tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72594434807289486782024-02-29T01:27:30.815-06:00Red Alert: Red Cross DFW BlogKeeping Up With The American Red Cross in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.Bohemian BAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729477880534591172noreply@blogger.comBlogger845125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-83348500777925301102015-07-21T10:00:00.003-05:002015-07-21T10:01:09.078-05:00We Have Moved! The Red Alert Blog has moved! We're now hosting our blog on WordPress.com at <a href="http://redcrossdfw.wordpress.com/">RedCrossDFW.wordpress.com</a>. You can also access the site from <a href="http://www.redcross.org/dfw/blog">http://www.redcross.org/dfw/blog</a>.<br />
<br />
While we have moved most of our archived stories to the new blog, we will be keeping this page live for anyone who would like to dig any deeper. We hope you'll continue to follow us and share our stories from our new page. We feel that this move will make our blog more user-friendly and enjoyable for YOU.<br />
<br />
Check it out:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://redcrossdfw.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNr0unialD_FEOLMhfmdYukCPRNt9WK49oANruZ5HddRe0mpftG3fwPproMCr8pFkv9wPBxSNAbfsdicDQBQ9vEePq1YzD8UrDlxpM0bFDUpNsVHy-ncek8sV0Fxej1GobHEklrL6WVlE/s400/sgsrthrger.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Red Cross DFWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05373929370516540611noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-69533008966152779622015-07-16T15:35:00.000-05:002015-07-16T15:35:53.388-05:00Beyond First Aid: Emotional Health<div class="MsoNormal">
<div align="center">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em></em></strong></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0cXP7DJgBFG84VDeVZUfdi-Zq17qB7WRuLuAOZvL08Bs-H6rWpZBuQAMnZXwpupgn8O2ajrWIQOKMNMymfb3LcTHfe37Nm5EdFSajAT2QPf4dStIGgTbRIZzGNGO4m2XJ9V7R7VN-RA/s1600/a-comfort-hug_17485445044_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0cXP7DJgBFG84VDeVZUfdi-Zq17qB7WRuLuAOZvL08Bs-H6rWpZBuQAMnZXwpupgn8O2ajrWIQOKMNMymfb3LcTHfe37Nm5EdFSajAT2QPf4dStIGgTbRIZzGNGO4m2XJ9V7R7VN-RA/s320/a-comfort-hug_17485445044_o.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em></em></strong></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em></em></strong></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em></em></strong></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>Bajen hacia abajo para leer el artículo en español</em></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i></i></span> <o:p><br /><em>By Jenny Contreras, intern contributor</em></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />The rain has steered clear of North Texas for the past few days, and a few boats have even returned to Lake Lewisville after the spring storms flooded the area. While Texans are recovering from the damage left by the storms, one can’t help but wonder how the survivors are holding up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />Although the Red Cross is known for helping disaster-stuck areas by providing food and shelter, many do not know that the organization also provides free counseling and support after a disaster. Coping with the trauma from disasters is far from easy, but trained Red Crossers from Disaster Mental Health Services help people understand their situation and cope with their emotions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />After a traumatic event such as a disaster, strong feelings are expected. Some of these feelings include:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• Feeling of weariness (physically and emotionally)<br />•Having difficulty staying focused<br />•Feelings of frustration on a daily basis<br />•Arguing more with family and friends<br />•Feelings of sadness, loneliness and fatigue<br />•Going through changes in appetite and sleep patterns</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />These feelings are brief and with time they will go away. To help with the stress from the disaster, face the situation and look for ways to improve the well-being of your family in spite of the circumstances. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong>Preparedness is Valuable</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To strengthen one’s emotional well-being before disaster strikes here on some tips to manage some storm-related fears and anxiety:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /><strong> Have a plan and implement it.</strong> Have a plan for you and your family (including furry family members) to be safe during the storm. Recent storms and other weather-related events have illustrated the importance of emergency preparedness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /><strong> Get the facts.</strong> Gather information that will help you accurately determine your risk so that you can take reasonable actions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong>Download our free app.</strong> We have a few cool apps to help you track and prepare for any potential disasters (emergency, tornado, wildfire, hurricane and flood)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /><strong>Stay healthy.</strong> A healthy body can have a positive impact on your thoughts and emotions, enabling you to make better decisions and better deal with any disaster.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /><strong>Reach out to your children.</strong> Help children by restricting constant viewing of the news, giving them realistic assurances that plans are in place to keep them safe and maintaining their normal routines as much as possible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /><strong>Maintain a hopeful outlook.</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Physical and emotional reactions to trauma are different with every person while some may come back on their feet while others have prolonged feelings of anxiety or sadness. However when these feelings persist and are affecting your relationships family, friends and others, reach out for additional help. Remember your friends from the Red Cross have the resources to help you heal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To get free counseling or support, contact the Disaster Distress Helpline, sponsored by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em>Más que Primeros Auxilios: Salud Emocional</em><br /> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em>Por Jenny Contreras, intern contributor</em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />La lluvia ya está fuera del área. Hasta unos barcos regresaron a Lake Lewisville después de las tormentas que inundaron el lago. Mientras Tejanos están recuperando del desastre que dejo las tormentas, uno tiene que preguntarse, ¿cómo estarán los sobrevivientes?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />Aunque La Cruz Roja es conocida por ayudando lugares destruidas por desastres naturales en dando comida y abrigo, muchos no saben que la organización también da ayuda en administrando asesoramientos emocionales y suporte después de un desastre. Afrentando los sentimientos uno tiene después de trauma no es fácil, pero voluntarios de La Cruz Roja de Disaster Mental Health Services ayudan gente entender la situación en que están y los ayudan en enfrentando sus emociones.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Después de un evento traumático como un desastre natural, fuerte sentimientos son esperados. Unos sentimientos incluyen: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• Sentimientos de cansancio (físico y emocional)<br />•Teniendo dificultad estando enfocado(a)<br />•Sintiendo frustración todo el tiempo<br />•Alegando con familia y amigos<br />•Sufriendo de sentimientos de tristeza, soledad y lasitud<br />•Cambios de apetito o hábitos de sueño</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Estos sentimientos son breves y con tiempo se van a ir. Para ayudar con el estrés por desastres, trata de enfrentar la situación y mira por maneras para mejorar el bien estar de tu familia a pesar de la circunstancias. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /><strong>El Valor de Preparación</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Para fortalecer el bien estar emocional de uno antes de un desastre natural, aquí hay unos consejos para controlar unas preocupaciones que uno tendrá sobre tormentas: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong>Ten un plan e impleméntalo.</strong> Ten un plan para tú y tu familia (incluyendo a tus mascotas) para que estén seguros. Las tormentas que hemos tenido demuestran la importancia de estando preparados para emergencias. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong>Agarra los hechos.</strong> Congrega toda la información que te puede ayudar en determinando los riesgos potenciales para que tomas acciones razonables.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong>Baja nuestra app.</strong> Tenemos apps que son bien impresionantes para ayudarte en preparándote por algunas desastres potenciales. (apps de emergencia, tornado, fuegos salvajes, huracanes y inundaciones)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong>Mantente saludable.</strong> Un cuerpo saludable puede tener un impacto positivo y como resultado puede uno hacer buenas decisiones cuándo se trata de tiempos de catástrofe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong>Habla con tus niños.</strong> Ayudo a tus niños en restringiendo el visualización constante de las noticias. Dales confianzas y explícales que hay planes en su lugar para asegurar la salud de la familia.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong>Piensen positivo.</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />Las reacciones de traumas físicos y emocionales son diferentes con cada persona. Mientras unos recuperan más rápido que otros, unos pueden tener prolongados sentimientos de ansiedad y estrés. Cuando estos sentimientos persisten y están afectando tus relaciónes con tu familia y amigos, agarra ayuda. Acuérdate que tus amigos de La Cruz Roja tiene las recursos para ayudarte sanar. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />Para a obtener asesoramientos emocionales o suporte, habla al Disaster Distress hotline, patrocinado por el Substance Abuse& Mental Health Services Administration, a 1-800-985-5990 o text “TalkWithUs” a 66746.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
Red Cross DFWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05373929370516540611noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-59576375459845896582015-07-09T15:49:00.000-05:002015-07-09T15:55:33.642-05:00Big Battle for a Little Girl<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><em>Written by Jan Hale, American Red Cross Blood Services</em></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">We
most often hear of life-altering diseases affecting their victims later in
life. While these are always hard stories to tell and to receive, they seem to
be all the more heart-breaking when the life they are affecting has just begun.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">At
only 3 years old, Reece Griffin was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia
(ALL) on April 16, 2015. ALL is a potentially life-threatening illness that can
cause bone or joint pain, reoccurring infections and fatigue. Reece has had to receive
numerous blood transfusions since her diagnosis, and she still has a long way
to go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">On
July 14, the American Red Cross is operating a blood drive in honor of Reece.
We would like to encourage area residents to honor her and all of the other
patients in the DFW metroplex in need of blood this summer by donating at the
event. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">“We
can never thank those that rolled up a sleeve to give the blood that Reece has
already received,” said Reece’s mom, Roxxy Griffin. “But, we can help educate
our friends, neighbors and others on the importance of giving blood, especially
during summer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The
summer is an especially difficult time to collect enough blood to meet the
needs of hospital patients. Many regular donors are traveling and vacationing,
so summertime donors are extremely vital to ensuring that our area hospitals
receive enough blood to fulfill patient needs. Blood donors with all types,
particularly O negative, A negative and B negative, are urged to make an
appointment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6gxNSY9cyoX977DOY__iC9IFGxJNuYWZHgOZryaIVcWnjeyYE_SV6yW0WEc1_02Lxor6BKIqNf5SRysO36MZ0vXf8D7d7IMwcXCYOScg9rvifDhUXr5cqIs7KIK1C4S02eYTvF-g03c/s1600/RG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6gxNSY9cyoX977DOY__iC9IFGxJNuYWZHgOZryaIVcWnjeyYE_SV6yW0WEc1_02Lxor6BKIqNf5SRysO36MZ0vXf8D7d7IMwcXCYOScg9rvifDhUXr5cqIs7KIK1C4S02eYTvF-g03c/s320/RG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Donate Blood in Honor of Reece McKenzie
Griffin<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Tuesday, July 14,
10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Math/Science/Technology
Magnet School<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">450 Abrams Road,
Richardson, Texas <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">To make an
appointment to donate, download the
Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit
redcrossblood.org (Sponsor code: </span><a href="http://www.redcrossblood.org/give/drive/driveSearchList.jsp?zipSponsor=reecemckenzie"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">reecemckenzie</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">) or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Red Cross DFWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05373929370516540611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-72030095666926742462015-07-08T09:47:00.003-05:002015-07-10T08:16:59.180-05:0015 Movie Characters Who Should've Turned Around<em>By Shannon Randol, intern contributor, American Red Cross</em><br />
<br />
Rain, rain, go away come again some other day ... like in a year. <br />
<br />
The Red Cross has <i>flooded </i>social media feeds for months about the importance of #TurnAroundDontDrown (thanks for the campaign, National Weather Service)! So much so I think it's safe to say you might be sick of hearing it.<br />
<br />
To add some cheer to the drenched residents of Texas and to play off of the infamous hashtag, here are 15 movie characters who should've just listened and <b>turned around. </b><br />
<br />
15. Alfred Hitchcock's <b>"The Birds"</b><br />
<i>Why did Melanie check out the attic alone when she knew there were killer birds out there flapping around? Don't ever investigate a noise in a thriller movie!</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztUx7Csn6glRxbkfz-apW-DkNFWL4Zdb_gKnDFt43Y2C7_T6PRg7DUKC-WtHq61Fd7rFCcKxxXugAZY0_3oxaUiwySjSxCTFeOL4hDNxrSdlRi7SQNtOnFTAQfsKltTwgY-cpa85bW9k/s1600/The_Birds_10_11_Movie_CLIP_Attacked_in_the_Attic_1963_HD.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztUx7Csn6glRxbkfz-apW-DkNFWL4Zdb_gKnDFt43Y2C7_T6PRg7DUKC-WtHq61Fd7rFCcKxxXugAZY0_3oxaUiwySjSxCTFeOL4hDNxrSdlRi7SQNtOnFTAQfsKltTwgY-cpa85bW9k/s1600/The_Birds_10_11_Movie_CLIP_Attacked_in_the_Attic_1963_HD.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
14. Tobe Hooper's <b>"Poltergeist"</b><br />
<i>White noise coming from a television in the middle of the night? Little Carol why did you put your hand out?! Always pretend to be asleep and then tell your parents to hit the road tomorrow! Yikes!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJr-Ozp7w4HIbmAdEqXDqufixRCqfusZy8l3MLWtKaLPzB0cdGj-CGTmu-Ny_Qy8lLB1ARtvbkKNhgcb7HcFIJ5t27vfAZdlcXxaxx4yVBheDDp1qejC7N0pvPgmOhoQ0_VRHiEyVpRlY/s1600/Poltergeist_TV_Scene_They_re_Here.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJr-Ozp7w4HIbmAdEqXDqufixRCqfusZy8l3MLWtKaLPzB0cdGj-CGTmu-Ny_Qy8lLB1ARtvbkKNhgcb7HcFIJ5t27vfAZdlcXxaxx4yVBheDDp1qejC7N0pvPgmOhoQ0_VRHiEyVpRlY/s1600/Poltergeist_TV_Scene_They_re_Here.gif" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i><i><br /></i>
<br />
13. Steven Spielberg's <b>"Jaws"</b><br />
<i>A classic movie that terrified viewers with two notes, but Brody wanted to chum the waters. Why didn't you chug that tug boat to shore warp-speed after seeing the monster? You're crazy. </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkpUFvKVvizVAFSN5uHsIY5HCabg8vtuLAN6QjfmVUgb3lJi8-bk1D8anpYEYYHhYdlbJqodooHiArLcSpYfyRy3c3SP2P8GQjAmqI65fskJMBpEq7n9r3no8tETZxZ9TZrCWq6wwbaE/s1600/jaws_clip_You_re_going_to_need_a_bigger_boat.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkpUFvKVvizVAFSN5uHsIY5HCabg8vtuLAN6QjfmVUgb3lJi8-bk1D8anpYEYYHhYdlbJqodooHiArLcSpYfyRy3c3SP2P8GQjAmqI65fskJMBpEq7n9r3no8tETZxZ9TZrCWq6wwbaE/s1600/jaws_clip_You_re_going_to_need_a_bigger_boat.gif" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i><i><br /></i>
12. <i> </i>Joe Johnson's <b>"Jumanji"</b><br />
<i>Yes, we understand you had to finish the game to end the nightmare, BUT after being thrown into a monsoon with a giant crocodile, why didn't you just say, "nope, I'm done, I need to get the rest of my life together!" </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xI3QnELt7hA57AMbRBXhHXyrmz-1DAMxVTCk5zynhrvnNgCiY8yChnOVQEFHokFrS5aXsd_Ib7D1fDzm3tGu4E4yXJG5UP024xJ1UfTGOxXj64HGjZ23U7Qmj_1u-hzdMxT57DobyqE/s1600/Jumanji_5_8_Movie_CLIP_Crocodile_Attack_1995_HD.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xI3QnELt7hA57AMbRBXhHXyrmz-1DAMxVTCk5zynhrvnNgCiY8yChnOVQEFHokFrS5aXsd_Ib7D1fDzm3tGu4E4yXJG5UP024xJ1UfTGOxXj64HGjZ23U7Qmj_1u-hzdMxT57DobyqE/s1600/Jumanji_5_8_Movie_CLIP_Crocodile_Attack_1995_HD.gif" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
11. Disney's <b>"Little Mermaid"</b><br />
<i>Every time you watch Ariel give her voice to the sea witch, Ursula, you feel anxious. WHY WOULD YOU TRUST AN OCTOPUS?! Do you know how much easier it would've been to nab your prince had you just <b>turned around!? </b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgQvVyoTdlqfqqgKcsd_h_1jfdKlqVLW4pqOWR5whdt1PAHjmTX-K49VryOMz09GBwQjq3WKbsxoRgZbDGAvnHNe7hFxaztEJ2JUNFHkyn8hERr3KD1PkuQaFmFi6XS_O5EvpjYt0Tns/s1600/Poor_Unfortunate_Souls_English.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgQvVyoTdlqfqqgKcsd_h_1jfdKlqVLW4pqOWR5whdt1PAHjmTX-K49VryOMz09GBwQjq3WKbsxoRgZbDGAvnHNe7hFxaztEJ2JUNFHkyn8hERr3KD1PkuQaFmFi6XS_O5EvpjYt0Tns/s1600/Poor_Unfortunate_Souls_English.gif" /></a></div>
<i><b><br /></b></i><i><b><br /></b></i>
10. Roland Emmerich's <b>"The Day After Tomorrow"</b><br />
<i>New York City is under another world altering natural disaster? NOPE. It never ends well! And who wants to freeze to death and dig their way out of snow piled up as high as skyscrapers? </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUBOb2wsm2_tDMUvo0Nv63lGgMXt4WZTtNSjjN4K6UiErNCs195myPd1Pqm82uVwOE8_GiSp3i615ZMDKRcO5jUTp0cYapTDJ2jy_4UNOSLPv6ASLMyGp2mNL2Uk51l-aRPk0A_l6TX4/s1600/The_Day_After_Tomorrow_Super_Freeze_Scene.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUBOb2wsm2_tDMUvo0Nv63lGgMXt4WZTtNSjjN4K6UiErNCs195myPd1Pqm82uVwOE8_GiSp3i615ZMDKRcO5jUTp0cYapTDJ2jy_4UNOSLPv6ASLMyGp2mNL2Uk51l-aRPk0A_l6TX4/s1600/The_Day_After_Tomorrow_Super_Freeze_Scene.gif" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>9. David R. Ellis's <b>"Snakes on a Plane"</b><br />
<i>Um, I can deal with spiders, but slimy no leg slithering poisonous snakes falling out of every nook and cranny from an airplane? I don't think so. I hate heights and flying for that matter, but I would've grabbed a parachute and floated my behind right back down to snake-free ground. Peace out! </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6W9c6s5FoSEt7aun0ZIF4ri1b-AyN97LjiiWZaxI1TO-xdYGkra5NyQA2AMLrDsxUGpG1u08k7apiZ3NTUsG5-BwzAao4huhnLUouQGm5USSI2XJN1y0idQK6vrGF654s-UMZZavXofk/s1600/Snakes_on_Plane_Epic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6W9c6s5FoSEt7aun0ZIF4ri1b-AyN97LjiiWZaxI1TO-xdYGkra5NyQA2AMLrDsxUGpG1u08k7apiZ3NTUsG5-BwzAao4huhnLUouQGm5USSI2XJN1y0idQK6vrGF654s-UMZZavXofk/s1600/Snakes_on_Plane_Epic.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
8. William Friedkin's <b>"The Exorcist" </b>1973<br />
<i>If I saw anyone who could turn their head around without the use of their neck ... I wouldn't be wasting any time on trying to save their souls -- bye, Felicia. </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_QGSllbjh9M9_lzJLlt8Akz99_3qe11HeNWUR3YdiAxw40E08EcGA36kaopB6FeqoECtLOAsCrxoTfVNcMSvaMPeFNoE4ufd_UGP2Sh4dnA3NfUmanfEivcM0uIl7Fi7SLYQGCYH2sw/s1600/The_Exorcist_Head_Spins.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_QGSllbjh9M9_lzJLlt8Akz99_3qe11HeNWUR3YdiAxw40E08EcGA36kaopB6FeqoECtLOAsCrxoTfVNcMSvaMPeFNoE4ufd_UGP2Sh4dnA3NfUmanfEivcM0uIl7Fi7SLYQGCYH2sw/s1600/The_Exorcist_Head_Spins.gif" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i><i>7. </i>David Yates's <b>"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" </b><br />
<i>You can't have a list without the Harry Potter series. I couldn't let it happen. I'm glad they didn't turn around, and I'm happy they beat that bully Voldemort. (#HarryPotterForever) But, in order to include them with this list, here's Longbottom's scene with all those greasy death eaters. </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuNxeIQEKYat5yFTkgs3xm7TrUtvz4YvssY7AXWch-KftKJc7jUiIVmtWIxuCwa_CD5mkYq0RBfusqR3L8DBU8edL7sUuAm9zzcmQWotvE7ha1pDsfcDtqKS2niNDF8J7NvJc6ZU8hAU/s1600/Harry_Potter_The_Deathly_Hallows_Part_2_Neville_Longbottom_And_The_Death_Eaters.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuNxeIQEKYat5yFTkgs3xm7TrUtvz4YvssY7AXWch-KftKJc7jUiIVmtWIxuCwa_CD5mkYq0RBfusqR3L8DBU8edL7sUuAm9zzcmQWotvE7ha1pDsfcDtqKS2niNDF8J7NvJc6ZU8hAU/s1600/Harry_Potter_The_Deathly_Hallows_Part_2_Neville_Longbottom_And_The_Death_Eaters.gif" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>6. Tim Burton's <b>"Beetlejuice"</b><br />
<i>You're trying to tell me none of the Deetz's were scared when Barbra and Adam stretched their faces? It makes my eye sockets burn just thinking about it ... </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmypsHsqDsg5eqFcxdSONRt_0XJCuTwM_X6ii640U-K8p_uT8jgbbGh_OBBncyFsYBHl6ENy5VzignqaStKnNVPaVydV_L70k8ZS69CWsfRT1O_quU4jjHjWvaZxq-HbfBYgPRYiCUmk/s1600/Beetlejuice_Intentos_de_sustos_trying_to_scare.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmypsHsqDsg5eqFcxdSONRt_0XJCuTwM_X6ii640U-K8p_uT8jgbbGh_OBBncyFsYBHl6ENy5VzignqaStKnNVPaVydV_L70k8ZS69CWsfRT1O_quU4jjHjWvaZxq-HbfBYgPRYiCUmk/s1600/Beetlejuice_Intentos_de_sustos_trying_to_scare.gif" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i><i><br /></i>
5. Colin Trevorrow's <b>"Jurassic World"</b><br />
<i>No spoilers in this clip, but when the boys find the broken fence to investigate ... and then "Hello, super giant dinosaur"... Nope, nope, nope! Dinosaur + me in a small moving cube = definitely to the NOT. </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKB_Fjeq11I8Yqy2Rd2uUmJwRIaB_tZhUtzAwVttp5FGLcfZ6lYY4JxjaoigtNBmb9QPNwy97Ak3PuV_NtVY0izZkmScG_ORL4rv56vTtQy6M21Ks_qFPXnfULgYCk94XLyF7ZVEdCTw/s1600/Jurassic_World_Official_Trailer_HD.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKB_Fjeq11I8Yqy2Rd2uUmJwRIaB_tZhUtzAwVttp5FGLcfZ6lYY4JxjaoigtNBmb9QPNwy97Ak3PuV_NtVY0izZkmScG_ORL4rv56vTtQy6M21Ks_qFPXnfULgYCk94XLyF7ZVEdCTw/s1600/Jurassic_World_Official_Trailer_HD.gif" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
4. Jonathan Demme's <b>"The Silence of the Lambs"</b><br />
<i>Hannibal Lecter and his pack of misfit friends were beyond creepy. Clarice, when you left the jail you never should've looked back. The lotion does not do good for the skin.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IO4GBU9o287bcAUD2_n3E3K59_dc6cfcc4eDMh2rDRDxzLxtTGi5Y5Y1mduAJBW8K0ZbSeamIsgfwKrPmkeJ7GEaIuA8qshqlgyaMj1neq7Z73HzmLMoAwxSIjE5amNCzY_LizfMXGU/s1600/Silence_Of_The_Lambs_First_Meeting.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IO4GBU9o287bcAUD2_n3E3K59_dc6cfcc4eDMh2rDRDxzLxtTGi5Y5Y1mduAJBW8K0ZbSeamIsgfwKrPmkeJ7GEaIuA8qshqlgyaMj1neq7Z73HzmLMoAwxSIjE5amNCzY_LizfMXGU/s1600/Silence_Of_The_Lambs_First_Meeting.gif" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i><i>3. </i>John Hughes's <b>"Ferris Bueller's Day Off"</b><br />
<i>Poor Cameron, never should've let Ferris convince him to take out his dad's Ferrari. Then, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to knock it off its stand.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVyxgJmlaGKPBnghw3c5A_wCU1ZcDpjv4oSdyMO1eNsvnKuaXeeF1XuFQPq0x192utTeoJcmo3Jc83uVV8DTzZgAwQGnjAXunxL7eOASOoyDVzxFRJoEtTFW23wrOD5_oE2V_nFdd9jc/s1600/Ferris_Buellers_Day_Off_car_crash_scene.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVyxgJmlaGKPBnghw3c5A_wCU1ZcDpjv4oSdyMO1eNsvnKuaXeeF1XuFQPq0x192utTeoJcmo3Jc83uVV8DTzZgAwQGnjAXunxL7eOASOoyDVzxFRJoEtTFW23wrOD5_oE2V_nFdd9jc/s1600/Ferris_Buellers_Day_Off_car_crash_scene.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>2. Howard Deutch's <b>"The Great Outdoors"</b><br />
<i>Chet you should've just stayed home and forgot going to Wally's cabin. You had to have known the bald-headed bear was going to come looking for revenge!</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgm8ce0qRUnMtSTilUXhVKubQ94dO1EIlqw9ZvI7jdm_xsbvJoPbxkYl1mRQFpk274yUN0e2sJn6dJpssvDRmwbAx0xP96znfvcpN1hPwTXMu63oy76rHx3dPQbov0NiaYsYXSBr2ioB4/s1600/Big_Bear_Chase_Me_The_Great_Outdoors_10_10_Movie_CLIP_1988_HD.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgm8ce0qRUnMtSTilUXhVKubQ94dO1EIlqw9ZvI7jdm_xsbvJoPbxkYl1mRQFpk274yUN0e2sJn6dJpssvDRmwbAx0xP96znfvcpN1hPwTXMu63oy76rHx3dPQbov0NiaYsYXSBr2ioB4/s1600/Big_Bear_Chase_Me_The_Great_Outdoors_10_10_Movie_CLIP_1988_HD.gif" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>1. Disney's <b>"The Lion King"</b><br />
<i>Simba, why-oh-why did you have to go to Scar? Do you know grown adults still tear-up when your father, Mufasa, dies! Why couldn't you have just <b>turned around!!! </b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GkCLrB3RpktQOhZ3U-uVh5IAZOA5A1277nb6kk_yBOBPuD_zRoxFpXyHTYD6bPjC9MIcO6FKS17g0Pzxxo3SgFAWI-ONHrfr3rdDZAxi6mZaVtrCfDh141s9E6oEaSqOZiOgDWa3sJA/s1600/The_Lion_King_Simba_Scar_English.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GkCLrB3RpktQOhZ3U-uVh5IAZOA5A1277nb6kk_yBOBPuD_zRoxFpXyHTYD6bPjC9MIcO6FKS17g0Pzxxo3SgFAWI-ONHrfr3rdDZAxi6mZaVtrCfDh141s9E6oEaSqOZiOgDWa3sJA/s1600/The_Lion_King_Simba_Scar_English.gif" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
If ever in a pickle and you're not sure which direction to take, remember all of these fools who didn't turn around and ask yourself, "could this be turned into a GIF?"<br />
<br />
There's a moral to every story, and you don't want to be the example. Don't attempt to drive through flooded streets and moving water, your life is much too valuable. Always remember <i>turn around don't drown!</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>Red Cross DFWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05373929370516540611noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-27440766991234713022015-07-06T11:38:00.002-05:002015-07-13T11:39:54.725-05:00Crowd Surfing -- I Mean Safety <i>By Shannon Randol, intern contributor, American Red Cross</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHerGjgp1L5E3uhhQ7TcvshS4Xs94KQgNZBJ4sFlSwpXvzmwsQhdJuNN6Q91nmc-PhonUjY_zNLP2pAderbbAQeFJCYLZO6ITTYFV1NyMca_3Liilo826TsSrPpXY5x-oSfLpg6RXUUUA/s1600/000518423_iconv.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHerGjgp1L5E3uhhQ7TcvshS4Xs94KQgNZBJ4sFlSwpXvzmwsQhdJuNN6Q91nmc-PhonUjY_zNLP2pAderbbAQeFJCYLZO6ITTYFV1NyMca_3Liilo826TsSrPpXY5x-oSfLpg6RXUUUA/s1600/000518423_iconv.jpeg" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="goog_103168939"></span><span id="goog_103168940"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finding yourself in large groups of people in one specific area means a lot
of individuals bumping elbows, sharing sweat and blindly navigating through tons of event goers. The DFW region
hosts an array of outdoor events during the summer months, and it’s crucial to
be prepared for the crowds. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You must be aware of your surroundings. Don’t
carry important items (I.D. or credit cards) in your pockets, and always keep your purse zipped
shut. Don’t forget to hide any valuables you aren't carrying in a locked car before leaving the
parking lot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p>After arriving with your family or friends to the event
grounds, make sure to pick out a visible landmark to designate as a meet-up
spot if anyone in your group gets lost. Recognize the exits of the facility in
case of an emergency. While, technology is at the tip of our fingers, a dead cell
phone battery is likely. Most young children don’t carry cellphones, so tt
never hurts to have a back-up plan for your family if and when technology fails.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s hot outside, and you should expect it to be hot; it’s
Texas. Stay hydrated by drinking liters of good ol’ H2O. There is nothing
better for your body than cool water on a hot, summer day. And, don't forget to dress appropriately and apply plenty of
sunblock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you want to be extra prepared, bring a can of bug spray.
All of the rain this year has super-sized the mosquitoes, and you don’t want to be
their next meal!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If traveling with small children, take a photo of them individually
on your smart phone. This way if they get lost, you have the most recent
photo. In a moment of panic, you might forget what he/she was wearing. This
eliminates that possibility.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without scaring your child, explain “stranger danger”. It also doesn’t hurt to practice what to do in case of separation with your
child at home before you leave. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The old saying is true, <i>it's better to be safe than sorry, </i>and having an un-used plan is better than scrambling to think of one in the moment. Think ahead, and don't forget to have fun!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Red Cross DFWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05373929370516540611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-73530686632026681562015-07-02T08:27:00.000-05:002015-07-13T11:39:38.625-05:00Stay Safe and Sound This Fourth Of July <em>By Shannon Randol, intern contributor, American Red Cross</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRsz9aQBLDIPdKgReeqW3ol3ocZ1s8Em9qV6d6AXScn3q8NJpRqL28vce447kHJTrFdu8YwAlbr2YUDzWAxuOvVUXNHP8Gspuv4rcK_BrNB3wvMZVzqjZ692M2BDuNoRAyXwB6OSAY2M/s1600/fireworks-87d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRsz9aQBLDIPdKgReeqW3ol3ocZ1s8Em9qV6d6AXScn3q8NJpRqL28vce447kHJTrFdu8YwAlbr2YUDzWAxuOvVUXNHP8Gspuv4rcK_BrNB3wvMZVzqjZ692M2BDuNoRAyXwB6OSAY2M/s320/fireworks-87d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
What could possibly go wrong with explosives and a match?<br />
<br />
This Saturday is the fourth of July, and most people plan to sit outside, barbecue something, relax with friends and enjoy a loud, colorful and explosive firework show as the night's finale.<br />
<br />
<strong>Firework Safety</strong><br />
<br />
In Texas, you are allowed to purchase and ignite fireworks on your own property. The best way to safely enjoy the holiday is to attend a public firework show put on by licensed professionals, but if you decide to put on your show at home, we've got you covered.<br />
<br />
Here are some safety tips for those of you setting off fireworks at home: <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. Never allow children to play to fireworks. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2. Keep flames away from loose clothing and face. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3. Don’t make your own fireworks. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4. Always use fireworks outside. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5. Keep a bucket of water or a water hose nearby just in case. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
6. Light firecrackers one at a time. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
7. Never aim fireworks at other people or yourself. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
8. Soak firework remnants in water before discarding in trash. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
9. Only buy fireworks from licensed stores, tents and stands. Don’t purchase fireworks from persons on the street or at a home, usually these are transactions of illegal fireworks. Legal fireworks have bright colored packaging and a distinct warning label on the wrapping. Illegal fireworks aren’t packaged and are usually wrapped in brown paper. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
10. Ignite fireworks away from the home, brush, leaves and other flammable materials.</div>
<br />
According to the National Fire Protection Association approximately 50,000 fires a year are caused by improper use of fireworks.<br />
<br />
<strong>Highway Safety</strong>:<br />
<br />
Thousands of families will be on the road traveling over the weekend, so it’s essential to keep these tips in mind while road-tripping:<br />
<br />
1. No texting while driving. This includes emails, Facebook and Twitter! <br />
2. Always wear your seat belt. <br />
3. Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. <br />
4. Use caution in work zones. <br />
5. Follow the speed limit! <br />
<br />
We want you to enjoy the weekend with your families, and your safety is of great importance to those of us at the Red Cross. Stay safe this holiday weekend, and enjoy the bang! <br />
<br />
Red Cross DFWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05373929370516540611noreply@blogger.com87tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-53681943181960721252015-07-01T09:54:00.002-05:002015-07-13T11:42:09.913-05:00Bring The Heat<em>By Shannon Randol, intern contributor, American Red Cross</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is my favorite time of the year! I sun-kiss the skin of each person who spends time outside and burn those into a crisp who don’t
wear any sunscreen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tend to be more
dangerous than any other weather event throughout the year and regrettably
affect the elderly and young children the most, often resulting in death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can make you feel sticky within minutes in Austin, Texas,
or make you feel like a chocolate chip cookie being baked in an oven in Dallas. I especially like to cause embarrassing pit stains in pools underneath
your arms... Sorry, not sorry.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If it weren’t for me, many of you probably wouldn’t consider
cold showers or installing a pool, but without me you wouldn’t be able to enjoy
those summer barbecues near the beaches and lakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am harsher in the southern hemisphere
because the tea is sweeter, and c’mon, the south is better!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you guessed what I might be yet? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Trees try to discourage me, but vehicles can’t hide from me.
The Red Cross spends a lot of effort trying to protect residents from my reach,
however not everyone listens. I’m a nasty pain in the summer, but I can’t help
it, I am the summer heat.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During my peak periods, I can make the
temperature stay in the 90’s for consecutive days on end. It’s imperative to
your health to stay weather aware as I like to change my mood daily. I'm feeling extra cheery this morning and will you give some tips on how we can stay
friends and not enemies over the next few months. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">If you plan on spending the day outside, make sure you have
plenty of water on hand. Water is cheap y’all and essential to your fight
against me. You should also wear plenty of sunscreen to protect your skin
because I like to punish the ones who don’t. It’s not cute to look like a
walking lobster, am I right?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dress
in light colored clothing that is loose fitting and lightweight. I am attracted
to dark clothing, I like it when it's tall, dark and handsome. I turn up the heat
to make sure you know my presence, so stick to light and airy materials. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Slow
down on strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day. I’m not as
angry after 7 p.m. and still too tired between 4-7 a.m. to burn you. If you
have to be outside because your job requires you to see me, wear a hat and
stay hydrated. You need to replenish what you lose in sweat!</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Common Heat
Sickness Symptoms:</u></b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></span></span></span></span>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Feeling nauseous </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Flushed and/or pale skin</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Dizziness</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Heavy sweating </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Severe headaches<br />
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If I’ve caused you to have any of these symptoms (sorry in
advance!) go to a cooler area in the shade or in an air-conditioned building.
Administer cool cloths directly on to your skin and drink cool water slowly,
approximately one glass every 15 minutes. Loosen any restricting clothing and
try to relax. If symptoms continue to worsen call 9-1-1 immediately! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Nothing makes me sadder than when individuals leave children
or pets unattended in vehicles, even if it’s for a few minutes.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Don’t do it, please!</b> The inside of a
vehicle heats up quickly and rapidly becomes a death trap for anyone left
inside.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBoq1sStL4kY4D_FjcNZVNFM9rPGYSsUbutkM41igNsLZvfd3-_SuXuJ-x5pU1sYHdL3GW1-DaLyhwx0ze4tN9LxItZOWY3Tfqg4QBaN5khYPI6EsMO_YI0XVllNue9l4wU-djEHdkq0/s1600/Temperature-inside-car-chart1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBoq1sStL4kY4D_FjcNZVNFM9rPGYSsUbutkM41igNsLZvfd3-_SuXuJ-x5pU1sYHdL3GW1-DaLyhwx0ze4tN9LxItZOWY3Tfqg4QBaN5khYPI6EsMO_YI0XVllNue9l4wU-djEHdkq0/s320/Temperature-inside-car-chart1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93l2Ae8i455YCl0yaRW4mTTLcBTA_zZMdavntixctqXWTrxRhjlLHdeiOvBypPph4ysnh8EULohZsH4tS_uOmyxyqdR_3LH6jApZQtcaxzNVZq2jOYtIqw6kxmCjhAUEVOlzk9M9OqU0/s1600/c-deaths14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93l2Ae8i455YCl0yaRW4mTTLcBTA_zZMdavntixctqXWTrxRhjlLHdeiOvBypPph4ysnh8EULohZsH4tS_uOmyxyqdR_3LH6jApZQtcaxzNVZq2jOYtIqw6kxmCjhAUEVOlzk9M9OqU0/s320/c-deaths14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Heat Related Terms
You Should Know:</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heat
Cramps </b>are muscle tremors and pains that can affect the calves, abdomen,
back and arms. It’s an early sign your body is having trouble with the hot
temperatures. They are painful spasms that need to be treated if cramps
continue well after an hour.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heat
Exhaustion </b>is when the blood travels to your skin cells and not through
your vital organs. This can cause your brain to go into mild shock if left
untreated. This occurs in victims who frequently work outside for their job or
exercise outdoors. Profuse sweating results in fluid loss, so always carry extra
water to replenish! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heat
Stroke </b>occurs when the body’s natural temperature control system fails and
sweating won’t help cool the body down. This is life threatening and must be
treated immediately! Please call 9-1-1 for immediate attention! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Common Symptoms of Heat Stroke:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Hot, red and dry skin<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Loss of conciseness<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A rapid or weakened pulse<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Shallow breathing <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have given you all that you need to know, so don’t ignore
it! I might not be this nice again. Summer is for enjoying fun and friends,
don’t let me ruin it! I just get too excited sometimes when I see you all
enjoying my rays! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
</o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
Red Cross DFWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05373929370516540611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-22853272408874469252015-06-30T14:39:00.000-05:002015-07-13T11:43:36.433-05:00Learn To Swim And Where<em>By Shannon Randol, intern contributor, American Red Cross</em><br />
<em></em><br />
Did you know Texas is ranked number one in the country for pool drownings? Tarrant County is ranked number two in the state. And the statistics haven’t changed for the past few years according to the <a href="http://www.fwdpc.org/" target="_blank">Fort Worth Drowning Coalition</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX255698759" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX255698759" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{195}" paraid="286228674" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX255698759" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX255698759" style="background-color: inherit;">The leading cause of death for children under the age of 4 is drowning, and it’s the second leading accidental death for children 14-years-old and younger according to the </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCX255698759" href="http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Water-Safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX255698759" style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX255698759" style="background-color: inherit;">Center for Disease Control and Prevention. </span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"></span><span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX255698759" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{195}" paraid="286228674" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX119624106" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX119624106" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{198}" paraid="1690176414" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="TextRun SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX119624106" style="background-color: inherit;">For every child that drowns, another five receive medical attention for water-related injuries.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX119624106" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{198}" paraid="1690176414" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"></span></span><br />
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX213733890" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX213733890" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{203}" paraid="1659196849" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="TextRun SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX213733890" style="background-color: inherit;">Swim lessons can be expensive especially if you have more than one child, but we have a solut</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX213733890" style="background-color: inherit;">ion for you. The Fort Worth Drowning Prevention Coalition offers swim lessons </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX213733890" style="background-color: inherit;">at a number of locations for only $5!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX213733890" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{203}" paraid="1659196849" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xbTFIH4_7EQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xbTFIH4_7EQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX213733890" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{203}" paraid="1659196849" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="TextRun SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX213733890" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX213733890" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{203}" paraid="1659196849" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="SCX230234511">
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX230234511" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX230234511" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{206}" paraid="1239697472" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">Safe Swim Schedule:</span></span><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCX230234511"><span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;">
<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 48px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCX230234511" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{212}" paraid="1577798457" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">June 16-19, June 23-26 2015 at </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">Westside YMCA </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">6:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. </span></span><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<span class="ListGhost SCX230234511"></span></li>
<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 48px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCX230234511" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{218}" paraid="8125929" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">July 28-31, Aug 4-7 2015 at </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">Southwest YMCA </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">6:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. </span></span><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<span class="ListGhost SCX230234511"></span></li>
<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 48px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCX230234511" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{224}" paraid="1661951527" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">Aug 25-28, Sept 1-4 2015 at </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">Marine Park Pool </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">6:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<span class="ListGhost SCX230234511"></span></li>
</span></span></span></ul>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX230234511" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX230234511" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{227}" paraid="869848014" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">Cost:</span></span><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCX230234511"><span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;">
<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 48px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCX230234511" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{231}" paraid="1578788596" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">$5 for 8 swim lessons</span></span><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<span class="ListGhost SCX230234511"></span></li>
</span></span></span></ul>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX230234511" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX230234511" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{237}" paraid="749476455" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="TextRun SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">You can register for classes </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCX230234511" href="http://www.fwdpc.org/default.asp?page=learn_to_be_safe" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX230234511" style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">here</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">. Take advantage quick as slots will fill up! </span></span><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX230234511" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX230234511" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{239}" paraid="1058694416" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX230234511" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX230234511" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{242}" paraid="2093717269" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="TextRun SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX230234511" style="background-color: inherit;">The YMCA’s in both Dallas and Fort Worth also offer special scholarships to those who qualify for swim and fun summer programs. Here are the links for both applications:</span></span><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX47585735" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX47585735" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{246}" paraid="574110438" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX47585735" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{246}" paraid="574110438" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><a class="Hyperlink SCX47585735" href="https://www.ymcadallas.org/_asset/1qxn2g/Financial-Assistance-Application.pdf" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX47585735" style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX47585735" style="background-color: inherit;">THE YMCA CAMP GRADY SPRUCE, DALLAS TEXAS APPLICATION</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCX47585735" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"></span><span class="EOP SCX47585735" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX47585735" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX47585735" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{250}" paraid="1609385405" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCX47585735" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"></span><a class="Hyperlink SCX47585735" href="http://www.ymcafw.org/uploadedFiles/Membership/Financial_Assistance_Information/ScholarshipApplication-March2011.pdf" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX47585735" style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX47585735" style="background-color: inherit;">THE YMCA METROPOLITIAN FORT WORTH SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCX47585735" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"></span><span class="EOP SCX47585735" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX47585735" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX47585735" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{252}" paraid="727344528" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX47585735" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX47585735" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{255}" paraid="1970034724" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="TextRun SCX47585735" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX47585735" style="background-color: inherit;">The Red Cross team has also put together a number of resources and tips to help keep your family safe over the summer. Here are the some quick tips to stay safe:</span></span><span class="EOP SCX47585735" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX47585735" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"></span><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{3}" paraid="1179010988" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{3}" paraid="1179010988" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX47585735" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">Water Safety</span></span><span class="EOP SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX47585735" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;">
</span>
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="SCX215439934">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCX215439934"><span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX47585735" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;">
<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 48px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{7}" paraid="858936710" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">Never leave children unattended near water</span></span><span class="EOP SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<span class="ListGhost SCX215439934"></span></li>
<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 48px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{11}" paraid="1649720897" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards</span></span><span class="EOP SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<span class="ListGhost SCX215439934"></span></li>
<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 48px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{15}" paraid="724789290" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">Never assume someone else is watching your children</span></span><span class="EOP SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<span class="ListGhost SCX215439934"></span></li>
<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 48px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{22}" paraid="1918859374" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCX215439934" href="http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/program-highlights/swimming" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX215439934" style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">learn-to-swim courses</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">. </span></span><span class="EOP SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<span class="ListGhost SCX215439934"></span></li>
<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 48px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{26}" paraid="341855194" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">Stay off of cell phones, give your attention 100 percent to supervising your children</span></span><span class="EOP SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<span class="ListGhost SCX215439934"></span></li>
<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 48px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{30}" paraid="1832178555" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and first aid kit</span></span><span class="EOP SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<span class="ListGhost SCX215439934"></span></li>
<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 48px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{37}" paraid="726934361" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">Enroll in Red Cross </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCX215439934" href="http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/program-highlights/cpr-first-aid" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX215439934" style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">first aid and CPR/AED</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;"> courses to learn how to prevent and respond to emergencies </span></span><span class="EOP SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<span class="ListGhost SCX215439934"></span></li>
</span></span></span></span></span></ul>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="margin-left: 24px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{39}" paraid="330204639" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="margin-left: 24px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{46}" paraid="1696598986" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX47585735" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">Boating Safety</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;"> from </span></span><a href="http://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/boating" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX215439934" style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">SafeKids.org</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">:</span></span></a><span class="EOP SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="margin-left: 24px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{49}" paraid="1820432051" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX47585735" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">In 2011, 70 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those who drowned, 84 percent were not wearing a life jacket. </span></span><span class="EOP SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCX215439934"><span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX47585735" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;">
<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 48px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{54}" paraid="227200225" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">Have children wear a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard while on boats. Make sure life jackets sit snugly. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">Have the child make a “touchdown” signal by raising both arms straight up; if the life jacket hits the child’s chin or ears, it may be too big or the straps may be too loose.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<span class="ListGhost SCX215439934"></span></li>
<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 48px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{58}" paraid="938772954" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">Don’t drink alcohol while operating a boat. A huge number of boating accidents each year involve alcohol consumption.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<span class="ListGhost SCX215439934"></span></li>
<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 48px; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{62}" paraid="325897064" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">Infants and young kids are at a higher risk for hypothermia, so if you bring a baby on a boat take extra steps to keep them warm. </span></span><span class="EOP SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
<span class="ListGhost SCX215439934"></span></li>
</span></span></span></span></span></ul>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="margin-left: 24px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{64}" paraid="717195181" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="margin-left: 24px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{68}" paraid="553800115" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX47585735" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">Swimming is great exercise and the perfect way to tire out the kiddies dur</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX215439934" style="background-color: inherit;">ing the summer. Take the necessary precautions to insure the safety of your children this summer and each summer to come. </span></span><span class="EOP SCX215439934" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX215439934" style="margin-left: 24px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX215439934" paraeid="{3fc90907-f2a1-49f3-b290-3e0246504dae}{70}" paraid="1511229329" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX47585735" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;">
</span>
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="Paragraph SCX47585735" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{255}" paraid="1970034724" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX230234511" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;">
</span><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="Paragraph SCX230234511" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{242}" paraid="2093717269" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX230234511" paraeid="{b80bd7ce-6e5c-4d25-8bc2-cb8f28118620}{242}" paraid="2093717269" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="EOP SCX213733890" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="EOP SCX119624106" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;">
</span></span></div>
<span class="EOP SCX255698759" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;">
</span></div>
Red Cross DFWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05373929370516540611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-22960027873115021352015-06-29T11:25:00.000-05:002015-06-29T11:33:32.012-05:00Aloha From Hawaii <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>By Shannon Randol, intern contributor, American Red Cross</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6fo1m5XUfRdQ2guxybxP8Q259_5M9aUVPI9VK3_KMvKVnBaeXIw4302s0EFefhGZ6TfK__3ONngkZGiSlL37TFGCI0hBht5nv9BGEJEtp4OfesyarMl93e3lQmrlBfE88ee_9S9syh4/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6fo1m5XUfRdQ2guxybxP8Q259_5M9aUVPI9VK3_KMvKVnBaeXIw4302s0EFefhGZ6TfK__3ONngkZGiSlL37TFGCI0hBht5nv9BGEJEtp4OfesyarMl93e3lQmrlBfE88ee_9S9syh4/s320/IMG_0113.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteer and Hawaiian politician Ryan Yamane throws<br />
up a 'hang-ten' from Texas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s safe to say Texas is officially out of the drought. The Red Cross has had 2,293 disaster responders including volunteers and staff working to keep Texas afloat the past few months, and only around half of these responders are from Texas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other half came from everywhere from Maine to Washington to help, but an island 3,700 miles away also deployed six of their own to aid Red Cross efforts in Texas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ryan Yamane is a Hawaiian native living in Oahu. On a blue sky day, h</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">e serves as an elected official for the House of Representatives for the state of Hawaii, and he's done so for the past 11 years. Ryan has also worked with the Red Cross for the last 15 years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is Ryan's first disaster deployment out of Hawaii. Previously, his primary function was to respond to home fires and local disasters as part of the Disaster Action Team (DAT). He worked in hurricane shelter operations from his home chapter in Honolulu, as well. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He trained with FEMA to become a public information officer. As a licensed social worker, his role for the next seven days in Dallas is as a Disaster Mental Health worker.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I pleaded to get out of Hawaii to help the people of Texas. I like working with the people," said Ryan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disaster Mental Health workers go to affected areas to check on residents' well-being and make sure people are prepared for future emergencies. They also see how families are functioning as a whole and whether they need any food, water or supplies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as he arrived in Texas, Ryan hopped on a Red Cross emergency vehicle with a group of volunteers and went to communities in danger of flooding in North Texas if more rainfall occurred. He spent the day finding homes at risk and speaking to families about how they were dealing with the flooding and if they had enough resources.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Families were taking the flood threat seriously,” said Ryan. “They were surprised how quickly the water was rising.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ryan explained that it’s normal for people to be fearful or emotional when dealing with the floods. He said his job is to make sure they are prepared and aware of the options they have for assistance. Disasters are stressful, and it's important to be aware of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">how everyone involved is handling the circumstances. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ryan said lawmakers in Hawaii are looking to find new flood mitigation due to the flooding occurring throughout the entire state of Texas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Red Cross is thankful for all the support it has received with this continuous disaster, and we thank all the volunteers who have donated their time throughout the last few months. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to donate to the spring storm victims please go to the </span><a href="https://www.redcross.org/donate/rsp0615?flow=oc1r&campmedium=aspot_unassigned&campname=donate" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">website</a>, <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.</span></i>Red Cross DFWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05373929370516540611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-57109125981528666392015-06-26T09:49:00.001-05:002015-06-26T09:49:16.758-05:00After Months of Non-Stop Disaster Response, American Red Cross Seeks New Volunteers to Help Storm Victims<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Rash of Weather Events Deplete Local Resources</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Mother Nature was harsh this past spring. She left more than 2,000 Texas families without homes, caused the Red Cross to open 60 shelters, hand out more than 340,000 meals and snacks along with 171,000 clean-up items like shovels, tarps, rakes, mops, buckets and work gloves. Her relentless nature was responded to by a force of nature made up of 2,200 trained Red Cross relief workers from around the country, with nearly half being Texans. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Now, the Red Cross is offering virtual training courses in an attempt to recruit new volunteers to deliver their mission critical services. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Because the sun is shining doesn’t mean this disaster has passed,” said T.D. Smyers, chief executive officer, American Red Cross North Texas Region. “It’s quite the opposite actually. Our teams will be managing the statewide Red Cross call center, conducting disaster assessments and providing casework services most likely up through August, which is why we’re appealing for new volunteers to come join us.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Virtual training courses are being offered this weekend in the following areas:</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" valign="top" width="181">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">June 27<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 211.5pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Orientation to Texas
Disaster<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">9:00am-10:00am<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" valign="top" width="181">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 211.5pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Caseworker: Just in Time<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">10:00am-12:30pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" valign="top" width="181">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 211.5pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disaster Assessment: Just
in Time<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2:30pm-3:30pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" valign="top" width="181">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 211.5pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sheltering: Just in Time<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">3:30pm-4:30pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" valign="top" width="181">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">June 29<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 211.5pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Orientation to Texas
Disaster<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">9:00am-10:00am<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">6:30pm-7:30pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" valign="top" width="181">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 211.5pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sheltering: Just in Time<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">10:00am-11:00am<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">7:30pm-8:30pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" valign="top" width="181">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 211.5pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disaster Assessment: Just
in Time<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">11:00am-Noon<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">8:30pm-9:30pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" valign="top" width="181">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 211.5pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Casework: Just in Time<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1:00pm-3:30pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">6:30pm-9:00pm</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To register as a new Red Cross volunteer, go to <a href="http://www.redcross.org/tx/dallas-fort-worth/volunteer">http://www.redcross.org/tx/dallas-fort-worth/volunteer</a> and click on ARC Flood Relief. From there, you'll receive instructions on how to register for the virtual training. All Red Cross disaster training courses are FREE, compliments of Red Cross donors who make the mission possible. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“My team here in North Texas has literally been working around the clock since mid-April and they’ve done an honorable job for Texans,” said Smyers. “We need some more just like them to carry us through the second half of this disaster.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Red Cross DFWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05373929370516540611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-19298805790703122422015-06-23T10:58:00.000-05:002015-07-31T14:20:14.484-05:00When the Thunder Rolls & the Lightning Strikes<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="ES-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></i></span>
<span lang="ES-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">Bajen
hacia abajo para leer el artículo en Español</span></b></i></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<em><br /></em>
<em>By Shannon Randol, intern contributor, American Red Cross</em><br />
<em><br /></em>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Don’t you hate it when a storm rolls in and
causes the television signal to fizzle out? Or a crack of lightning delays an
outdoor sporting event or celebration? As Texans, we know not to let the weather
dampen our moods, but lightening strikes can be hazardous. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Tornado season is over (hallelujah), but lightning is unpredictable and bound to happen. June 22<sup>rd</sup> to June 28<sup>th</sup>
is National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, and it’s imperative to know what
to expect when lightning strikes.<br />
<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">According to the <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/lightning/lightning_safety.htm">National
Weather Service</a>,</span> lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from the storm
clouds, and it can strike in one place more than twice, despite what the
old wives tale says. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
<br />
<strong>
</strong>Lightning carries an electrical charge, and water conducts
electricity which makes the two a deadly combination. The NWS has
a saying, “When thunder roars, go indoors,” and is a good rule of thumb to teach
the little ones. <br />
<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
<b>For your safety, the Red Cross has put together a list of Do's and Don't's:</b></span></span></h3>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
<br />
</span></span><br />
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Don't play in or be near standing water, pools, ponds and lakes.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Avoid large, open areas like fields and wide open spaces.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Migrate to lower ground and avoid high grounds as much as possible.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Avoid
metal objects.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Stay
away from appliances plugged into outlets.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Suspend
outdoor activities for 30 minutes upon seeing the last bolt of lightening
or clap of thunder.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Find a
safe structure with walls, a roof, flooring and electrical/plumbing – this
helps absorb a lightening strike.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Keep a
safe distance between individuals as lightening can travel from person to
person.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Plan
ahead, know the weather forecast and your safety plan.</li>
</span></span></ol>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
<br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
<b>Lets debunk a few of the myths you’ve heard about lightning:</b></span></span></h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Myth: “Lightning never
strikes in the same place twice.”</b><br /><i>Fact: False; lightening has been proven to strike the same
spot multiple times.</i>
<br /><br />
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Myth: “A tree will protect
you from a possible lightning strike.”</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<i>Fact: False; a majority of lightening casualties was
from individuals seeking shelter under a tree.</i>
<br /><br />
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Myth: “Your skin will begin
to tingle and your hair will stand up straight before being struck by
lightning.”</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><i>Fact: While this can be true and may be viewed as a last minute
warning, it isn’t reliable; many lightning strikes don’t give the victim any
warning.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<br />
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<b>Here are some #ProTips for safety and preparedness in a lightning storm:</b></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<li>If you are outdoors when lightning strikes <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">crouch down,</b> and put your feet together
while covering your ears. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DO NOT LIE
FLAT ON THE GROUND.</b></li>
</span></ul>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<ul><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<li>Putting the body in the fetal position helps absorb a
possible lightning strike. The electrical charge doesn’t have as long of a
track while in a squatted position as it would if you were standing.</li>
</span></ul>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
<ul>
<li>Don’t allow your children to stomp around in puddles while
it’s thundering and lightning. We know it’s fun to dance in the rain, but make
sure it’s safe before you start embodying your inner Gene Kelly.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<h2>
<span lang="ES-US" style="color: #990000;">Cuando se Oyen los Truenos Después Llegan los Relámpagos</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Por Shannon Randol</span></i><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<i><br />
</i></span><span lang="EN">¿</span><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No te molesta cuando
las tormentas llegan y después causa el signo de la televisión que se vaya? </span><span lang="EN">¿</span><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">O cuando los
relámpagos cancelan juegos de deportes o celebraciones importantes? Como
Tejanos, sabemos de no dejar la temporada nos deprimen, pero cuando los
relámpagos pegan puede ser peligroso.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">La temporada de
tornados ya se acabó, pero relámpagos en general no son previsibles. En junio
22 hasta junio 28 es la Semana de Conciencia de la Seguridad de Relámpagos, y
es imperativo que uno sepa que expectar cuando relámpagos peguen. <br />
<br />
El National Weather Service reporta que relámpagos pueden pegar hasta de 10
millas desde los nubes y puede pegar en un lugar más de dos veces.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Por qué los relámpagos
tiene un cargo de electricidad y el agua
es un bien conductor de electricidad, esto hace una combinación peligrosa. EL
NWS tiene un dicho que va, “Cuando truenos se oyen, metete adentro,” y es
importante de ense</span><span lang="EN">ñ</span><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ar este dicho a los pequeños.
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Para to propia
seguridad, la Cruz Roja tiene una lista de lo que uno debe y no debe que hacer:</span></b><b><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="ES-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No jueguen o se acercan acercas
de agua estancada, albercas o lagos.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="ES-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eviten estar en tierras altas.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="ES-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eviten objetos hechos de metal.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="ES-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No se acerquen a enchufes o
accesorios enchufados.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="ES-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cancelen actividades que están
afuera inmediatamente de viendo relámpagos pegar. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="ES-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Encuentra un lugar seguro con
paredes, un techo, y piso con electricidad y plomería. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="ES-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tengan una distancia segura
entre individuales porque los relámpagos pueden moverse de persona a
persona. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="ES-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Planean antes de tiempo,
edúquense en el pronóstico del tiempo y sepan su plan de seguridad.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 4; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Vamos a desmitificar
unos cuantos mitos: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<b><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mito: “Relámpagos nunca pegan en el mismo
lugar dos veces.”</span></b><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<i>Hecho: Falso; Es probado que relámpagos pegan el mismo lugar muchas veces.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mito: “Un árbol te va
proteger de los relámpagos.”</span></b><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hecho: Falso; La
mayoría de las bajas por relámpagos fueron por individuales buscando abrigo
debajo de árboles. </span></i><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mito: “Tu piel va
empezar a tener comezón y tu pelo se va a parar arriba antes de ser pegado por
relámpagos.” </span></b><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hecho: Aunque esto sea real y puede verse como una advertencia,
no es de confianza. Muchos relámpagos
que pegan no dan advertencia a la víctima. </span></i><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 4; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="ES-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Aquí hay unos tipos
(#ProTips) para tu seguridad y preparación para una tormenta de relámpagos: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19.2pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="ES-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Si
estas afuera cuando los relámpagos peguen <b>agáchese</b>, y pon tus pies juntos mientras te cubres tus oídos. <b>NO SE
ACUESTEN EN EL PISO.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19.2pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="ES-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Poniendo
tu cuerpo en una posición de fetal ayuda en asorbando un posible rayo. La
electricidad no tiene una pista larga mientras uno esta agachado comparado
a estando parado. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19.2pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="ES-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No
dejes tus niños que pisen muy fuete en charcos mientras los relámpagos
peguen. Aunque sabemos que es divertido bailando en la lluvia, uno tiene
que asegurar su propia seguridad antes de encarnado a Frank Sinatra. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
</span>Red Cross DFWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05373929370516540611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-62699140724723451522015-06-19T11:41:00.000-05:002015-06-23T14:26:04.705-05:00Become a Modern Day Mary Poppins: Babysitting Classes with American Red Cross<i>By Jenny Contreras</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i></i><br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Babysitting in the summer is a great way to earn some extra cash and have an excuse to play with Legos. Although it may seem like all fun and games, there are a lot of safety measures to take before someone can even consider taking care of a young child. I know when I first started as a babysitter I needed all the help I could get my hands on. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihS9TvPtEqooRjzv2obgB5quFTEHBj-vefe2tDUlKm4EbZaP_TFKWjexa-CufBKRhk7TrgsT02LTUTbHNHblYgnHoeAFSGUAPmVsmIfzcqHocgyvpgO6Ig5IWtRgIBqoP-muOutvhV8tkU/s1600/edits-2583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihS9TvPtEqooRjzv2obgB5quFTEHBj-vefe2tDUlKm4EbZaP_TFKWjexa-CufBKRhk7TrgsT02LTUTbHNHblYgnHoeAFSGUAPmVsmIfzcqHocgyvpgO6Ig5IWtRgIBqoP-muOutvhV8tkU/s200/edits-2583.jpg" width="200" /></a>Aside from the Google search on “how to babysit five year olds”, I rented a copy of the VHS of Mary Poppins. Although it sounds silly, there was a lot I learned from the young magical nanny. Throughout the film, Mary Poppins made a wonderful care taker by being pleasant and entertaining. However in the babysitting business there is a lot more involved than simply having a good time with the kids. <br />
<br />
For instance, Mary Poppins didn’t have to handle scrapped knees or give CPR to any of the children but fortunately the local Red Cross offers online courses and blended in-person courses to help prepare any aspiring babysitter. <br />
<br />
The Babysitting Basics online course is designed for individuals ages 11 and older. The course provides knowledge and skills to care for infants and children up to age of 10. The course encompasses leadership skills, the fundamentals of babysitting, safety, understanding children and emergency training.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE9r04D_Nc_Tss4u1d_MzvXh5N4WN7EVqqSGLqFHfJpgTW9P4qZmNjQ7HcqZLpbvxaBwhZxN9L88zY-0vr-JCR8p9PNUevcpT7xBSPcdVFmdSBjksXJcGlHRqV4kzoDN3PkFz5XhwPg9I/s1600/edits-2663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE9r04D_Nc_Tss4u1d_MzvXh5N4WN7EVqqSGLqFHfJpgTW9P4qZmNjQ7HcqZLpbvxaBwhZxN9L88zY-0vr-JCR8p9PNUevcpT7xBSPcdVFmdSBjksXJcGlHRqV4kzoDN3PkFz5XhwPg9I/s320/edits-2663.jpg" width="320" /></a>The online course also has a lot of videos and interactive games. Meaning it won’t be a boring crash course rather an enjoyable learning experience. There are additional downloadable additional resources such as step-by-step instructions for hard skills like spoon feeding. The downloadable content also includes templates for resumes and tips on interviews with the parents.<br />
<br />
The Red Cross also offers a blended course in Advanced Child Care training. For this class, students must be 16 years or older. On this blended course, there are additional skills being instructed such as Pediatric First Aid, CPR and AED. Once the course is completed, the student will receive a certificate. <br />
<br />
For those interested in the Basic Babysitting online class registration is open. The Advanced Child Care training courses this summer will be on June 20th and July 11th at the Red Cross DFW Chapter. For more information visit RedCross.org.<br />
<br />
<br />Bohemian BAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729477880534591172noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-26537156728890857742015-06-17T10:41:00.001-05:002015-06-17T10:41:04.961-05:00North Texas Flooding Resource List <br />
Tropical Storm Bill has arrived in the North Texas Region and will be dumping buckets of rain of 8 inches or more in specific areas throughout our region. The Red Cross has put together a list of resources for cities around the DFW area.<br />
<br />
<b>Arlington: </b>Pick up <u style="font-weight: bold;">FREE</u> sandbags in the parking lot of the Traffic Engineering/Public Works Transportation facility at 1011 Main Street, between Cooper and Davis. Personnel will be handing them out Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
For more information call: <span style="color: red;">817-459-5400</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Lewisville: </b>The city has an emergency alert system set in place to notify residents of possible disasters in the area. To receive updates click <a href="http://www.cityoflewisville.com/index.aspx?page=126" target="_blank">here</a> to be put on the list for up to date information. It also has a preparedness program <a href="http://www.knowhat2do.com/" target="_blank">KnoWhat2Do</a> program for general safety tips during disasters. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For more information call: <span style="color: red;">972-219-5012</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Denton: </b>The city urges residents to sign-up for CodeRed alerts for emergency notification, click <a href="https://cne.coderedweb.com/Default.aspx?groupid=bxLV25%2b1OJQaoPYP4fUk2w%3d%3d" target="_blank">here</a> to be put on the list. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">CodeRED is operated through the National Weather Service and serves many communities in the North Texas Region, click <a href="http://dentoncounty.com/Departments/Emergency-Services/Emergency-Services/Emergency-Notifications.aspx" target="_blank">here </a>to find your community. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Garland: </b>Urges residents of flood damage to call the city at <span style="color: red;">972-205-2000</span> Monday through Friday from 8a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also subscribe to Garland's Enews service for general updates, click <a href="https://www.garlandtx.gov/about/enewspage.asp" target="_blank">here </a>to be put on the email list. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">If you need assistance with cleanup from the recent flooding throughout Texas, please call </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">1-800-451-1954</span> Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Flower Mound: </b>Subscribe to email updates through the city's website page <a href="http://www.flower-mound.com/list.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Grand Prairie: </b>Residents can receive information regarding weather on updates on its <a href="http://www.gptx.org/" target="_blank">website</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/grandprairie" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/gp_tx" target="_blank">Twitter</a> accounts. The city urges to follow all communication platforms. If an evacuation is issued emergency personal will personally knock on residents doors. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Mesquite: </b>Citizens can register for Notify Me updates regarding emergencies and other city updates <a href="http://www.cityofmesquite.com/list.aspx" target="_blank">here. </a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>If you were impacted by the storms and need Red Cross assistance, please call this hotline number:</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>1-877-500-8645</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For more information on Texas Disaster recovery you can visit FEMA's <a href="http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4223" target="_blank">website</a> or TDEM's <a href="http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/" target="_blank">website</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Red Cross DFWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05373929370516540611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-1726482028955562722015-06-15T11:53:00.002-05:002015-06-15T11:55:28.039-05:00Why Preparing for Hurricanes in North Texas Isn’t Crazy<i>by Suzanne Wiley, volunteer contributor</i><br />
<br />
<b><i>“Hurricanes can demolish towns, obliterate coastlines, and devastate families. We cannot eliminate the threats they pose, but with careful planning, we can better protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. During National Hurricane Preparedness Week, America fortifies our homes and businesses so that we are ready long before these powerful storms make landfall.” -President Barack Obama</i></b><br />
<br />
It may be difficult for DFW dwellers to image a storm more powerful than a tornado. Many of us know first hand the terrible destruction these whirling winds of chaos can do in a matter of seconds. Even though we are fully aware of the other devastating natural disasters that occur around the world, there probably not that many of us in the Metroplex preparing for earthquakes, volcanoes or tsunamis. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJoPv5YLliE_ksyAfRW_2sZaRqFH9H4RDf6SF_aLa0dk-M5lZMzY7VUE9lR1pAjCRaKALT23i0iwJbIJiAEUL_gDfgd9AKAmV847Dtul0Pem9uwR6vuwXkiOWa9JdyZEXZW3mA4mKHh9k/s1600/boardinguphome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJoPv5YLliE_ksyAfRW_2sZaRqFH9H4RDf6SF_aLa0dk-M5lZMzY7VUE9lR1pAjCRaKALT23i0iwJbIJiAEUL_gDfgd9AKAmV847Dtul0Pem9uwR6vuwXkiOWa9JdyZEXZW3mA4mKHh9k/s320/boardinguphome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPQ326Q1BK6EDHdqtuM0l7bUNAt1Mk1-a2gYM3iV8XYkCEgodR_vDRrPRX2d3TO7mkqtuZXmacSocKZdE8vLWwImY7XW5HbNva8nHfJvxGLV68jM8m8SuG2GRnbI2fE-aDlydxgBT_KcL/s1600/evacuationroute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
Our geographical differences depend largely on what type of disaster we prepare for. I guarantee no one living in Hawaii is putting chains on their vehicles, stocking up on firewood or rushing to the store to buy a snow shovel. There is one storm that none of us in North Texas probably think about much anymore. This storm is 2,000 times bigger than a tornado and lasts an average of 10 days. <br />
<br />
Fortunately, though, unlike a tornado, this storm comes with plenty of warning. If you knew a storm 2,000 times larger than a tornado was coming your way—wouldn’t you want to be ready? <br />
<br />
We may be landlocked, but hurricanes off our state’s coast will and do affect us here in North Texas. <br />
<br />
A hurricane begins in the area of the world surrounding the Equator called the Tropics. A disturbance in this area forms from a low-pressure system with winds over the warm waters of the oceans in the Tropics. On its way to becoming a hurricane, this tropical disturbance picks up steam and starts a counter clockwise rotation. As winds increase to 39 to 73 miles per hour, the tropical disturbance becomes a storm. This is when the National Hurricane Center will give the tropical storm a name. The storm then officially reaches hurricane status when one-minute winds reach 74 miles per hour. <br />
<br />
Hurricanes produce very high damaging winds, heavy rain, tornadoes and flooding. The most damaging part of a hurricane is the storm surge. A storm surge is when the sea creates a wall of water that rushes onto land. This wall of water can reach 20 feet high and extend inland for up to 100 miles. <br />
<br />
Hurricanes affect not just coastal areas. The National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center has maps displaying the high damaging winds from a hurricane off the coast of Texas and Louisiana reaching as far North as Southern Oklahoma and Central Arkansas—hundreds of miles away from the eye of a hurricane. In 1921, a hurricane that hit landfall in Mexico resulted in a record-breaking 36.4-inch rainfall in 18 hours recorded in Thrall, Texas—200 miles off the coast. The flooding killed 215 people throughout Central Texas. During American’s worst hurricane in history, the 1900 Galveston hurricane, Fort Worth recorded 52 mile per hour winds. In 1967, a category 3 hurricane made landfall right at the mouth of the Rio Grande River. Hurricane Beulah directly caused 115 tornadoes throughout Texas—the highest amount of tornadoes to form due to a hurricane. <br />
<br />
You can read more about the damage hurricanes have left behind in Central and North Texas on the <a href="http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/hurricane/history/whtexas.htm" target="_blank">USA Today</a> and <a href="http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/?n=texashurricane" target="_blank">NOAA’s websites</a>. <br />
<br />
Texas’ hurricane season runs from June through November with chances slimming as early as September. However, just like tornadoes, hurricanes do and will form outside their designated seasons. Those of us living in Dallas/Fort Worth may not necessarily need to stock pile marine plywood to board up our houses, nor invest in thousands of dollars worth of hurricane shutters, we can learn from our coastal neighbors how to prepare for the worst. <br />
<br />
<i><b>Before Hurricane Season</b></i><br />
<br />
As with any natural disaster or severe weather event, before hurricane season starts, you need to create a family emergency plan. This includes designating a point of contact—either a family member or family friend—that is within driving distance, but out of the way of the affected area that you can shelter with. Your communications plan will also detail meeting locations in case your family is separated through work or school when disaster strikes. <br />
<br />
Because of the high likelihood of downed power lines and contaminated water, store enough bottled water for 10 days for your family. The very minimum recommended amount is one gallon per person per day. If there is not a mandatory evacuation before a hurricane hits, fill containers, bathtubs and sinks full of water. You can use this water for washing up. If worse comes to worse, you may drink it after treating it with bleach, charcoal filters, boiling or water treatment tablets. <br />
<br />
Also, stock up on non-perishable food equaling to two cans of food per person, per day. <br />
<br />
Trim trees and shrubs surrounding your house for less chance they will fall on the roof or break through glass windows and doors. <br />
<br />
<i><b>During a Hurricane</b></i><br />
<br />
It is imperative to leave if there is a call for an evacuation. Leaving can save your life. If you live on the coast, you should have a go-bag packed ready to go or in your vehicle at all times. <br />
In this go-bag, you need:<br />
<ul>
<li>Identification for yourself, children and all pets</li>
<li>GPS and maps with preplanned safe evacuation routes out of town</li>
<li>Copies of insurance documents and other important paperwork</li>
<li>Essential medications</li>
<li>Cash</li>
<li>Sturdy shoes</li>
<li>Gas can full of gas</li>
<li>Change of clothing</li>
<li>Rain gear</li>
<li>Cell phone charger</li>
<li>Bottled water</li>
<li>Non-perishable snacks or protein bars</li>
<li>First aid kit</li>
<li>Basic toiletries </li>
<li>Charged cell phone with the Red Cross shelter app installed</li>
</ul>
<br />
Deciding to stay at home is risky; however, your city might not issue a mandatory evacuation. If you choose to stay at home, make sure you have flashlights, plenty of fresh batteries, a weather alert radio, a first aid kit, enough essential medications, wood, nails, hammer, sturdy shoes, rain gear, plenty of drinking water and non-perishable foods in a designated safe room in your house. Turn off the utilities to your house and bring in all lighter weight items such as garbage cans, lawn furniture and ornaments, toys and the barbeque grill. <br />
<br />
Stay inside, away from windows and glass doors while the storm rages. It may be necessary to cut off all electricity and utilities from the main. Turn off and unplug all major appliances. Stay tuned to your weather alert radio for updates. <br />
<br />
<i><b>After a Hurricane</b></i><br />
<br />
After a hurricane passes, you are eager to get home to assess the damage. However, more deaths and accidents occur after the hurricane has gone due to carelessness in a rush to get home. Only return home when officials have said it is safe. Do not drive through floodwaters or barricaded areas. Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the electric company or your local fire department. <br />
<br />
Approach your house with caution; it may be more damaged than it appears. When reentering, wear sturdy shoes and work gloves. If there is standing water that remains in your house, it is best to leave and report the damage to your insurance agent. Standing water may be unsafe and can cause electric shock. Returning to an unlivable home is devastating. Seek out your local Red Cross shelter for help. <br />
<br />
For an easy to follow and keep checklist on hurricane preparedness, visit the <a href="http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m14240163_ReturningHomeChecklist.pdf" target="_blank">Red Cross’ “Returning Home Checklist.”</a> <br />
<br />
Hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, home fires or any other disaster, the American Red Cross is there to help people prepare, respond to those in need, and aid the community in recovery. Please consider supporting the Red Cross by making a donation to the <a href="https://www.redcross.org/donate/0415-c?flow=oc1" target="_blank">Disaster Relief fund</a>.Bohemian BAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729477880534591172noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-17790597305747999332015-06-12T10:12:00.000-05:002015-07-20T09:43:44.751-05:00Red Cross Responding to Texas Tornadoes and Floods - Updated 07/20/15 9:45AM<h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i></i></span> </span></h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><a href="http://redcrossdallas.blogspot.com/2015/05/la-cruz-roja-responde-tornados-inundaciones-texas.html" target="_blank">Obtener esta información en español</a></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The American Red Cross continues to help residents across Texas affected by an ongoing severe weather outbreak, which included multiple tornadoes and widespread flooding. </span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>If you were impacted by the storms and need Red Cross assistance, please call this hotline number: <br /><span style="color: red;">1-800-REDCROSS</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following shelters are open for anyone needing a safe place to stay:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gulf Coast:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://redcrosstexasgulfcoast.wordpress.com/2015/06/16/red-cross-opens-reception-centers-due-to-tropical-storm-bill/" target="_blank">Gulf Coast Shelter List Here</a></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Central and South Texas Shelters:</b><br />
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://redcrosscstr.wordpress.com/2015/05/24/red-cross-shelters-open-in-central-south-texas/" target="_blank">Central & South Texas Shelter List Here</a></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span>
</div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are looking for a loved one in the area</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, please visit our Safe and Well registry at </span><a href="http://redcross.org/SafeandWell" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RedCross.org/SafeandWell</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or call 1-800-REDCROSS. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>If you want to help, visit <a href="http://redcross.org/Donate">RedCross.org/Donate</a><br />or call 1-800-REDCROSS </b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/redcrossdfw" target="_blank">@RedCrossDFW</a> on Twitter or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/redcross.dfw" target="_blank">Facebook</a> for updates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://redcrossdallas.blogspot.com/2015/05/la-cruz-roja-responde-tornados-inundaciones-texas.html" target="_blank">Obtener esta información en español</a></i></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b></div>
amyyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911715516077113598noreply@blogger.com523tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-49588963972049504362015-06-12T08:00:00.000-05:002015-06-13T09:39:22.131-05:00Stitching the Legacy of the American Red Cross<i>by David Warren, volunteer contributor </i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Saturday, June 13th is National Sewing Day, for generations seamstresses and tailors across the country have donated their time and talent to the American Red Cross. Here in the Dallas/Fort Worth service area we are privileged to still have a fully functioning production room. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uUrBgeomZ-f3rHDcC4mhA204ddZuYDDOTJHeyaxOB6cvo3c0Es9WmiYHqeAnCHlIDmpkiwhw9AqeL84mMWODknjZ3zwF4sdQLqYsoUZgI6dDOPTeRbdc7ZRsgqXd_-lydOQmc24Hg73o/s1600/vintagesewingmachine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uUrBgeomZ-f3rHDcC4mhA204ddZuYDDOTJHeyaxOB6cvo3c0Es9WmiYHqeAnCHlIDmpkiwhw9AqeL84mMWODknjZ3zwF4sdQLqYsoUZgI6dDOPTeRbdc7ZRsgqXd_-lydOQmc24Hg73o/s1600/vintagesewingmachine.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Working with Roosevelt-era</span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;"> equipment can make </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">people grouse, even the ladies of the Red Cross’ Production Room.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{138}" paraid="630273285" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{149}" paraid="1319877212" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">When sewing and knitting hundreds</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;"> of baby blankets, caps and gowns, quilts</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;"> slippers and other handmade items; it’s </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">essential to have sewing machines that hum. But the ones used in the Production Room </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">operate</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">d</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;"> as smoothly as </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">a failing presidential campaign.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{151}" paraid="1611913236" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{158}" paraid="142729294" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">Marcia Bauer, lead volunteer of the Production Room, put some change together and arranged for two new ones. The ladie</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">s of the room are humming to a steadier beat, while stitching together the garments </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">that bring comfort </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">to those at </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">delicate points in their lives.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{160}" paraid="424047072" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{163}" paraid="1790404514" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">“We’re the only existing production room supported by a Red Cross chapter,” Bauer explains.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{165}" paraid="719097991" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{175}" paraid="825542605" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">The rooms were a staple of many Red Cross chapters during World War II as volunteers assembled bags of socks, knitted caps and other items for soldiers.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;"> When the war ended, the Production Room for the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">American </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">Red Cross </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">North Texas Region</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;"> turned </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">more of </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">its attention locally.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{177}" paraid="1588831576" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{192}" paraid="890208287" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcicGv9IeNC_fL8kyxM2Pbvk8Lj6zjVWOJkskH4zfUL3tZlvL4BsgJnZYQD074ivV1Hh2L3phjuGXrBty3N554n7x88oD-c8nRD11duyN_ZhhXT74oYREJ5QpAoyYaHenp_9HHvQZFeP8/s1600/modernsewingmachine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcicGv9IeNC_fL8kyxM2Pbvk8Lj6zjVWOJkskH4zfUL3tZlvL4BsgJnZYQD074ivV1Hh2L3phjuGXrBty3N554n7x88oD-c8nRD11duyN_ZhhXT74oYREJ5QpAoyYaHenp_9HHvQZFeP8/s320/modernsewingmachine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">H</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">undreds of h</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">and-made comfort items were </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">provided for infants </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">and others at hospitals in the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">Metroplex</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">Cloth covers and baby blankets went to neonatal intensive care units, lap robes and slippers went to adult patients, and </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">others benefited from specialty items like wheelchair caddies.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">Som</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">e clothes are created as final garments for</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;"> stillborn infants.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{194}" paraid="1691749229" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{198}" paraid="2094515397" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">Occasionally, large quilts and blankets are sent to the Ronald McDonald House near the Red Cross offices in Dallas.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;"> Other knitted caps go to the Salvation Army.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{200}" paraid="748843068" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{204}" paraid="1857582905" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">It seems those who volunteer with Bauer seldom have idle hands. In the fiscal year ending June 2014, more than 30 people and about a dozen groups volunteered more than 21,700 hours to produce a list of </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">items as long as Jack’s beanstalk: more than 2,600 baby caps, 145 security blankets, 524 pillows, 170 caps and scarves, more than 700 cooling neck wraps. And that’s just a sampling.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{206}" paraid="1878905850" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{214}" paraid="544145869" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">Bauer says </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">generally </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">about five volunteers gather each Tuesday morning to sew, and that another 30 or so work from their homes</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;"> Bauer began volunteering in the Production Room in 1996 </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">and says it’s become “a never-ending flow of things” made by her volunteers.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{216}" paraid="1571085709" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{224}" paraid="752553489" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">“The hospitals take it all and they want more,”</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">says</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;"> Bauer, a Dallas resident and the mother of two grown daughters, both of whom co</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">ntribute to the Production Room</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{226}" paraid="1501278179" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{229}" paraid="392102170" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">Bauer said it’s fulfilling to provide a measure of comfort to people in need of aid or at a difficult point in their lives.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{231}" paraid="16805588" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{234}" paraid="145258249" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">“I just get a great satisfaction from helping people,” she says.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{236}" paraid="1350298597" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{243}" paraid="258234481" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">But Bauer believes a high standard has been set for her. The Production Room is named for </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">Albina</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;"> Young, who devoted more than 50 years of service to the Red Cross. Few others have committed more of their time or show</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">n</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;"> more selflessness.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{245}" paraid="1924463482" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX59034998" style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX59034998" paraeid="{20b714e6-ddbe-497a-bba5-8ee29d2de9a0}{250}" paraid="1159906130" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",Tahoma,Verdana,"Sans-Serif"; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">“With a model like that to live up to, you feel </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">like </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">20 years is nothing,” Bauer said.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="TextRun SCX59034998" style="font-family: Cambria,Serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX59034998" style="background-color: inherit;">If you know of a sewing group interested in partnering with the Production Room, contact us online at www.redcross.org/DFW. </span></span></div>
</div>
Red Cross DFWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05373929370516540611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-89642939653699852512015-06-11T09:15:00.000-05:002015-07-20T09:43:36.526-05:00La Cruz Roja responde a Tornados e Inundaciones en Texas - Actualizado 07/20/15 9:45AM<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><b><br /><a href="http://redcrossdallas.blogspot.com/2015/05/north-texas-tornadoes-floods-may-2015.html" target="_blank">Get this information in English</a></b></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">La Cruz Roja Americana continúa ayudando en Texas a residentes afectados por el clima severo actual, que ha incluido Tornados e Inundaciones por doquier.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Si fuiste afectado por tormentas y necesitas asistencia de la Cruz Roja, por favor llama a este número:</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1-800-REDCROSS</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Los siguientes refugios están abiertos para cualquiera que necesite un lugar seguro para dormir:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>La Costa del Golfo:</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://redcrosstexasgulfcoast.wordpress.com/2015/06/16/red-cross-opens-reception-centers-due-to-tropical-storm-bill/" target="_blank">Lista de Refugios de la Costa del Golfo Aquí</a></span></li>
</ul>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Centro y Sur de Texas:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://redcrosscstr.wordpress.com/2015/05/24/red-cross-shelters-open-in-central-south-texas/" target="_blank">Lista de Refugios del Centro y Sur de Texas Aquí</a></span></li>
</ul>
<ul><ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Si estas buscando un ser querido en el area</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, por favor visita nuestro registro de Sanos y Salvos en RedCross.org/SafeandWells o llama al 1-800-REDCROSS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Si quieres ayudar, visit <a href="http://redcross.org/Donate">RedCross.org/Donate</a><br />o llame al 1-800-REDCROSS</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Siguenos en Twitter @RedcrossDFW y en Facebook para leer actualizaciones</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://redcrossdallas.blogspot.com/2015/05/north-texas-tornadoes-floods-may-2015.html" target="_blank"><b>Get this information in English</b></a></i></div>
<br />amyyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911715516077113598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-29885435240389492092015-05-31T18:50:00.000-05:002015-06-18T14:02:58.521-05:00Texas Tornado and Flood Response: Are You Ready to Go All In For Texas?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Message from T.D. Smyers, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross North Texas Region</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjMvYUH5HrRpjqjtGnArLgZplz6QUBAdRvmxvOR01yDwII4IL6Db6qNQo-RvEQqZq_erXR3K6XM85SIwOk6L-Gp0RkKZyJKReVQlOqliKfzXQI7br4hsqzW5mxsVGg30G899st0l_eWs/s1600/AllInForTexas_header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjMvYUH5HrRpjqjtGnArLgZplz6QUBAdRvmxvOR01yDwII4IL6Db6qNQo-RvEQqZq_erXR3K6XM85SIwOk6L-Gp0RkKZyJKReVQlOqliKfzXQI7br4hsqzW5mxsVGg30G899st0l_eWs/s320/AllInForTexas_header.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On June 2, our fellow Red Crossers around the nation will be asking Americans to give to our first-ever <b>#allin1day</b> fundraising effort to enable the American Red Cross to deliver help and hope to their friends and neighbors where the need is greatest. Here in Texas, the greatest need is right here at home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All across the state, severe weather, tornadoes and flooding have devastated neighborhoods and forced thousands of people from their homes since early May. The Red Cross has been there since the beginning to provide critical humanitarian relief the moment it’s needed. From EF-3 tornadoes in Cisco and Van, Texas to flooding in San Marcos and Houston that is still ongoing, we’ve provided a safe and dry place to stay, warm meals and comforting hugs for hundreds of our fellow Texans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJe4Uu9iIFSM5H0LeNtoVl1bYxq6NusJp8Bm8kxEK9MGbVufEJj5y6QmnjjUl2ykaGwG4IaRJJaKQH4N3z6FTMO4T7PiHU7b75-ffFDU4lnq0g3I3fVW3meOnKvMUtzAstSSk6ufMHAc/s1600/baby-nano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJe4Uu9iIFSM5H0LeNtoVl1bYxq6NusJp8Bm8kxEK9MGbVufEJj5y6QmnjjUl2ykaGwG4IaRJJaKQH4N3z6FTMO4T7PiHU7b75-ffFDU4lnq0g3I3fVW3meOnKvMUtzAstSSk6ufMHAc/s400/baby-nano.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is Emily Martinez, her husband and their 2-week-old son Nano. They are safe in a Red Cross shelter in San Marcos today after they woke up late last Sunday night to find a foot of water in their trailer home. They looked outside and saw the water rising.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We were terrified. The water was so deep, and I was so scared,” said Mrs. Martinez. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the shelter, little Nano soon gained a surrogate aunt in Red Cross volunteer Jillana Holt-Reuter, “Gigi.” As Auntie Gigi held Nano, Mr. Martinez tells her how happy he is to have his family together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The Red Cross has been wonderful. I don’t know what we would do without their help. We have a safe place to sleep, food, friendly Red Cross friends and there are nurses here for us. We’re really very thankful.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’ve heard so many stories like the Martinez’s in our shelters all around Texas. We are privileged to be doing our part to help families on their road to recovery. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh054d02TO9ymxKKRx0GnhRaAbQG-f6KN9jlJQrL6usqEQ8lZePAVwfpZ3ItD0U6Rs0yqNgx0ktieJx3ju0nkYOEgy77gWhckYDMfSodBuz7-0MpB-AjEWxvJ_8wQyOv16h0hwqAWFnExk/s1600/TXStormResponse_InfoMap---052715.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh054d02TO9ymxKKRx0GnhRaAbQG-f6KN9jlJQrL6usqEQ8lZePAVwfpZ3ItD0U6Rs0yqNgx0ktieJx3ju0nkYOEgy77gWhckYDMfSodBuz7-0MpB-AjEWxvJ_8wQyOv16h0hwqAWFnExk/s400/TXStormResponse_InfoMap---052715.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now we need your help as we continue responding to disasters big and small, like the tornadoes and floods in Texas.</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Visit </span><a href="http://redcross.org/donate" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">RedCross.org/Donate</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. We have a long way to go in this relief effort, part of more than 70,000 disasters the Red Cross responds to every year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More than 2,000 Red Cross volunteers and staffers have worked on this massive relief operation, but all but 800 of them are actually from in-state. <b>This is Texans helping Texans</b>, answering the call when our neighbors need it the most.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Show your Support in the Social Space: </b></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Join us as we go All In For Texas. Use hashtag <b><span style="color: red;">#allin4TX</span></b> and change your social network icons to show your support! Below are some other ways to share.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For every Texan whose life you’ll touch with your support, THANK YOU.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Social Media Graphics (right-click & save-as to download)</i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipB00PZAuydGaM6-Pr_MLhAKqUMJ65cDalMJgTT_Vsjrmiuou9wCZ-ZVUY5p-7lUtlWK9W2iciyJ1uzw68f1ItZB1f35rjRY8vhPF6bLaLRsbXCUo1faQAVeFi81w_4fdKiOQA1FAykkE/s1600/AllInForTexas_logoFINAL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipB00PZAuydGaM6-Pr_MLhAKqUMJ65cDalMJgTT_Vsjrmiuou9wCZ-ZVUY5p-7lUtlWK9W2iciyJ1uzw68f1ItZB1f35rjRY8vhPF6bLaLRsbXCUo1faQAVeFi81w_4fdKiOQA1FAykkE/s200/AllInForTexas_logoFINAL.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Social Media Icon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNe7bCfDnL8X3iJkFL0xDvaRJxDjmvC7ul6xaUW1HXjqelOS6I17Vg3NBlaJDILYrgAyHjj6rBbsM6AVJ_N1_AyxSPNHot2aHWxqJes90LhEWxgglK5zZq0YvyPsiU7akVE7wxwauakkQ/s1600/AllInForTexas_FBcover2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNe7bCfDnL8X3iJkFL0xDvaRJxDjmvC7ul6xaUW1HXjqelOS6I17Vg3NBlaJDILYrgAyHjj6rBbsM6AVJ_N1_AyxSPNHot2aHWxqJes90LhEWxgglK5zZq0YvyPsiU7akVE7wxwauakkQ/s400/AllInForTexas_FBcover2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihILfpOxy4A6GXisiBCcCwU8YXrjG6FoMugAX1tJvMMhFB6QNgVPNN8zcuKwXbg5DZDLR9OJRDRDBfLyVHTfccyaNyUMK0Zkev6cFAdmsbH6udbBI1uGQjAlz12hTy0kJxxzmE_KhurQ0/s1600/AllInForTexas_FBcover3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihILfpOxy4A6GXisiBCcCwU8YXrjG6FoMugAX1tJvMMhFB6QNgVPNN8zcuKwXbg5DZDLR9OJRDRDBfLyVHTfccyaNyUMK0Zkev6cFAdmsbH6udbBI1uGQjAlz12hTy0kJxxzmE_KhurQ0/s400/AllInForTexas_FBcover3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkLSDufya7q37YSsGnlLwbAc1WlaDYKD2LtiICLnMVqRez0_CefE79ptacFNCkCQBVKRCNDvQFtJH5hdEeqrr0WE9iigmrPj2Qwtfl63kZASgX_vsU6ajOzZ6tH00bPsF_ajjKz1lUjk/s1600/AllInForTexas_FBcover4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkLSDufya7q37YSsGnlLwbAc1WlaDYKD2LtiICLnMVqRez0_CefE79ptacFNCkCQBVKRCNDvQFtJH5hdEeqrr0WE9iigmrPj2Qwtfl63kZASgX_vsU6ajOzZ6tH00bPsF_ajjKz1lUjk/s400/AllInForTexas_FBcover4.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facebook covers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span id="goog_877313826"></span><span id="goog_877313827"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Red Cross DFWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05373929370516540611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-14349209919702200852015-05-29T14:19:00.000-05:002015-05-29T14:19:58.221-05:00 Enriching One’s Life by Enriching Others <i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by Michele Maki, volunteer contributor</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Folks think that when you help others, you’re enriching their life, and in many ways, you are. But I believe that the one who’s life is most enriched, is your own.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This remarkable philosophy of life comes from Red Cross volunteer Carolyn Newkirk. Newkirk, and her husband, Richard, also a Red Cross volunteer, are from the Greater Iowa Region of the American Red Cross and are helping in the flood relief and recovery effort in the Wichita Falls area.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While visiting a shelter in the area, I found the Newkirks comforting an elder gentleman, huddled in a blanket, who was in great distress. Blind, frail and alone, this gentleman shared his fears and confusion with the Newkirks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mrs. Newkirk confided, “This gentle soul needed a voice. He needed someone to listen to him and care. He felt so alone--so forgotten.” </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKsQGKjbDtNwQh5J0fahxmS8X-k8VBkY86gVPPfIt-FDOFBlCFZcY9xea_YfOo7F74hwE1lOImNAHENwhA-OVl0WPlMeISr22vjIefDpk-w8OUXGI9xEfHC1yLxgx0CehAbYewoVbIEgk/s1600/Newkirks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKsQGKjbDtNwQh5J0fahxmS8X-k8VBkY86gVPPfIt-FDOFBlCFZcY9xea_YfOo7F74hwE1lOImNAHENwhA-OVl0WPlMeISr22vjIefDpk-w8OUXGI9xEfHC1yLxgx0CehAbYewoVbIEgk/s320/Newkirks.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by: Michele Maki</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had watched this husband and wife Red Cross team comfort this gentleman and listen intently as he shared his feelings and fears. It became obvious by the gentlest of hugs that these two volunteers cared deeply for this stranger they had just met. I then watched them for several more minutes and later asked Mrs. Newkirk about their relationship with this man. Surely, he was someone they knew.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“No, no…..we’re from Iowa and we’re here in Wichita County to help in the flood relief effort. I saw this elder man who was alone and very upset.” Mrs. Newkirk added, “I just felt he needed someone to comfort him and listen to whatever it was that was causing him so much distress. In taking some time to listen to him, I found out he was in frail health, blind and hadn’t eaten in quite some time. My husband and I made sure he got a good hot lunch and will follow up with our Red Cross nurses to try and get some social services for him in the future. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You know, my belief is this, some folks think that when you help someone, you’re enriching their life, but today, it was my life that was enriched and I’m so very thankful."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Relief and recovery efforts continue throughout the state of Texas. These efforts are made possible by the generosity of the American people. You can help the American Red Cross by donating to <a href="http://redcross.org/Donate">RedCross.org/Donate</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Bohemian BAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729477880534591172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-77669111785388895972015-05-26T07:21:00.001-05:002015-05-26T13:54:43.006-05:00Tornado-Affected Residents Finding Help in Runaway Bay Shelter<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>by Carl Manning, guest contributor</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T6t8SO79OKxmKMVf7kLD-p2FEV6IvQDbtj9Nz5cX47lSA_BeMmwJw9A58wx1RaykGzTX3_RG8yFRna-pqhiKneTxGyA4JtuDhQ5Sqs-v7jlCepVOiVoBdic-HhyCS9qgFiAvNlrnc6c/s1600/SHELTER3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T6t8SO79OKxmKMVf7kLD-p2FEV6IvQDbtj9Nz5cX47lSA_BeMmwJw9A58wx1RaykGzTX3_RG8yFRna-pqhiKneTxGyA4JtuDhQ5Sqs-v7jlCepVOiVoBdic-HhyCS9qgFiAvNlrnc6c/s400/SHELTER3.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Red
Cross shelter manager Jen Edwards of Dallas talks with Brittiany Spain <br />while
her three-year-old son Gabriel and husband Jarid wait. <br />The family came to the
shelter after a tornado that went through <br />Runaway Bay, Texas,
damaged their home. </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three-year-old Gabriel Spain, along with his parents Jarid and Brittiany, showed up at the Red Cross shelter set up in Runaway Bay, Texas in search of a place to stay.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The youngster looked around the reception area clutching his toy truck and quietly explained: “Our house had a tornado. We hid in the closet.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The family’s home was damaged by the tornado, tearing off large sections of the roof, exposing the interior to the rain and leaving the carpets a squishy mess.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Spain family were among several who suffered through the tornado. Several condos a short distance away sustained major roof damage, forcing occupants to look elsewhere for a place to stay until repairs are completed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day after the tornado, the Red Cross began working on opening the shelter at the CrossWay Church. Red Cross emergency response vehicles drove through the community to provide food, water and cleanup supplies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDURQ8uDjVJqMqkQnILnte542zGqbpA9q7YTDV-v33qJBD4AK-E-Nkz15L_3Vfq0CNWYfaVbhGknVYG_zBAZ1-CMQiz-89VFVl_gUFrzje0UJTNhOENPptP6XIOgKUDkMtlRkhHekxLm0/s1600/SHELTER1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDURQ8uDjVJqMqkQnILnte542zGqbpA9q7YTDV-v33qJBD4AK-E-Nkz15L_3Vfq0CNWYfaVbhGknVYG_zBAZ1-CMQiz-89VFVl_gUFrzje0UJTNhOENPptP6XIOgKUDkMtlRkhHekxLm0/s320/SHELTER1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Red
Cross volunteer Steve Bales of Brownwood, Texas, <br />arrived with his Emergency
Response Vehicle at Runaway Bay<br /> after a tornado went through a section
of the community. <br />He talks resident to learn where the damage is in the
community.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We provide the people with what they need in the recovery process,” said Red Cross volunteer Steve Bales of Brownwood, Texas who drove one of the vehicles into the community.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He stopped at the Runaway Bay City Hall to talk to people gathered there to find out what where the tornado had done its damage so he would know where to go. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the shelter, Brittiany provided additional details to Red Cross volunteer Jen Edwards of Dallas, the shelter manager who made sure there were enough cots in the coverted sanctuary and food at the kitchen serving window.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jen explained the shelter was opened to provide a safe place for people to stay if they didn’t have any place to go after the tornado. It’s among <a href="http://redcrossdallas.blogspot.com/2015/05/north-texas-tornadoes-floods-may-2015.html" target="_blank">some 16 Red Cross shelters</a> opened across Texas in the past two weeks because of severe weather. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brittiany explained it was her first tornado and when she first heard it, she wasn’t sure what was happening. But Jarid had grown up is southwest Kansas were tornadoes are about as common as cattle and wheat fields. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“When the noise started, I knew exactly what it was,” he said, holding his son close to him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brittiany added: “He said go to the closet now. Then the house started shaking and then there was the sound of breaking glass as the roof came off. It really was scary.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The parents said they’re most thankful for escaping unharmed with their son.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I have the two most important things in my life. Everything else can be replaced,” the burley oil field worker said. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Red Cross continues to provide critical humanitarian relief in Runaway Bay, Wichita Falls and nearly 100 other counties around Texas during this ongoing spring storm relief effort. You can help! Visit <a href="http://redcross.org/Donate">RedCross.org/Donate</a> or call 1-800-REDCROSS to give.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
amyyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911715516077113598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-91364145845283805242015-05-26T07:21:00.000-05:002015-05-26T07:21:34.901-05:00Disaster Mental Health Workers Helping Storm Survivors Cope<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>by Lauren McCinn Clarke, volunteer contributor<br />with contributions by Carl Manning, guest contributor</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KbgiLpNzrsgkTejdX-qKn-xWUugQjnLUG7MC5s3b_CN1Dhd9swdHbNKdVWEk8UvuQWfJ1pmNTpj5gwNrX2ajHDlXOIJdN2XK8Uaa_M2v6ZkerlMwSjimYy-gFNJwbv8I8UgzLCufGqE/s1600/VAN+SCHOOL+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KbgiLpNzrsgkTejdX-qKn-xWUugQjnLUG7MC5s3b_CN1Dhd9swdHbNKdVWEk8UvuQWfJ1pmNTpj5gwNrX2ajHDlXOIJdN2XK8Uaa_M2v6ZkerlMwSjimYy-gFNJwbv8I8UgzLCufGqE/s320/VAN+SCHOOL+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tornado damage in an elementary school playground in Van, TX</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those who survived a disaster, it’s often more about a chance to talk about their feelings than being told how to deal with their emotions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red Cross disaster mental health counselors have been helping the victims of the severe weather that resulted in tornadoes and flooding around the state. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“As you listen to people telling their story, it’s a way for them to process what’s been going on. It helps them to come to terms with it,” said Jerry Montgomery, a Red Cross volunteer who’s leading the team of about a dozen mental health counselors in the state. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jerry said what some might consider unusual behavior isn’t necessary that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It’s normal to be upset, maybe to cry. It’s just a normal reaction to an abnormal event,” she said. “We help them to understand their feelings are normal and they aren’t crazy.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Children often are upset and show their feelings about a traumatic event. That’s when counselors like Richard and Carolyn Newkirk can use their specialized skills of counseling children. The husband and wife team were in Van, Texas after a tornado struck that community damaged the elementary school and damaged or destroyed more than 100 homes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They talked to the teachers and school administrators about what to look for with the children and what they could say to help the student. They also made themselves available to the students. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Children are very resilient and they get cues for handling stress from their parents,” Jerry said. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Richard and Carolyn said they heard some interesting stories as they walked through the impacted areas of Van.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For instance, a family of eight was home when the tornado lifted the house off its foundation and spun it around, landing it about 20 feet in the opposite direction. Amazingly, nobody was hurt and the house stayed intact.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another story they heard was a mother and father with a three-week-old baby in their car when the storm coming. Next they remember, the car was rolling around with them inside and finally landed upside down with the top crushed. Yet they were able to crawl out safely with minor injuries. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Newkirks said a wide variety of emotions come into play for survivors, the most common being glad to be alive. There’s also a lot of open generosity, giving and sharing. They said children are particularly resilient even if they lost everything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For Richard and Carolyn, their work can be a mixed blessing. There’s a sense of sorrow when they see people who have lost everything. But there’s also a deep sense of fulfillment when they can see how they helped some people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is always a need for state-licensed mental health professionals who want to volunteer their time. If you have the right background and want to help, please visit <a href="http://www.redcross.org/tx/dallas-fort-worth/volunteer" target="_blank">RedCross.org/DFW</a> & indicate your interest during the placement process.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
amyyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911715516077113598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-10057097842797789052015-05-25T09:47:00.000-05:002015-05-25T23:58:42.347-05:00Memorial Day: Red Crossers, Still Serving<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>by Amy Yen, Regional Marketing Program Manager, American Red Cross North Texas Region</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMrwrzY9q72spOxDgZfgP27gHObg878AYDIWraZGe_fyl8hbS1AZXyX8Aq4kLC3gzVytIZMOZRbLPBdAs627aB_vjcPXvKIhWILRUKquu3HeVUDCFRetG-ZfBgdyhy3QMtdOhGTneHNA/s1600/rickey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMrwrzY9q72spOxDgZfgP27gHObg878AYDIWraZGe_fyl8hbS1AZXyX8Aq4kLC3gzVytIZMOZRbLPBdAs627aB_vjcPXvKIhWILRUKquu3HeVUDCFRetG-ZfBgdyhy3QMtdOhGTneHNA/s320/rickey.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">U.S. Air Force veteran Rickey Staves is still serving. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Memorial Day, he is on the job in the Disaster Operations Center at the Red Cross in Dallas, headquarters for an ongoing statewide storm relief operation. He is a Disaster Services Technology Manager, who supports the technology needs for the operation, which is helping residents affected by tornadoes and flooding from Wichita Falls to Corpus Christi.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a little different from his time on Air Force bases in California and Fort Worth, but it's also the same in one critical way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Whether it's the military or the Red Cross," said Rickey. "We're here to help--that's what we do."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you to Rickey and all the other Red Crosser veterans spending their Memorial Day still serving. To learn more about how the Red Cross serves military members, veterans and their families, visit <a href="http://redcross.org/Military">RedCross.org/Military</a>.</span><br />
<br />amyyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911715516077113598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-57590923926787840992015-05-24T16:49:00.000-05:002015-05-24T17:28:13.972-05:00Tips for Dealing with Texas Weather Fatigue<i><b>by Carl Manning, Red Cross contributor</b></i> <br />
<br />
The endless images of flooded homes and tornado destruction coupled with repeated warnings of what seems like potential doom and gloom can cause people to feel like the world is closing in and there’s nothing they can do about it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7oXN-iI2L3xZg26QQOlVdv14kFPCEyyO99cexKlyhknt08de3llOpRyHKjAcn1HZw6DgOO2TAuDIwWWv9z4KMqTjS_zTnNas0a8P2Ooee7w0AjU5PKDNnjyuz_SgNWbXCsEVxJSY0QOC/s1600/WEA+MAP1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7oXN-iI2L3xZg26QQOlVdv14kFPCEyyO99cexKlyhknt08de3llOpRyHKjAcn1HZw6DgOO2TAuDIwWWv9z4KMqTjS_zTnNas0a8P2Ooee7w0AjU5PKDNnjyuz_SgNWbXCsEVxJSY0QOC/s320/WEA+MAP1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Recent social media posts in Texas bear witness to a mounting stress among those who have watched the string of severe weather go from days to weeks with no immediate end in sight.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Seriously can't stand this damn Texas weather right now!!!and I officially hate rain now!!!</div>
— Jay Pati (@SamoanSavage37) <a href="https://twitter.com/SamoanSavage37/status/599222851112054784">May 15, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Such reaction to stressful situations are normal, even if you haven’t
suffered any personal loss, said Jerry Montgomery, who’s overseeing the
Red Cross disaster mental health counselors in Texas. “Stress is stress. Just because you haven’t lost your home doesn’t
mean you’re not experiencing a lot of stress,” the Michigan City, Ind.
volunteer said. <br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Approximately 45 tornadoes of various strengths have hit Texas in the last month. I am really tired of violent weather here now.</div>
— Melissa Patterson (@melissap5405) <a href="https://twitter.com/melissap5405/status/601247566315982848">May 21, 2015</a></blockquote>
Often people under stress feel physically and mentally drained, get frustrated more quickly and more often.<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Ughh.. I'm tired of this bipolar weather..
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texas?src=hash">#Texas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rain?src=hash">#rain</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/flood?src=hash">#flood</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/thunderstorm?src=hash">#thunderstorm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tornado?src=hash">#tornado</a></div>
— アニメ 悪魔人 (@Anime73199) <a href="https://twitter.com/Anime73199/status/602467595762044928">May 24, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script> <br />
<br />
But there are some things people can do to cope with events over which they have no control. <br />
<br />
For instance, during stressful times it’s important to eat properly and maintain a balanced diet, drink plenty of water and get some rest. <br />
<br />
Staying connected with friends and family is important because getting support reduces that feeling of being alone. <br />
<br />
Another tip is to be patient with those around you and recognize that everyone is stressed and may need time to put their feelings and thoughts in order. <br />
<br />
Remain positive and remember having successfully gone through other tough times and reach out when support is needed and help others when they need it. Bohemian BAPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729477880534591172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-1602143307504343602015-05-23T12:11:00.002-05:002015-05-23T12:19:22.352-05:00"This is Just a Setback" - Bridgeport Residents Begin to Rebuild<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by Carl Manning, guest contributor</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxFj-LbUFq6gkHViyCj6xK7RVd_dfTUdZdnjNWM0x9z9Q4Sq5cMY316fk4JlA9Rp7JE5wlnysazJUO5xEY16yBeiEM-xwhxrcz6UmbMCpDHjecwW6x2wpmMQ0oQRK8VbGQlOU9eRuovs/s1600/BRIDGEPORT4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxFj-LbUFq6gkHViyCj6xK7RVd_dfTUdZdnjNWM0x9z9Q4Sq5cMY316fk4JlA9Rp7JE5wlnysazJUO5xEY16yBeiEM-xwhxrcz6UmbMCpDHjecwW6x2wpmMQ0oQRK8VbGQlOU9eRuovs/s400/BRIDGEPORT4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Cross workers help residents affected by a tornado in Bridgeport, TX.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wesley Campbell was in bed when he heard the sounds outside his home and he knew the worst was happening. A tornado was heading straight for his home in a rural area near Bridgeport, Texas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His wife, Mickey, yelled for him to get up and get out of the house, and they headed for the back door. But it was too late.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We got there and that was as far as we got before it hit,” he recalled. “We got down behind the washer and dryer and waited. I could feel the house moving in all directions and we prayed hard.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVzrtwQepoPmbrzJ9-f0rtQbyYoXD_OEW5nLcYtr8TqSFvqR_ey1wwgXrlm9OVt8xIlBZ-_ufVK8sWfEQ_y0c9MdJbjkUs-jkOvz4xAAy_2X-4hMKr6rASdeVNUfHzgZ2x0pmdi7E5Kg/s1600/BRIDGEPORT1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVzrtwQepoPmbrzJ9-f0rtQbyYoXD_OEW5nLcYtr8TqSFvqR_ey1wwgXrlm9OVt8xIlBZ-_ufVK8sWfEQ_y0c9MdJbjkUs-jkOvz4xAAy_2X-4hMKr6rASdeVNUfHzgZ2x0pmdi7E5Kg/s320/BRIDGEPORT1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridgeport resident Wesley Campbell looks at damage to his<br />
home after a tornado outbreak.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It didn’t take Wesley long to realize his worst fears had come true – the house he had called home for 15 years was in tatters and scattered. Sitting on the tailgate of his pickup, Wesley sipped from a bottle of water and looked at what’s left as friends and family gathered up what they could to put in his storage barn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“This is our house, so sure, we’ll rebuild,” he said. “This is just a setback.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As he looked around, Red Cross workers began arriving to offer assistance to Wesley and his neighbors. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It’s wonderful and unbelievable that so many came out to help. It makes me feel good. People I don’t even know are here,” he said of the Red Cross workers and others who were there to help.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few hundred yards away, Scott Brandon talked to a Red Cross worker about losing his trailer home during a three-minute ordeal he said he’ll never forget.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The trailer started moving and then it quit. Then it started moving again and then it stopped and it rained hard for an hour,” he recalled. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking at the twisted wreckage that once was his home, Scott shook his head and said, “I’ve been walking around in a daze, feeling out of place and wanting to cry. But all my friends are okay and that’s what matters.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As he talked, a Red Cross emergency response vehicle arrived, bouncing along the rut-filled dirt road to set up operations to hand out snacks and water plus clean-up items like work gloves and tarps.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“They’re here to help us and if they can help us, that’ll be great,” Scott said.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One Red Cross worker grabbed an armload of work gloves from the vehicle and started passing them out to those working on a house with its metal roof twisted and torn and its windows broken.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another standing by the Red Cross vehicle was busy handing out bottled water and snacks. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One woman in line with her children and two dogs, when offered condolences, smiled and said, “Oh, it can all be replaced.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Red Cross continues to provide critical humanitarian relief in Bridgeport, Runaway Bay, Mineral Wells and more than 70 other counties around Texas during this ongoing spring storm relief effort. You can help! Visit <a href="http://redcross.org/Donate">RedCross.org/Donate</a> or call 1-800-REDCROSS to give.</span><br />
<br />amyyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911715516077113598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259443480728948678.post-14112626117393556722015-05-19T10:55:00.000-05:002015-05-19T10:55:51.663-05:00Van Resident Remembers, Rebuilds<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>by Carl Manning, guest contributor</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMEzgtUolVVA4CMad9g96MJM0gouvt_T4GL_fim3LTg3-_yN8FGOwXqhZtokOtoIqy8RnYGQJJthGZIRkEGuIe-q2zK89m57JGYYa5uneo4rtUGGYDYXYLEib6zuNY-fyHLhTMnWKh9E/s1600/VAN+PHOTO+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMEzgtUolVVA4CMad9g96MJM0gouvt_T4GL_fim3LTg3-_yN8FGOwXqhZtokOtoIqy8RnYGQJJthGZIRkEGuIe-q2zK89m57JGYYa5uneo4rtUGGYDYXYLEib6zuNY-fyHLhTMnWKh9E/s320/VAN+PHOTO+1.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Van resident David
Thacker hugs Red Cross volunteer <br />Brenda Jones of Longview at his home <br />that was damaged by a tornado.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s really been hard for David Thacker to think about his long-time friend and neighbor who was killed when a tornado torn through rural Van, Texas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David was among those who found his friend still clutching his dog in a nearby field after the EF-3 tornado destroyed his home and also killed his friend’s wife. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He and his friend had a regular meeting every Wednesday evening when they got together at the roadside where they left their trash for pickup the next morning. It had become a tradition, a time David looked forward to each week. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We discussed politics and livestock. We got along real good,” he said as a smile filled his face.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It’s hard, it really is. A lot of time I try not to think about. But I like to think he’s in a better place,” he said, looking down at the ground at the spot where they had stood together for a dozen years</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But David considers himself lucky because he and his wife were home eating dinner when the storm came. They survived and their home is still standing. He recalled looking out and seeing the tornado coming his way and using all his strength to close the front door against the howling wind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the storm, he was among the first to volunteer at the landfill site where the debris that once were homes and possessions were brought for disposal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It lets me help those who have nothing. At least we still got our home,” he says. “We’re lucky and I felt an obligation to give back, to help those who didn’t come out of this as well as we did.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His neighbor on the other side of his mobile home had damage but he said the six people inside survived with only a few cuts and scratches. His son and family living nearby also escaped with minor damage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David said he’s been busy cleaning up around his property including 1,700 feet of fencing that was ripped up. He walks through his hay field picking up pieces of shingles and various household items like a storage container for silverware and sometimes personal items like photographs blown there from near and far. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Got to clean up this field before mowing it because if I hit some of this stuff with my mower, it would be big trouble,” he said. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Earlier in the day, he had stopped at the Community Center where the Red Cross and other agencies were assisting people with the recovery after the May 10 storm damaged or destroyed more than 100 homes and displaced dozens of people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within an hour after leaving the center, two Red Cross volunteers arrived to survey the damage to his home. He showed them how his home had been picked up and dropped back on the foundation, shifting a few inches to one side in the process. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvd42pRUVkjsZvHeCMKKwMIpfYcUxwYCf6sbYGQWZs5Rq62QNYy5aEoYmed52EMBfQeE8gVavcXO5OaRD2Xod6uRuOLOdaZrDZM_XSE0OV-5UWBvdOl9bVKCfbvsoDfOEIr3jx9VZdvP4/s1600/VAN+PHOTO+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvd42pRUVkjsZvHeCMKKwMIpfYcUxwYCf6sbYGQWZs5Rq62QNYy5aEoYmed52EMBfQeE8gVavcXO5OaRD2Xod6uRuOLOdaZrDZM_XSE0OV-5UWBvdOl9bVKCfbvsoDfOEIr3jx9VZdvP4/s320/VAN+PHOTO+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Red
Cross volunteer Brenda Jones of Longview, Texas<br />hands snacks to Van resident David Thacker.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the volunteers reached into the van and handed him several snack items including a couple boxes of cookies – one for him and the other for his wife.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As he took the items, his eyes filled with tears. A minute later he walked over to the volunteer and hugged her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Until you see your friends die and your neighbors hurt, and you have people from all over the country to come out and help, there’s no way to describe how you feel,” he said while hugging the volunteer. “You’re a God-sent blessing.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To help Red Cross spring storm relief efforts, visit <a href="http://redcross.org/Donate">RedCross.org/Donate</a> or call 1-800-REDCROSS.</span><br />
<br />amyyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911715516077113598noreply@blogger.com0