Shelby County RSVP

Retire to InspireMay 2011 - Supplement

Shelby County Yellow Dot Program Kick-off - Rescheduled

The Yellow Dot Program was created to assist citizens during automobile accidents when they might not be able to communicate for themselves. Shelby County RSVP is working with first responders, law enforcement agencies, mayor’s, and State Farm agents in Shelby County on a program where if you are involved in an auto accident, a yellow dot decal on your car window will alert the first responders that there is vital personal information about the person in the car’s glove compartment. We plan to initiate this program after the first of May. More information will be forthcoming in the near future as this program develops. Members of your station, their families, and the community can participate at no cost. Volunteers are needed to enroll citizens into the program.

A kick-off event is planned May 11 at the Shelby County Service Building in Pelham in the Community Room on the second floor at 11 am. This will be a press conference making the Yellow Dot available to the citizens of Shelby County. We will be enrolling citizens after the news conference. Shelby County RSVP will be scheduling enrollment dates and sites in the program after this date.

NOTE CORRECTED INFORMATION

Volunteers who would like to be trained to help with the Yellow Dot program can attend the training session May 3 at the Shelby County Service Building in Pelham in the Community Room on the second floor at 2 pm. If you would like to participate in the training, please contact the RSVP office – 669-3837.

Helping Tornado Victims - Volunteers NeededVolunteers are needed to help tornado victims. There are several ways to can help.

Work as a volunteer in impacted areas. You have volunteer opportunities through Hands on Birmingham listings.

o American Red Cross – Disaster Phone Bank (Downtown & Hoover locations)

o Salvation Army Command Center/Disaster Warehouse (350 Industrial Drive)

o EMA Phone Bank & Office Help (Downtown) You can reach these volunteer opportunities through www.handsonbirmingham.org Shelby County has a listing with Hands on Birmingham through the County website

at www.shelbyal.com . Click on Shelby Volunteers in Service/Hands On.

Senior Meals – many area seniors may be without food or social contact. Please contact seniors you know in your area to find out their needs, if any. Your senior center can help as well as Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging (M4A) at 670-5770.

Debris removal – please remember, if you volunteer with debris removal, do the following:

Wear shoes with hard soles, not tennis shoes or open toe sandals. Take gloves, to include rubber gloves Wear hot or cap for sun protection Take your own water and/or food that will not spoil. Possible dust mask Chain saw worker

Donation - there are many organizations and churches accepting donations. This can include (Many of these needs may change as donations come in – check with the organization as to their needs):

Canned food or non perishable food Water Diapers Handy wipes Sanitizers Batteries Tarps Rolls of plastic Baby wipes Lunch bags Empty boxes Masking or plastic tape Ball caps or sun visors Dust masks Individual fruit cups Can openers Heavy duty garbage bags Work gloves Hot dogs and buns Clothing Monetary donations should go direct to American Red Cross or Salvation Army

Any assistance you do needs to be recorded. This includes shopping, deliver of items, senior meals, call-center work, and/or debris removal.

CALL MY OFFICE WITH INFORMATION AS TO YOUR ACTIVITYMarvin Copes – 669-3837 (leave message and call back number)

VISIT - Shelby County RSVP’s website – www.shelbycountyrsvp.com