Upshur County.

Read the full Proclamation Here:

Watch the full Proclamation being read aloud by Executive Director Jason Keeling:

In a letter addressed to the Commissioners prior to the March 2nd meeting, Keeling wrote, in part, a request for funding:

"As a non-profit and non-governmental organization, the American Red Cross relies on donations to provide needed services. This year, we are requesting a financial gift towards our work in Upshur County. Though any amount will help, we ask consideration of a donation of $2,000," it read.

In addition to March being proclaimed American Red Cross Month, the Commission unanimously approved Keeling's request for funding.

Given today's technological resources, it’s easier than ever for people to access the Red Cross’ resources or get involved themselves via redcross.org or redcrossblood.org to sign up for a blood donation.

There are also downloads of different preparedness activities for your smartphone, i.e., the emergency app that helps people navigate emergency situations.