RNR is going very well. My wife and I had a week long
track on Disaster Clowning at Tony Jones' TNT Clown Camp in July. Since
then we have done RNR lectures in Upstate New York and at the Southeast
Clown Convention.
Please send us any pictures and or stories on what you are
doing with RNR, be it working at an event, raising funds, entertaining at
a blood drive or another type of activity.
Bob "Bunky" Gretton Clowns of America
International Clown of the Year 2009
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 The
Animal Support Project's web site is just the place to get the
information you need to prepare for your pets when you make your own
disaster plan. The mission of the organization is, "to support
animals and their owners through tough times."
From the web site you
can learn why and how this group formed and what they can do to help you.
"The Animal
Support Project was formed in memory of a little dog we never met. Her
name was Julia, and she was a Mini-Dachschund puppy who lived in Easton,
NY. On January 11, 2006, Julia's owner was arrested because he shot her
in the head for soiling his rug while he was away from home. The founders
of our organization decided that what happened to Julia should never
happen to another pet, and we decided to do everything we could to
encourage people to do right by their companion animals.
Shortly before
this, several of our volunteers had assisted with animal rescue in the Gulf
region after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Our experiences taught
us that people in crisis often need help when it comes to maintaining
their animals, and many of the animals that end up being killed or sent
to shelters ended up that way because nobody stepped forward to help
these people when they felt they had nowhere else to turn. Panic or
ignorance took over and the animal paid the price for human folly.
We are people
just like you. We have jobs and families and pets of our own. But we work
on our days off and in our spare time, assisting people who need help
with their animals in order to keep them. Our main goal is to support
animals and their owners through tough times by helping pets stay where
they belong: at home with their family. We do this by bridging gaps in
behavioral issues, training, grooming, transportation, routine
veterinarian care, and other necessary services, for all species. When
necessary, we offer foster and re-homing services to ensure that animals
continue to live in a safe, loving environment. Our volunteers are active
Operations and Logistics team members responding across North America
with HSUS, UAN, PetSmart Charities, American Humane, Noah's Wish,
Muttshack, Rensselaer County CART, Louisiana SART and Empire SART Animal
Disaster Response Teams.
The Animal
Support Project also works to build awareness in our local community on
best practices for animal care, sheltering, and emergency preparedness
and we participate in local and national spay/neuter efforts to help alleviate
the tragic pet overpopulation problem that exists today. We are an all
volunteer group that does not charge for the services we provide".
Learn how to assemble a
pet disaster preparedness kit and a "grab and go" bag for you
feathered and furry friends. For more information and support go to www.theanimalsupportproject.org
Animal Support
Project
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Trixy (Vicky Garrett) is now Roxie
 "In
June I created a new Red Nose Response caring clown named Roxie, as a
conclusion to a year of training and going to the classes the Central
Iowa Chapter of the American Red Cross said I must take, in order to be a
Red Nose Response clown at disasters. I'm on the DAT team, and as such am
a first responder to fires and other disasters. I've also volunteered in
a number of other areas at the Iowa Chapter in Des Moines, including the
Scrubby Bear program, teaching children how to wash their hands properly
and the importance of that."
"But now, as
Roxie, I am a very non-threatening clown with very little clown make-up,
who offers my services to children who have been through a disaster. I
am, right now, in the process of creating a program to talk to kids who
have been affected by disasters and to give them a chance to talk about
it. I have pamphlets and business cards already printed and distributed
to the Central Iowa Chapter. The cards are now being attached to a Mickey
Mouse doll that is handed out to children."
"Part of my
presentation is with puppets dealing with the aftermath of a disaster,
and I am also wanting to create a visual aid board dealing with ways to
prepare for disasters. Maybe even a game to play--I'm still creating
that. If you have anything that I could use for this, I'd love to see
it!"
For those of you who
have some ideas for Vicky we would love to pass them on if you contact us
at info@rednoseresponse.org. Vicky mentioned her Scrubby Bear program, one that you
heard about in the August e-zine. That is similar but different from the
Scrub ClubŪ and responders have been asking how they could access the
program. It is owned by the Orange County Red Cross and the link below
will bring you to their web site.
Scrubby Bear
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Do you know other clowns who might be interested in being
a Red Nose Response clown? Even if they are in another state, have them
send their full contact information to us at info@rednoseresponse.org and
we will connect them with their state representative.
You are welcome to put this information into your local
clown newsletter!
Some states still do not have a "coordinator".
If you'd like to be a coordinator for a state that doesn't have one
please contact Vice President Barbara Bird, barbara@red noseresponse.org
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Find some great ideas at The Scrub ClubŪ
 The
American Red Cross and NSF International (NSF) have collaborated to help
protect public health. Collectively, NSF, the Red Cross and seven
"soaper- heroes"are teaching children the importance of proper
and consistent hand washing through the Scrub ClubŪ. Through this
partnership, the two organizations are helping educate communities across
the nation about the benefits of handwashing to fight germs and prevent
illness.
This is one more way
that RNR responders can get in on the action. Using our unique characters
and creativity we can teach the techniques in fun ways that enhance
learning. Although Scrub ClubŪ. is designed for children ages three to
eight the lessons are ones that everyone should practice. I now find
myself silently singing "Happy Birthday" as I wash my hands. I
said "my hands", not just my finger tips. This message can be
carried to senior centers, community centers, after school programs, just
about anywhere that people congregate.
The information here
has been taken from the Scrub ClubŪ web site and that is a place you
really do want to check out.
As parents and teachers
know, children have a way of picking up colds and other illnesses at
school. As the number of swine flu (H1N1 Flu Outbreak) cases increases in
the U.S., it becomes even more important to teach kids how to stay
healthy.
Teach Good Health
Habits:
Proper and consistent
hand washing is one of the easiest ways to prevent the spread of flu.
Teach kids by example by showing them proper hand washing technique:
· Wet hands with water
and apply an amount of soap recommended by the manufacturer to hands.
· Rub hands together
vigorously for at least 20 seconds, covering all surfaces of the hands
and giving added attention to fingernails and surfaces where jewelry is
worn.
· Rinse hands with
water.
· Dry thoroughly
with a disposable towel.
· Use towel to turn
off faucet.
For younger children
who may rush their hand washing, have them sing a short song such as
"Row Row Row Your Boat," or the "Happy Birthday"song,
which will ensure they wash for at least 20 seconds. Placing hand-washing
reminders at children's eye level will also help them become consistent
hand washers.
Teach kids to adopt
these other healthy habits in order to prevent the spread of germs: ·
- Avoid
sharing objects such as utensils, cups, and bottles.
- Cover
your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and wash
your hands afterwards. If tissue-less, cough or sneeze into your
elbow or upper arm, not your hands.
- Keep
your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to keep germs from
entering your body.
Educational
Tools:
Parents and teachers
can reinforce kids' hand- washing habits by using tools such as The Scrub
ClubŪ, an interactive Web site that offers free materials to raise
awareness about the benefits of hand washing to fight germs and prevent
illness. The fun, Web-based experience is complete with educational
materials, music, games and cartoon "Webisodes."
The Scrub ClubŪ is
being used by hundreds of schools nationwide, and teachers continue to
integrate the Scrub Club educational activities into their daily
curriculum. These educational materials are currently available in
French, English and Spanish.
Go for it RNR
responders. Some of you have already developed your own routines. Get out
in the community and have some fun while doing something really good.
The Scrub ClubŪ
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An inspirational story of loss and
recovery
 Tickles
the Clown (aka Rachelle Burk) and a RNR responder has a personal
association with living through hurricanes and has written a book that
supports recovery efforts through the American Red Cross or the New
Orleans Habitat For Humanity. The publisher, Stemmer House Publishers,
has agreed to donate a portion of the profits to these causes.
The story, which takes
place in New Orleans during the notorious Hurricane Betsy of 1965, was
inspired by Rachelle's own childhood events. Forty years later Hurricane
Katrina again devastated several members of her family. The storybook,
for ages 5-10, was written by Rachelle prior to Katrina but is timely at
any season. It is delightfully illustrated by Rex Schneider.
Rachelle is offering to
sell autographed copies of this book, Tree House in a Storm, and donate
profits to Red Nose Response, or if you prefer, The American Red Cross or
Habitat For Humanity. She feels that this is one way she can help as a
Red Nose Response responder. The book was released this month and is
available on Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or Rachelle's website.
If you want to see the
book and playfully try to locate all the frogs in the illustrations,
visit Rachelle's web site, www.RachelleBurk.com. From her website you can also download a Teacher's Guide
and book related activities such as a crossword puzzle, maze, word
search, coloring pages, and more. Contact Rachelle for purchases that
would result in donations to RNR, Habitat for Humanity or the Red Cross.
Tree House in A
Storm
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Phineas just keeps juggling and selling
 A
recent update from 12-year-old Matthew Lish, Phineas, is that he has
collected another $113.00 for RNR and sent it to our treasurer. Phineas
makes juggling balls that he sells to support RNR.
Thanks again to super
responder, Phineas
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