Volunteer Service and the MRC Mission

The following announcement was sent from the national MRC program office:  Please consider joining your local Medical Reserve Corps.

Colleagues: Initiated by Congress in 1994, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service transforms the federal holiday honoring Dr. King into a national day of community service. The commemoration has grown steadily from a local project to a nationwide movement, which honors the life and teachings of Dr. King.

Instead of seeing January 18th as just a day off from work, the Day of Service seeks to make the holiday a day for volunteerism, where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to strengthen their community, bridge social barriers, and move our Nation closer to the “beloved community” that Dr. King envisioned.

There are many ways for you and your families to get involved.  To find an opportunity near you, visit: http://www.serve.gov/mlkday.asp#serve

Letter of Thanks to MRC's from Commissioner Auerbach

Dear Colleagues:

I would like to extend my appreciation to the thousands of volunteers in the 45 Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units based in Massachusetts who have been called upon more often than ever before because of the H1N1 virus. You have lived up to your mission of improving the health and safety of communities across Massachusetts by organizing and utilizing public health, medical and other volunteers.

MRC members have generously provided their time and effort to support hundreds of public H1N1 and seasonal flu clinics throughout the Commonwealth over the past several months. Your support has been and will continue to be crucial to the continued success of our efforts to protect the public from H1N1 through mass vaccination and other means.

MRC members have also assisted in community education and awareness campaigns and assisted in planning and exercises in preparation for the mass vaccination efforts that helped ensure success during the H1N1 pandemic. Many people in the highest-risk groups have been vaccinated for both seasonal and H1N1 influenza. And, for the moment, H1N1 flu illness has declined in most areas. But, we are only at the beginning of the traditional flu season and H1N1 could return with a vengeance. Therefore, we still need your support to continue the vaccination efforts, to educate and inform the public about the flu and to be on call for the unpredictable.

Once again, thank you for your past efforts and for your ongoing commitment to protecting the public’s health. Best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy new year – with less illness (H1N1 and otherwise) and fewer emergencies.

Sincerely,

John Auerbach

Commissioner

MRC called a 'Hidden Treasure

 In support of our Mission to Build Strong, Healthy and Prepared Communities, Berkshire Medical Reserve Corps volunteers have worked hundreds of hours to date at area H1N1 clinics.  Here is what one public health official has to say:

“Your volunteers were great!! Everything went very well and I would like to thank all of your for your support. The MRC is a hidden treasure that many don't know about."

J.W. Pittsfield

If you would like to be involved in something meaningful in the New Year, please sign up to assist at an H1N1 Clinic. It's important, and it's fun!