Men and women who serve in the military have equipment to support the work they are called to do, whether they are participating in training exercises or whether they are deployed to battle.
But their families – especially children – sometimes need some special support when their parent returns home and family members find themselves in a caregiver role.
Melissa Comeau knows firsthand the importance of linking these “hidden helpers” with resources to help them as they provide care for their loved ones.
Comeau is the director of the Military Veteran Caregiver Network of the American Red Cross. This network offers peer-based support and services to those who are caring for injured, wounded or aging service members or veterans.
She and Phyllis Maynard talked about how the support network got started and how to access help Tuesday on TownTalk’s recurring segment “Former Active Duty, Still Boots on the Ground.”
The term “resiliency” has been batted around a lot lately, especially in light of the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.
Children are resilient.
And first responders are resilient, too.
Someone is resilient when he or she lives through a challenging time and comes out the other end, as good or better than before.
The Hidden Helpers project is a collaboration of several prominent organizations – the Wounded Warrior Project, The Elizabeth Dole Foundation among them – that provides a way for those caregivers “to come together and learn that they’re not alone,” Comeau said. Through Hidden Helpers, participants build relationships and find resources, she added.
Those relationships and resources were not so easy to identify when she was searching for help, however.
“I didn’t know I was a caregiver,” she acknowledged. A nurse who was caring for Comeau’s husband, himself a wounded Marine, who gave her that label.
“It opened up a new identity,” Comeau said, “but also a new idea of the support that I needed.”
She started looking around, “in all the usual places,” but wasn’t finding what the support she needed for someone who was the spouse – and caregiver – of someone with a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress.
Her husband was able to get a medical retirement, through her efforts.
“This journey is so personal to me,” Comeau said. Not only does it offer another support stream for veterans, but also for the children growing up in these households as well.
Her son, just a toddler when she began this journey, is 11 now.
Children, though resilient, can suffer adversely when one parent is a caregiver to the other parent.
Whether it’s missing out on opportunities to interact with their peers, or experiencing anxiety or depression, the children sometimes suffer silently.
Through peer support and sharing, Hidden Helpers provides a platform for young people to express their feelings and share their own experiences with others who face similar circumstances.
The Hidden Helpers resiliency workshop is “aimed directly at children in caregiver homes,” Comeau said. “We took our best practices and lessons learned and built a resiliency workshop, all led by professionals licensed with mental health credentials.
The workshops are capped at 12 participants, who are grouped by age, she said. And all participants receive follow-up care, a critical ingredient in the process.
Whether in deployment, transition back to civilian life or needing a caregiver, Red Cross partners with other agencies to provide resources that aid service men and women and their families.
Hearing the stories and experiences of others plays a vital role in helping others find their voice and understand their own journeys.
The Hidden Helpers framework takes a holistic approach to “build supports that will help everyone, without them burning out,” she said.
“That creates a better outcome for everyone involved.”
The Hidden Helpers has an online community presence that is available 24/7, Comeau said.
To learn more, visit www.redcross.org/caregivers.
Additional links:
https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/2022-07-11-Wounded-Warrior-Project-Announces-Latest-Grants-to-Support-Veterans-Service-Organization-Partners
https://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces/blog/2021/11/10/joining-forces-and-hidden-helpers-coalition-pledge-support-to-military-and-veteran-children-in-caregiving-families/
https://hiddenheroes.org/news/hiddenhelperslaunch/
https://www.mathematica.org/publications/hidden-helpers-at-the-frontlines-of-caregiving-supporting-the-healthy-development-of-children
https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/family-caregiving/
Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Sharing, Pt. 4
/by Bill HarrisListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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TownTalk: Election Recap
/by Bill HarrisA look back at yesterday’s election results.
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TownTalk: Kettle Drive Underway For Salvation Army
/by Laura GabelIt’s sort of like being asked to throw out the first pitch at a baseball game or to join the teams at midfield for the traditional coin toss. Dollar bills don’t make much noise as they land softly in the Big Red Kettle, but when they heard the familiar tinkling sound, the crowd assembled in front of Belk department store broke out in applause.
It’s the kickoff of the Salvation Army’s annual Kettle Campaign, y’all.
And Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington had the honor of depositing the first contribution, adding with a chuckle, that “it’s the first of many.”
The husband-and-wife team that leads the local Salvation Army, Capt. Josh and Capt. Amanda Keaton, were on hand to officially start the holiday season of giving to the Salvation Army.
This year’s goal is $75,000, Capt. Josh Keaton told the group of local officials and others assembled Wednesday morning.
“Families are facing hard choices,” he added. Ringing the bell and standing by the kettle is a way for volunteers to pitch in as a community so that others don’t have to make the choice to either pay the light bill or buy food to put on the table.
Those cheery bell ringers give of their time, he said, “while giving a little bit of hope and cheer to others.”
Belk store manager Chris Tilley said he was happy to be able to partner with the Salvation Army. In addition to having the bell ringers outside the store, patrons inside will have the opportunity at check-out to make an additional donation to the Salvation Army.
The store also will sponsor a toy drive that will begin in early December.
“This is just another great way to partner with a great organization to help children,” Tilley said.
John Metzger chairs the Salvation Army advisory committee and he said that all the money collected in the local kettles is given to the local Salvation Army and it is all used to help local residents in need.
Three local Walmarts – Henderson, Oxford and Louisburg – will have Angel Trees set up for shoppers to choose tags from and purchase toys for children.
This year’s theme is “Love Beyond,” Keaton said.
“We’re going to do our part in the community to make sure somebody else in the community has a Christmas.”
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Visit Vance County Farmers Market For Cool-Season Greens And So Much More
/by WIZS StaffNo doubt, some folks already are planning the menu for their Thanksgiving meal. Whether that’s the case at your house or not, the Vance County Regional Farmers Market’s annual Handcrafted Holiday Market coming up Nov. 19 can check off many items needed to create dishes sure to delight all those around the holiday table.
Manager Pat Ayscue said farmers are harvesting one of their very best fall crops, fresh for the taking this Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There’s an abundance of collards and turnip salad, lettuce, cabbage and broccoli, as well as crisp apples, farm fresh eggs, pork and grass-fed beef and fresh baked goods.
The holiday market, set for Nov. 19, will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature the market vegetables as well as vendors’ handcrafted items and other goodies.
Ayscue gives thanks for the farmers, vendors and all the patrons who support the local farmers market.
EBT is accepted.
Visit www. https://vance.ces.ncsu.edu/vance-county-regional-farmers-market/
The farmers market is located at 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson
SportsTalk: Vipers Preparing For A Southern Durham Rematch
/by Bill Harris“We feel good. I would put them up against any team in the state,” Vance Vipers Head Coach Aaron Elliott said on Wednesday’s SportsTalk with Bill Harris. The Vipers have advanced to round two of the state high school football playoffs after a 28-26 road win against highly touted West Carteret last Friday in Morehead City. The Vipers were underdogs last week and may be so again Thursday night against conference rivals Southern Durham, who have already beaten the Vipers once this year.
Coach Elliott likes being an underdog. That, he says, eliminates the team having a target on its back. “As long as we are healthy, we can go a long way in the playoffs,” Elliott added. Right now the Vipers are healthy. An unexpected week off for the Vipers helped tremendously to get kids back after a round of flu contributed to the Southern Durham loss a few weeks ago.
All season long Coach Elliott has worked to instill the importance of practice with the Vipers and that has seemed to pay off this season, and he said this week has had great practices despite a shortened week. The game has been moved to Thursday night at Southern Durham with a kick off time set for 7:30 p.m. due to remnants of Nicole making an appearance in North Carolina. The Vipers and the Spartans may still have to work through some rain Thursday night, but everything is set for a rematch between two great teams looking to advance to round three.
Airtime Thursday night is at 7:20 p.m. with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. from Southern Durham.
Listen Local and Listen Live at 1450 AM / 100.1 FM and online here – https://player.listenlive.co/53101
CLICK PLAY to hear Coach Elliott!
Ruin Creek Road Water Leak Repaired
/by John C. RoseUPDATE 2 p.m. Wednesday:
The water and sewer utilities division of public works for the City of Henderson worked Tuesday and then again on Wednesday morning to repair a water line issue on Ruin Creek Road.
Several area businesses were impacted Tuesday.
City Manager Terrell Blackmon told WIZS News there was “a leak on Ruin Creek Road very early (Tuesday) morning.”
It took breaking up asphalt and concrete to get to and correct the issue as well as cooperation from the NCDOT.
The water had to be shut off some Tuesday to help identify the leak.
Blackmon said crews were able “to provide temporary water to the hospital so that they are able to continue their operations.”
A water leak was repaired by crews on Ruin Creek Road on October 24 as well.
For now, a valve also has been installed at the site to try to help minimize future issues, and it’s expected smooth sailing at this point, both with the water flow and across the freshly repaired roadway over the original issue.
—————————————–
Original Update 3:37 p.m. Tuesday:
The water and sewer utilities division of public works for the City of Henderson is working to repair a water line issue on Ruin Creek Road.
Several area businesses have been impacted.
City Manager Terrell Blackmon told WIZS News, “We had a leak on Ruin Creek Road very early this morning… They’re working with (the North Carolina Department of Transportation) and they anticipate breaking up asphalt this afternoon to get to the actual place where they believe the leak is located.”
The water had to be shut off to help identify the leak.
Blackmon said, “It will probably be later this evening before all the water is back on in that area. However, they have been able to provide temporary water to the hospital so that they are able to continue their operations.”
City Councilman Garry Daeke indicated to WIZS the water leak is between the YMCA and Duke Primary Care-Henderson. In a text to WIZS earlier in the day he said, “low water pressure in area, should be corrected by later tonight, crews on the scene.”
A water leak was repaired by crews on Ruin Creek Road on October 24 as well.
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 11-09-22 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Home And Garden Show
/by Bill HarrisOn the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
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Sossamon Unseats Incumbent Garrison For N.C. House District 32 Seat
/by WIZS StaffHe didn’t win in his home county, but political newcomer Frank Sossamon unseated incumbent Terry Garrison to win the District 32 seat in the N.C. House.
And shortly after learning of his victory Tuesday evening, Sossamon told WIZS News that his election was a grassroots effort.
“The people realized it was time for a change,” Sossamon said, adding that he looks forward to advancing the district economically, and advancing the community in a wholesome way. He also said he wants to put some “real teeth” in the law that punishes those who kill law enforcement officers. He said he would be in favor of the death penalty for those who take the lives of law enforcement officers.
The criminal element in District 32, Sossamon said, is “no longer welcome in our community. I will do whatever I have to do to make us crime free,” he added. “It’s time for us to clean up our neighborhoods.”
Final election results posted on the N.C. State Board of Elections website had Sossamon with 14,107 votes – 51.39 percent – to Garrison’s 13,342 – 48.61 percent.
Garrison said, despite the loss, he is optimistic for the future. In a phone interview with WIZS Tuesday evening, he said he was grateful for the opportunity he has had to serve the public.
The recent redistricting affected the race, he said. “When I lost Warren County, that was a big loss,” he said.
Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame has won a second term, soundly defeating challenger Patrick Bailey in Tuesday’s midterm elections, leading the way for other incumbents in numerous local races. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Brame, a Democrat, got 8,422 votes, compared to 4,558 votes for Bailey, a Republican.
Democrat Randy Oxendine is the winner over challenger Charlie Baskerville for Vance County Board of Education District 2, receiving 63 percent of the vote. Baskerville got 37 percent of voters.
Candidates for Vance County Board of Commissioners ran unopposed – Sean Alston in District 3, Dan Brummitt in District 4 and Tommy Hester in District 7 – and were re-elected in Tuesday’s election.
In a phone interview Tuesday evening, Brame said he was relieved upon hearing the results that give him a second term as sheriff. “I can breathe,” Brame said. He underscored the need for collaboration and for the citizens of Vance County “to take ownership of your community.”
Oxendine won a seat on the Vance County Board of Education and he told WIZS News Tuesday that he feels he is “stepping in” to a role previously held by his wife. “I almost feel like I’ve already been on the board,” Oxendine said, reflecting on his win over challenger Charlie Baskerville. Oxendine’s wife previously held the seat, but when she announced that she would not seek another term, her husband threw his hat into the ring.
In some other results that affect Vance County and surrounding counties:
TownTalk: “Hidden Helpers” Program Assists Veterans’ Families
/by Laura GabelMen and women who serve in the military have equipment to support the work they are called to do, whether they are participating in training exercises or whether they are deployed to battle.
But their families – especially children – sometimes need some special support when their parent returns home and family members find themselves in a caregiver role.
Melissa Comeau knows firsthand the importance of linking these “hidden helpers” with resources to help them as they provide care for their loved ones.
Comeau is the director of the Military Veteran Caregiver Network of the American Red Cross. This network offers peer-based support and services to those who are caring for injured, wounded or aging service members or veterans.
She and Phyllis Maynard talked about how the support network got started and how to access help Tuesday on TownTalk’s recurring segment “Former Active Duty, Still Boots on the Ground.”
The term “resiliency” has been batted around a lot lately, especially in light of the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.
Children are resilient.
And first responders are resilient, too.
Someone is resilient when he or she lives through a challenging time and comes out the other end, as good or better than before.
The Hidden Helpers project is a collaboration of several prominent organizations – the Wounded Warrior Project, The Elizabeth Dole Foundation among them – that provides a way for those caregivers “to come together and learn that they’re not alone,” Comeau said. Through Hidden Helpers, participants build relationships and find resources, she added.
Those relationships and resources were not so easy to identify when she was searching for help, however.
“I didn’t know I was a caregiver,” she acknowledged. A nurse who was caring for Comeau’s husband, himself a wounded Marine, who gave her that label.
“It opened up a new identity,” Comeau said, “but also a new idea of the support that I needed.”
She started looking around, “in all the usual places,” but wasn’t finding what the support she needed for someone who was the spouse – and caregiver – of someone with a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress.
Her husband was able to get a medical retirement, through her efforts.
“This journey is so personal to me,” Comeau said. Not only does it offer another support stream for veterans, but also for the children growing up in these households as well.
Her son, just a toddler when she began this journey, is 11 now.
Children, though resilient, can suffer adversely when one parent is a caregiver to the other parent.
Whether it’s missing out on opportunities to interact with their peers, or experiencing anxiety or depression, the children sometimes suffer silently.
Through peer support and sharing, Hidden Helpers provides a platform for young people to express their feelings and share their own experiences with others who face similar circumstances.
The Hidden Helpers resiliency workshop is “aimed directly at children in caregiver homes,” Comeau said. “We took our best practices and lessons learned and built a resiliency workshop, all led by professionals licensed with mental health credentials.
The workshops are capped at 12 participants, who are grouped by age, she said. And all participants receive follow-up care, a critical ingredient in the process.
Whether in deployment, transition back to civilian life or needing a caregiver, Red Cross partners with other agencies to provide resources that aid service men and women and their families.
Hearing the stories and experiences of others plays a vital role in helping others find their voice and understand their own journeys.
The Hidden Helpers framework takes a holistic approach to “build supports that will help everyone, without them burning out,” she said.
“That creates a better outcome for everyone involved.”
The Hidden Helpers has an online community presence that is available 24/7, Comeau said.
To learn more, visit www.redcross.org/caregivers.
Additional links:
https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/2022-07-11-Wounded-Warrior-Project-Announces-Latest-Grants-to-Support-Veterans-Service-Organization-Partners
https://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces/blog/2021/11/10/joining-forces-and-hidden-helpers-coalition-pledge-support-to-military-and-veteran-children-in-caregiving-families/
https://hiddenheroes.org/news/hiddenhelperslaunch/
https://www.mathematica.org/publications/hidden-helpers-at-the-frontlines-of-caregiving-supporting-the-healthy-development-of-children
https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/family-caregiving/