* MRC JULY NEWSLETTER

Are you seeing the whole newsletter? Click the little dots at the bottom to expand - we don't want you to miss a thing!

This week 20 years ago, the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) program was created to provide a way to recruit, train, and activate medical and public health professionals and additional types of volunteers to respond to community health needs. After the 9/11 tragedy, President Bush called upon all Americans during his January 2002 State of the Union Address to help others through volunteering. Through the creation of the MRC, volunteers are able to augment existing services in the community and support local public health and medical entities, as well as emergency management agencies. The MRC started with 42 community-based units (Berkshire was one of them and Franklin followed a year later!) and has grown to almost 800 units with over 300,000 volunteers.

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!!

FOOD DELIVERY for The Nutrition Program of CHP
The program provides nutrition education, healthy food options, and other resources to at-risk individuals. You will be picking up in Gt Barrington OR Pittsfield and in both cases, delivering to Pittsfield. HELP NEEDED NEXT WEEK!

Info and Registration HERE

BRIDGE of FLOWERS RACE, Shelburne Falls (Saturday August 13th)
The Bridge of Flowers Annual Race organizers are requesting medical volunteers to assist with minor first aid treatment along the course and after the race, as well as to assess and assist with calling additional medical staff if needed.

Info and Registration HERE

Franklin County MRC Supply Trailer Organization/Inventory Project (Monday Aug 1st)
Needing to stay on top of this resources is a nice problem to have! C'mon out and help us decide what to keep and how to best have things organized and ready for deployment.

Info and Registration HERE

Franklin County COVID Clinics (August 4th-25th)
Registration and vaccinations will be done by the Behavioral Health Network, so tasks for MRC are general foot traffic management and tasks. We will have a lead volunteer at each clinic responsible as the MRC point person on site at the event, and a general volunteer to help with various tasks around the site.

  Info and Registration HERE

Help Healthcare WorkersThrive - Fairview Hospital, Gt Barrington (Friday August 12 and 26)
Resilience-building creative engagement activities for the staff at Fairview Hospital. It's really the experience of 'making' something that reduces stress and can bring joy. We will offer a variety of activities for our healthcare workers while they are on their break - take a look!

  Info and Registration HERE

Meal Prep with Franklin County Community Meals Program - Greenfield ( Wednesday August 17th)
Join a team to help prepare and pack meals on site for #130 individuals. This is another great opportunity for MRC Collaboration (organizations are hearing about how AWESOME you are!!) and, together, we serve more.

  Info and Registration HERE

Great Barrington Farmers Market (Saturday September 3rd)
September is National Preparedness Month! We'll have a booth at the market and will be talking to community members about emergency preparedness and share some useful tools for keeping the family (including pets) safe during disasters. We'll also share the important work we do and recruit new members!

Info and Registration HERE

UPCOMING TRAININGS!

CONFLICT RESOLUTION w/ Cultural Awareness - Debbie Lynangale of Collaborativeresolutionsgroup.org

PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID - Lisa Kaufman of
Preparedness Specialty Services

Christy Lemoine, Volunteer Coordinator Corinne McKeown, Director

clemoine@wmmrc.org cmckeown@wmmrc.org
413-539-0129 (TEXT IS BEST) 413-539-4115