Most people do not often associate rainbow hair, red noses and balloon animals with a tornado, earthquake or fire. However, to local clowns Janice Leslie-Irish and Kathy Walter, bringing laughter and comfort to people is a concept as natural as the disasters that can destroy a community.

When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs including someone to talk to or counsel.

That’s why Leslie-Irish and Walter decided to join the Red Cross as Disaster Mental Health Service workers. They wanted to bring their clown background and mental health training to help people, especially children.

“Sometimes in disasters, we focus on adults and forget about the children. I wanted to work with the children and bring that point across,” says Leslie-Irish.

They may not dress as clowns when doing their mental health work, but they do incorporate their clowning experience into their work. They may make balloon animals or integrate their comedic side to make light of the situation.

“Laughter puts people at ease and serves as a distraction,” says Walter.

Both women have received professional licenses and mental health training. Leslie-Irish is a retired MPS employee with background in counseling and worked as a clown at shelters, parties and McDonalds. Walter has received licensed mental health training and has used her clowning to help autistic children.

Disaster Mental Health Service workers provide brief counseling to disaster victims and other workers. Disaster Mental Health Services staff are mental health professionals who provide intervention during a time of disaster and direct long term needs to local mental health providers. If you would like to join us as a Mental Health worker, visit our volunteer page.

The American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin relies on donations of time and money so they can provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in Dodge, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha counties. To donate your time, please visit our Volunteer page. Financial donations can be made online through our secure contribution site.You can also support the Red Cross online by becoming a fan on our facebook page and following us on Twitter.

Local schools, community groups, politicians and businesses have stepped up to raise money for the earthquake victims of Haiti. With coins, checks and cash people of all ages across southeastern Wisconsin have collected more than $334,000 so the American Red Cross can provide tents, food, medical care and other necessary items and services for the people of Haiti.

With the most basic services compromised after the earthquake in Haiti, local community leaders, along with hosts Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and the Milwaukee 7 Water Council, decided to bring the plight of the Haitian people to light through a unique fundraiser. At Milwaukee’s “Water for Haiti” benefit, held January 21, attendees were served only water. Business and elected leaders gathered at Discovery World together to raise more than $28,000 to help deliver the basic needs to people who need them most right now.

"The American Red Cross appreciates the support of this event for the people of Haiti," said Tracey Sparrow, former chief executive officer of the Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin. "The generosity of this community is amazing."

At Elmwood Elementary in New Berlin, student council groups started a penny war to help the people of Haiti. In just four days, they collected more than $4,000.

On January 16, State Representatives Frederick Kessler and Annette Williams, held a joint birthday party with a generous twist. They asked attendees to donate to the Red Cross in support of the relief efforts in Haiti. With more than 200 guests (including special guest Congresswoman Gwen Moore), they raised $1,075.

These generous donations have enabled the Red Cross to provide clean drinking water, distribute shelter items and feed the people of Haiti. The American Red Cross has spent $80 million in one month in order to meet immediate needs of Haitians in a fast, responsible way. The Red Cross will continue to spend the money raised, as quickly as possible, with the significant focus now on emergency shelter - tents and tarps ahead of the rainy season.

The recovery effort in Haiti has a long road ahead. The American Red Cross was first on the ground after the earthquake struck Haiti and will see Haiti through this initial relief phase and beyond. The Red Cross will remain focused on finding communities and populations in need in Haiti, and give them the things they can use to survive this difficult situation and start the road to recovery, until the last donated dollar is spent.

The American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin relies on donations of time and money so they can provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in Dodge, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha counties. To donate your time, please visit our Volunteer page. Financial donations can be made online through our secure contribution site.You can also support the Red Cross online by becoming a fan on our facebook page and following us on Twitter.