By Rick Padden
The American Red Cross and the Thompson School District partnered up on a Pillowcase Project for the third year in a row– teaching Loveland third-graders how to pack pillowcases for emergency evacuations.
According to District Wellness Coordinator, Kathy Schlepp, the program fits perfectly into the overall district goal of health education.
“I’ve had great feedback from the teachers, and I love that it’s really hands-on and engaging,” she said. “The kids get a feel for what it would look like if an emergency were to happen, how to prepare for that and ideas to take home to talk with their families about. It also brings up different conversations on general health care that I think are helpful.”
Deb and Dan Swanson of Loveland (both retired teachers) take the lead for the Red Cross Pillowcase Project in Northern Colorado, and approach it with enthusiasm.
“We love what we do and are passionate about it,” Deb said. “We present important information that empowers children by practicing skills such as how to respond to home fires and practicing a breathing exercise.” The couple also covers how to check smoke detectors as part of emergency preparedness services.
“All students learn, practice and are asked to share what they have learned with the adults and other children they live with,” added Dan. “The information and techniques they share with their families makes them all more prepared for emergencies.”
Jodi Malterud, who teaches third graders at B.F. Kitchen Elementary school, described last year’s presentation as interactive and effective. “My students enjoyed it,” she said. “They finished the project with coloring on their pillowcases. They liked the presentation and seemed to have fun.”
Thank you letters from students confirmed it.
Dear American Red Cross,
Thank you for teaching us the important things we should know. Also thank you for saving people in Colorado. You mean a lot to me and Colorado. This makes me feel very safe. Thank you for coming to our class. You guys are awesome!
– Gabriel
Dear Mr. Dan & Mrs. Deb,
Thank you for the pillowcase, the booklet and all that you taught us. It was very helpful and very cool. I told my parents about what you guys said. They thought it was pretty cool. When I grow up I want to volunteer for the American Red Cross to help people. I think you guys are intelligent. You taught us how to evacuate and get our safely. Thank you.
The Walt Disney Company is the founding sponsor of the program, and provides Disney-themed pillowcases for the kids to decorate in school and take home to pack.
The Red Cross and Disney took their cue from images of university students carrying their belongings in pillow cases during Hurricane Katrina evacuations in 2005, and have reached over a million third through fifth-graders since launching the program in 2013. Red Cross teams have engaged 35,000 volunteers to partner with more than 13,000 schools and community organizations, with approximately 1,000 students benefitting in the Loveland/Berthoud area last year alone.