The telegraph fire in Mariposa this past month left many community members homeless.  These victims have experienced many people’s worst nightmare.  Many of us shake our heads in disbelief wondering what we can do to help.  Drop off sites have been set up for donations of clothes, household goods, and anything you think these victims may need.  My challenge to all of you living in Madera, Mariposa, and Merced counties is to go through your homes and pack up clothes you don’t wear, furniture you don’t sit on, kitchen items you don’t use, and anything that is collecting dust that you would be willing to donate.  I know with the help of community members of Mariposa, Oakhurst, Bass Lake, Coarsegold, Raymond, Ahwahnee, Fish Camp, and North Fork together we can help these victims to get back on their feet.  For more information you can call 209-966-2000, for monetary donations call 209-966-2456 or log onto abc30.com. 

This year is the worst fire season on record. It seems just as one fire is contained another begins. The Telegraph fire in Mariposa is posing a huge threat to the Mariposa’s communities. As of 11:30 last night, it has burned nearly 30,000 acres, has destroyed 25 homes and 27 other structures. In addition, 4,000 residences in the communities of Midpines, Briceburg, Mariposa, Greenley Hill, Coulterville, Bear Valley, and Mt. Bullion Camp are still being threatened. In a situation like this we need to pull together as a community and assist all those in need. The American Red Cross is doing its part and we need to do our part. This fire is not only affecting the residents of the community but others around the valley. The air quality remains unhealthy and it is recommended to stay indoors and avoid outside activities. Lets join forces and lend a helping hand to all those in need. If you have any ideas what we as a community can do to help out let us know by responding to this blog.

There is no doubt that millions of people lives around the world have been saved by Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).  The purpose of taking a class in CPR is to give individuals the knowledge and skills necessary to help someone in need.  Class participants will learn to recognize and provide basic care for breathing, cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses.  Classes usually run in conjunction with first aid training.   Nowadays, CPR class participants will also learn how to work the automated external defibrillator (AED).  AED’s are used on victims who suffer sudden cardiac arrest.  Care is given until emergency personnel arrive and are able to take over care responsibilities.

There are no prerequisite classes to take in order to take a CPR class.  Upon completion of the courses, you will receive a CPR certification which is good for 1 year and a First Aid Certification which is good for 3 years.  It is a great program for adults and even teens who are considering taking up babysitting jobs. 

There usually is a fee involved with becoming certified.   There will be FREE classes offered on June 28th at Yosemite High School.  Classes will begin at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. (English speaking only).  There will be a class beginning at 11:00 a.m. for Spanish speaking residents.  Each class lasts 4 hours.

If you would like more information or would like to register for a class, call (559) 455-1000.

It seems that our country is always in need of blood donors.  Much of today’s medical care depends on a steady supply of blood from healthy donors.   Here are some interesting blood donation facts:

More than 4.5 million patients need blood transfusions each year in the U.S. and Canada alone.  There are 43,000 pints of donated blood used in the U.S. and Canada each day.  Someone will need blood every two seconds in the United States.  One out of seven people entering a hospital will be in need of receiving blood.  Of the U.S. population, only 37 percent are eligible to donate blood, yet only 10 percent of those people contribute annually.

One pint of blood can save up to three lives.  Healthy adults who are at least 17 years old, and at least 110 pounds may donate blood.  The most common form of donation—every 56 days, or every two months. Females receive 53 percent of blood transfusions; males receive 47 percent.  Blood or plasma that comes from people, who have been paid for it, cannot be used to human transfusion.

Healthy bone marrow makes a constant supply of red cells, plasma and platelets.  One unit of blood can be separated into several components: red blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate.  Most donated red blood cells can be stored for 42 days.  There are thirteen tests (11 for infectious diseases) performed on each unit of donated blood.

If only one more percent of all Americans would give blood, blood shortages would mostly disappear.

There will be a blood drive on June 17, 2008 at the Mountain Christian Center (40299 Hwy 49 in Oakhurst).  Donation times are from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  All donors will receive a variety of discounts from valley businesses for dining, recreation, entertainment and services.

So everyone, get out and donate now.  It will make you feel great!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 3:00PMFRESNO FALCONS VS
VICTORIA SALMON KINGSSpecial Appearance by SpongeBob!KidsHoliday Caroling Party on the ice!

As the holiday season is approaching, so many people begin to collect food for those in need. At the Madera County Food Bank, you will find a wonderful place in need of your donations. “It is the purpose of the Madera County Food Bank to provide and distribute supplementary/emergency food to our community’s low-income individual, families, and Senior Citizens, in a manner that promotes health, self-sufficiency and preserves recipients’ dignity.” http://www.maderafoodbank.org/ This facility offers so much for our community, when and where, it is needed most.

The “Compassion in Action” clients are referred to the food bank by hospitals, service providers, and ministers, etc… This program offers on-going nutritional support to families who suffer from a long term crisis such as Cancer and AIDS. Their need for food is met at the Madera County Food Pantry when they cannot be met elsewhere. Compassion in Action families will receive approximately 70 pounds of food two times per month. The items donated to the family are individualized to better aid in the recovery of the client.

Another great program is SNAPP (Senior Nutrition and Produce Program). This is a service providing bags of food for low income seniors. Not only do they provide a service, but also a social outlet for our seniors. Seniors 55 and over will be given fresh fruit and vegetables each week. Seniors who are 60 and over can receive additional food once a month. They offer many sites for seniors to come together and package food for those in need. For more information, call (559) 674-1482.

As a nation we have just marked the passing of the sixth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Patriot Day ceremonies on Tuesday remembered citizens and rescue workers who died at the World Trade Towers, the Pentagon and on a lonely farm field in Pennsylvania. Since that fateful day, America has worked to build a strong system of homeland security. If a 9/11 disaster struck Madera County, would we be ready? Yes.

Madera County agencies have been proactive in developing coordinated disaster plans. Emergency response drills that mimic natural and terrorist disasters are conducted periodically. These mock disasters to allow personnel and volunteers from multiple services to come together to practice emergency skills, assess facilities and fine tune response systems.

For example, should Madera County be threatened by an act of bioterrorism or a pandemic influenza, the Madera County Public Health Department is prepared to initiate emergency drive-through flu clinics in addition to point of dispensing clinics to provide medications to the entire population of the county. Not long ago, the county health department, area hospitals, local schools, EMS, fire and police worked together to successfully control a mock chemical contamination of students at John Adams Elementary School.

If you would like to volunteer to serve as a Public Health Disaster Responder, click here to access a volunteer form. To learn more about Madera County’s bioterrorism preparedness program, click here to visit the county website. The Madera County Public Health Department also offers an Emergency Preparedness Pocket Guide in both English and Spanish. Contact the health department at 559-675-7893 or email bernie.smith@madera-county.com for your free copy.

The latest buzz in teen and adult birthday parties is the Giving Party. Instead of gathering to shower the celebrant with gifts and chow down on birthday cake, people are meeting to honor their friends by donating blood, working in a soup kitchen or taking a shift at the food pantry. In shared camaraderie, they honor their friend’s birthday by volunteering together at a favorite charity.

• In the Midwest, Joyce Guenther, a 10-gallon blood donor, celebrated her birthday at the local blood bank. She and friends gathered early to donate a pint of blood each in Joyce’s honor. They toasted the birthday girl with orange juice, complements of the Red Cross.
• A Chicago sixth grader asked friends to bring a stuffed animal gift to her 12th birthday party. The children celebrated with traditional cake and ice cream, then took the toys to the local children’s hospital and played board games with patients.
• In Georgia, an avid Habitat for Humanities volunteer, invited friends to celebrate his birthday on a worksite. His wife brought cake and lemonade for the whole crew who belted out a lusty, if off-key, version of the Happy Birthday song.

Giving Parties leave you with the best gift of all, the satisfaction of helping others. If you have something to celebrate, gather your friends and head for one of the two blood drives being held in Madera County this week. Of course, you can give blood even if it’s not your birthday!

• Wednesday, September 5, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.- Madera County Employee Blood Drive
• Thursday, September 6, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.- Madera Community College  

According to the Central California Blood Center, all blood types are needed, especially O-negative and O-positive. For additional information, please contact the Blood Center at 800-404-BLOOD (2566) or visit their website for a list of additional donation sites. Save a life; donate today.