UNews - Red Cross

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ encourages donations be made to Red Cross/Salvation Army

trevor.kenney — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 16:14:25 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is encouraging those interested in helping evacuees who are temporarily housed in campus residences to make cash donations to organizations like the Red Cross and Salvation Army.

In recent days, a few well-meaning residents have dropped off physical donations on campus.

As the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is not set up to receive and process these items, unsolicited donations become an additional challenge for staff members who are working daily to make our High River guests comfortable at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

"The willingness to give demonstrated by Lethbridge and area residents is truly extraordinary," says Erin Crane, manager of Conference Services and Events. "Unfortunately, unsolicited donations at our campus, especially if received in bulk, can be an unnecessary distraction for our staff and volunteers. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is receiving the additional support it requires through organizations like the Red Cross and Salvation Army."

Monetary donations can be made to the Red Cross through their website at http://www.redcross.ca and to the Salvation Army at http://www.salvationarmy.ca

Global event hits home

trevor.kenney — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:57:41 +0000

On Mar. 11, 2011, the world watched in horror as Japan was rocked by a massive earthquake followed by a crushing tsunami that left behind a mass of death, destruction and devastation. Stirred by human compassion, many people want to help during such tragedies but often don't know how – so they wait for someone to take the lead. For Mieko Okutomi, a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge student with family in Japan – waiting was not an option.

"When it first happened I was at home and I saw my friends on Facebook writing about Japan. I wasn't too concerned because Japan often has large earthquakes – but when I saw all the media coverage I started to realize this was different," recalls Okutomi, whose home is only 100 km away from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. "I felt really bad because at first I couldn't reach some of my family members. It took a while to find out they were OK. That was what initially prompted me to get involved in the fundraiser. I felt compelled to do something. I knew I would never be able to look at myself in the mirror if I hadn't done anything."

Mieko Okutomi (fourth-year accounting), Sayu Ishimine (fourth-year psychology), Yukino Okutomi (volunteer), Eri Asano (volunteer) and professor Eiichi Yokota and his wife Yuko Yokota.

Responding to an plea from the International Centre for Students (ICS), Okutomi, Ayuno Nakahashi, Ryosuke Imura, Sayu Ishimine and Emma Wight met with staff and came up with the idea to fundraise money to aid Japan through the Red Cross. The students created displays and brochures detailing the tragedy and set up donation boxes on campus. The fundraiser took place Mar. 16-18.

"The ICS provided the students with logistical support, organizing tables on campus, supplying presentation material and signing the contract with Red Cross so that the fundraiser could happen," says Trish Jackson, acting manager ICS. "I am just so impressed by how much enthusiasm, love and care the students brought with them and how well it was received around campus."

During the fundraiser, Okutomi became aware of an extraordinary achievement by Yuko Yokota, the wife of Dr. Eiichi Yokota, a visiting professor from Hokkai Shouka Daigaku, Hokkai School of Commerce in Japan. Mrs. Yokota had made more than 1,700 traditional paper cranes that she was willing to donate to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. In Japan, the crane is a very important symbol of hope and peace, and legend says that if you fold 1,000 cranes you are granted a wish.

Thanks to Mrs. Yokota's incredible contribution, the ICS, along with Okutomi, began an awareness campaign with the wish that Japan not be forgotten once the media coverage diminished. Their goal was to see how many cranes they could collect and display in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a symbol of hope and recovery for Japan.

From Mar. 28 through Apr. 1, Okutomi, her sister Yukino, and other student volunteers manned tables in the Atrium, where everyone was welcome to learn about the legend of the crane and show their continued support for Japan by folding their own cranes and adding them to the collection.

"The crane project is very therapeutic. When you fold a crane you put your love and compassion in it and it becomes a physical symbol for you. When you add it to three or four thousand other cranes it becomes so much more," says Jackson. "You realize that you have support and there is compassion around campus. Each time a tragedy like this happens we have students who come together to find ways to help. We also saw that with the recent earthquake in Haiti."

For Okutomi, thousands of miles away from a tragedy affecting her homeland, the outpouring of support shown was heartening.

"I really have to say thank you to all the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community, our friends and the ICS," she says. "I was really moved by the compassion people showed for our cause, asking if our friends and family were OK, even when they did not know us. I am really proud of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community for its kindness."

GET THE FACTS

· More than $3,000 was raised through the fundraiser and the sale of tickets for an International Dinner hosted by the Ecumenical Campus Ministry. The Ecumenical Campus Ministry held two memorial services to support Japan.

· There are currently four U of L students on exchange programs in Japan, along with one faculty member. All have reported they are safe following the tragedy.

· ICS donated 600 sheets of origami paper as a thank you to Mrs. Yokota. She folded it all, creating more than 2,400 paper cranes for the project.

· Students are also planning on displaying the cranes at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Calgary campus. Anyone wishing to make additional paper cranes is welcome to bring them to the ICS (SU040).

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

YWCA Lethbridge and District Announces 2011 Women of Distinction

trevor.kenney — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 21:07:28 +0000

The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards recognize outstanding women who live and work in Southern Alberta.

This year six women have been selected through a competitive process, and the honorees are chosen from a group of nominations.

Among the recipients this year are several with connections to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

The Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony showcases the talent and leadership of women in Southern Alberta. Women honoured have been trail blazers, entrepreneurs, innovators, social advocates, and volunteers.

The 2011 Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony will take place Friday, March 18 starting at 5 p.m. at the Lethbridge Lodge.

The guest speaker is Crystal Flaman, a social entrepreneur, multiple Ironman Triathlete competitor & 100km Ultra-Marathoner and Author.

Please call 403-329-0088 or stop by the YWCA for your tickets ($75 with a $50 tax receipt).

2011 YWCA WOMEN OF DISTINCTION AWARD RECIPIENTS

Dr. Olga Kovalchuk: Community Leader

Dr. Olga Kovalchuk, M.D./Ph.D. was born and raised in Ukraine. Living close to Chernobyl inspired her research into the effects of radiation on living organisms.

She is a medical doctor, cancer researcher and professor in Biological Sciences at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Her work is devoted to uncovering the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer development and using new approaches to cancer prevention, diagnostics and treatment.

Dr Kovalchuk has been invited to give lectures on her work in countries around the world and has received over $8,000,000 in funding from both Canada and the U.S. from granting agencies as diverse as Canadian Foundation of Innovation, Alberta Cancer Research Institute, U.S. Department of Energy Low Dose Radiation program, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Cheryl Dick: Community Commitment

Cheryl is the Chief Executive Officer for Economic Development Lethbridge and is highly respected for her strong and tireless commitment to providing exceptional leadership.

Her academic background, corporate experience and core values combine with her leadership in creating a vibrant organization that treats people equitably, achieves goals, celebrates success and serves society.

Cheryl completed her MBA in Executive Management from Royal Roads ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in 2003 and holds an "Accredited Public Relations" designation from the Canadian Public Relations Society.

Among other community service efforts, she has held volunteer leadership positions with the U of L Senate, Faculty of Management Advisory Committee, and Senate Honorary Degree Committee.

Bonny Greenshields: Social Advocate

Bonny is the owner and operator of Round Street Café, as well as, a wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many people and organizations in the Lethbridge community.

Bonny and her husband Malcolm moved to Lethbridge where she taught Special Education at Winston Churchill high school until 2004.

She found teaching extremely rewarding and values the connections she made during this teaching period. However, Bonny's dream was to own a three story building where she would have a coffee shop on the main floor, residences for international students on the second floor and live on the top floor.

When a property that fit her dream became available, she and Malcolm took a major risk, sold their home to buy the Wallace building on 5 Street South and in December of 2004 opened the doors of the Round Street Café.

Darcie James: YWCA Champion

Darcie was born in Medicine Hat, AB and relocated to Lethbridge with her family in 1969. She was honoured as Winston Churchill High School's top female athlete in 1976, earned her Diploma in Law Enforcement from Lethbridge Community College in 1979 and was one of the first two women constables hired by the Lethbridge City Police in 1980.

In 1996, she became the first woman in the agency to be promoted to Sergeant. In 2002, she completed her baccalaureate degree and in 2003, she earned the distinction of being the first woman in law enforcement in Lethbridge to achieve the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In addition to her career achievements, Darcie has left her mark on her community through volunteer service.

Arleen Albiez: Spirit of Women

Arleen was a Returning Officer for the City of Lethbridge (1950 – 1995), the first female Returning Officer (Lethbridge West) for the Province of Alberta (1972 – 1979) and the first female Federal Returning Officer (Lethbridge) in Canada (1979 – present). She is still the Federal Returning Officer for Lethbridge.

In her many years of being a Returning Officer, recruiting and hiring paid employees for elections, she has always ensured that women were given equal opportunities to work the elections, gain valuable experience, training and confidence. Many of these women have gone on to successful careers.

Arleen has also been a leader and volunteer extraordinaire in many other organizations in Lethbridge and District: The United Way (formerly Community Chest), Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Canadian Cancer Society, Head Start Program, Southland Credit Union, the Red Cross, the Order of Royal Purple of Canada, and the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization.

Kelsey Yule: Young Woman of Distinction 2011.

Kelsey is a young woman who has never let a challenge stop her. She grew up in a small agricultural based community, where independence and a 'hard work' ethic were instilled at a young age. Kelsey entered the beauty industry at age 18, and in two years owned and operated her own successful salon.

This business experience developed and sharpened her skills as a stylist and as a leader in the industry. She is the recipient of many awards and recognitions including: 2008 Alberta Salon/Stylist of the Year for Canada, 2008 Redken Cover Competition Alberta Finalist, 2007 Alberta/BC Salon Team finalist for Canada, Youth Initiative Award Winner and the L'Oreal Professional Runway Finalist.

By thinking outside the box, Kelsey offered cosmetology courses to high school students in remote rural areas of Southern Alberta via video conferencing. Her latest business venture is Purely Inspired Academy of Beauty, a high end school and salon in Lethbridge.

Additional information about the 2011 Women if distinction is available on their website:
http://www.ywcalethbridge.org/whats-new

Alumnus headlines SACPA event

trevor.kenney — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:10:09 +0000

The Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) will present a special evening session, Thursday, Apr. 29 at the Lethbridge Public Library featuring ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumnus Virgil Grandfield (BA '92).

Outsourcing Disaster: Human Trafficking and Humanitarian Failure in Aceh's Tsunami Reconstruction? is the title of the talk, beginning at
7 p.m. in the library's theatre gallery.

In 2006-2009, one of the most wretched places to be a construction worker in Indonesia was on a "humanitarian" reconstruction project in the tsunami-devastated province of Aceh.

Instead of receiving benefits from the largest, most generously-funded humanitarian operation in history, research indicates that tens of thousands of Javanese construction workers were falsely recruited for exploitative use and/or involuntary labour, under conditions defined as "human trafficking" or "modern slavery."

The social disaster throughout Aceh and Java was borne mostly by Javanese laborers, some of whom died in Aceh because of abuse and neglect.

Speaker Virgil Grandfield will contend that disproportionate numbers of trafficked victims were from larger projects managed by Red Cross, United Nations, development banks and NGO's.

In every community visited by investigative teams, witnesses have testified that many or most of 200,000 Javanese tsunami workers were unpaid, hungry and had to escape to find other work or ways to travel 2000km home.

Grandfield grew up in Texas and achieved degrees in political science at the U of L and journalism at Concordia ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Montreal (1993).

In the mid 90s, he started the first Canadian educational consulting agency in Mexico and in 1999 after Hurricane Mitch in Central America, began a career in the humanitarian field of work.

Grandfield became a Canadian Red Cross delegate after working in the Blood Reserve flood response in 2002 and was deployed to Aceh, Indonesia in 2005 as part of the International Red Cross tsunami operation.

Returning to Aceh in 2007, Grandfield discovered human trafficking of workers in Canadian Red Cross operations and resigned as a delegate in 2008 to find these "modern slaves" and their families and help them seek justice from those relief agencies which used and abandoned them in Aceh.

Beverly Muendel-Atherstone will serve as moderator for this event.

Haiti situation elicits campus compassion

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:10:06 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Bill Cade chats about what's happening in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community

There are times when we all take aspects of our lives for granted, and we don't necessarily appreciate the fortunate circumstance we have of living in a prosperous country such as Canada. When we then see the devastation of a tragedy like the Haitian earthquake, it quickly brings into focus just how lucky we are.

Last week's gathering in the Atrium in support of the Haitian people was a scene we've replicated far too many times here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Whether it is in response to the shootings at Virginia Tech ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ or the terrible tsunami in Thailand, we've come together as a community to support our fellow humans.

The outpouring of support for our Haitian brothers and sisters has been heartwarming but hardly unexpected. We here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ have always shown a great measure of compassion, and I feel it comes from the global nature of our campus community.

We have a number of groups on campus that make such positive contributions to society, and it is especially evident during times of tragedy. From the International Students' Association who manned a donation table for the Red Cross, to the Rotaract Club and its campaign to collect money for shelter boxes, to Steve Ferzacca's health science students and their Partners in Health program that has a permanent presence in Haiti, our faculty, staff and students consistently give to those less fortunate and in need.

I look forward to celebrating that international spirit at the Feb. 10 International Dinner. Always a highlight of the spring, the International Dinner features wonderful cuisine from all corners of the globe. This year's guest speaker, Kim Phuc, promises to be especially poignant. Known as "The girl in the picture" Phuc is an advocate for children affected by war and terror. Her message of compassion and understanding is always relevant and should make for an excellent evening.

As we approach spring, the word 'transition' is being used often in the President's office. It's a process I feel very good about and one I expect will go very smoothly as we introduce
Dr. Mike Mahon to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and its partners.

This week both Mike and his wife Maureen are here in Lethbridge to take part in a number of events. Mike attended his first President's Executive meeting, accompanied Vice-President Finance and Administration Nancy Walker, Vice-President Advancement Chris Horbachewski, and me to Rotary Club, participated in the annual Donor Gala celebration and took part in a number of other social gatherings. Richard Westlund, our government relations director, also arranged a host of courtesy calls for Mike as he spoke with key representatives from the local, provincial and federal governments.

We're making sure Mike has the opportunity to meet people in a social, casual and informal basis as he becomes accustomed to the U of L in advance of July 1, when he assumes the Presidency. He'll officially be installed Oct. 15 and preside over his first convocation ceremony on Oct. 16.

Finally, I have heard through numerous channels that Michael Nolan is coming to town this spring. Nolan is someone who I knew many years ago, and I can't wait to see him once again.

United Way campaign sparks campus generosity

trevor.kenney — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:15:44 +0000

Faculty and staff at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge have traditionally been extremely supportive of charitable causes and as the U of L United Way Campaign kicks off, employee generosity will be revealed once again.

The campaign this year is two-fold, featuring payroll deductions/one-time gifts and the popular Cash Calendar. While there are many worthwhile causes and charities, one plus of the United Way Campaign is that all monies raised are used to support local programs in Lethbridge and surrounding areas.

Barb Erler, campaign chair, encourages staff to donate through payroll deductions/one-time gifts and thanks everyone who has supported the United Way Campaign in the past.

"All donations, small or large, make a difference and help support local community service agencies in Lethbridge and southern Alberta," Erler says.

Staff at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ make it possible to sign up for payroll deductions and forms for employee payroll deductions/one-time gifts are available through Kyle Halluk in Human Resources.

"Monies raised from the U of L United Way Campaign support local programs in Lethbridge and surrounding areas and our support is critical to the ongoing operations of community service agencies," Erler adds. "Some of the agencies who receive funding from the United Way include Big Brothers & Sisters, CNIB, Interfaith Food Bank, Lethbridge Family Services, Red Cross and YWCA Harbour House."

The Cash Calendar forms part of the U of L United Way Campaign again this year. For $25 the Cash Calendar offers daily draws in November for prizes ranging from $50 to $500. If all 300 calendars are sold, the total prize amount given out in the month of November is $3,500, with $4,000 donated to the United Way. Those who purchase calendars prior to Oct. 15 are eligible for the $100 early bird draw.

Cash Calendars are available for $25 through one of the volunteer sellers or in the Office of the Vice-President (Finance and Administration).

"Faculty and staff realize that supporting local community service agencies is important and have shown their generosity in the past," Erler says. "I hope that staff will continue to support the work of the United Way of Lethbridge and southwestern Alberta and contribute to the 2009 campaign."

Campaign Volunteers
• Cathy Kanashiro, Faculty of Arts & Science
• Karen Mahar, Faculty of Fine Arts
• Carol Van Dyk, Faculty of Management
• Doris Kostiuk, Library
• Kristine Wall, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Advancement
• Annette Bright, Bookstore
• Patrick Mack, Human Resources
• Diane Boyle, Information Technology
• Shauna Haag, Facilities
• Greg Martin, Printing Services

Human curling kicks off fundraiser

trevor.kenney — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:23:56 +0000

Canadians will seemingly curl anywhere and at any time. Combine this love of curling with a charity opportunity and instead of flinging granite down a sheet of ice, you have a group of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Management students throwing themselves across a plaza.

A human curling demonstration will kick off the Curling for the Cross event, today, 11 a.m. to noon in the South Plaza of the U of L, just outside the Students' Union Building. The demonstration begins the lead-up to the Apr. 2 Curling for the Cross fundraiser bonspiel at the Lethbridge Curling Club. It is in support of the local chapter of the Red Cross.

Curling for the Cross is the final project of the 2009 Integrated Management Experience class, a 28-person group tasked with taking an idea from concept to execution on behalf of a real client. Curling for the Cross is a non-competitive curling bonspiel with numerous prizes to be won, one of which is a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. Participation is priced at $120 per team and no curling experience is required to enter.

Dan Kazakoff, IME Professor & Director said the Faculty of Management's
Integrated Management Experience (IME) community project allows individuals to not only have a fun night of curling, but to also contribute to a strong local community organization.

"The local chapter of the Red Cross will benefit not only through the funds raised by the event, but also by the increased awareness of why the Red Cross is such an integral part of the fabric of Lethbridge," says Kazakoff. "This event is not only a "win" for the Red Cross, but also for the students of IME and the Lethbridge community as a whole."

UNews - Red Cross

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ encourages donations be made to Red Cross/Salvation Army

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