Tuesday, September 24, 2013

7th Annual Family Emergency Preparedness Day

On September 21, the 7th Annual Family Emergency Preparedness Day was held at the Delaware Agricultural Museum, and was a huge success.  Approximately 1,200 citizens took part in the event, which included games for kids, a Preparedness Train Ride, Delaware National Guard Climbing Wall, and a Preparedness Scavenger Hunt. There was also a simulated Red Cross Shelter, free food, disaster kit giveaways, interactive display tables, prizes, and many other activities. We would like to personally thank to our co-host, the Kent County Public Safety Office (Colin Falkner, Dave Mick, and Nicole Vautard). We would also like to thank Citizen Corps event coordinators Bob George, Marny McLee, and our wonderful committee members: Betty Decker and April Cleveland (Public Health Preparedness Section), Rosanne Pack, Scott Martin, Rich Phillips (Citizen Corps Contractor and Volunteers) Kay Dietz-Sass (Dover Emergency Management), Sharon Jefferson, Shawn Antrim (American Red Cross), April Willey (RSVP Sussex County), and Gary Laing (DEMA).

Thank you too all the fifty-plus state, local, volunteer, and faith based groups who spent their day with us to make this year’s event the best to date.  Thanks to Citizen Corps volunteer/spouses Tina George and Jackie McLee, as well as Boyd Reed Citizen Corps/CERT Instructor and P.Jane Walmsley. We also must thank our youth volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Helping Hands, Boy Scouts, and their leaders. A special thanks to the organizations that gave donations for our event:  Delmarva Power, Tidewater, Sam’s Club, Herr’s Chips, Papa John’s Pizza (Dover), and Chick-Fil-A for providing their sandwiches at a discounted rate.  Another special thanks to Walgreen’s of Dover for providing Flu Shots and Ace Hardware (Best Family) of Sussex County.