Winter Greetings to All,
It is hard to believe how time has been flying by this winter season. This article is being written from my Motel room in the north country of Michigan, where I am attending the 2007 Snow Run event.
When it is -12º F, you begin to think of things like, is my truck maintenance up to date, do I have the good anti-icing winter washer solvent in my tank, and when did I last change my wiper blades. Well my friends if you live in the northern climate and your answer to any of the above is “Let me check my records”, IT’S TOO LATE!! My point is don’t wait until you show up to an off road event or for A Disaster Response to make sure your truck is ready to go.
You do not want to miss all of the fun at an off road event because you are shopping at the Auto Zone Store, and you do certainly do not want to be a liability at a disaster scene due to a broken truck. Check your vehicle’s needed maintenance items and take care of them while they are small.
In this issue of Azimuth is an article from the St. Joseph County Indiana chapter of the American Red Cross and its role in the HOPE Program. John Pinter is the chapter executive director and very supportive of our HOPE program. His insight has been very helpful in educating your local Red Cross Chapter on how we as HOPE Volunteers can be a very valuable asset to the local disaster response plans. Feel free to contact him with your Red Cross questions at hope@stjoe-redcross.org
Almost daily I receive questions about how the HOPE program works. Here is a brief outline of the program.
The HOPE program is open to any and all HUMMER owners regardless of the model type. The owners must be a member in good standing of The HUMMER Club Inc.
Hummer Club Members – All model types, sign up for the HOPE Program at hope@stjoe-redcross.org. The HOPE applicant is then required to complete the following:
- Basic First Aid – It can be taken at any Red Cross Chapter
- AED & CPR – It can be taken at any Red Cross Chapter ( CPR must be renewed annually, with a quick refresher class.)
- Trail Endorsement – You can obtain this at any Hummer Club event, select Hummer dealers that support the club, and other locations. ( one time class)
- You supply a copy of your state drivers license report to the Red Cross, and pass a background check done by the American Red Cross
Note: Certain special Hummer events may contain all 3 training sessions and could cover a full weekend.
Once all 3 components of training are met and your Red Cross paperwork requirements are completed, your name is given to your local chapter as a trained Volunteer. You are then deployed locally through their disaster coordinator. It will help you to fully integrate locally if you stop at your chapter and introduce yourself. When you first sign up for HOPE ask your chapter what training classes they have scheduled. If your chapter is one that has not yet heard about the HOPE Program, please ask them to contact their Regional Service Center or the St. Joseph County Indiana Chapter. If you as a HOPE Volunteer have additional questions, please feel free to drop me (mike@hummerhope.com)or David LaMarca david@thehummerclubinc.com) a note or feel free call me at my office 574-232-6000 ext.11, best time to find me at my desk is from 2-6 pm and Saturday.
I am searching for a few talented volunteers who may have the following skills or know of someone who may help with the following.
- Looking for any member who has video editing skills to assist with editing DVD’s
- A club member who is or knows someone in a decal manufacturing company to manufacture HOPE truck decals.
- Someone with a connection to the KVH Mobile Satellite product.
- A printer willing to help print HOPE informational materials to distribute to Red Cross Chapters and others interested in the HOPE Program. We have a graphic layout specialist, but need a quality printer.
In closing, please stop by the HOPE web site at www.hummerhope.com and see what is new, along with pictures and videos of HOPE related activities. Thanks goes out to Hummer club member Evan Easton who has been working very hard to get this project up and going.
The web site is growing and items are being added weekly so check it out and feel free to send in your pictures and news to be posted. You can send them to me at mmorris@recycletoday.com or mike@hummerhope.com or my office address is Mike Morris 1420 South Walnut Street, South Bend, Indiana 46619. My server can handle large files. I am also interested in any Red Cross activities that you participate in.
Until we meet on the trail or the next HOPE Event, enjoy your winter and be prepared for the upcoming disaster season.
Remember, train like someone’s life depends on it, because it does!
Until next time, your friend,
Mike Morris