Happy Friday, CERT!  

I hope everyone is enjoying this recent stretch of warm, dry weather - we were certainly due for some sunshine!  As the weather gets warmer, North Coast CERT often gets busier and this year is no exception.  We’ve been asked to help with a few fun, interesting events in the next few weeks that we wanted to pass along.


​Opportunity #1
Traffic Safety at the Walleye Run 5K in Port Clinton
When: Sunday, May 29, 9:30am - 11:00am (approximate end time)
Where: Meet at Jefferson Street Pier in Port Clinton (Perry and Jefferson Streets)
What: We’re looking for 8-10 volunteers to help monitor intersections for runners during the race. It’s a pretty easy job and a short time commitment.
*If anyone from the Norwalk area is interested but does not want to drive, you’re more than welcome to ride to PC with us.

Opportunity #2
All Accessible Playground in Port Clinton
Several organizations in Port Clinton are working together to build an all-accessible playground at Lakeview Park.  Local organizations have been asked to help with the construction, which will take place from June 3-13.  No special construction skills or knowledge are required.  Volunteers will be provided training on site.  CERT is covering one full day of the project so we’re looking for volunteers to help build AND volunteers to help with registration and food. 
When: Saturday, June 4, 8:00am - 6:00pm
Where: Lakeview Park in Port Clinton

Shifts Available
Build:    8:00am - 1:00pm - 10 openings
        1:00 - 6:00pm - 10 openings
        *Build volunteers must be at least 18 years of age
        *Volunteers can sign up to help all day or for part of the day. If you’d like to help but need to deviate from these times, please let me know

Registration/Food:    7:45 - 11:30am - 3 openings
                11:30 - 4:00pm - 3 openings
                *This opportunity is open to volunteers of any age

If you have family, friends, co-workers, or acquaintances that might be interested in this activity, sign them up!  CERT is supplying the volunteers for this date but non-CERT members are welcome!

For more info on the playground, here’s a recent article from the Sandusky Register: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/Local/2015/04/19/A-Port-Clinton-playground-for-all

Last but not least … 
In place of June training in each county, we are planning an Points of Distribution (POD) exercise for Wednesday, June 22 @ 6:00pm. Our OHMR partners are helping with the training and equipment.  We’ll have 1 hour of POD training followed by a 90-minute exercise.  Event will be held at the Norwalk Armory, 400 West Main Street, Norwalk.  More details to follow!

If you’re available to help on May 29 or June 4, please let me know ASAP. And don’t hesitate to email/call with any questions.

Have a great weekend!
~Lauren

Now that spring is in full bloom, it's time for North Coast CERT to turn our attention to the many summer activities we are asked to support. Summer 2016 promises to be an active time of year for us, as it usually is. Here's a quick update on important items for May and beyond ... 

Capability Groups
Thank you to everyone who has identified their capability group preferences. As you know, this is a transition we are making throughout 2016. Our goal is to have the groups solidified by early fall. If you haven't selected your groups yet, you can do so here --> Capability Group Survey
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As of today, the following volunteers have submitted a response: Andres, Appenfelder, Bunt, Carrisalez, Dresser, Galindo, Giesler, Gill, Hunter, Irick, Koebel, C., Koebel, M., Migrant, Notestine, Reda, Sprunk, Stewart, Thompson, M., Troike, D., Walker, Wilson

May Training
Erie County - Monday, May 9 @ 7:00pm, Perkins Twp Admin Bldg, 2610 Perkins Ave, Sandusky
Topic: ICS for Volunteer Agencies

Ottawa County - Monday, May 16 @ 7:00pm, Ottawa County Resource Center, SR 163, Oak Harbor
Topic: Debris Management

Huron County - Tuesday, May 17 @ 6:00pm, Huron County Admin Bldg, 180 Milan Ave, Norwalk
***Change Alert***
Topic: Our partners at Huron County MRC are working on a very cool project to address community health needs AND prepare for disasters. They've asked North Coast CERT for help distributing the gardening materials for the class, which is essentially a POD. Please help us support MRC and practice our bulk distribution skills on the 17th!

Safety Team Needed for Walleye 5K Run in Port Clinton - Sunday, May 29
We're looking for volunteers to help with race route safety for this event on Sunday, May 29. We've helped with this activity for the last several years - it's a great reason to enjoy a few hours outdoors on a Sunday morning. It's also pretty easy! Volunteers will need to be at the Jefferson Street Pier n Port Clinton by 9:30am and should be done by 11:00am. Interested volunteers from the Norwalk area are welcome to carpool with us! If you're available to help, please let us know - volunteer@northcoastcert.com. 

June Preview: POD Exercise, First Responder Exercise Support, Community Safety Days and more! (Watch your email for details)
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That's it for our May update. We hope to see everyone at training this month. We'll have more updates for June coming your way soon. Stay safe!