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TIPNATIONAL
e-NEWSLETTERS
(Editions) |
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ORANGE
COUNTY
ON
CALL
NEWS |
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to: TIPNational e-Newsletter |
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TIP OF ORANGE COUNTY RESPONDS TO DEVASTATING FIRES |
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In mid-November,
Orange County was affected by
destructive fires which destroyed 100's
of homes in the Yorba Linda and Brea
areas. As in previous years, TIP of
Orange County was called into action.
Over a three-day period, TIP volunteers
were deployed to evacuation centers and
to neighborhoods to assist fire victims.
TIP
volunteers joined chaplains and
firefighters and broke into small teams.
Each team consisted of a TIP volunteer,
a firefighter and a chaplain. These
teams were tasked with assessing the
needs of victims, providing them with
information about their homes and
providing emotional support to victims
as they sifted through the rubble.
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According to TIP
volunteers, victims were very
appreciative.
TIP
volunteer Dixie Trace felt that
having teams representing Orange County
Fire Authority in the affected
neighborhoods was very
important.
"I
think it was very important that we
helped victims not only in the
evacuation centers, but also in the
neighborhoods as residents returned to
their homes.
Seeing
your destroyed home for the first time
is very traumatic,"
said Trace. |
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The experience of
assisting fire victims and spending time
in devastated areas had a tremendous
impact on TIP volunteers. TIP volunteer
Tonya Sandholm, who is new to
California, saw up close the terrible
reality of fires. "This
was an incredible up close look at the
destruction fire causes,"
said Sandholm.
"It was
really difficult to see the blackened
areas, to walk through what was left of
people's homes, and to see dead birds
and other pets,"
she declared.
According to TIP
Crisis Team Manager,
Debbie Simpson, TIP
volunteers really rose to the occasion
to help during the fires. "I'm
very proud of our volunteers,"
said Simpson.
"They
didn't hesitate to drop what they were
doing to help those affected by the
fire,"
she
said.
 TIP
volunteers felt privileged to be a part
of the response teams organized by
Orange County Fire Authority, and other
members of the team appreciated TIP
volunteers.
Chaplain
Jeff Hetschel believes that the help of
TIP volunteers was essential during the
fires.
"We worked together to provide
emotional support to many who had lost
their homes,"
expressed Hetschel.
"We walked
together through the ashes of people's
lives and helped them try to make sense
of this tragedy,"
he said.
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LOS ALAMITOS JOINS THE
TIP NETWORK |
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On
November 17, 2008, the Los Alamitos City Council voted to contract
with TIP of Orange County to provide on scene crisis
services to the residents of Los Alamitos. TIP
volunteers are now being called out by police officers
and firefighters in Los Alamitos.
The City is dedicated to providing quality services to
its residents, and TIP is now one of those
services. According to Wayne Fortin, TIP CEO,
TIP is a natural fit
with the City of |
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Los Alamitos.
"It’s
obvious that there is a strong community value of caring
for its residents. We are
confident that TIP will be another way residents will be
able to care for each other,"
said Fortin. |
Chief Todd Mattern sees a need for TIP from a police
chief’s perspective. “We have been waiting a long
time to bring TIP to Los Alamitos and to offer TIP
services to our community,” he remarked.
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TIP BEGINS SERVING KAISER PERMANENTE HOSPITALS |
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The Trauma Intervention Program of Orange County
recently began providing services to Kaiser Permanente
Hospitals in Anaheim and in Irvine. TIP volunteer are
being called by nurses to the emergency departments of
both hospitals.
According to
Wayne Fortin,
TIP CEO, TIP
volunteers are enthusiastic about serving the Kaiser
Permanente Hospitals. “Our volunteers report that
even though TIP is new to Kaiser Permanente,
volunteers are very welcomed |
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by staff in the
emergency departments,” said Fortin. “Our experience in
dealing with Kaiser Permanente personnel is very
positive and we are off to a good start,” he
added. |
Terri Siaca, RN, Clinical Director of Emergency Services of Kaiser
Permanente Orange County has
been working diligently to bring TIP services to Kaiser
Permanente Hospitals. “TIP volunteers really care
compassionately for our patients and their families. They provide a wonderfully supportive
bridge between caregivers and families that the staff
finds invaluable,” Terri said. |
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TIP ORANGE COUNTY HOLDS HEROES WITH HEART
DINNER
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On November 7, 2008 TIP of
Orange County held its annual 2008 Heroes With
Heart Dinner. Sheriff
Sandra Hutchens, the honorary chairperson,
welcomed over 350 TIP supporters who gathered at
the Hilton, Costa Mesa.
The Heroes With Heart
Dinner honors police officers, firefighters,
coroner investigators and hospital
personnel who provide compassionate support to
victims of tragic events. According to
Wayne
Fortin, TIP Founder, TIP volunteers nominate
emergency personnel who they witness going out
of
their way to provide
kindness and caring to those whose lives have
been devastated.
"We want to
recognize those quiet behind the scenes acts of
kindness.
Those we recognized at
our
Heroes Dinner are really unsung heroes. Although
they do mostly small things for people in
crisis,
these acts of compassion make a huge difference
to those who are experiencing the worst time in
their lives," conveyed Mr. Fortin.
 The
dinner was TIP of Orange County's major
fundraiser and attendees generously bid on
silent
auction items and bought raffle tickets for a
chance to win a weekend in Laguna Beach. The
dinner
was sponsored by many generous corporate
sponsors including the following major sponsors
--- The Bender Family, Costa Mesa Firefighters
Association, Crime Scene Steri Clean, Herzog
Contracting Corp, Lifestyle Portfolios, Toshiba
American Medical and ACLEM.
Of
course, the dinner could not have been a success
without a very hard working dinner committee.
The committee was chaired by Sandy Hill and
co-chaired by Barbara Amaya, Kymber Hansen,
Stephanie Kallestad, and Debra Kennard.
TIP
is already planning next year's Heroes With
Heart Dinner. Stay tuned!
If you wish to download this
slideshow, place your cursor over the
image and right click.
From the
menu, select "save target as" |
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2008 "Heroes with Heart" Award Recipients |
Phil Rodriguez
Detective
Brea Police Department |
Al Burciaga
Officer
California Highway Patrol |
Jennifer Blanton
Crime Scene Investigator
Costa Mesa Police Department |
Phillip Hartman
Officer
Costa Mesa Police Department |
Frank Caruso
Officer
Irvine Police Department |
John Falk
Corporal
Laguna Beach Police Department |
Pablo Barriga
Captain, Station 24
Orange County Fire Authority |
Matthew Moss
Officer
Orange Police Department |
Janet Shearer
Senior Deputy-Coroner
Orange County Sheriff-
Coroner Department |
Justin Osterfeld
Deputy
Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department
City of Mission Viejo |
Eric Point
Lieutenant
Placentia Police Department |
Susan Mitchell, RN
House Supervisor
Saddleback Memorial Medical Center
San Clemente Campus |
Sharlene Stepp, RN
House Supervisor
UCI Medical Center |
Chrisy Lynd, LCSW
Western Medical Center
Santa Ana |
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CAPTAIN BILL LOCKHART - ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY
Bill Lockhart began his paramedic career in the City of
Santa Ana in 1978 and he joined the Orange County Fire
Authority in 1989 where he served as a firefighter
paramedic.
In 1999, Bill was promoted to captain paramedic and was
assigned to Engine 22 in Laguna Hills.
For the past two years, he has served as the
administrative captain for Division II, located at
Station 51, serving the City of Irvine.
Although Bill enjoys his current assignment, his true
passion is providing care to those in need.
He is especially fond of those from the “Greatest
Generation,“ the senior residents of Laguna Hills and
Laguna Woods.
Bill is one of the regular speakers for the TIP
Volunteer Training Academy.
He educates the volunteers on how to understand
the role of the firefighters on scene, how volunteers
can best serve them and why TIP is a valuable service to
the firefighters and the community.
Bill is a favorite speaker at the TIP Academy and
presents valuable information with lots of humor.
When asked about TIP, Bill states, “When
I think of TIP, I think of them as part of our team, not
a different entity, but a part of Orange County Fire
Authority.
They bring so many things to a call that we, as
firefighters, are not always able to provide.
In dealing with one in crisis,
firefighters may
be able to offer a sympathetic and caring heart;
however, often times, our TIP volunteers are able, due
to their personal life experiences, provide a sincere
empathy.
Their past experiences along with their training helps
them deliver a much needed service to citizens that we
as firefighters would like to be able to provide, but
don’t always have the time, or innate talent to give.”
Bill lives in Capistrano Beach with
his wife, Paula, a surgical ICU nurse at Mission
Hospital and his seven (7) year old son Sam.
They enjoy many outdoor activities together.
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VOLUNTEERS - SARA WEBER AND ANTHONY PALMERI
 TIP
Volunteers, Sara Weber and Anthony Palmeri both
graduated from Mission Viejo High School, where they met
March 4, 2003.
They have been dating ever since.
Sara and Anthony learned about TIP, when in 2003, Sara’s
brother was murdered. A TIP volunteer responded to
Mission Hospital to help Sara and her family.
Anthony was
there and saw how helpful the TIP volunteer was for
Sara. Anthony
joined TIP in February 2006, and he convinced Sara to
attend the next TIP training academy in August of the
same year.
Anthony is a very busy person. He works full-time at
Capistrano Unified School as an Independent facilitator
for Special Education, and he attends UCI, majoring in
Psychology & Social Behavior.
His ultimate
goal is to obtain his PHD in Clinical Psychology and
work as a school psychologist.
Sara is also very busy. She works part-time for a
chiropractic office in Mission Viejo, and she also
attends UCI.
Sara’s goal is to finish her degree in Psychology
and pursue a career in dentistry.
Although both Anthony and Sara are very busy, they find
time to volunteer for TIP.
Both feel staying active in the community is
important. Sara says about her involvement with TIP, “I
want to help people during a traumatic event, because I
know what it feels like. I don’t want anyone to have to be alone or
confused during one of the worst times in their lives.
Also, staying with TIP keeps me grounded and
thankful for everything I have in my own life.”
Sara and Anthony are annual pass holders at Disneyland,
and they enjoy spending their free days together
visiting Mickey. They also enjoy working out at the gym
and hanging out with friends.
According to Crisis Team Manager,
Debbie
Simpson, “Sara and Anthony bring a youthful energy to
our program.
I admire their commitment to the community. It
makes them even more valuable to the TIP program,”
states Simpson.
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"To Everything There
Is A Season..." |
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Dear TIP Family, Friends and
Associates,
Now that the 2008 “Heroes
with Heart” Dinner and Annual TIP National
Meeting hosted in Orange County is over, it’s
time for me to announce that I will be retiring
from my position as staff with TIP Orange
County. I will, however, continue to support and
advocate for TIP always. My passion for
TIP is as strong as ever.
TIP Orange County will be
in good hands during its next chapter of growth.
The TIP volunteers are incredible people and
there are many among them with talents to take
TIP forward. With the leadership of dedicated
TIP Staff…Wayne, Debbie, and Donna…I am
confident TIP will continue to flourish.
It’s been a privilege and
blessing to have the TIP Program, TIP
volunteers, elected officials, emergency
responders, and community partners in my life.
It has also been a privilege and humbling
experience to “be there” for others during their
worst moments in life. To say I will greatly
miss you and my TIP work is an understatement,
and I look forward to seeing you now and then in
our community.
With Fondest
Regards,
Sandy Hill
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TIP GRADUATES -
CLASS OF WINTER 2008 |
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1st row: Barrie Pitts (Trainer) Heather
Sergeant (Trainer) Barbara Barnard, Ruben C.
Felix, Ginny Allen, Kelley Lopez, Mindy
LaTendresse, Julia Mode, Tanya Sandholm, Dana
Galasso
2nd row: Dr. Ron Chez, Bill Evans, Kymber Hansen, Jaimee Hartman, Juliet Hover, Renee Lutz, Teri
Wells, Josie Weber, Matthew Watson, Jeff
Hetschel (OCFA Chaplain, Debbie Simpson (Crisis
Team Manager) Capt. Ron White (OCSD)
Upcoming
volunteer training academy will be on
February 19-28, 2009 at Orange County
Fire Authority in Tustin.
Bilingual volunteers needed.
Hurry and sign up now! |
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TIP GIFT CARDS -
YEAR ROUND FUNDRAISING PROGRAM |
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TIP
is pleased to introduce a year-round fundraising
program. We
are selling gift cards you can buy from us.
The same gift certificates/cards you buy at
stores like Starbucks, Albertsons, Stater Brothers,
Coco’s, Bloomingdales, Harry & David, Olive Garden,
Edwards Theater and many, many others.
TIP receives a percentage of the amount you spend on a
particular gift card.
For example, if you buy a $100 Albertsons gift
card, TIP receives $4.00.
There is no added cost to you!
You can purchase gift cards for others and
for your everyday purchases.
The beauty of gift cards is that you put your regular
household shopping dollars to work. You earn money for
our organization without spending an additional penny.
Just spend your regular shopping dollars with
participating stores and use it like cash for just about
any household purchase including food, clothing,
entertainment, gasoline, gifts and even dining out.
Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) gift card program
is available year-round and promises to make this a
simple and easy fundraising program.
Read more >>>
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| THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! |
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TIP services
are provided free of charge to citizens
experiencing traumatic events in their lives.
TIPNational is able to operate and
continue establishing new Chapters across the
nation thanks to the generous contributions of
our supporters.
Click here to donate online.
TIP is a 501(c)(3) Tax
Exempt Organization And Your Contribution is Tax
Deductible
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| HEROES WITH HEART SPONSORS |
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SILVER |
| A.C.L.E.M. |
| The Bender
Family |
| Costa Mesa Fire Association |
| Crime Scene Steri-Clean |
| Herzog Contracting Corporation |
Lifestyle Portfolios
(In Memory of J.D. Williams) |
| Toshiba America Medical |
| A. O. C. D. S. |
| Athens Group |
| CARE Ambulance |
| Costa Mesa Police Association |
| CR & R Waste & Recycling Services |
| Fairhaven Memorial Park |
| Irvine Police Association |
| Laguna Construction & Builder |
| Laguna Niguel Rotary |
| Linda & Wayne Lindholm |
| Southern California Edison |
| Southwest Plastic Binding |
| US Armor |
| Wells Fargo |
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| TRAINING SPONSORS |
| Pat & Oscars
Restaurant (Tustin) |
| Albertsons (Orange) |
| Use like cash for your
everyday purchases |
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