Is anyone involved in this? I am thinking about it.

For those that have no idea what I am talking about - http://www.redcross.org/pressrelease...6_3650,00.html

Is anyone involved in this? I am thinking about it.

For those that have no idea what I am talking about - http://www.redcross.org/pressrelease...6_3650,00.html

Here is the latset update from the GM website:
http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/...aid/index.html http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/...aid/index.html

deep water fording kits will sell like crazy now

It is a good way to give back to the community for sure. I completed my my training 2 weeks ago and sent my application in awaiting certification now. Here is a letter sent out by The HUMMER Club Inc.


Dear Members,

The American Red Cross has called the Katrina aftermath the first national 'catastrophe' that they have deployed to in the United States. They consider this hurricane more than a disaster and bigger than the last 4 hurricanes combined. We are currently working with the Red Cross and one of our supporting dealerships in the area to set up a command center in the area for HOPE volunteers. At this time, Red Cross has NOT deployed 'damage assessors' to this unstable area. We will not be deployed until the area has stabilized and facilities are in place to house the volunteers.

Here is what we want you to do now:

1. Do not call the dealership or the HOPE program number offering help.
2. We will notify you by email and/or phone with a 'call in' number as soon as the command center is set up and will give you instructions on how you can help with the disaster relief. At this time, there are no facilities for volunteers. DO NOT JUST DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP!
3. Prepare your vehicle and expect to be deployed in approximately 7 days.

There will be an opportunity for all Club members to help with this catastrophe. We will keep you updated as new information becomes available. I send a special thank you to all who have called the board members today offering their help during this time and ask for your patience as the deployment schedule is put into place.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, you are welcome to call your directors. We will keep you informed as soon as we have updated information.

Linda North

I have gotten my driver endorsement but still need to take the test and do my CPR class. As I understand it they might let the CPR/First Aid requirement pass for a little while to get people to help sooner.

I'm a member of the HOPE program for 4 month now They have not called me yet to assist on the effort down in New Orleans; by the way I lived there for 7 years, I attended Tulane University for undergrad and a minor... I love that city

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ckhagman:
I have gotten my driver endorsement but still need to take the test and do my CPR class. As I understand it they might let the CPR/First Aid requirement pass for a little while to get people to help sooner. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If in a time of crisis like we have now, they won't let you help because of a small technicality like this (especially when the need is so urgent)...

then they should have to face Larry King and answer questions like...

"So can you tell us why you let people suffer and die because the volunteer relief drivers didn't know CPR?"

As the Nazi's learned the hard way at Nuremburg, "I was only following orders" doesn't cut it when people are dying.

F--- them. You want to help, get in your truck and go. This is America dam it! You don't need anyone's permission to help in a time of crisis here.

Be the man. Make your own call.

Oh... and take you cell phone with you in case they need to call you in....

My hat is off to you for being willing to help them.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by JMVH2:
I'm a member of the HOPE program for 4 month now </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Would you mind describing the "Trail Endorsement" course? I've read the requirements on THCI's site, but I would like to know what level of off-road "expertise" is required. I'd love to become involved in the HOPE program, but I do not have much off-road experience (I hope to fix that soon though!).

Thanks
Mike

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by shipbldr:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ckhagman:
I have gotten my driver endorsement but still need to take the test and do my CPR class. As I understand it they might let the CPR/First Aid requirement pass for a little while to get people to help sooner. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If in a time of crisis like we have now, they won't let you help because of a small technicality like this (especially when the need is so urgent)...

then they should have to face Larry King and answer questions like...

"So can you tell us why you let people suffer and die because the volunteer relief drivers didn't know CPR?"

As the Nazi's learned the hard way at Nuremburg, "I was only following orders" doesn't cut it when people are dying.

F--- them. You want to help, get in your truck and go. This is America dam it! You don't need anyone's permission to help in a time of crisis here.

Be the man. Make your own call.

Oh... and take you cell phone with you in case they need to call you in....

My hat is off to you for being willing to help them. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I really want to go and a friend of mine or more are already going. I have some things to work of at home though. In any case if I do not go my company is doing something for the cause so I will be acting in some way.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ckhagman:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by shipbldr:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ckhagman:
I have gotten my driver endorsement but still need to take the test and do my CPR class. As I understand it they might let the CPR/First Aid requirement pass for a little while to get people to help sooner. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If in a time of crisis like we have now, they won't let you help because of a small technicality like this (especially when the need is so urgent)...

then they should have to face Larry King and answer questions like...

"So can you tell us why you let people suffer and die because the volunteer relief drivers didn't know CPR?"

As the Nazi's learned the hard way at Nuremburg, "I was only following orders" doesn't cut it when people are dying.

F--- them. You want to help, get in your truck and go. This is America dam it! You don't need anyone's permission to help in a time of crisis here.

Be the man. Make your own call.

Oh... and take you cell phone with you in case they need to call you in....

My hat is off to you for being willing to help them. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I really want to go and a friend of mine or more are already going. I have some things to work of at home though. In any case if I do not go my company is doing something for the cause so I will be acting in some way. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


I'm interested in going down with a U-haul trailer with energy bars and water, getting as close to the need as possible. I feel that we must do something -- the feds are just too scared at this point and people are dying.

Here's a link with all the info on how to apply/join:
http://www.thehummerclubinc.com/home/hope.htm

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by VTSTOMPER:
Is anyone involved in this? I am thinking about it.

For those that have no idea what I am talking about - http://www.redcross.org/pressrelease...6_3650,00.html </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm going to sign up and take the training. I've got at least one other Hummer owner in the area ready to take it with me.

I'm strongly considering it too.

The wife's a doctor and we're wishing we had be prepared this time and been able to do more then send money (none of the aid organizations are saying "You're not certified/trained? Come on down." They're saying, "make a financial contribution.").

Just received this today>>>>>


Subject: American Red Cross HOPE Updates


Hi all~


Just wanted to update all of you HOPE and potential HOPE members for the Red Cross. At the moment, we do not anticipate a Red Cross HOPE deployment soon. We still need to wait for some of the water to recede before the Red Cross can go in with you and our Damage Assessment volunteers. Please know that we appreciate your patience and look forward to this historical, first opportunity for HUMMER owners to provide direct help with their specialized vehicles.



An “advance crew” is looking into logistics, and we will contact you as soon as we know anything.

Yours,
Jeanette



P.S. Make your reservations now for the 77th Annual Meeting on September 22!!!!



Jeanette M. Simon

Executive Director St. Joseph County Chapter

Would you mind describing the "Trail Endorsement" course? I've read the requirements on THCI's site, but I would like to know what level of off-road "expertise" is required. I'd love to become involved in the HOPE program, but I do not have much off-road experience (I hope to fix that soon though!).

Thanks
Mike[/quote]

The trail endorsement as of right now must be obtained at a HUMMER Club Inc. national HUMMER Happening and probably from the AM General training facility. It consists primarily of knowing the functions of all the buttons on the dash for offroad driving, the proper use of recovery gear ie winching and recovery straps and proper way to traverse obstacles. Supposedly they are trying to get the trail endorsement more accessable throgh local entities.

I requested info from the hummer club contact on the above web site link and in mere minutes got this reply from him. Very encouraging.

Now I gotta find a nearby HUMMER Club group/dealer to get trained at. Any recommendations for someone halfway between Minneapolis, MN and Des Moines, IA?


--------------------
Evan,
The HOPE program is set up to provide relief coast to coast. I would get signed up and get thru your training. The trail endorsement is offered at most HUMMER Club events and a select group of HUMMER Dealers coast to coast. There is a year to complete this element of the HOPE program.

get in the system, get trained, get on the list. We welcome your experience.
I will be available after this deployment for any additional questions that you may have. In the meantime please feel free to contact Linda for more details.

At this time there is no housing available for volunteers so we are going down to try to set something up.

I leave for Baton Rouge Sat.
Mike Morris

I have been talking with Mike about it, and am waiting to hear where the classes are near me.

Which classes? CPR/First Aid classes are through the Red Cross. You can usually get them through local hospitals if you leave in rural areas.

The Trail Endorsement has to be done at either a designated THCI event - Like the upcoming Durango/Moab event in mid-September, or one of the dealers who is able to offer it--which I do not know of any at this point and don't know where to find the list of dealers--they need to post this somewhere on the THCI website.

Sounds like the entire process needs to be a little more streamlined and I know they are working on making it easier to get all the qualifications completed. Unfortunatley, it's not something you can do overnight. If you are considering joining, do it now! Don't wait until the next catastrophy to decide to try to join. Do it now. You have to realize how many people bring their Hummers out to an off-road event and have no idea what they are getting themselves into. They find out they may get some damage and do not carry the appropriate tools/equipment. A national disaster is not the time to learn to drive your Hummer through various obsticals or get yourself stuck and not know how to recover yourself!!!!!!!!!! When the Red Cross needs to get pertinent people in, they need to know they have a driver they can trust and has experience. Not someone who has never done any fording and can't remember how deep of water they can get through.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">We still need to wait for some of the water to recede before the Red Cross can go in with you and our Damage Assessment volunteers. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Huh?! That's precisely the problem isn't it...wait for some of the water to recede....

SOSAugs

I think they should have already deployed all the volenteers at this point so they can be on their way and start to go in. There are enough areas where the water has resided and any Hummer could get through. Regardless if you are a HOPE member or not, there is enough for everyone to help with and they should not turn away anyone!

That'll be a strange event... with all those blingbling H2s rolling through the mud with their 26" chrom-spinner-rims.

To All Club Members:

An advance team (headed by Mike Morris)for the HOPE program deployment will be arriving in Baton Rouge, LA on Wednesday, Sept. 7th. They will be located at Gerry Lane HUMMER in Baton Rouge who have offered their new facility to the Club for a staging area during the relief efforts. There will be a HOPE program training session on Saturday, Sept. 10th and 11th at the new facilities at Gerry Lane HUMMER. We have over 200 members in the area and invite any members in the area to finish their HOPE program training at this time so they may be deployed during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Official deployment of HOPE program volunteers will not be made for several weeks in the New Orleans area due to high water levels. Deployment to other areas surrounding New Orleans and in the states of Mississippi and Alabama is anticipated in two weeks time. We expect to deploy teams of volunteers over the next three months or more. Your help will be needed throughout this time.

Please remember that the HOPE program was started because we were NOT able to help during the West Virginia floods as we were NOT registered with a disaster relief organization. If you would like to volunteer your help WITH YOUR HUMMER, you need to be a member of the HOPE program. The $55 charge to become a HOPE volunteer goes to the Red Cross for indentification materials (T-shirt, door magnets, first aid kit, etc.)and admin. charges. It doesn't go to the Club.

Here is what you can do NOW:
1. If you are not registered as a HOPE volunteer, call the St. Joe Chapter of ARC at 574-234-0191 and ask for the HOPE program. This will get your name in the system! Extra personnel have been added to assist you. You may also enter the system by sending an email to: hope@stjoe-redcross.org

2. If you ARE a member of HOPE, CALL 574-234-0191 and tell them you are available for deployment and give them the dates you are available. We are basically a transportation unit. If you have extended medical training (such as a licensed physician, EMT, fire fighter, nurse, etc.) give them this information and let them know if you are willing to work in that capacity in addition to your transportation capacity. The Red Cross will take it from there.

3. Michael Read, a member from the NW, asked if he could donate money to the HOPE program to off set some of the expenses of our volunteers who will be assisting in the LA, Mississippi and Alabama areas. If you are 'like-minded', our volunteers and our Club will be incurring huge expenses in our efforts to assist. We are currently looking for a satelite phone and service subscription to aid in communication. If you know of an available phone or system that the HOPE program could use for the next several months, please contact Mike Morris at mike@thehummerclubinc.com. If you would like to donate to the HOPE program and its volunteers, you may send a check to

David Smee, CFO
The HUMMER Club Inc.
2761 Johnson Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

4. Please note that deployment will be ongoing for many months. There are no sleeping facilities at the dealership but there will be water and toilet facilities and a place to camp. You will need to be 'self contained'. If you have a camp trailer, etc. expect to bring it with you or sleep in your truck. You will need to bring enough fuel to get you 'out of the area' on your return trip home. Our advance team will be taking fuel with them but it can only stretch so far and will be used for the relief efforts.

5. Our annual meeting will be held at the Durango Moab event starting on Sept. 17th. We will be asking for donations for the relief efforts and these monies will be sent to the American Red Cross to assist their efforts. Again, if you wish to help our Club volunteers OR the American Red Cross, please send your donations to our CFO, David Smee. Please attach a note to let David know where you want your donation sent.

Again, if you have any questions or need further information, do not hesitate to call or email any of the directors. Mike will be without email coverage starting Sunday. I have received over 100 emails in the last couple of days. Many thanks to all of you who have opened your hearts and wallets and cleared your schedules to help with this effort.

Thanks, Linda North

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by oma:
Which classes? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The driving...I am in VT baby!

Stumbled across this here . Fourteen trucks from across the country . . .

Hummer group helps out

Mike Morris, of South Bend, is leading a group of Hummer owners who are providing transportation for the relief efforts.

He founded Hummer Owners Prepared for Emergencies, or HOPE, one year ago. This is their first deployment, says Mike's wife, Belinda Morris.

The group has about 14 Hummers down there from across the country along with members of the German Township Fire Department.

All of them have to be certified in disaster response with the American Red Cross.

Their first full day in Louisiana was Wednesday. They've helped to look for people, deliver supplies and set up a tent-based clinic along an interstate, Belinda Morris said.

Most folks are staying for a week or two, but what about her husband? "That's a good question," Belinda Morris said.

For information on HOPE, go to the Web site http://www.hummerclub.com or call the local Red Cross at (574) 234-0191.

That is pretty cool!

I got a response from mike about a week ago saying they were headed out. I would have thought more than 14 would have gone...

Re: HUMMER "HOPE"
 

What ever happened to this program? I see the web site is still up but do owners still belong to it?

Re: HUMMER "HOPE"
 

Yes we do and fully active in our local redcross chapters. You should join :-)

My private H2:

Re: HUMMER "HOPE"
 

I am strongly considering it. Looks like the hardest thing would be finding an event to get my off road certification. How much do you pay a year then? so much for the hummer club membership then another fee to the red cross? I am from Minnesota.

Re: HUMMER "HOPE"
 

We are planning an event in the north this year (2010) in your area that you could attend and get your trail cert. Also You will need to get Red Cross Certified in First Aid and CPR. Once you have that you join the club $65/yr. and pay a one time fee of $55 to become a HOPE member. This cost gives you a HOPE shirt, Door magnets and a Full on Red Cross first aid kit. That is where your money goes.

If you have any further questions contact glen@thehummerclubinc.com

Thanks!

Re: HUMMER "HOPE"
 

:perfect10s: HOPE has probably done more to better the image of Hummers than anything. My hat's off to all of you HOPE members.

Re: HUMMER "HOPE"
 

if you decide to do this, and want a buddy to go along with you, let me know.
i live down in Burnsville, and came across this post and sounds interesting.

even if you dont, ill look into it for myself too.

Re: HUMMER "HOPE"
 

Hey hells i am dealing with Glen through email on it. I'll pm you some details a little later

Re: HUMMER "HOPE"
 

I am also working with Glen on this via email and if anyone else in central Florida is interested, please PM me and we can sync up.

Re: HUMMER "HOPE"
 

Glen... during a call out I would assume the hummer owner pays for all gas used and lodging also then? From what i can tell from the red cross web site that is how it works unless hope has something different set up?