PROJECT IMPACT FILLS SCHOOL DISASTER KITS

It started as a simple suggestion and blossomed into a project that creates disaster-preparedness buckets for every school classroom in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City.

Project Impact is coordinating the project to benefit Cape Girardeau schools, and the Area Wide United Way hopes to join in with the Jackson and Scott City schools with its Days of Caring efforts. It is one of the many projects for Project Impact, which is marking its first anniversary this month.

Project Impact is a national effort of the Federal Emergency Management Agency that helps cities develop disaster-prevention programs.

Cape Girardeau was the first Missouri city to receive the designation of a disaster-resistant community. Road signs should soon be posted at the entrances to the city marking the designation.

In April, Project Impact will expand its efforts through a joint venture with the United Way Days of Caring. Area schoolchildren will be asked to bring in items that can be used to build the disaster-preparedness buckets. "It helps them to know what they'll need in a disaster," said Kathy Denton of the United Way.

By putting the disaster-preparedness buckets in classrooms, Project Impact will spread its reach beyond public agencies and businesses already involved.

"It's an educational outlet and it goes home, so maybe they'll build one at home too," said Tracey Glenn, public information officer for the city.

Volunteers from the city, county Public Health Center and Caring Communities filled the buckets Wednesday. Each bucket, full of emergency first-aid kits, a camp stove, matches, solar blankets and flashlights, costs about $68 to make.

Most people will find that they already have 75 percent of the items in their homes, said Charlotte Craig, director of the county Public Health Center. "They might have to spend $20 or $25 worth," she said.

Building the kit doesn't mean that all the items have to be purchased at once. "Just buy what you can afford," Glenn said. "Maybe this week you buy batteries because that's what you can afford."

Project Impact purchased most of its items in bulk. Donations are being accepted for the buckets, which cost $3 each. At least 800 buckets are needed to have one bucket per classroom.

Filling buckets with disaster kits is only one aspect of the work of Project Impact. In its first year the agency has worked to make Cape Girardeau businesses and residents more disaster proof.

"We've come a long way," said Project Impact coordinator Terry Fulk, who joined the staff in July.

If an individual family's house burns down, that is a disaster for the family. Making every family better prepared means that the city is also better prepared, he said.

"People have come to us looking for help, and that's a good thing," Fulk said.

Everything from earthquake awareness to preparation for winter weather comes under the scope of Project Impact. Emergency training and simulated disasters have helped the city realize where there are gaps and work to correct them, he said.

In March, Project Impact will sponsor a seminar for Community Emergency Response Training. Fulk said the training focuses on getting the community ready for a disaster.

"Our rescue people will be so overwhelmed that we'll have to have people to help," he said. But problems can arise if the volunteers are not trained properly and end up getting hurt themselves. "We have to be better prepared."

Project Impact will mark its first anniversary with a luncheon and awards ceremony Feb. 29. Awards will be announced for business of the year, nonprofit agency of the year and public agency of the year.

For information about Project Impact and disaster preparedness, contact Fulk at 332-5624.

PREPARING FOR A DISASTER

Project Impact's education committee is creating disaster-preparedness buckets that will be donated to 800 school classroom in the area. Donations are now being collected for the buckets and supplies. To donate, call the Project Impact office at 332-5624.

What goes into each bucket:

1 roll toilet paper

1 camp stove

2 cans Sterno or canned heat

1 mess kit

6 books regular matches

12 paper plates

6 each plastic forks, spoons and knives

12 disposable drinking cups

1 flashlight

2 D size batteries

2 emergency solar batteries

12 hand/food warmers

6 heavy duty plastic bags

1 first aid kit that contains:

* 6 pair rubber gloves

* 1 8-oz. bottle of contact lens saline solution to clean and irrigate wounds

* 12 knuckle bandages

* 12 regular bandages

* 6 Telfa pads

* 1 roll medical tape

* 12 packets antibiotic ointment

* 3 burn gel packets

* 12 wound wipes

* 2 rolls stretch gauze

* 2 instant ice compresses

* 6 packets each of buffered aspirin and non-aspirin

* 1 each scissors and tweezers

1 4-oz. bottle hydrogen peroxide

6 sanitary napkins, which can be used as large wound dressings.

1 roll duct tape

1 pocket knife

1 can opener

1 punch can opener

2 combs

1 tube toothpaste

2 tooth brushes

2 light sticks

1 bottle hand sanitizer