Red Alert

Talkin' with T.D.Smyers

2012-02-14T06:47:00.000-06:00

The Groundhog Runs For Cover From Winter Weather

2012-02-02T13:29:00.001-06:00

Written by Krisleigh Hoermann, Volunteer Contributor

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Well, I’m not exactly sure, but he would surely have more time to wood chuck if his shadow didn’t frighten him back into hibernation.

Since winter is supposed to stick around for six more weeks (and we are still defrosting from last year’s February weather), I thought it would be a nice time to brush up on some winter weather tips… just in case the groundhog is right.

Layer it up! Opt for lightweight layers to stay warm instead of a single heavy coat. You know the saying: “If you don’t like the weather in Texas, stay 15 minutes and it’ll change.” Of course, don’t forget a hat and gloves to prevent loss of body heat.
If you encounter ice or snow, break out insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry to maintain your footing on the ice and snow.
Avoid driving in a snow storm, but if you do:

Bring your Red Cross Ready kit in your car
Keep your gas tank full for emergency use
Let someone know where you are going, when you should arrive and the route your taking

If the power goes out, use flashlights instead of candles
Use power generators correctly – read the instructions. Then, follow them.
Never use a stove or oven to heat your home. If you are using a space heater, follow the instructions.
Keep a glass or metal fire screen around the fireplace and never leave a fireplace fire unattended.
Don’t forget your pets. Bring them indoors to keep them safe and warm.

The American Red Cross has full tips and instructions on preparing for inclement weather, preparing your home and car and much more information in both english and spanish to get you Red Cross Ready.

From Battle of the Badge to Bridgefarmer & Assoc.: Celebrating National Blood Donor Month

2012-02-01T12:00:00.000-06:00

Battle of the Badges

by Linh Le, American Red Cross

On Monday, I was caught in a situation I never imagined myself to be in—sandwiched between a Dallas police officer and Dallas Fire Rescue official. At just over 5 feet tall this should have intimidated me but I knew the secret, I wasn’t in trouble! We were all there for a common cause. Battle of the Badges, a friendly competition pitting first responders against each other to see which organization collected the most votes and blood, had officially kicked off and I was there to witness it all.

While the first responders bantered back and forth over the winner, I couldn’t help but stop and think about the magnitude of their mission today. Yes, we all know that everyone likes to win, however the real winner wasn’t even here. They transformed the opportunity to save lives into a friendly competition. Even with bragging rights on the line and the trophy prize lighting up the competition, every responder knew why they were really here—for patients who need blood. These men and women respond to the worst accidents across our city and see first hand the impact of disaster. The drive, with their giving spirits, made it clear these individuals want to help, not only in the moment of tragedy but also in the moment of healing.

And the best part is the competition isn’t over yet! Now it’s your turn. Want to donate and help the Dallas Fire Department steal this year’s trophy from two time champ, Dallas Police?

Find the next drive and vote for your favorite. Competition wraps on Wednesday, February 8 at the South Central Dallas Police.

(see photos of drive below)

Life Saving Lunch
by Lilly Watson, American Red Cross

My name is Lilly Watson and I work for the American Red Cross North Texas Region. As you can imagine, I love my job. One of my favorite parts of working at the Red Cross is how much fun it is to help people of all professions and backgrounds be part of our global mission of service. It happened just the other day with a Dallas-based civil engineering firm, Bridgefarmer & Associates, Inc., when they decided to host a drive from their own offices.

Over the holidays I met up with some friends of mine after work. They are all roadway designers at Bridgefarmer, meaning they update and design new roads and transportation methods to keep all of us moving safe and quickly. When I mentioned that traffic accidents are one of the top three reasons why a person may need a blood transfusion, my friends told me how much they wanted to donate blood to go above-and-beyond their civil service of keeping people safe on the road. Only problem is, it’s too hard to find time to give blood when you work full-time in an office, right? Thankfully, that’s not the case! The Red Cross is always happy and appreciative to work with companies to host corporate blood drives that bring a way to give back right to your office.

Just six weeks after our conversation, Bridgefarmer was hosting a blood drive in their office building. Not only was there a full schedule of their employees donating throughout the day, they advertised the drive to the rest of their building and recruited donors from other businesses as well. With the help of the Red Cross Blood Services staff, a conversation became a commitment through a big idea and a little planning.

If a company can provide a suitable space and commit to recruiting donors, the Red Cross works with them every step of the way to plan the blood drive, providing advertising materials, and bringing all of the equipment and supplies needed for them to safely and professionally collect donations.

Everyone at Bridgefarmer was excited to contribute to the effort, from their CEO who donated alongside his staff, to their accountant who brought his griddle to work and made fresh pancakes for donors to keep their blood sugar up. If you are looking for a way to liven up your workplace for a day while giving back to the community together, contact the Red Cross about hosting a corporate blood drive. It is a safe an easy way to save a life without ever needing to leave your office!

No weekend plans? 'Like' to drive your heart out!

2012-01-27T11:21:00.000-06:00

Like Us Now!

Cash, Ipads, Gift Cards and Support to the American Red Cross!

Honoring a Red Cross Hero

2012-01-26T10:08:00.001-06:00

Thank you, Albina. We Will Miss You

Written by Catherine Carlton, Volunteer Contributor

We lost one of our own last month. Albina Young, a long-time Red Cross volunteer, passed away at the age of 100.

She spent the majority of her life doing what all of us hope to be able to say about ourselves: she loved and she helped others.

Albina was married for 75 years to her loving husband, Robert. And she spent 67 years selflessly volunteering with the American Red Cross. Her tenure started during World War II by knitting sweaters for soldiers. She did this from the Production Room in Dallas, Texas. If you stop by there today, you’ll see a quilt hanging on the wall indicating it’s “Albina’s Production Room.”

After the war, the need for sweaters and socks for soldiers had quieted so Albina and her crew began knitting for babies at Parkland and Children's hospitals. They met weekly in the Production Room and engaged home-bound volunteers by delivering materials, picking up finished booties and caps, and then delivering them to children in need.

When Albina and Bob could no longer drive, they continued to volunteer from their retirement home. At the age of 99, Albina reluctantly retired from her Red Cross service.

She is described by her Red Cross family as “dedicated, strong, vibrant, confident and capable.”

“She was born in 1911, the same year the chapter began, which is remarkable,” said Susie Spartano, director of volunteer services for the Red Cross. “She received a 55-year pin and several other awards from the Red Cross and other agencies for her service to the community.”

“When I first began working here, Albina was 89. She was full of fire and full of energy. She was gung ho,” Susie continued. “She could run the production room with complete confidence. Every week for years and years she had a staff of four or five volunteers who would sew under her guidance. She is inspiring.”

Albina’s family has honored her dedication to the Red Cross by requesting that memorial donations from friends and family be made to the American Red Cross. While writing this story, we learned that Bob has now joined Albina. He passed away on Christmas Eve. We are a better organization because of their service. Our heart goes out to the Young family as we also miss this tremendous couple each time we pass her Production Room.

High Waters: High Alert

2012-01-25T11:58:00.001-06:00

Rain, a much welcomed sight in Texas but when it pounds the dry ground for hours, much like it has over the last few hours, concerns for public safety quickly take the spotlight.

Flood Safety Checklist [PDF]

What should I do?

Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAA Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS).
Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
Because standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, it’s important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the U.S. For more information on flood insurance, please visit the National Flood Insurance Program Web site at www.FloodSmart.gov.

EXTREME CAUTION NEEDED: Don't Let High Winds Lead to Disaster

2012-01-22T11:53:00.002-06:00

What should I do if there are reports of wild fires in my area?

With high winds whipping from one end of the state of Texas to the other, it's critical that we all use extreme caution until the danger passes. Do not use anything outdoors that could create a spark such as outdoor grills or welding machines. Avoid discarding cigarette butts from car windows and extinguish cigars/cigarettes only in safe containers. One spark could create a disastrous situation for our communities so use caution!

If a wildfire should occur, read the steps below to get out safely.

Be Red Cross Ready - Wild Fire Safety Checklist [PDF]

Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Listen to local radio and television stations for updated emergency information.
Always back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape.
Confine pets to one room so that you can find them if you need to evacuate quickly.
Arrange for temporary housing at a friend or relative’s home outside the threatened area.

Limit exposure to smoke and dust.

Listen and watch for air quality reports and health warnings about smoke.
Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors to prevent outside smoke from getting in.
Use the recycle or recirculate mode on the air conditioner in your home or car. If you do not have air conditioning and it is too hot to stay inside with closed windows, seek shelter elsewhere.
When smoke levels are high, do not use anything that burns and adds to indoor air pollution, such as candles, fireplaces and gas stoves. Do not vacuum because it stirs up particles that are already inside your home.
If you have asthma or another lung disease, follow your health care provider's advice and seek medical care if your symptoms worsen.

Resolve to Save the Day

2012-01-19T15:12:00.002-06:00

Resolve To Save the Day!

On any given day, volunteers accomplish more than 90 percent of the American Red Cross mission and are truly the heart of the organization. Over the next few weeks, we'll celebrate some of the selfless individuals who spend their precious time teaching others and bettering their hometowns through a spirit of giving. Some resolved years ago to get involved and some have recently joined —finding there is a spot for everyone in the Red Cross.

There is still time for you to make a New Year's resolution to save someone's day when they need you most. If you are interested in getting to know the us and how volunteers drive our mission, click here to save the day!

Name: Catherine G. Dikes, Ed.D

Title: Disaster Volunteer Training Coordinator, North Texas Region – American Red Cross

Tell us a little about yourself.

I have a doctorate in educational leadership and extended experience in the Texas education system.

What Red Cross classes have you taught or are you teaching?

I've taught the New Employee and Volunteer Orientation in the past and soon will co-facilitate the Disaster Instructor Specialty Training (DIST) class for those interested in becoming American Red Cross trainers themselves.

What led to your becoming an instructor for the American Red Cross?

Since 2009, I've been actively involved in the Chisholm Trail Chapter in Fort Worth, TX, as the volunteer disaster training schedule coordinator, client caseworker, and co-canteen driver. This volunteer experience is rewarding because there are numerous opportunities available for any volunteer to use their experience, skills, talents and education in helping others who need our services.

What message would you give to others about the American Red Cross volunteer experience?

I encourage anyone interested in giving of their time and talents to the community to contact the American Red Cross.

Red Cross Welcomes T.D. Smyers as New North Texas Region Leader

2012-01-17T13:42:00.000-06:00

T.D. Smyers, Regional Chief Executive Officer,
American Red Cross North Texas Region

After an exhaustive and competitive search, the American Red Cross has named their first regional chief executive officer for the newly formed North Texas Region.

Tracy D. (T.D.) Smyers rolled up his sleeves in early January, ready to lead the iconic humanitarian organization forward.

Smyers, a native Texan hailing from Wise County, comes to the Red Cross after an esteemed 30-year career in the United States Navy, having recently retired from his post as Base Commander at the Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base (NASJRB) in Fort Worth, Texas.

Smyers’ Navy career included numerous senior leadership roles in global operations and logistics; human resource management; strategic planning; and resource optimization. He's worked in a variety of diverse locations around the world and at Navy Headquarters at the Pentagon.

Joining the American Red Cross is a change of direction for Smyers, but he's up for the challenge. "I'm definitely familiar with the work of the Red Cross, especially when it comes to the United States military. When a service member had an emergency at home, without fail, the American Red Cross would take care of them. I know that what I saw the Red Cross do for US Service-members will be mirrored in every program we offer."

In short order, Smyers has already learned about some of the hidden gems at the American Red Cross. "Most people know the Red Cross responds to disasters and collects blood, but we do so much more. We vaccinate children from measles all over the world; we're still actively engaged in Haiti two years after an earthquake; we sew baby blankets for Parkland Hospital. There's a really long list of amazing work done by this organization and I'm genuinely excited to share these stories with everyone in our community."

During his first 90 days, Smyers says he will focus on learning the organization from the inside out and meeting the volunteers and donors who make the work possible.

"We have big goals to achieve," said Smyers. "Together, I have no doubt that we'll create a stronger, better, more modern Red Cross that will become the choice place to volunteer and donate funds." Smyers goes on to say that without volunteers and financial donations, the core mission of responding to disasters, serving the US military and teaching CPR and First Aid is simply not possible.

Smyers holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from Annapolis and a Master’s Degree in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces. A recently trained Red Cross volunteer, he is also a volunteer leader with the Boy Scouts of America; chairs the USS Fort Worth Commissioning Committee; serves on the Board of Green Collar Vets and the Executive Council of the Armed Forces Bowl; and is a member of the Fort Worth Executive Roundtable and Fort Worth Mayor’s Military Advisory Council.

The American Red Cross North Texas Region includes 11 Red Cross chapters spanning 111 counties from the Texas Panhandle to Texarkana.

MLK remembered at Day of Service

2012-01-15T11:09:00.000-06:00

The American Red Cross and HOPE Worldwide teamed up to honor the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. by teaching kids across Fort Worth how to survive home fires and tornadoes. The day was filled with interactive fun and games and an inspiring presentation from Julie B. Cosgrove! Thanks to the Fort Worth Fire Department, Habitat for Humanity, Poison Control, Parkland Burn Unit, The Met Church, Volunteer Center of North Texas and many more for making the day a success!

FREE Event for Kids on Saturday!

2012-01-13T06:21:00.000-06:00

In honor of MLK Day, the American Red Cross and HOPE Worldwide have teamed up for a Day of Service so round up your kids and come out and join us for a super fun day on Saturday, January 14, 2012! The whole day is focused on educating your kids about fire and tornado safety through interactive displays. Here's an idea of the fun activities planned:

Build a Disaster Kit ● Tour the Fire Safety House Attend a Puppet Show ● Learn about

Tornadoes ● Meet Your Firefighters ● Stop, Drop and Roll ● Crawl Low and Go ● Run the Obstacle Course ● Much More!

You'll have a chance to win a 26" HDTV and other great prizes too! We'll be out on Saturday from 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m. at the Handley Meadowbrook Community Center, 6201 Beaty Street in Fort Worth so come down and see us and our partners: HOPE Worldwide, Fort Worth Fire Department, Habitat for Humanity, Parkland Burn Unit, The Met Church, Poison Control, Volunteer Center of North Texas.

Rebuilding Haiti: Your Trust in Us

2012-01-12T09:57:00.000-06:00

Two years ago today you trusted us with the your donations to help those suffering from the tragic earthquake that crumbled Haiti. Because you called, texted, got online or mailed a donation the rebuilding continues. Whatever means you gave through, we thank you. By giving on that day, and the days that followed, you empowered the American Red Cross to begin restoring life. The report below details how your donations have been used over the past two years. Click for full report

Add caption

Amazing Work Still Being Done

2012-01-10T12:06:00.000-06:00

Two Years Later: Red Cross Remains in Haiti

2012-01-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

By Catherine Carlton, volunteer, American Red Cross North Texas

Darline and her daughter work with the Red Cross to rebuild their lives after the Haiti earthquake.

Thanks to its donors and volunteers, the American Red Cross has helped more than 3.2 million people affected by the Haiti Earthquake. January 13, 2012 marks the two-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that left millions homeless, injured and struggling.

With this milestone come many stories of success and many challenges still being faced to restore the country’s livelihood.

Disasters like the Haiti Earthquake receive a lot of attention in the immediate aftermath, but the work to restore communities – and a country like Haiti – will take years. The Red Cross is committed to Haiti with the help of donors like you.

The majority of Red Cross donations is spent on housing, food, water and health care; the very basics that communities need to survive.

Darline Duverger is one example of the types of families you are helping with your donation. Her home in Port au Prince was destroyed during the earthquake. She and her two kids lived in temporary housing for more than year. They received priority for new housing due to her 7-year-old son’s disability. Now Darline operates a small store in front of her home selling items such as eggs, sugar and onions to support her family.

In the coming year, the Red Cross will help hundreds like Darline as they construct and repair homes in communities, provide a safe water supply, ensure sanitation, treat illness and educate the communities about disaster preparedness.

The American Red Cross would like to thank the many individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies that so generously supported our work in Haiti. Your contributions are making a difference in the lives of people in Haiti, and we are committed to spending your donations wisely to help Haiti recover from this tragedy. For more information on our work in Haiti, please visit redcross.org/haiti.

National Blood Donor Month Spotlight: Give Blood For Less Than an Hour and Save Three Lives

2012-01-05T13:52:00.001-06:00

By Catherine Carlton, volunteer

Alison Cook is a healthy and vital part of our Blood Services department today thanks to life-saving blood transfusions.

Commitment to the hospitals! That’s what Alison Cook says is part of her job.

As the donor recruitment supervisor for the American Red Cross blood supply team, Alison is in charge of raising awareness to organize blood drives and delivering the message to area hospitals everyday if there is going to be enough blood.

“We commit blood to hospitals in the area, and they are counting on us,” she said.

The Red Cross counts on YOU to help deliver that promise.

The Red Cross is the primary supplier of the Methodist and Baylor hospitals in Dallas and provides portions of the blood supply to several other area hospitals. The American Red Cross provides 40 percent of the nation's blood supply.

Alison can tell you what happens from there first-hand. Well, what she can remember of it. The human body holds 12-14 units of blood. After a terrible car accident at the age of 18, Alison received 25 units of blood during the many surgeries, medically induced coma and recovery time she worked through at the hospital.

As a donor, you can give one of those life-saving units every 56 days.

“Everyone knows blood is needed. What they don’t consider is who will make that choice, if they don’t?” she said. “Once you start asking for donations and talking to donors, it’s great because you ask the question: ‘Do you know someone who has received blood?’ They do, but they don’t make that connection right off the bat.”

Every two seconds someone needs a blood transfusion. That’s someone’s family member, friend or loved one needing something you can provide for free in a little less than an hour.

One donation can help three patients because blood labs break whole blood into three separate parts. For example, your red blood cells can go to a trauma victim; your plasma can go to a burn victim; and your cryoprecipitate can help someone fighting cancer.

That’s why Alison says she wants people to feel that committment. It’s a day-to-day challenge to meet the hospitals' blood supply needs. If we were in the same position with water or gasoline shortages in our cars, everyone would be lining up to fix this issue. But despite coordinating on average 350 blood drives a month, there is a alwys a greater need we need to fill.

In Alison’s honor, her community hosted three blood drives. That’s 300 units of blood. That is paying it forward to help 900 people.

There is no cost to host a blood drive. The Red Cross will bring everything you need. So talk to your office, your networking group, your favorite nonprofit, your neighborhood, and help relieve Alison’s committment for a day. Don’t think your group is big enough, she’ll help partner your group with another one that is. You can visit redcrossblood.org to learn more about this opportunity. January is National Blood Month and there is no better time pay it forward with the gift of life!

How Do You Aspire to Change the World in 2012?

2012-01-03T11:54:00.001-06:00

Originally posted December 29, 2011 on redcrosschat.org by Gail J. McGovern

Editor’s note: This post is a response to Craig Newmark’s Social Good Blog Series call for posts on the topic, “How Will You Change the World in 2012?”.

Gail McGovern talks to Adebayo Oguntayo at an aid station during her visit to the tornado hit areas in Joplin, MO on May 28, 2011.

From the tornadoes in Joplin, Miss., to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, this past year has been marked by devastating and deadly disasters that have killed thousands of people, destroyed whole communities and changed lives forever. It was one of the worst years for disasters, but it brought out the best in millions of people who gave generously to support their neighbors down the street, across the country and around the world.

When people talk about changing the world, many will say it’s impossible, but I must disagree. I have been privileged to see first hand how the work of an organization like the American Red Cross can change the world for the better.

When the American Red Cross can help build temporary homes and hospitals in Japan, we have changed the world for the survivors who lost everything.

When one billion children in 60 countries have been vaccinated against measles, their world has been changed. When a cancer patient or accident victim receives a life-saving blood transfusion, their world has been changed.

When a family’s house burns down in the middle of the night, and Red Cross volunteers arrive with a warm cup of coffee, a blanket for their shoulders, a place for them to stay and a plan to help them get back on their feet, their world has been changed.

There are stories after stories of the many ways the American Red Cross changes lives every day.

In 2012, I aspire to change the world by doing everything in my power to engage more Americans in our mission and to help more people in need.

In the coming year, the Red Cross will be on the ground in Haiti continuing to build homes, support cholera prevention, create job opportunities for Haitians and increase access to clean water.

As the largest supplier of blood products in the U.S., we’ll be supporting the evolution of cellular therapy for treating diseases, like advanced prostate cancer, as well as leading research on blood transfusions in the area of emerging diseases.

Right: Emergency Response Vehicles helping with flood recovery in Minot encountered a rainbow after a thunderstorm passed through.

In 2012, we will continue to stand ready 24/7 and will strive to provide flawless disaster relief whenever and wherever a disaster strikes. Every year we respond to about 70,000 disasters, from large-scale events likeHurricane Irene, to a single-family house fire. Every nine minutes we’re on the job somewhere around the country offering disaster victims food and shelter, a shoulder to lean as they face an uncertain future, and resources to help them recover.

As more and more of our service members return home from deployments, the Red Cross will be there to help them reconnect with their families and communities; and we will continue to help support those in military hospitals along with their families, especially through our new partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project.

We’ll also be looking at ways to make our first aid and CPR classes more accessible to the public this year. Our goal is to train 5 million people in hands-only CPR so they, too, can save a life.

Red Cross chapters held Save a Life Saturday classes at more than 100 locations across the country to honor Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and all those involved in the Tucson, AZ tragedy.

In 2012, I will strive to continue to ensure that our donors approve of how we’re using their precious gifts. We are proud that an average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends goes to our humanitarian services and programs. In September, we were gratified to learn that Charity Navigator, a watchdog group for charities, awarded us four out of four stars for fiscal health, accountability and transparency.

Our work does change the world by offering the priceless gift of help, hope and compassion to people in urgent need. But we cannot do it without your help. I invite you to join us in 2012. There are so many simple ways you can make a difference.Donate blood. Make a financial contribution. Sign-up to volunteer.

I would be honored to work alongside you to change the world, and I know it can be done because I see it happen every day at the Red Cross.

Red Cross Makes "Special Delivery" to Dallas VA Hospital

2011-12-28T09:51:00.001-06:00

Red Cross workers were honored to visit the Dallas VA Hospital on December 21, 2011 and deliver "Holiday Mail for Heroes" to Veteran's spending the holidays in the hospital. It was a heartwarming experience to see these warriors light up over a handmade card from a child. Watch this video to see how much one pen, one card and one minute of our time means to a US Veteran.

Going Out or Staying In: How to Have the Best New Year's, Red Cross Style

2011-12-28T08:43:00.007-06:00

Pick out a glitter-clad outfit; break out the horns and tiaras and find someone to kiss because it's New Year's Eve! Whether you're going out for a show-stopping Big D NYE celebration or hosting the best party in town at your place or on your boat, you'll want to check out these tips for a safe and fun celebration with your besties.

Staying In

The Decor

Be aware of open flames around highly flammable paper decor and aerosol streamers.
Designate one place for your guests to smoke, preferably outside, on either the porch or in the yard.
Don't hang decorations where they may come loose and block an entryway or exit, like hide-and-seek-friendly closets.
Remember decorations can pose a choking threat for children and adults alike. A good rule of thumb is, if an object can be passed through an empty toilet paper roll, it can be a choking hazard. Brush up on CPR and first aid before hosting the party of the year.
Metal noisemakers with bells and whistles may be dropped and damaged. If they do, they could have sharp edges or cause someone to trip or choke.
Double check your Red Cross Ready Kit and replenish it for the New Year.

The Kiddies

Don't overlook the little ones! Prevent unwanted tumbles and wandering into unsafe areas by keeping stairways and dangerous areas closed off.
Keep kid-friendly punch in different cups and in different color than the adult version.
Curious fingers like to touch all the cool new stuff all over the house. Remember to keep in mind kids when buying party favors.

The Pets

Pets love decorations as much as you do. Pick them up if they fall or break to keep them from becoming a danger to man's best friend.
If people will be coming and going, keep your pets out of areas where they may get loose and wander outside.
Keep the pets and kids safe by watching their interactions. Many accidents between the two can be avoided by separation.
Don't put your pet in a situation of confusion and loud noises. Keep them in a safe, quiet place for the majority of the party and bring them out when things are more quiet and less chaotic.
Fido needs his party clothes on too. Make sure your pet has his shots and his collar has an identification tag on it so if your pet goes missing, you can get him or her back.

Firearms and Fireworks

Some people celebrate New Year's Eve with fireworks and firearms. Remember they are unstable and unpredictable and only as good as the person who makes them.
Explosives are safest in no hands - in other words, leave the fireworks and explosives to the professionals.
Children are very curious and will take the chance to get their hands on a firearm if possible.
Adults who have been drinking and firearms don't mix well either. Keep the unattainable during a party and be aware of your surroundings.

Boaters, Be'ware

If you'll be on a boat, wear your lifevest... consider it your New Year's bling. It's safe and fashion-forward.
Don't drink and drive - period.
The coast guard can request a safety inspection of your boat at any time. Don't go places you aren't familiar with and keep land in sight at all times.
Turn your lights on if you'll be on the water after dark.
No explosives. A sunk boat cannot get you safely back to land.
Know the laws and rules of the water to keep your family and friends safe.

Out on the town

Don't drink and drive - it bears repeating here. A designated driver or cab costs much less than a DWI, jail time or possible loss of life.
If you are the designated driver, get a headcount before party-hopping.
Don't leave a party with someone you don't know. It's better to go out with friends than to go alone.
Don't leave your food or beverages unattended. It's easy for someone to slip something into your drink while it's in your hand, so imagine how much easier it is if you aren't paying attention.
Don't accept drinks from a stranger. If someone wants to buy you a drink, get it directly from the bartender or waitress.
Watch your exits! If you need to get out of there quickly, you'll need to know where to go.

So, brush up on the the words of Auld Lang Syne and have a happy (and safe) New Year's Eve! What are your New Year's plans?

Winter is Here! Be Red Cross Ready With These Winter Safety Tips

2011-12-22T12:49:00.000-06:00

By Catherine Carolton, Volunteer Writer, American Red Cross

The holiday season is about the weather changing, being thankful, spending time with family, giving back, celebrating Christmas, Hannahuk, Kwanzaa and more, and, in my case at least, eating -- too much. With old man winter coming to visit, it's an opportunity for Red Cross to educate and remind us about how to be safe as we're driving, shopping, cooking and entertaining.

Winter Storms

The Red Cross has tips for you to review before, during and after a storm. Bundle up, don't drive if you don't have to and listen to the news/radio for updates in your area. Learn more here.

Driving

Take your safe driving to the next level during storms -- allow for extra distance between cars, brake gently and slowly to feel hw much traction you have. Double check you have a safety kit in your car in the event of an accident: batteries, flashlights, water, non-perishable food and a blanket. Learn more.

Staying Warm

Be sure you weatherize your home so you keep the hot air inside and don't "heat the neighborhood" as your mom use to warn. A few minutes can save you energy -- and money - and keep you warm. Be sure to fill all those nooks, crannies and cracks where the warm air can escape. Change your furnace filter monthly. Use a programmable thermostat - not a BBQ or oven to heat your house. A space heater can be a great way to heat one area, just be sure you follow safety tips. Here's a few more no-cost holiday energy-efficiency tips.

So weather you're at home or out, be sure to remember these safety tips to enjoy your holidays to their fullest. And be sure to check on your friends, family and neighbors to be sure they are safe during the next holiday storm.

Our favorite way to remember the importance of being prepared for winter is the fable of the ant and the grasshopper. Do any of you remember this video?

What are some ways you take extra caution?

Red Cross Holiday Gift Catalog: Making the Difference in the Life of a Child

2011-12-20T14:15:00.004-06:00

By Joanna Jordan, Volunteer Writer, American Red Cross

As you’re thinking about holiday gifts for friends and family, consider what you can do for others around the world. As a brand new American Red Cross volunteer, I’m just starting to get a handle on everything we do at the Red Cross — not just in the United States, but around the globe.

Some of what the Red Cross does internationally can be surprising if you’re in the U.S. We don’t worry anymore about measles in our country; our children don’t die at astounding rates from a disease that can be controlled. But they do in other countries.

The Red Cross vaccinates 290,000 children a day against the measles. That’s 290,000 lives we save every 24 hours. And we can’t do it without your help.

It only costs $1 to save one child from contracting a deadly disease. For the cost of a pizza, you can save 25 children. For the cost of an oil change, you can save 50. And for only $500, you can save the next generation of an entire village from dying from a controllable disease.

By buying vaccinations in our Holiday Giving catalog, you can change the lives of so many for so little.

Take a look at other ways to give around the globe, in the U.S. or to our military service members in our Holiday Giving Catalog.

Storms Roll In: We Roll Out

2011-12-19T10:04:00.003-06:00

Just moments after the groundhog saw his shadow, Mother Nature is stirring up severe weather across the south and it could impact North Texas today and tomorrow with high winds, heavy rain and possible tornado touchdowns. It's important that we all do our best to prepare in advance of any severe weather. Here are a few tips that might help. Please pass these on and alert your friends and family to keep an eye to the sky today and tomorrow!

 Pick a safe place in your home where family members could gather during a tornado or straight-line windstorm. The safest place to be is underground, or as low to the ground as possible, and away from all windows. Make sure there are no windows or glass doors in your safe place and keep this place uncluttered.

 If you live in a mobile home, choose a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. Mobile homes are much more vulnerable to strong winds than site-built structures. If your mobile home park has a designated shelter, make it your family's safe place.

 If you are in a vehicle, get out immediately. Find a sturdy nearby structure and take shelter. If there is no building nearby, go to a low-lying area until the storm passes. Taking cover under bridges is not recommended.

 Check the supplies in your disaster kit to ensure that you have working flashlights with plenty of batteries. Candles are not recommended for emergency lighting.

Stay safe everyone!

Happy Holidays to the United States Military!

2011-12-19T08:24:00.003-06:00

Holiday Mail for Heroes 2011 concluded at the Dallas Area Chapter on Saturday as some 40 volunteers came together to sort thousands of holiday cards written to members of the United States Armed Forces. Many of the cards were from children and to say they were all heartfelt would be an understatement. Thanks to all of you who took the time to brighten the day of an active duty, veteran or wounded warrior! And a big thanks to Pitney Bowes for once again being a great partner!

Grab a Stamp and Mail Your Greeting!

2011-12-06T08:02:00.004-06:00

There are three days left to grab a pen, holiday card and a stamp and fill out your greeting card for a member of the U.S. military. Follow this link to Holiday Mail for Heroes to find out all of the details. Make a service member's day. Send a grateful note of thanks this holiday season!

To do more for to help U.S. servicemembers, take a look at our Holiday Giving Catalog where you can purchase phone cards or military comfort kits.

Since its inception, the American Red Cross has been meeting the needs of military members and their families at home and around the world.

Red Cross Offers Tips to Stay Warm in Extreme Cold

2011-12-02T18:58:00.004-06:00

With Old Man Winter knocking on the door, it’s critical that all North Texans stay safe and prepare as much as possible in advance. Many are looking to cut down on expenses when temperatures drop and home-heating costs rise. Unfortunately, this often leads to an increase in home fires due to space heaters and malfunctioning chimney’s.

The American Red Cross has steps North Texans can follow to reduce their risk of staring a fire in their home, and still cut down on the heating bills.

HEAT YOUR HOME SAFELY
All heaters need space! Keep things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, fireplaces and stoves.
Place portable space heaters on a hard, level, nonflammable surface. Do not put space heaters on rugs or carpets, near bedding or drapes, and keep children and pets away. Look for a model that shuts off automatically if the space heater tips over. Do not use heating equipment to dry wet clothing.
Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
Never leave portable heaters, wood burning stoves or fireplaces unattended. Turn them off before leaving or going to bed.
Keep the fire in the fireplace by using a glass or metal screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

CUT DOWN ON YOUR HEATING BILLS
Eliminate drafts. Use either insulating tape or caulking strips to surround windows and door moldings. Cover your windows with plastic sheeting. If you have storm windows or storm doors, get them up to keep the cold out.
Make sure heat vents aren’t blocked by furniture.
Turn down the thermostat.
Close off any rooms that aren’t in use and close heat vents or turn off radiators in those rooms.
Insulate your light switch and outlet plates with foam pads. Cold air can seep into the house through them.
Use heavy curtains to keep cold air out. Open them during the day to let the sun help warm your home and close them at night. Use fabric snakes or old carpets in front of windows and doors to help eliminate drafts.
Turn off vent fans in the kitchen and bathroom when they are no longer needed.
Set ceiling fans to blow air down.

DON’T FORGET FIDO AND YOUR NEIGHBOR
Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing. Don’t forget gloves or mittens, and a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.
Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep feet warm and dry and to maintain footing in icy weather.
Don’t forget pets – bring them indoors. If that’s not possible, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they can get to unfrozen water.
Check on people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

Give Something That Means Something

2011-12-02T08:10:00.005-06:00

Written by Joanna Jordan, Volunteer Writer, American Red Cross

A fire, tornado or earthquake is never expected. It’s a traumatic experience for anyone, especially those who are left without a way to provide food for themselves or their loved ones. In our local area, the most common disaster this holiday season will be a single family house fire.

Imagine going to bed at night and waking up to your screaming smoke alarm hours later. You make it out of the house with your family, but you're all in your pajamas. No one is wearing shoes and you don't have your wallet. The reality begins to set in that you don't have anywhere to go and you don't have the ability to cook your kids breakfast in the morning. What will you do?

For thousands of disaster victims every year, this scenario is very much their reality. That's why the American Red Cross is there; to help disaster victims rebuild their lives by providing comforting, hot meals to give them strength for the difficult journey they may have ahead.

You can help provide quality meals for those in need by donating this holiday season. Your donation of $30 will feed three people, $50 will feed five and $300 will feed 30. Anything you are able to give will comfort those who are in the midst of a disaster.

Go to www.redcross.org/gifts to learn about the many ways you can help here at home, around the nation and around the world. Give Something that Means Something through the Holiday Giving Catalog.

On behalf of all of us at the American Red Cross, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

World AIDS Day

2011-12-01T06:49:00.005-06:00

By Tonya Solis-Mosby, Volunteer Writer, American Red Cross

It crept into our lives in 1981 as a disease mysteriously affecting circles of gay men. In the years that followed, it was discovered that not only were gay men at risk, but everyone; men, women and children. And race or sexual preference didn’t matter at all.

In 1983, the American Red Cross issued the first safety warnings about this hideous disease we now all know as AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

On December 1, 2011, people worldwide will pause to recognize World AIDS Day – a day set aside by the World Health Organization in 1988 as the day to raise awareness and to help stop the spread of AIDS and HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus, an infection that can lead to AIDS.

Between 1981 and 2007, AIDS has killed more than 25 million people. As of 2007, an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide lived with HIV, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. Throughout this battle, the American Red Cross and our worldwide partners in health have been there to provide lifesaving education and prevention skills.

Through classes such as “HIV/AIDS Education/Blood Borne Pathogens”, people can become more aware of HIV transmission and prevention and get the real facts about HIV and AIDS.
The Red Cross HIV/AIDS programs provide opportunities to reach youth through videos, brochures, workbooks, comic books and other age-appropriate educational materials to give them the knowledge to spark open discussions about HIV/AIDS prevention with their parents and other adults in their lives.

One Red Cross program, Act SMART, encourages healthy behavior through materials divided in units to cater to different age groups ages 6 to 17; another program is The Party, a video package which provides HIV-prevention educational materials for people ages 13 to 15.

The Red Cross touch on HIV and AIDS doesn’t stop in the United States. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement have come together to provide “Living with…” an educational program produced by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and supported by a video that helps people enhance HIV/AIDS prevention and care.
“Living with…” gives viewers a peek into the struggles of living day-to-day with HIV/AIDS. It also demonstrates the need for a supportive and tolerant environment for the people who must endure that struggle.
This program encourages people to:
1) Break the silence
2) Actively encourage voluntary counseling and testing
3) Involve people living with HIV/AIDS in the educational efforts
4) Develop HIV/AIDS friendly human resource policies
5) Include HIV/AIDS in all relevant policies and programs
6) Be an advocate
7) Build partnerships

Click here to watch the “Living with…” video and then share it with others:

As people around the world stop to remember all of those who have died because of this disease, and to recognize the struggles of the millions who live with HIV/AIDS each day, the American Red Cross reminds you that we can all help. Spread the word. Be supportive. Share the facts with others. Together, we can end this disease.

Give the Perfect Gift. Get Cookies!

2011-11-30T12:13:00.005-06:00

Join Santa this Holiday Season and Give the Perfect Gift

Imagine a gift that doesn’t cost you a penny. No coupons, special deals, shipping fees or crowded shopping areas are needed for its purchase. What if the gift that costs you nothing is really the “Perfect Gift”…the gift of life!

Forget about the door buster deals and steals. The Red Cross has the best deal yet – 3 for 1! You can help save up to three lives with one blood donation.

The holidays are one of the toughest times to collect blood but YOU can make a difference. If only 10 percent of the U.S. population donated blood this holiday season, up to 34.2 millions lives would be saved.

This season give more time – time with loved ones, time to create memories and time to laugh. Put away your credit card (unless you're making a purchase from the Red Cross Holiday Giving Catalog at www.redcross.org/gifts) and roll up your sleeve to give a gift that truly matters – the gift of life.

No matter if you’ve been naughty or nice, we’ll be sure to have cookies waiting for you when you come to donate.

To schedule an appointment to donate or find a blood drive near you, visit www.redcrossblood.org. When you're done, take a look at this quick video that's sure to have you laughing! From all of us at the American Red Cross, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

Holiday Giving Catalog: Give Our Troops a Holiday Gift

2011-11-21T13:39:00.001-06:00

This holiday season, give to someone who does so much for your country; give to a service member. When you’re writing your gift list, don’t forget to include someone who hasn’t asked for anything.

Show our service members that they’re cared for this holiday season by granting them the gift of comfort. Just $50 lets one member of the military know that you care, and you didn’t forget all that they do.

Military comfort kits provide a little bit of home to service members who are injured and are spending a few days, weeks or months at a military hospital. The kit is filled what they need to stay comfortable and keep in touch while they’re recovering — a phone card, robe, shower shoes, toiletries and an MP3 music gift card.

Take a look at other ways to give to our military or to the American Red Cross around the globe or in the U.S. in our Holiday Giving Catalog.

Safety First during Holiday Travel

2011-11-21T10:16:00.001-06:00

Millions of travelers will take to the skies, rails and highways during the Thanksgiving holiday and the American Red Cross offers some tips to help travelers arrive safely at their destination.

Airports, bus and train stations are crowded with Thanksgiving travelers, but most holiday travelers use highways and biways. Many people even make same-day trips to visit friends and family just for the day.

To arrive safely, the Red Cross recommends these steps for those driving to visit loved ones:

Make sure your vehicle is in good working order.
Start out with a full tank of gas, check the air pressure in your tires and make sure you have windshield fluid.
Buckle up, slow down, don’t drive impaired.
Be well rested and alert.
Use caution in work zones.
Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
Observe speed limits – driving too fast or too slow can increase your chance of being in a collision.
Make frequent stops. During long trips, rotate drivers. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.
Be respectful of other motorists and follow the rules of the road.
Don’t follow another vehicle too closely.
If you plan on drinking, designate a driver who won’t drink.
Clean your headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows to help you see, especially at night.
Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or if you are using your windshield wipers due to inclement weather.
Don’t overdrive your headlights.
If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.

It’s also recommended that you keep an emergency preparedness kit in the vehicle. Useful items include water, snacks, a flashlight, first aid kit, extra cash and blankets. The Red Cross Deluxe Auto Safety Kit is a great solution to help people prepare for emergencies on the road and is available in the Red Cross Store at http://www.redcrossstore.org./

For people traveling by air, bus or train, the Red Cross reminds them that the seasonal flu can occur as early as October. If you have come in contact with someone who is sick, perhaps the trip should be postponed as you may be contagious for a week before symptoms appear.

Other safety tips to avoid the flu while you travel include the following:

Remember that everything you touch has to be touched by someone else – luggage handlers, etc. Handle your own belongings as much as possible. Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Carry hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes with you. You can use them to wash your hands or wipe down surfaces such as armrests.
Bring your own pillows and blankets – they can act as a shield against the seat itself.
If you have to cough or sneeze, do so into a tissue or your sleeve.
Avoid touching your face or eyes.

For more information on how to remain safe while traveling this Thanksgiving, visit http://www.redcross.org/.

Photos: Veterans Day Parade 11/11/11

2011-11-15T10:13:00.000-06:00

Local high school students and faculty donate more than 100 units of blood

2011-11-09T14:28:00.000-06:00

Students filled the high school hallway waiting patiently for their chance to make an impact in the community. Despite long lines, Garland High School (GHS) students and faculty rallied on Halloween to help answer the need for blood. More than 100 GHS students and faculty members came to donate 144 units of blood. Each unit of blood collected can help save up to three lives.

For most students, they look at donating as a rite of passage to adulthood as the legal age to donate in Texas without parental consent is 17. Whatever their inspiration may be to donate, students and faculty members left with feeling as though they made a difference. And they did! It is only with their kind donation that the Red Cross is able to provide blood to patients in need.

Thank you to the GHS family and their Health Occupation Students of America student organization for being an inspiring leader in the community!

To learn how your organization can host a blood drive or to donate, please visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/.

Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test November 9 at 1 p.m. CST

2011-11-09T08:45:00.000-06:00

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Federal Communications Commission will run a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) Wednesday, November 9 at 1:00 p.m. CST to assess how well the EAS alerts the public about emergencies.

This first ever country-wide test will appear on all broadcast radio and television stations, cable television systems, satellite radio and television systems, and wireline video service systems.

The American Red Cross urges the public to use the test as a reminder to get personally prepared for disasters.

“The combined resources of the government, community organizations and the Red Cross will never be big enough to do it all in every disaster,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president, Red Cross Disaster Services. “Every person, business, organization, school and house of worship must be prepared to take care of themselves and their neighbors in an emergency.”

The three keys to preparedness are to build a kit, make a plan, and be informed.

An emergency preparedness kit should include enough supplies for everyone in the household for at least three days. The kit should include water (one gallon, per person, per day), nonperishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, a 7-day supply of medications, a multi-purpose tool, sanitation and personal hygiene items and copies of important personal documents. The Red Cross also recommends having at least two weeks worth of supplies at home. Preparedness kits, radios and other items needed in an emergency are available online at the Red Cross Store.

All members of the household should work together on an emergency plan. Each person should know how to reach other members of the household. The plan should also include an out-of-area emergency contact person, and where everyone should meet if they can't go home.

People should be informed about what types of disasters are most likely to occur where they live. It is also important to take a first aid and CPR/AED course—a vital component of disaster preparedness in case emergency help is delayed.

Throughout the year, the Red Cross conducts programs to help people be prepared. “Be Red Cross Ready” is a web-based interactive training program that teaches people how to be ready for emergencies. The Red Cross “Do More Than Cross Your Fingers” campaign, featuring Jamie Lee Curtis, shows people how to customize their emergency kits. The “Ready When the Time Comes” program trains employees from corporations and mobilizes them as a community-based volunteer force when disaster strikes. Businesses, organizations and schools can join the Ready Rating™ program and complete a free, online assessment of their current readiness level and receive customized feedback with tips to improve preparedness.

The Red Cross works all year to be prepared to respond when disaster strikes and urges people to get ready too. Being prepared can save lives when disaster strikes. Visit http://www.redcross.org/ to learn more about how to be ready for an emergency.

Severe Weather Coming! Prep Now!

2011-11-07T13:44:00.002-06:00

Once again, the chance for severe thunderstorms containing high winds, damaging hail and isolated tornadoes is possible across North Texas. The time to prepare is now. The American Red Cross offers the following tips to keep families safe:

Pick a safe place in your home where family members could gather during a tornado or straight-line windstorm. The safest place to be is underground, or as low to the ground as possible, and away from all windows. Make sure there are no windows or glass doors in your safe place and keep this place uncluttered.

Check with your employer to determine where to seek shelter during the workday. Make sure your employer has a battery operated radio or a weather radio and essential supplies in the company safe room(s).

If you live in a mobile home, choose a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. Mobile homes are much more vulnerable to strong winds than site-built structures. If your mobile home park has a designated shelter, make it your family's safe place.

If you are in a vehicle, get out immediately. Find a sturdy nearby structure and take shelter. If there is no building nearby, go to a low-lying area until the storm passes. Taking cover under bridges is not recommended.

If you are in a high-rise building, pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building. You may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. Center hallways are often structurally the most reinforced part of a building.

Check with your children's schools and day care centers to learn tornado emergency plans. Every building has different safe places. It is important to know where they are and how to get there in an emergency. Do NOT drive to your child’s school or day care center during a severe storm outbreak.

Conduct periodic tornado drills so everyone remembers what to do when a tornado is approaching. Practice having everyone in the family go to your designated area in response to a tornado threat. Practicing your plan makes the appropriate response more of a reaction, requiring less thinking time during an actual emergency situation.

Discuss tornadoes with your family. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing disaster ahead of time helps reduce fear and lets everyone know how to respond during a tornado.

BE RED CROSS READY. Follow 3 Action Steps for Preparedness—Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed. A free online education module is available at www.redcross.org/BeRedCRossReady to guide users through the three preparedness steps. The ten minute presentation, available in English and Spanish, includes a downloadable disaster supply kit checklist and emergency contact card.

Turn The Clocks Back This Weekend And Check Your Smoke Alarms

2011-11-05T09:28:00.001-05:00

This weekend we should all turn the clocks back one hour to mark the end of Daylight Saving Time, creating a blissful extra hour of sleep Sunday morning.

The American Red Cross recommends that everyone take the time to get prepared for fall and winter by checking their emergency preparedness supplies - a step that could save time during an emergency.

When turning the clocks back, people should also check the batteries in their smoke alarms, and make sure the alarms work by pushing the test button. It’s also a good time for everyone to check their carbon monoxide detectors. Folks should replace the batteries in both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least once a year.

Other steps people can take to get prepared include:

Updating the emergency contact information in their family communications plan. Choose an out-of-area emergency contact that each person in the household can call if he/she becomes separated during a disaster situation.
Making sure their emergency preparedness kit still includes at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food items and water (one gallon per person per day), a flashlight, a battery-powered or crank radio, can opener, first aid kit, copies of important documents, and special items such as medications, diapers, and infant formula.
Checking their emergency preparedness kit for expired food items; refreshing staples such as water, food and batteries. If there have been changes in prescriptions or dietary needs, add new foods and medications as needed.

Taking simple actions like these can help people be better prepared for a disaster situation. More information on how families can get ready for an emergency is available on www.redcross.org So, when turning back the clock this weekend, people should take a few extra minutes to ensure that their loved ones are better prepared for the unexpected.

NASCAR takes "Race to Prepare" to Cross Timbers Middle School students

2011-11-04T10:16:00.000-05:00

Photo by Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District

Guest blog post by Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District

Sixth-grade students at Cross Timbers Middle School got a special visit from NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin as part of a FedEx Racing “Race to Prepare” program at the school on Thursday. Approximately 250 students participated in an assembly presented by FedEx and the American Red Cross to teach students about the importance of being prepared for any emergency. As part of the program, 28 students competed in a “Race to Prepare” relay to build emergency kits containing items such as batteries, First Aid supplies, water, flashlights and whistles. Patti Davis, GCISD executive director of administration, kicked off the event with a district welcome. Guest speakers included Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota Camry; Kevin Sisk, senior manager of operations for FedEx Express; Leslie Palmer, interim chief executive officer of the American Red Cross North Texas Region; and Chief Steve Bass of the Grapevine Fire Department. Before the event, students were able to tour a vehicle display including an actual #11 FedEx Toyota Camry race car (now retired), a FedEx delivery truck, a Red Cross Hummer and a Grapevine fire truck.

“We are excited to be able to partner with FedEx and the American Red Cross to bring such a great program to our district,” Davis said. “GCISD has a comprehensive emergency management plan and we practice drills regularly to teach students how to respond to emergencies at school. Now, through this partnership, we are taking those efforts a step further to reinforce the importance of emergency preparedness at home and in our community.”

Each year, four cities from across the nation are selected to host a FedEx Racing “Race to Prepare” program in their community. The program works in conjunction with Red Cross efforts to educate and prepare the public for emergencies through the “Do More Than Cross Your Fingers” campaign. Both programs emphasize emergency preparedness through building emergency kits, creating a family communication and evacuation plans, and educating the community about disasters. Through this program, FedEx also announced a $10,000 donation to the North Texas chapter of the Red Cross to support local efforts throughout the community.

Veterans History Project

2011-10-28T10:10:00.000-05:00

The Veterans History Project (VHP) collects and preserves the remembrances of American war veterans and civilian workers who supported them. These collections of first-hand accounts are archived in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for use by researchers and to serve as an inspiration for generations to come. The Project collects remembrances of veterans who served in World War I, World War II, the Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War (1990-1995), or Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts (2001-present). U.S. citizen civilians who actively supported war efforts (such as war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, defense contractors, etc.) are also invited to share their valuable stories. VHP relies on volunteers throughout the nation to collect veterans’ stories on behalf of the Library of Congress. These stories are made available to researchers and the general public, both at the Library in Washington, D.C., and via the Veterans History Project website.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service and the American Red Cross-North Texas Region are partnering to recruit and train volunteers in your community to collect veterans stories on be-half of the U.S. Library of Congress. Volunteers are needed to record the stories of Texas' 1.7 million veterans, before it is too late; more than 1,000 veterans die every day in the U.S.

We depend on people like YOU to record and submit first-person narratives by wartime veterans.

We are offering a FREE training for those in the community age 16+ wanting to become part of this historical project!

You're invited to join us at one of these locations:

American Red Cross North Texas Region
4800 Harry Hines Blvd
Dallas, TX 75235

November 4
8:30am—12:30pm
Lunch will be provided

RSVP To:
Brian Moeschler
972-632-2615
moeschlerb@usa.redcross.org

Fort Worth VA Outpatient Clinic
2201 SE Loop 820
Fort Worth, TX 76119

November 8th
8:30am—12:30pm
Lunch will be provided

RSVP To:
Bimal Chaudhry
817-730-0078
bimal.chaudhry@va.gov

Bonham VA
1201 E. Ninth Street
Bonham, TX 75418

November 16th
9:00am—1:00pm
Lunch will be provided

RSVP To:
Tina McDaniel
903-583-6282
tina.mcdaniel@va.gov

Halloween is Lurking Around the Corner

2011-10-26T11:42:00.001-05:00

Red Cross tips help make it safe and less scary.

As ghosts and vampires get ready to roam the streets, the American Red Cross has tips to make this a frightfully safe Halloween.

Costume Safety

Whether a child wants to be a princess, a monster or a superhero for Halloween, parents can help keep it safe by:

Adding reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
Using flame-resistant costumes.
Using face makeup instead of masks, which can cover your eyes and make it hard to see.

Navigating the Neighborhood

To maximize safety, plan a route ahead of time. Make sure adults know where children are going. If the children are young, a parent or responsible adult should accompany them as they walk through the neighborhood.

Here are more safety tips to follow as children go from house to house:

Make sure trick-or-treaters have a flashlight.
Visit only the homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door—never go inside.
Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic.
Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner.
Don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Don’t cross between parked cars.
Be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.

Trick or Treat!

For those who expect to greet trick-or-treaters at their door, they can make sure it’s fun for everyone by following a few tips:

Make sure the outdoor lights are on.
Sweep leaves from sidewalks and steps.
Clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.
Restrain pets.
Use a glow stick instead of a candle in jack-o-lanterns to avoid a fire hazard.

Visit redcross.org for more advice on having a safe and fun Halloween.

Annual Volunteer Appreciation Family

2011-10-24T16:55:00.000-05:00

Blog post by Elizabeth Murphy, Volunteer Retention Specialist for the American Red Cross

On Saturday, October 15, 2011, Mother Nature couldn’t have given us a better day to have the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Family Day. Nearly 100 members from our local American Red Cross family came out to the Dallas Office to bounce around in the tropical bouncy house, play carnival games, eat mega-yummy food from Jacks ChowHound and rock out to Hackberry Road.

With Halloween right around the corner, everyone took a turn dressing up in our vintage Red Cross uniforms to have their photo snapped.

Jacks Chow Hound, a Dallas area food truck, supplied the fare and on the menu was their trademark pulled pork grilled cheese which is A-Mazing! They’re always on the road and I found them on Twitter @JacksChowHound.

The guys in the Hackberry Road band were a lot of fun and played everything from Dave Mathews Band to Stevie Ray Vaughn. To top it off, they’re great guys.

The little ones had fun bouncing around which I think was fueled by all the deserts that volunteers brought to share.

At the event, we recognized our Volunteer of the Quarter. The award for this quarter went to super-woman Beth Bormann, the Mass Care Volunteer Partner, for her work putting together the Shelter Operations course materials, training her regional teammates and generally being the dedicated and inspirational volunteer that she is. Congrats to Beth!

All-in-all it was an amazing day to celebrate our volunteers, the whole reason we at the American Red Cross can do what we do every day.

So You Mean They’re Kinda Like Vampires Mommy?

2011-10-20T15:07:00.002-05:00

Guest blog post by Allie with ScrewedUpTexan.com

Last Saturday, my husband and I decided we’d give blood at our church while the Red Cross was running a blood drive. Now I hadn’t given blood since my senior year in high school and to be honest with you I was nervous because in high school I remember being told I had passed out and I had scared the folks running the drive. So for me to actually go to the blood drive and donate again last weekend was an accomplishment in itself.

If you’ve never given blood or it’s been a long time since you last did, you’ll be happy to know that the process is very easy and simple. Basically, you sign in, answer a bunch of questions, get your finger pricked, answer a bunch more questions, and then wait your turn to have your arm stabbed by a big needle. Okay. Fine. The needle ain’t that big, but my mind tends to over exaggerate things like any good Southerner’s would. You know, like a really good gossip story.

We took our kids with us to the church so we could show them what we were doing and why we were doing it. When it was my turn to donate blood, I called my kids over and told them, “Come over here and give me a hug before I die!” Only two of the three did so. My youngest asked me:

“Mommy, what are they going to do with you?”

Me: “Oh, they’re just gonna take a little bit of my blood to give to someone else that needs it.”

Him: “How do they do that?”

Me: “Well, they stick a needle in your arm and then the Red Cross sucks it into a baggie.”

Him: “So, you mean they’re kinda like vampires, Mommy?”

Me: “Exactly.”

And then he ran off not to be seen again until he saw me eating the snacks for the donors. So I gave him a nutter butter bar.

Then I went home and passed out for an hour.

This is Only a Drill

2011-10-18T09:45:00.003-05:00

Drill Drill Drill*** Red Cross Dallas operating a Shelter in East Dallas***Drill Drill Drill

Seasons change but the need remains constant

2011-10-17T14:33:00.000-05:00

Thank goodness we can finally wave goodbye to a record breaking summer - record breaking because of the triple digit heat across the country, devastating fires in Texas and a hurricane that hit just about the entire east coast. While the merciless heat is gone and a new season approaches, the need for life-saving blood remains constant. Every TWO seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Think about that statement. What can you do in two seconds? Snap your finger, yawn or wave goodbye to summer? In that time, someone needed a blood transfusion.

So, how does the Red Cross make sure blood is available for that patient? By only using what you graciously donate because blood cannot be purchased or manufactured. You can see why even coming to give blood makes you a hero in the eyes of patients, their family and friends and the Red Cross. Come save a life with us this fall. To learn more about blood and make an appointment to become a hero, please visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/.

Red Cross Partnership with Grainger Gains National Recognition

2011-10-14T13:49:00.001-05:00

The Ready When the Time Comes partnership between the American Red Cross and Grainger has been selected as one of five finalists for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) 2011 Partnership Award.

The winner is selected by an online vote open to the public from September 19 through October 28.

The Partnership Award, one of four Corporate Citizenship awards from the BCLC, honors a company and a charitable organization that have exemplified success working together to address an important social issue.

W.W. Grainger Inc. is the founding sponsor of the Ready When the Time Comes program, in which employees of participating companies and organizations are trained as Red Cross disaster volunteers to serve in an emergency.

“Grainger’s expertise in logistics, supply chain and product distribution keeps businesses running and is a crucial asset in times of disaster. It is only logical that the company has partnered with the American Red Cross. Together they are recognized for their work to help communities prepare for and respond to disasters,” said Stephen Jordan, U.S. Chamber BCLC Founder and Executive Director.

“Given that Grainger is the national founding sponsor of the American Red Cross Ready When the Time Comes corporate volunteer program, which has trained nearly 14,000 employees from more than 460 organizations across the country ready to activate in a time of disaster, we are pleased that this business-nonprofit collaboration is a 2011 Best Partnership Award finalist.”
As a result of this program, now in its tenth year, more than 13,000 employees from 460 businesses and organizations in 52 cities have been trained as Red Cross disaster volunteers. Over the past two years, the number of trained volunteers has doubled and the program has been established in all critical disaster zones across the country.

Ready When the Time Comes teams of volunteers from a range of companies have been part of the Red Cross response to disasters this year, such as the deadly tornadoes that wrecked havoc in the South and Midwest, record-setting flooding along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, or Hurricane Irene’s damaging from North Carolina to New England.

More on the Ready When the Time Comes program can be found in this video on the program.

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Fires

2011-10-14T09:12:00.000-05:00

Are home fires a big problem in the United States?
Sadly, yes. Last year, the Red Cross responded to more than 74,000 disasters, 93 percent of them were fire-related. This is a devastating fact since many home fires can be prevented.

Are home fires increasing?
Unfortunately, yes. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that residential fires across the country have increased 8 percent since 2000, and the average cost of damages from a home fire during 2006 was more than $17,000. The Red Cross response to home fires has increased as well, rising 10 percent since 2000.

When do home fires happen?
Home fires can happen at any time, but they generally increase during the fall and winter, with December and January being the peak months. Home fires are also more common on Saturday and Sunday, and tend to peak between 6:00 and 7:00 PM.

Where are home fires most likely to start?
Home fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in the home. The second leading cause of home fires are heating sources like wood stoves, and fireplaces. Fires caused by smoking are the leading cause of deaths.

Who are affected by home fires?
Home fires don’t discriminate and can affect any home at any time. However, children under five and adults over 65 face the highest risk of dying in a home fire.

How can I prepare for a potential home fire?
Smoke alarms are a critical step in being prepared for a home fire. Smoke alarms should be installed outside each sleeping area and on each level of your home. If you and your family sleep with the doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.

My home has a smoke alarm, is that all I need to do?
No, to function properly, smoke alarms must be maintained. In 2005, the NFPA reported that 74 percent of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Once a month you should use the test button to check each smoke alarm. And at least once a year, all smoke alarm batteries should be replaced. In addition, smoke alarms can become less sensitive over time and should be replaced at least every 10 years.

If I have a fire extinguisher in my home, do I need training to use it?
Yes. Fire extinguishers are a great tool, but like any tool you need to learn how to use them properly and safely. Using a fire extinguisher on even small fires takes practice and quick thinking so there is not a delay in calling 9-1-1. The Red Cross suggests learning how to properly use fire extinguishers by contacting your local fire department to get training.

Why do I need a fire escape plan?
Fires can ignite very quickly and without warning, leaving you and your loved ones with little or no time to escape. By creating and practicing an escape plan, family members can save valuable time in the event of a fire by knowing exactly how to act.

How can I create a fire escape plan?
Begin by determining at least two ways to escape from every room of your home. For floors above ground level, escape ladders should be stored near the window. Also, make sure to select a central location at a safe distance from your home where family members can meet after escaping. After creating and discussing your plan with all members of your household, the Red Cross recommends that you practice your plan at least twice a year.

If a fire happens, can I go back into my home if I’ve forgotten something?
Once you are out of a burning home, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor’s home or cell phone.

What if my escape route is covered in smoke?
If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke. If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out. If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Place a rolled towel underneath the door. Open the window- but do not break it. Signal for help waving a brightly colored cloth or shining a flashlight at the window. If there is a phone in the room, call the fire department and tell them your exact location.

How can I help victims of home fires?
The number of families that the American Red Cross supports in the aftermath of home fires has increased 10 percent since 2000. Your local Red Cross chapter depends on the generous support of community members like you to help our neighbors affected by home fires. You can help victims of home fires by ensuring your local Red Cross is ready to respond. Contact your local Red Cross chapter to make a financial contribution today.

How can I learn more about fire preparedness?
Visit www.redcross.org/homefires or contact your local Red Cross chapter.

Every 80 Seconds

2011-10-13T09:33:00.000-05:00

Dallas firefighters on the scene of a 4-Alarm apartment fire in Cockrell Hill on May 29, 2010. More than 130 people were left homeless. (Photo by Allison Slomowitz/American Red Cross)

By Kristiana Kocis

Did you know that every 60 seconds*...

More than 168 million emails are sent
695,000 status updates and 510,040 comments are published on Facebook
Google serves more that 694,445 search queries
More than 13,000 iPhone apps are downloaded
6,600 images are published on Flickr
600 videos (about 25 hours of content) are uploaded to YouTube

Seems impressive, but here’s another statistic: approximately every 80 seconds someone will lose their home to a fire. That’s more than 63,000 fires a year that Red Cross volunteers across the country will respond to.

October is National Fire Prevention Month, and our friends at the Chicago Red Cross has created a way for you to get a glimpse of what losing some of your cherished photo memories would feel like with their “Every 80 Seconds” campaign. With home fires, “things” can usually be replaced, but precious photos usually cannot. After you go through this, take a moment to make sure your home and family are Red Cross Ready.

*statistics from GeekTyrant.com

Home Fire Victims Become Red Cross Volunteers

2011-10-12T08:18:00.000-05:00

Carl Nappier received help from the Red Cross when fire destroyed his home. Now he helps others when disaster strikes.

Carl Nappier and Michelle Muth have gone from receiving American Red Cross help after losing their homes in fires to becoming very active volunteers.

October is Fire Prevention Month, a time to both recognize those who have offer help after fires – as well as to remind people to take steps now to help ensure fire does not strike their home.

Nappier’s home in Moniteau County, Missouri, was destroyed by fire in 2007. Red Cross volunteers from the Capital Area Chapter in Jefferson City responded and ensured Carl received the emergency help he needed to begin to rebuild his life.

In 2009, Nappier became a Red Cross disaster volunteer and began responding to numerous home fires within the chapter’s 21-county service area. He is now a national volunteer, deploying when disaster strikes across the United States. This year he has worked on five national disasters for a minimum of two weeks away from home, including traveling to the East Coast to help those affected by Hurricane Irene.

Michelle Muth never forgot how the Red Cross helped her and today helps others as a Red Cross volunteer.

Several years ago, Michelle Muth’s apartment was destroyed by fire. She awoke on a bitter cold morning to smoke and flames, fleeing her home with little or nothing. The Red Cross from the Nebraska-Southwest Iowa Regional Chapter was there with warm blankets, cups of hot coffee and words of sympathy and encouragement.

Over the years, Muth never forgot how the Red Cross helped her and decided it was time to give back. She became a disaster volunteer to help other victims learn they can rise from the ashes.

To help prevent a fire in your home, check each smoke alarm by pushing the test button at least once a month and replace batteries every year, or as needed. Fire escape plans should include at least two escape routes from every room in the home and a convenient meeting place at a safe distance from the home. Practice the escape plan at least twice a year and revise as necessary. Families are encouraged to pay particular attention to developing and regularly practicing escape plans for children and older adults.

Additional recommendations include:

Keep matches and lighters away from and out of reach of children.
Don’t leave the kitchen, and don’t leave the home while you’re frying, grilling or broiling food.
Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor’s home.

For more information on how to lessen the risk of a fire in your home, visit http://www.redcross.org/ for more steps you can take to remain safe.

Home Fires Biggest Disaster Threat to Families in United States

2011-10-11T08:45:00.000-05:00

Red Cross disaster relief volunteer Sharon Delmore (right) meets with Bobbie Bachan (left) after a fire disaster burned her house in Richfield, Minnesota, September 27, 2011. (Photo credit: Lynette Nyman/American Red Cross)

The American Red Cross responded to more than 62,960 home fires during the 2011 fiscal year. House fires are the worst disaster threat to families in the United States. During Fire Prevention Month, the Red Cross encourages awareness of steps to take to prevent a house fire.

Home fires are devastating for the families involved, and the Red Cross lends a helping hand to those whose homes are affected. In East Providence, Rhode Island, 18 people were recently left homeless after fire destroyed their apartment building. In Hazleton, Pa., 17 people were forced out of their apartments when awakened by smoke and flames. In both instances, the Red Cross was on the scene.

To help avoid a fire in your home, there are steps you can take now:

Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
Never smoke in bed.
Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach.
Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Across the country, cooler weather is settling in and people are relying on alternative heating sources such as space heaters, fireplaces, wood or coal stoves to take the chill off their homes. Portable heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended. Other safety steps when using alternative heating sources include:

Keep all potential sources of fuel like paper, clothing, bedding or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves, or fireplaces.
Turn off space heaters and make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home.
Place space heaters on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
When buying a space heater, look for models that shut off automatically if the heater falls over as another safety measure.
Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
Keep fire in your fireplace by using a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, and furnaces professionally inspected and cleaned once a year.

During Fire Prevention Month, visit the Preparedness section of www.redcross.org for more steps to lessen the chance of a home fire.

Help Save Lives with Red Cross Fire Safety Tips

2011-10-10T10:32:00.000-05:00

Every 82 seconds a home fire breaks out, according to the National Fire Protection Agency. Fires can cause irreparable damage to homes and businesses displacing families and employees. Last year, the American Red Cross responded to 63,000 home fires across the country and provided comfort and basic necessities to those affected. This October 9-15 the Red Cross is helping families and businesses learn how to protect themselves and others from fires in observance of National Fire Prevention Week.

Here are steps you can take now to keep you and your family safe:

Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
Never smoke in bed.
Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach.
Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Cooking Safely

Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
Stay in the home while simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food. Check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that food is cooking.
Keep anything that can catch fire—like pot holders, towels, plastic and clothing— away from the stove.
Keep pets off cooking surfaces and countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.

Smoke Alarms

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.
Once a month check whether each alarm in the home is working properly by pushing the test button.
Replace batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year. Immediately install a new battery if an alarm chirps, warning the battery is low.
Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. Never disable smoke or carbon monoxide alarms.
Carbon monoxide alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

Fire Escape Planning

Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home.
Make sure everyone knows where to meet outside in case of fire.
Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

Business, too, should be prepared. Fire is the most common of all business disasters. Companies, schools and other organizations can learn how to prepare for fires and other emergencies by becoming a member of the Red Cross Ready Rating™ Program at http://www.readyrating.org/. Complete a free, online assessment of your current readiness level and receive customized feedback with tips to improve preparedness.

Back-to-Back Disasters Keep Red Cross Busy in 2011

2011-10-07T12:28:00.000-05:00

A Red Cross emergency response vehicle loads up with food (provided by the Southern Baptist Convention) at the First Baptist Church in Bastrop and then proceeds to the wildfire damaged Tahitian Village Neighborhood to hand out hot meals. Southern Baptist volunteers load a Red Cross emergency response vehicle with food. They are Rob Walters (left) and Ted Bosworth. (Photo by Dennis Drenner/American Red Cross)

The American Red Cross was on the scene during what has been an extremely busy year for natural disasters in the United States. Across the country, thousands of people have been uprooted and lives forever changed.

Back in January, snowstorms closed roads, stranded travelers and knocked out power to large portions of the country. As the weeks and months went by, blizzards, wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes took a toll on much of the country. The Red Cross helped provide relief, with food and shelter, clean-up supplies and emotional support.

Over the last nine months, the Red Cross launched 119 disaster relief operations across 42 states and territories to help people affected by fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. In response to these disasters, the Red Cross has deployed nearly 26,000 disaster workers who have helped victims by:

Opening 948 shelters providing more than 124,000 overnight stays
Providing nearly 70,000 health service contacts to replace medications and items like eyeglasses
Providing 60,000 mental health contacts to help comfort people
Handing out more than 2.6 million clean-up and comfort kits, along with other items like tarps, coolers, shovels
Serving more than 6.6 million meals and snacks

In order to respond to disasters across the country and open shelters as needed within hours of a disaster, the Red Cross works year round to identify more than 56,000 potential shelter sites ahead of time. In addition, disaster warehouses are located all across the country stocking supplies like cots and blankets to support as many as 500,000 people in shelters.

Working with partners like the Southern Baptist Convention, Salvation Army and others, the Red Cross can prepare and serve meals in communities affected by disaster in any part of the country. Using kitchens operated by these partners, local vendors and caterers and a supply of shelf-stable meals, the Red Cross has the capacity to serve a million meals a day if needed.

In an average year, the Red Cross spends about $450 million on disaster relief throughout the United States and around the world. This includes sheltering, feeding and relief supplies for the disasters we respond to and the cost of being ready to respond by maintaining warehouses, response vehicles and computer systems. It also includes immediate relief and recovery planning to help people affected by large disasters in other countries. Major disasters that impact entire communities – like Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee – add to the total cost of our response efforts.

Just as the Red Cross works every day to be ready to respond to emergencies, we urge people to get prepared too. Every person, business, school and house of worship should be prepared to take care of themselves and their neighbors in an emergency.

The three keys to preparedness are to build a kit, make a plan, and be informed.

An emergency preparedness kit should include enough supplies for at least three days. Supplies should include water (one gallon, per person, per day), nonperishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, a 7-day supply of medications, a multi-purpose tool, sanitation and personal hygiene items and copies of important personal documents. The Red Cross also recommends having at least two weeks worth of supplies at home.

All members of the household should work together on an emergency plan. Each person should know how to reach other members of the household. The plan should also include an out-of-area emergency contact person, and where everyone should meet if they can't go home.

People should also be informed about what types of disasters are most likely to occur where they live. It is also important to take a first aid and CPR/AED course—a vital component of disaster preparedness in case emergency help is delayed.

Getting prepared today can save lives and livelihoods when disaster strikes. People contact their local Red Cross chapter to learn what steps they should take to be ready when emergencies strike.

Thank You Blood Donors

2011-10-05T15:08:00.001-05:00

Thank you to everyone who came to donate blood in September to help us meet our goal. We came very close but fell a little short. With your help, we know we can exceed the goal in October! As an extra incentive, come by and attempt to donate at any Red Cross blood drive in Texas by this Sunday, Oct. 9 and you will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card. Five gift cards will be given away each day.

By donating blood, you are helping us give the gift of life and hope. When donating with the Red Cross, not only will your donation help patients in your local community, but also your friends and family across the country.

To schedule an appointment or find a drive near you, visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/ or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

Chemical Emergency: Do You Know What to Do?

2011-10-03T16:17:00.003-05:00

Today's massive chemical plant fire in Waxahachie was a spectacular site...in all the wrong ways. Flames shot out of control, engulfed a fire engine and released unknown chemicals into the air. If you were in Waxahachie today, would you know what to do to stay safe? Would you have the right supplies on hand to shelter in place? Emergencies like today's can happen anywhere so follow these links to assemble your disaster supplies kit and to brush up on how to safely shelter in place.

http://www.redcross.org/preparedness/cdc_english/kit.html

http://www.redcross.org/preparedness/cdc_english/dskit.asp

Thankfully, no one was injured in today's chemical plant fire. Residents, while displaced temporarily, were able to return to their homes rather quickly. The American Red Cross had shelter locations standing by and provided rehabilitation support like water, Gatorade and snacks to firefighters at the scene.

Getting Prepared is as Easy as 1-2-3

2011-09-29T12:43:00.000-05:00

An American flag hangs on an overturned car after the tornado hit Joplin, Missouri, in a photo taken on May 24, 2011 (Photo by Bob Carey/American Red Cross)

This year’s many natural disasters—from tornadoes and floods to hurricanes and wildfires—are a reminder of how important it is to be prepared.

Getting prepared takes just three steps:

1. Get a Kit
At a minimum, have the basic supplies listed below. Keep supplies in an easy-to-carry container that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate.

Water—one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
Food—non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
Flashlight
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
Extra batteries
First aid kit
Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
Multipurpose tool
Sanitation and personal hygiene items
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Cell phone with chargers
Family and emergency contact information
Extra cash
Emergency blanket
Map(s) of the area

Pressed for time? Check out the ready-made disaster supply kits in the Red Cross store.

2. Make a Plan
Every family should create and practice an evacuation and communications plan. Each person should know how to reach other family members and where to meet if they can’t return home. You should also designate an out-of-area relative or friend as an emergency contact and make sure all household members know how to contact this person.

To make an evacuation plan, choose two meeting places: one right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire, and another outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate.

Decide where you would go and what route you would take if you had to evacuate. Make sure to also plan ahead for your pets. Keep a phone list of "pet friendly" motels/hotels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes.

3. Be Informed
Learning the skills you need to respond in an emergency before help arrives is another important key to being prepared. Make sure that at least one member of your household is trained in first aid and CPR and knows how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Go to Redcross.org to learn more and register for a class.

How you can help save lives

2011-09-28T15:15:00.004-05:00

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Blood is the only product that cannot be manufactured and can only be donated. When I go visit blood drives, I am often fascinated by stories of what motivates donors to give the gift of life. Many times the response is simple, “Why not?” Then, there is the thought of paying it forward – if I donate blood, when I need it someone else will donate to help me. Others like 23 gallon donor, Roger Warner decided to start giving to honor another. In Mr. Warner’s case he began donating to honor of a friend diagnosed with cancer. No matter the motivation, each gift of life is greatly appreciated.

Texas Red Cross supervisor, Alison Cook, shares her story of how blood donations saved her life.

“At the age of only 18, I received 25 units of blood following a car accident that led to seven months of hospitalizations. I’m so appreciative of the people who made that voluntary decision to give. Donating blood really taps into what each of us believes about living. It tells us something about what version of life we are choosing for ourselves and what version we believe someone else deserves. So many people are looking for that connection, wanting to be a little bit more engaged with things that matter and are permanent. Donating blood makes you that person.”

One blood donation can save up to three lives. Present to donate at any Red Cross blood drive in Texas by Friday, September 30 and you will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Visa gift card. To schedule an appointment or find a drive near you, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

CPR Saves While Working the Wildfire

2011-09-26T12:07:00.001-05:00

Written by: Rusty Surette / American Red Cross Public Affairs

Recently, an American Red Cross volunteer proved why everyone should be certified in CPR and First Aid.

Israel Pinkney, 55, was working in wildfire-ravaged Bastrop, Texas when someone suddenly yelled into a crowd, "who knows first aid?"

Pinkney, a former Emergency Medical Technician, immediately ran across the street to a car parked outside a gas station. Inside the vehicle was an elderly man having chest pains. His wife was with him and pleaded for help.

"He was having difficulty breathing and I knew he was likely having a heart attack," said Pinkney. "I told his wife to call 9-1-1 immediately."

Pinkney, a Louisville, Kentucky resident, stayed with the man to monitor his symptoms and condition until paramedics arrived. Pinkney also kept the gathering crowd calm and collective.

"You just never know when this kind of thing will happen," said Pinkney who joined the American Red Cross in May 2010.

"It just proves that everyone should know CPR and First Aid, or at least have one person in your house who knows it. You just never know when it will be used or when someone will need you."

To find a CPR / First Aid / AED class near you, go online to www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

It’s Hard to Keep a Good Man Down

2011-09-23T09:48:00.000-05:00

At age 98, the nation’s oldest American Red Cross blood donor continues saving lives.

In the last 100 years, the world has seen a man walk on the moon, two world wars transpire, the formation of the United Nations and the introduction of LifeSavers candy. While these historical benchmarks are well publicized, another significant event of a “true lifesaver” deserves honor and recognition.

On February 17, 1913, Willard M. Hayne, the nation’s oldest American Red Cross blood donor, was born in Gresham, Oregon. Currently 98 years old, Willard began donating in 1949, just one year after Dr. Carl Walter, a trained surgeon, developed a plastic bag for the collection of blood in place of glass bottles.

“Any chance I can encourage people to donate, I will,” Willard exclaimed. Even later in life, when blood donor regulations limited the upper age limit, Willard returned as a regular donor once the limitation was lifted.

Willard has successfully donated 138 units, eight of which occurred in the last 24 months. Not content to stop at 138 donations, Willard last attempted to give blood in August 2011 and will make another attempt on September 22nd in the Coos Bay area, where he’s been retired (and donating) for the last 18 years.

Willard comes from a history of gratitude and hard work, which is instrumental in his philosophy of blood donation. After retiring from the banking industry, Willard states that he “started from the bottom as a bookkeeper and worked my way up to manager.” He finished his career as bank manager at First National Bank of Oregon in Silverton, which is now a Wells Fargo.

Passing on his donation practice to those around him, Willard has instilled the habit of giving blood in his three children, including a son who has provided directed donations in Minnesota due to his rare blood type. Now that Willard is retired, he’s found friends in fellow blood donors in his retirement community. “I feel grateful that I’m healthy enough to donate. It’s been a blessing to me.”

Beyond donating blood, Willard has also made financial donations to the Red Cross after witnessing how the organization provided emergency services during disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis. Although Willard has lived an incredible life of generosity, he is humble when informed of his status as the nation’s oldest American Red Cross blood donor.

“It feels so good to be honored as a donor. I’ve never expected anything in return. You hear about people who need blood and just being able to donate is a gift enough.”

Blood Supply in Texas is in Critical Condition

After months of scorching temperatures, followed by wildfires and hurricanes, the blood supply in Texas is at a critical low. The American Red Cross urges immediate blood donations. Learn more about the immediate need and how you can help save a life.

Local Blood Supply in Critical Condition

2011-09-22T08:51:00.005-05:00

American Red Cross Urges Immediate Donations

After months of scorching temperatures, followed by wildfires and hurricanes, the blood supply in Texas is at a critical low. Donations are needed immediately. In fact, the Red Cross hopes to collect 1,370 units of blood in Texas before the end of the month to ensure that an ample supply is on the shelf before the next emergency. To schedule a blood donation or find a drive in your area, go to www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

The American Red Cross thanks you in advance for your lifesaving gift and for advancing this message to other potential donors.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Meet Yolanda Alsides

2011-09-20T14:32:00.010-05:00

Written by: Tonya Solis-Mosby / American Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer

Beginning September 15, the focus of many Americans will turn toward a group of people whose heritage, culture and contributions have helped to shape the face of the country that celebrates diversity. It is the day that begins a month-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The celebration, which ends on October 15, began with a week-long celebration approved by then-President Lyndon Johnson and was extended to a month by then-President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The beginning date was chosen since it is the date that five Latin American countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua - celebrate independence. Then on September 16, September 18 and September 21, Mexico, Chile and Belize, respectively, also celebrate independence.

With the mention of this great month of celebration, it is also noteworthy that just like in the many states across America that celebrate Hispanic Heritage, the Red Cross is in many of the countries that are recognized! No matter the name, including – Cruz Roja Americana, Española, Colombiana, Dominicana or Mexicana – Red Cross volunteers are standing by ready to lend a hand when the need arises.

At the American Red Cross-North Texas Region, diversity among those who are served and among those who volunteer is paramount. For volunteer Yolanda Alsides diversity is her business.

As Diversity Outreach Coordinator for Biomedical Services, it is that diversity that lead her to seek work with the American Red Cross.

“Reaching out to the diverse communities in which we serve, we want to ensure that all services are not only available but known in the minority and diverse communities,” Ms. Alsides, who has volunteered with the Dallas Chapter for one year, said. “We want to assist with education and the understanding of the need for blood donations along with all the services of the American Red Cross.”

A Mexican-American with bi-racial adult children, Angelica, 19, and Rebecca 18, Ms. Alsides said she knows the importance of educating people of various races and cultures on the services of the American Red Cross.

She said she was compelled to focus more on her Red Cross position when she realized that what she was doing for the American Red Cross Biomedical Services was aligning with the Dallas Diversity Leadership Council.

So, what does she like most about the work that she does?

“I like meeting the wonderful people of the Dallas Diversity Leadership Council. I also like making an impact with community involvement and awareness,” she said.

Perhaps one of the most creative ways Yolanda showed that diversity matters occurred when she was cast as a Spanish speaking Red Cross worker in the chapter developed movie, "F5". Her character was tasked with helping a man who lost his wife and child in a tornado outbreak.

If you would also like to make an impact on your community, make a donation today (either blood or money) to the American Red Cross. There are many ways to contact us, including redcrossblood.org; RedCrossDallas.org; or by calling 1-800-RedCross. To watch "F5: The Movie", go to www.redcrossdallas.org/f5.

From the Ashes: Nana's Garden

2011-09-19T11:01:00.006-05:00

Shirley Ellett from Paige, Texas in Bastrop County.

Written by: Rusty Surette / American Red Cross Public Affairs

“This is it,” said Shirley Ellett. “This is all that’s left of ‘Nana’s Garden.’”

The Texas grandmother of two points to the only stone on her scorched land that appears to be untouched by recent wildfires.

“My granddaughters painted this rock for me,” explained Ellett as she struggled to lift the heavy stone. “And when we came home we saw we had lost everything. Everything, but this.”

Ellett is surrounded by family, including her grandkids, and she’s covered in a blanket she received from the American Red Cross. She’s using the blanket to keep herself dry from an afternoon storm that rolled into Bastrop County this weekend.

“The rain would have been nice a week ago,” she said. Thankfully I had this blanket inside my kit.” Also in the Red Cross backpack is a flashlight that can also charge a cell phone, a first aid kit and gloves.

“This has been wonderful,” said Ellett standing next to her daughter. “Yesterday we were able to get a sifter, trash bags and snacks at the Red Cross station down the street. Thank you so much.”

Wildfires across Texas have destroyed more than 1,500 homes and left many wondering where they’ll go from here. That’s why more than 340 volunteers and staff with the American Red Cross have spread across the Lone Star State handing out comfort kits, feeding affected families and supporting overnight shelters.

In addition to providing counseling to those who have been affected by the fires, Red Cross volunteers have teamed up with the Southern Baptist Convention to serve more than 6,000 meals in Bastrop County alone.

Ellett says this is home and she plans to rebuild on her land here in the Paige community.

“I have my family. We’re strong. We’ll be fine”, she said.

Answers Amid the Ashes

2011-09-14T13:12:00.007-05:00

Red Cross disaster worker Felicia Adams comforts shelter resident Shannon Shine after she learns her house has been destroyed in the wildfires. (Photo by Dennis Drenner/American Red Cross)

"I don't know what to do," sobbed Shannon Shine, a resident of Bastrop, Texas whose house was destroyed by the recent wildfires. Last week alone, wildfires burned more than 170,000 acres.

Unfortunately her grief is not unique. Thousands of people were forced to flee from their homes, and many now find they will never be able to return. They don't know what to do, but with the help of the American Red Cross, they have a place to start.

Overwhelmed after learning her house had been engulfed by flames, Shine met with veteran Red Cross disaster worker, Felicia Adams.

Adams is no stranger to destruction, having worked in a shelter following Hurricane Katrina. Adams offered a shoulder to cry on and an answer to each question. More than 200 disaster workers like Adams are working in Texas, using not only their expertise in disaster relief and recovery, but their compassion to bring comfort to residents who have lost everything.

Not Done Yet

Conditions could not be worse for firefighters desperately trying to quell the flames and save communities. Texas is currently experiencing its worst drought since 1895 and this summer has been the second warmest on record, helping sustain the fires that first responders have battled since December. Strong winds from Tropical Storm Lee literally fanned the flames, helping the fire to spread. Today, there are 180 different wildfires burning in Texas.

One of the worst affected areas is Bastrop County, where more than 34,000 acres have burned and the fire is only 60 percent contained. Of growing concern are Cass and Marion counties in northern Texas along the Arkansas and Louisiana border, where thousands of homes are threatened.

In response to the growing wildfires, the Red Cross has opened seven shelters, hosting more than 800 overnight stays. We've provided more than 2,000 health and mental health consultations. Many people have reported breathing problems from inhaling smoke in the air, and the Red Cross is providing care for them.

American Red Cross workers assist at a community run shelter at Bastrop Middle School after wildfires sweep the region, driving thousands of people from endangered neighborhoods and burning hundreds of houses to the ground. American Red Cross volunteer and respiratory therapist Albert Hernandez checks on young Samantha Pollitt, age 10, who is undergoing nebulizer treatment after having trouble breathing. Many Bastrop residents, both young and old, were having respiratory problems due to the large amount of smoke in the air from the wildfires. (Photo by Dennis Drenner/American Red Cross)

We're distributed nearly 1,000 comfort kits providing hygiene items such as toothbrushes, soap and shampoo, and 17,000 additional relief items like cleaning supplies. As residents are allowed back into their neighborhoods, Red Cross disaster workers are assisting residents, providing emotional support as well as water and snacks as they survey the damage.

Support for Military Families

The Red Cross is providing special assistance to military families affected by the wildfires near Fort Hood. Many families are struggling through this disaster without the support of spouses, parents and other important family members who are currently deployed. Beyond comfort and care the Red Cross is also helping verify damages and sending emergency notifications to deployed service members on behalf of family members.

Our verification services help military authorities make critical decisions about granting leave to service members so they can return home to support their families. The local chapters in Waco and Austin are helping identify needs and facilitate the communications between service members and their loved ones at home. Trained caseworkers follow up with military families to make sure they are aware of additional programs and services outside of traditional disaster referrals. Such partnerships exist with the National Guard Foundation, Military OneSource and other organizations like those that provide military-specific mental health support.

This is also a part of the Red Cross mission year-round. From the earliest days of Red Cross work on the battlefields of the Civil War, our organization continues to provide assistance to our military members today. We have Service to the Armed Forces staff and volunteers on 58 U.S. military installations and deployment sites including Afghanistan and Kuwait. Each year, the Red Cross delivers more than 600,000 emergency communications. The Red Cross also assists military families as well as wounded service members both at home and abroad by offering services such as hospital visits, courses on coping with deployment and financial assistance. The Red Cross briefs service members when they enter the military, at pre-deployment events and almost every week at military bases across the country to ensure military members and their families are aware of available resources.

The Red Cross will continue to help all those affected in Texas. As firefighters continue to battle the blaze, we will expand our response to assist new communities, while continuing to meet the recovery needs of those in existing operations. With the generosity of American donors, we can answer the call for help whenever we are needed.

American Red Cross workers visit the Tahitian Village neighborhood of Bastrop soon after homeowners are allowed to return. Red Cross worker Barbara Behling looks around a burned out house in the Tahitian Village neighborhood of Bastrop. (Photo by Dennis Drenner/American Red Cross)

The Support of Donors

You can help people affected by disasters like wildfires, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. To make a donation, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Contributions may also be sent to the American Red Cross-North Texas Region, 4800 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235.

To learn more about the work of the American Red Cross in the U.S. and around the world, please visit redcross.org.

Sifting through the ashes of Texas wildfires

Get Up and Give!

2011-09-14T09:18:00.005-05:00

Mark your calendars for the 3rd annual Get Up and Give! North Texas Giving Day, which will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 15, 2011.

On "Get Up and Give!" North Texas Giving Day 2011, every donation of $25 or more will be matched if you donate to us through www.donorbridgetx.org, North Texas' online resource that connects donors with nonprofit organizations like us.

Please visit the site anytime between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., search for the American Red Cross and click "Donate Now." Your donation will go a long way in helping us rise to the challenge of transforming lives in crisis into lives of hope when emergencies strike. Plus, every dollar given at any time during the day will receive a portion of $1 million in matching funds – making your dollars go further.

It doesn't matter when you give, just remember to get up and give – whether out of bed, from your desk, or off your couch, just give!

American Red Cross Worker Remembers 9/11

2011-09-11T16:01:00.005-05:00

Rescue workers amid the rubble of the World Trade Center collapse turn to the American Red Cross for a drink of cold water. Photo: Daniel Cima/American Red Cross

This story was written by Anita Foster just a few short weeks after she returned from Ground Zero. Anita seldom shares her Ground Zero experience so we're glad to have this glimpse. Today, Anita continues to work for the American Red Cross as the Chief Communications Officer for the North Texas Region.

“On that day, 6,000 people did not die. On that day, 1 person died 6,000 times. We must understand this and all catastrophes in such a way, for big numbers only numb us to the true measure of mass murder,” said Rabbi Marc Gellman from the pulpit at the Yankee Stadium prayer service following the worst terrorist attack on American soil.

I’m Anita Foster. I don’t expect you to know me. I am just one of 45,000 Red Cross disaster relief workers who had the privilege of serving my organization and humanity for nearly a month in New York City following the terrorist attacks on September 11. Since I returned from New York, seeing sights I could not even imagine, I have been asked to share my experiences at community groups, on television, at corporations and with friends and family. Honestly, it has been a struggle. The emotions and the right words seemed to escape me. I would sit down at my keyboard night after night trying to paint pictures with words that would describe the scenes of utter terror. But the words failed me each time. There was so much destruction, so much pain, and so many stories.

As a writer for the Red Cross, I usually tell stories from the third person. I try to give you the big-picture perspective on how a particular disaster has impacted lives and how your help has made a difference. As I tried to apply that principle to this act of terrorism, I found it impossible. There is no big-picture. There is only one picture at a time. And they are lined up on a wall with the word “MISSING” above each one.

The stories I am going to share with you are personal, and some are difficult to hear. They don’t represent what every Red Cross worker experienced while on assignment in New York, Washington DC, Pennsylvania or any other affected city. We were all, and will continue to be, affected in a variety of personal ways. The best I can hope for here is to share with you my journey and try to bring understanding as to the enormous amount of pain this act of terror has created, and how it has changed so many lives. There is pain for the families and friends of those lost, for those who lost their jobs and their sense of security. There is pain for the emergency workers at Ground Zero, for all relief workers and indeed, our entire nation. I suffered personal pains that I will share with you as well. As emergency workers, we are trained to be tough in difficult times. It was not possible in New York. We were all walking wounds open to the world.

September 11, 2001

My alarm went off at 6:30am signaling the beginning of another workday. The television was on in the background as I got ready for work and reviewed my calendar. I was about to walk out the door when a breaking news story was announced. A plane has crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. I watched for a while and like many of you, I thought it was a terrible accident. The pilot must have had engine trouble or a heart attack. I stayed glued to the television for a few minutes, looked at my watch and decided to go ahead and go to work so as not to be late. I turned on the radio in the car and a reporter from New York was screaming, “The other tower is on fire! Huge orange flames are shooting into the sky and debris is falling from the building!” I could not believe what I was hearing. And I have to tell you honestly; an act of terrorism had not even crossed my mind. It wasn’t until the reporter said that America was being attacked that it even began to dawn on me what that meant. I drove down the highway in shock. I called a girlfriend of mine, who is originally from New York, and told her to turn the television on. Then the buildings fell. A plane crashed into the Pentagon. Another plummeted into a field in Pennsylvania. All planes were ordered grounded. News stations were reporting that hijackers had overtaken the planes and purposely caused these violent acts. I was actually shocked to hear that passengers were on those planes. I know that sounds crazy, but it never occurred to me that someone would crash planes into buildings with innocent passengers aboard. I kept thinking ‘who could do such a thing, and why? What has gone wrong in the world?’

At the Red Cross, we slept very little that night. Into the early morning hours and throughout the next day, we were establishing toll-free numbers for family members who were missing their loved ones in the affected cities. We were taking thousands of phone calls at the local chapter from all of you who wanted to help and we were holding blood drives.
Personally, this day, September 11, shattered all previous notions I had about our country and myself. Suddenly, we were no longer safe. In the blink of an eye, my world changed dramatically. I was working hard like every other Red Crosser, but I was just going through the motions.

The Call to Action

On September 13, the Red Cross was out at the Ballpark in Arlington raising funds for the relief operation in partnership with WBAP, KSCS and ESPN radio, as well as NBC5 and Tom Thumb. I arrived at the Ballpark at 5:00am not knowing what to expect. As the day wore on, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of people right here in our own community. Cars were wrapped around the Ballpark as people waited patiently to make their contributions and receive their red, white and blue antennae ribbons. Some just came by to talk. Others showed up to volunteer. It was truly amazing. It was also the first time I felt hopeful since the early morning hours of September 11. Around 4:00 that afternoon, my pager went off. It was our national disaster coordinator. I knew that could only mean one thing. My heart pounded and my hand shook as I dialed her number. “Anita, you are needed in New York. Make your travel plans and get on a plane as soon as possible.” Get on a plane. Travel to New York. Respond to a terrorist attack. Suddenly, I didn’t know if I was up to the challenge. I got in my car and drove to the chapter to get my instructions for travel. I cried the entire way from Arlington to Fort Worth. I was fearful of many things. The thought of boarding an aircraft so soon after such an unspeakable act of terror was overwhelming. Knowing that I was traveling to an area that thousands of people were fleeing was frightening. Thinking of all those families I had seen on the news holding up the posters of their missing both inspired me and terrified me. I knew I would not return the same person that I was before I left. After a number of cancelled flights on Friday, I finally got one on Saturday. My flight left at 4:00pm from DFW to Philadelphia. From there, I took an Amtrak train into New York where I caught a taxicab to my hotel, which would be “home” for the next three weeks. I arrived in my hotel room at 1:00 in the morning.

Ground Zero

It was dark outside when I reported for my first shift inside of Ground Zero. We went through three security checks before we could even get near the site. From a distance, I could see those sharp, jagged pentacles protruding toward the sky. I knew it was World Trade One. I walked with my team through the streets of lower Manhattan. We donned our respirator masks and packed extra Visine. With each step closer to the site, a tear came closer to escaping. Once the first one fell, it was impossible to stop the rest. A firefighter friend told me before I left that I would have to operate in third person in order to get through this ordeal. I would have to detach myself from the reality. He was right. But in those first moments, it felt like being in an altered state. I could not breathe. I could not stand. I was overcome with raw human emotion which I can’t compare to anything else I’ve ever experienced in life. My instinct was to just wail as loudly as possible—to shout toward the heavens with unanswerable questions like, “WHY? And HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN.” But I couldn’t make a sound so I just prayed silently in front of the site. There were no sounds at Ground Zero other than the machinery. No idle chatter. No words of inspiration. All around us, hundreds of workers were doing everything possible to find people alive. I couldn’t understand how they could emotionally handle looking at those buildings and know what was inside. I would look at the site, and then look away. It was too much to bear. Couldn’t they feel the spirits of the dead all around as I could? I knew in those first moments at Ground Zero that no one would be found alive. The ground I was standing on had become sacred. And then I remembered. They were working in third person. I would have to do the same. I began my shift and worked through the night.

The appearance of Ground Zero would change every day. Nightly news reports would detail how many tons of wreckage was removed on a particular day. The hope of finding survivors had faded by the end of the second week. Not only were there not any survivors expected, the fear was becoming that the bodies of the missing would not be recovered. Only a small number had been found, and only a few of those were in tact. When a body, or a body part, was recovered, the work at the scene would come to a halt. Everyone would stand silently or pray as firefighters draped the temporary casket in the American flag and prepared the remains for delivery to the morgue. In these rare instances, we all knew that a family would have a small sense of peace.

Family Assistance Center

Most of my time in New York was spent in between Ground Zero and the Family Assistance Center. I truly believed that Ground Zero would be the most horrifying site in New York City. But I was wrong. It was the Family Assistance Center. This is where the faces of the disaster would gather each day. In the first week, there was a pattern to the behavior of the group. Thousands would arrive each morning at 8:00am. They would check in through security, review the list of the injured who had been taken to area hospitals, and when their loved one didn’t show up there, they would check the coroners list. No new information. So they would make their way around the building. They would speak to city officials about the work at the site. They would beg for speed in removing the debris, certain their loved ones were waiting to be rescued. They would come by the Red Cross and pick up aspirin and teddy bears. Occasionally, they would visit the Red Cross Family Dining Area and try to eat. Hundreds of families sat silently, while others kneeled down in prayer asking for a miracle. Only a small number of families could be found at the Victim’s Crime Board, the place to officially list your loved one as missing. A smaller number visited the area where DNA samples were being collected. In that first week, the families were not ready to accept that their precious loved ones were not coming home. It was a sobering sight. So much suffering had never surrounded me. I truly felt trapped in between the best and the worst of humanity at exactly the same moment. It was like being on a tightrope. If you fell to the left, you were thrust into evil. If you fell to the right, you would land in the arms of a caring humanitarian. It was a balancing act for every family and every worker. There was so much suffering in the Assistance Center, and so much caring at the same time.

As the weeks went by, the process shifted. There were no longer lines to read the list of injured at area hospitals. The lines were long to give DNA samples and to register loved ones as missing at the Crime Victim’s Board. On many occasions, I would hear someone across the room just scream in agony. I knew that the body of their loved one had been identified.

The day the death certificates were issued was one of the hardest. Thousands of people were in the building that day. The faces looked the same—stoic. They were just going through the motions.

The Visitors

Celebrities came from everywhere to visit the families at the Assistance Center or shake hands with rescue workers at Ground Zero. Everyone felt compelled to reach out in whatever way they could to lend a comforting ear. Here are just a few of the rich and famous who visited the Family Assistance Center:

Bill, Hilary and Chelsea Clinton
The cast of The Sopranos
Bette Midler
Mohamad Ali
Don King
Joan Osborn
Kim Fields
Kevin Costner
John Travolta
Lance Armstrong
Paul O’Neil, New York Yankees
New York Jets Football team
Candice Bergen
Oprah Winfrey

There were hundreds more; these are just the ones I can remember. Some broke down and cried with the families, while others found themselves speechless. They were no different from the rest of us.

The Wall

Outside the entrance to the Family Assistance Center was the wall of photos. The smiling faces of the missing halted me in my steps day after day. There were so many. Some showed a parent with a child on their lap. Some young girls were in their party dresses, while others were in graduation caps. Many wore the uniforms of the New York Fire and Police Departments. Missing brothers and sisters were pictured together, as well as husbands and wives. Row after row of never-ending photos. I worked at this center every day while I was in New York, which meant I had to pass by the wall numerous times. It was impossible not to stop and look. Each and every time, I had to stop and look. After a while, I knew the names of the people on the posters without even looking. I could tell you what company they worked for and what floor they were last known to be on. The wall was ever evolving. Flowers and candles would change daily and loved ones would write messages on the posters for the world to read. I broke down and cried in front of the wall many times. Everyone did.

Inside the center was the same wall of photos, however, this is where the families wrote their most heartfelt thoughts. It took days to read all the messages from loved ones. And the messages changed over time. You knew when reality was beginning to set in, evidenced by the "You are at peace" messages next to the photos. Lining the wall were thousands of Teddy Bears that were sent from Oklahoma City. Each had a special message or a drawing from a child attached. The words and colorful drawings of our nation's youth could be seen throughout the center. Every square inch was covered with a picture, banner or card from someone in the world sending their heartfelt condolences.

The People

I’ve already mentioned a number of celebrities who visited with the families. But these weren’t the people that will live in, or haunt, my memories. It’s the ones that you’ve never heard of that impacted me the most. Those that poured their hearts out and shared their pain so openly. Here are just a few of hundreds that I could share:

Blanche

I met Blanche eight days after the attacks when she walked in the door at the Family Assistance Center. She just looked dazed and confused and I knew immediately that she had lost someone she loved. I talked with her for a bit and she inquired as to where the Crime Victim’s Board was located. Through our conversation, I learned that her 32-year-old son, Eric, had not been heard from since September 11. She spoke with him after Tower One was hit. He was in Tower Two. He told her everything was fine and they were evacuating the building. She said "Okay honey, be careful. I love you." She showed me pictures of her son and told me about him and how he was a caring person. Tears were welling up in my eyes as I walked her to the Crime Victim’s Board so that she could begin the process of reporting Eric as “missing”. It was eight days after the attacks and she was just beginning to believe that he might not come home. I hugged her and she thanked me for listening to her stories. I walked outside to try to compose myself. I found myself in front of the wall of the missing when I saw Eric's photo. His mom wrote a note on his poster that said, "Come home soon honey. We miss you. Love, Mom.” I cried a lot on this day.

Missing Husband

Twelve days after the attacks, I met a woman who was still waiting for her husband to come home. She had visited the center every day since it opened. September 11 was her husband's birthday. She remains hopeful and believes that his birthday gift will be his safe return to their family.

Cantor Fitzgerald

Another woman I met had a friend who worked at Cantor Fitzgerald, but was not listed on the "safe list" or the missing list. The “safe” list meant that an employee had been accounted for. We all knew what the missing list meant. The Cantor Fitzgerald space in the Family Assistance Center was beyond words. The people working with the families of this company were all volunteers—the sad reality being that so few of their employees survived. I sat with this woman for almost an hour as the volunteers with Cantor Fitzgerald methodically checked databases and pulled files. Unfortunately, there was no news. Throughout this meeting, my job was to hand Kleenex to this sobbing person in utter pain. She left the center to go sit on the stoop of his apartment building and wait to see if he came home.

John

I met a gentleman, John, working for the Red Cross at the Family Assistance Center. His son attended the daycare just two blocks from the World Trade Center, and his wife worked in Tower One. She was dropping their four year old off at the daycare just as the first plane hit the building. John did not know if his wife was in the building, or if his son was safe. The daycare was shut down and the 35 children and handful of adults was ordered to stay put. John was frantically calling his wife on the cell phone as he raced toward his son's daycare center. He got no answer on the phone. When he neared the area, police and fire officials ordered him out. Everyone else was running through the streets in the opposite direction from John. He bolted around the barricades until he reached the daycare. By this time, the first tower had already fallen. He entered the daycare and found the children huddled together in a back room, terrified. He also found his wife. He ran into the street to summon help. Debris was falling all around when he heard the second tower begin to collapse. They remained huddled together and survived that collapse, but John knew they had to get out of there. A city bus bringing fresh firefighters to the scene approached. John told the bus driver they had to get the kids out of there. Together, they loaded the children onto the bus and headed for the Pier. They put the kids on tugboats and took them to New Jersey. John stayed with the kids throughout the night because their parents could not get to them. The infrastructure of the city was closed and no one could travel over bridges. John was so moved by what the Red Cross was doing that he immediately became a volunteer and continues to work every day at the Family Assistance Center. Now, that's a hero my friends.

The Hurting

I was reporting for duty one night at the Family Assistance Center. As always, I was slowly making my way in front of the wall, looking at the photos when this woman passed by me. I cannot describe in words the look on her face. She was walking and breathing, but she was not there. As I continued walking down the long row of photos, her face haunted me. I was wondering about her story. She was obviously traumatized. A man stopped me in front of the entrance and asked if mental health counseling was available if they didn’t directly lose a loved one. I said of course and offered to walk him into the building. He said he needed to call his wife. The same woman who had just passed by me returned. I spoke to her, but she did not answer. She could not hear or see me. This was common. The husband shared with me how she had been at their apartment on the morning of the attacks. They lived across the street from the World Trade Center. Through their windows, she watched in horror as flames shot out of the towers, and bodies fell to the ground. Many bodies. She believed that the explosions forced some out while others leapt to their deaths. Nonetheless, lives were ending literally before her eyes.

There were countless faces of pain that I witnessed. I’ll never know their names. In subway stations, people sat and cried. Tears streamed down the faces of thousands of New Yorkers as they made their way about the city. In front of every fire station that we passed, people were knelt in prayer. There was no way to escape the magnitude of the tragedy, no matter how hard we tried.

Ken and Diane

Ken and Diane arrived for Red Cross duty at the Family Assistance Center just a few short days after the attack. While talking with them, I discovered that they had traveled from Oklahoma City. Both had lost loved ones in the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building. Diane is the wife of a Secret Service agent whose body was never recovered. Ken is the son of the woman whose body was the last recovered, 40 days after the explosion. I watched them every day holding hands with the families and sharing tears. It really helped the families to talk to these two. They truly understood as none of us could.

The Outpouring

Through all of this suffering, there were so many moments where I found myself having more faith in humanity that I ever had before. I would call back to my chapter and they would tell me that our community was responding with such compassion. All across America, sleeves were being rolled up to give blood, fundraising drives were being held, children were drawing pictures for the firefighters and police officers and prayer services were being attended. While I was in New York, I visited a fire station that had lost 18 firefighters. There was an impromptu memorial established in front of the station. Flowers were piled four feet high all around the building. Statues were delivered. Photos were posted. Strangers would stop by to greet the workers and share their sympathies for those they never met. Taxicab drivers would give me free rides as their way of saying thanks. Never once did I have to pay for the subway. A little girl stopped me on the street, tugged on my sleeve and said, “thank you Red Cross for helping the people.” I received email from people I’ve never met simply because they knew I was there and wanted to share their words of thanks. I could literally feel the prayers from my family, friends, coworkers and strangers. It is the only thing that sustained me day after day. It is the positive reaction of the people of the world that I tried to focus on while in New York. Focusing on the reality of the situation simply wasn’t possible. But with all things, reality does eventually set in.

The Emotional Ground Zero

Returning from New York was almost as difficult as leaving. When the plane left LaGuardia, I could still see the smoke from Ground Zero in the air. Tears streamed down my face as I looked out the small window at a world I could no longer understand. I had been operating on pure adrenaline for three weeks. I had no idea what would happen once I got home. It has not been pleasant. For the first few days, I could barely move. I was extremely tired, emotionally and physically. Slowly, I started getting out of the house and trying to socialize. It wasn’t easy though. I found talking to be a challenge and talking about New York an even greater one. I returned to work at the local chapter and for the first week, could barely concentrate on anything. All the while, I’m only managing about two to three hours of sleep a night. When I was sleeping, my dreams were riddled with violence. I knew this would be normal, but they were still disturbing. The second week I was home, I went into denial. I threw myself into my job, working long hours and saying I could handle everything, no problem. By the third week I was sleeping better, but had completely shut down emotionally. I was having trouble just making small talk with the gas station attendant, much less with the people close to me. My behavior had changed and not for the better. I was short tempered with the people I really care about. This was not fair to them. The fourth week brought the loss of an important relationship in my life. The same week, I received a letter from the Disaster Operation Center at Red Cross National Headquarters. They were acknowledging the amount of time that I had served on the job and the amount of time that I’d been home. It listed possible symptoms that we might be experiencing as a result of witnessing such trauma and urged us to get in touch with our local Red Cross mental health team if we were having any emotional problems. I knew I was in trouble so I reached out to one of our Red Cross disaster mental health workers. I felt like my life was totally falling apart. The transition back to “normal life” was not going according to plan. The counselor was wonderful in helping me to understand that my feelings of despair were okay and that I had to accept them. Partly, I felt guilty for having these feelings of despair. After all, I didn’t lose a loved one personally. I didn’t lose my job. I just lost what we all did—our sense of security. For me, I had lost some of my faith in humanity. I am a believer in peace and being surrounded by so much agony caused by hatred took its toll. I will not be alone in these feelings, that’s for sure. There will be thousands of workers who will need help in dealing with this tragedy. The families who lost loved ones will need ongoing mental health care for years. But in America, these services are available for us whenever we need them. As I enter my fifth week following Ground Zero, I will continue to work with my mental health counselor. I will focus on the acts of compassion around our nation that truly touched my heart. I will look at this experience as a great teacher. I will not mourn the loss of the old me, but rather accept the new me. The one who has seen the worst of humanity and still has faith that people are inherently good. I hope we can all do that. I will not try to forget the horrifying scenes that are etched in my mind. Or the scenes of great compassion.

On behalf of everyone at the American Red Cross, thank you for your contribution. However you chose to help, it made a difference. Thank you for supporting the important humanitarian work of the American Red Cross. We are stronger because of your help. We will give that strength to the affected families. Thank you for trusting us, as you always have, to wrap our hearts around those who need us most. We will continue working on your behalf in New York, Washington DC and other areas for years to come.

Rabbi Marc Gellman stated at that prayer service in New York: “On that day, 6,000 people did not die. On that day, one person died 6,000 times.” I say… On that day, millions of people did not give to help our world. On that day, one person gave millions of times.” Peace to you and God Bless America.

Dallas Cowboys Watch Party to Benefit the American Red Cross

2011-09-08T10:01:00.005-05:00

From our friends at Central 214:

Join us in honoring America and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys as they play the New York Jets for this special game set for the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Start indoors and move to the courtyard patio at halftime for viewing under the stars. Nosh on burgers and tailgate party-themed bites -- all you can eat for just $12 per person, with half going to the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter* in honor of its contributions on 9/11 and every day. We'll have touchdown-worthy half price drink specials and complimentary valet parking. The event kicks-off Sunday night Cowboys Watch Parties, planned through the fall.

"No doubt the Sept. 11 game will be packed with patriotism and emotion, so we hope our friends will take comfort in being together as we cheer on both the Cowboys and America," explains Chef Blythe Beck. "We want to raise a lot of money for the Red Cross to support all they do for our community in times of crisis."

RSVP to the event on Facebook

*You can also join Chef Blythe Beck and the Central 214 team earlier in the day at the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
View your invitation

Photos: Central Texas Wildfires

2011-09-07T10:04:00.005-05:00

American Red Cross Responds Across the Country to Wildfires, Floods and Tornadoes

2011-09-06T13:16:00.003-05:00

The American Red Cross provided food and shelter for more than 1,000 people around the country Monday night from multiple disasters, including residents impacted by wildfires in Texas and Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, which left severe weather in its wake over the Labor Day weekend.

In Texas, more than 450 residents spent Monday night in 10 Red Cross shelters as wildfires burned hundreds of homes and forced residents to evacuate. The Red Cross disaster response in Texas now joins multiple other Red Cross operations underway across the U.S. in response to floods, other wildfires and tornadoes.

Tornadoes spawned by remnants of Lee damaged homes and caused evacuations in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee on Monday, leading the Red Cross to open shelters in all three states. Red Cross shelters were also opened in Louisiana and Mississippi as Lee dumped torrential rain on the Gulf Coast. Heavy rains and extensive flooding are expected to continue as Lee’s remnants expand northeast into the Tennessee Valley and central Appalachian mountains through Tuesday.

The Red Cross is also continuing to help people impacted by Hurricane Irene. To date, the Red Cross has served more than 1.6 million meals and snacks and provided approximately 58,000 overnight shelter stays since the storm made landfall on August 27. The Red Cross is also distributing supplies to help residents who are cleaning up homes damaged by Irene’s wind, rain and floods. So far, the Red Cross has given out more than 516,000 relief items such as hygiene kits, mops, brooms, tarps, work gloves and coolers.

“Right now our focus is making sure people forced from their homes by floods and wildfires have a safe place to stay and a good meal,” said Charley Shimanski, Red Cross senior vice president of disaster services. “The Red Cross works year-round to be prepared to help people affected by emergencies, and that’s why we’re able to respond to so many disasters at one time.”

The Red Cross currently has disaster relief operations active in more than a dozen states, and current estimates for Red Cross relief for Hurricane Irene alone are from $10 million to $15 million.

Those who want to help can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. This gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS; you can also text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Red Cross Responds to Fires Across Texas

2011-09-06T01:37:00.005-05:00

Photo: AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Jay Janner

Destructive wildfires have taken their toll across the state of Texas. Far and wide, the fires have scorched thousands of acres and forced the evacuations of hundreds of families.

In North Texas, Red Cross teams spent the day yesterday ensuring that no families had lost their homes, while also providing hydration support to area firefighters. As of this time, no families have needed Red Cross assistance in the North Texas area. Today, teams remain on standby in the event of another fire outbreak.

Further south, the picture is much more grim. The American Red Cross chapter in Austin is reporting some 300 families impacted by yesterday's fast moving fire. They have opened up three shelters with an overnight population of 250 people.

Red Cross teams remain in touch with families affected by the Possum Kingdom Lake fire and at fire scenes in East Texas.

Right now, the Red Cross is urging those who are unaffected by recent disasters to support not just Texans, but the people on the east coast as they clear debris left by Hurricane Irene, to help the folks in Louisiana as they contend with Tropical Storm Lee and to help the next unknown disaster victim. The best way to help is to make a financial contribution at www.redcrossdallas.org or to text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10. Donations will be used where the need is greatest.

Red Cross Water Wells Replenished

2011-09-02T17:19:00.003-05:00

The Red Cross is known world-wide for helping families with food, clothing and shelter after disasters. But we also provide unknown and lifesaving service in communities across the Metroplex every day; and that's making sure that area firefighters working on disaster scenes have plenty of bottled water and Gatorade to keep them hydrated.

With this year's extreme temperatures, the Red Cross plowed through an entire summer's worth of bottled water and Gatorade in just a few short weeks. We saw an increase of 132% in the amount of hydration supplies distributed over this time last year, and a 46% increase in disaster responses. The Dallas Area Chapter was facing a critical water shortage, but citizens and businesses across North Texas and around the country stepped up to help us restock our shelves.

Today, our water wells are replenished and your American Red Cross is responding to numerous wildfires across North Texas. Our disaster relief volunteers are fanned across North Texas to ensure firefighters and emergency response workers are hydrated. This would not be possible without the outpouring of financial support we received to help us restock our shelves. Thank you to everyone who made a financial gift and to our corporate partners Nestle, Quaker Oats, Pepsi and Grainger for their generous donations. Special thanks also go out to Dr Pepper Snapple Group for their in-kind donation, as well and for their continued support of the national Annual Disaster Giving Program and the North Texas Mass Care Task Force.

Never Forget 9/11

2011-08-29T15:17:00.009-05:00

You’re Invited to Join Us.

The American Red Cross invites you to join us for a commemorative event to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks.

September 11th at 2pm
4800 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75235

Say "thanks" to our area firefighters, police officers and members of the United States Armed Forces for all they do to keep us safe, and for the first time, hear how the Red Cross in North Texas ran the nationwide call center for families who could not find their loved ones.

Special Guests:

Kenneth Johnson, Deputy Chief, Dallas Fire-Rescue
Pauline Medrano, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Dallas
Leslie Palmer, Ground Zero Firefighter
Susan Weeks, American Red Cross Call Center, Dallas, Texas and New York City
Anna de Haro, Clear Channel Radio, onboard a flight grounded in New Foundland
Dallas Police Department
United States Military members

RSVP by September 9, 2011 to Anita Foster at
afoster@redcrossdallas.org or 214-678-4510

Follow us on Twitter for updates @RedCrossDallas

Download the Invitation

Hurricane Irene Expected to Unleash Her Fury along the Eastern Seaboard

2011-08-26T16:00:00.004-05:00

With Hurricane Irene’s eye glaring at some of America’s most populated urban areas along the eastern seaboard, the American Red Cross is mobilizing people and resources in force. Today, two Red Cross teams and two Emergency Response Vehicles left from North Texas to support local chapters in various states who have been working around the clock sheltering evacuees and prepping for landfall.

Any hurricane is serious business, but Irene has the potential to wreak havoc. With some 65 million people in her path, the American Red Cross is asking people who are not in her path, or who haven’t been affected by other recent storms, to support the relief effort by making a financial contribution to the American Red Cross. Already, the organization has expended tremendous resources just to get into position, but the hardest work still lies ahead.

Financial contributions help the Red Cross purchase needed items in bulk, such as pallets of bottled water, thousands of meals and snacks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shovels, rakes, and other relief supplies. Those funds also help to put gas in response vehicles and make it possible for a volunteer to make it from Texas to New York to help out after the storm.

To make a donation to the American Red Cross, click on www.redcrossdallas.org, text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. No gift is too small or too large.

Facebook DC Live: The Red Cross and FEMA Discuss Natural Disaster Relief

2011-08-22T14:50:00.003-05:00

The number of Americans who turn to the Internet, social media and mobile technologies during disasters is on the rise, a new American Red Cross study shows. And while people should still rely on 9-1-1 in emergency situations, researchers found that the majority of Americans feel they should also be able to receive timely assistance from local and national response agencies when they post messages in social media.

WHAT: A Facebook Live event to announce the results of the second Red Cross survey of Americans' use of social media and other technologies during disasters. Officials from the Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Facebook will also discuss the implications of the study and how both individuals and responders can make use of the Internet, social media and mobile technology in emergency situations. Media are welcome to view the Facebook Live event and submit questions on the Facebook platform.

WHO: Trevor Riggen, Senior Director of Disaster Services, American Red Cross
Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency
Brooke Oberwetter, Associate Manager, Policy Communications

WHY: These two new surveys show that the vast majority of Americans believe that response organizations should be monitoring social media during disasters and acting quickly to help those in need. Emergency response organizations like the Red Cross, FEMA and others now face both new challenges to harness the power of these technologies as well as opportunities to engage with people during times of disaster.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 3:30 p.m. CDT

WHERE: http://on.fb.me/FBDCLive

RSVP: http://on.fb.me/okyVWQ

About the Speakers

William Fugate: Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Mr. Fugate was appointed by President Obama and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 13, 2009 to serve as the Administrator of FEMA. In his role, Mr. Fugate is in charge of 7,603 employees across the country working to support citizens in the event of a natural disaster. Prior to coming to FEMA, Mr. Fugate served as Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).

Trevor Riggen: Director of Mass Care for the American Red Cross. Mr. Riggen serves as the Red Cross lead for feeding, sheltering, and bulk distribution in response to a manmade or natural disaster. A central Illinois native, he previously worked at Habitat for Humanity International, where he managed a nationwide congressional recruitment program and led local Habitat affiliates in government relations and housing advocacy development. He also has several years’ experience in local nonprofit program management, including early childhood literacy, after-school programming, and emergency planning for public school districts.

So Far, 2011 A Costly Disaster Year

2011-08-19T14:13:00.005-05:00

Damaged homes in Tuscaloosa, Alabama after a devastating tornado.
Photo: Dennis Drenner/American Red Cross

Experts estimate disasters caused more than $35 billion in losses

It’s been a costly year for disasters in the United States and the American Red Cross has been responding all over the country to help the thousands of people affected by flooding, tornadoes, drought and extreme heat, wildfires and other emergencies.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates the country’s economic loss attributable to disasters at more than $35 billion so far with several disasters each adding up to losses of $1 billion or more. The country is in the midst of hurricane season, which experts predict could be very active, so these numbers could grow.

The disasters in the NOAA report include:

flooding in the upper Midwest (Montana, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri)
flooding along the Mississippi River, especially in Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri and Louisiana
extreme drought and heat combined with wildfires in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Kansas, Arkansas and Louisiana
deadly tornadoes in the Midwest and southeast (Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee)

Nearly 14,000 Red Cross disaster workers from across the country supported 46 relief operations spread over more than half of the country this spring. They opened 287 shelters, served 3.5 million meals and snacks, distributed 1.7 million relief items, and provided 81,000 mental health and health consultations.

Their work is not over. More than 100 people in North Dakota remain in shelters after the disastrous flooding in the Minot area. Every day chapters respond to smaller disasters such as home fires. One fire involving multiple families in Montgomery County, MD, resulted in 85 residents coming to a Red Cross shelter.

Every year, the Red Cross spends an average of approximately $450 million preparing for and responding to nearly 70,000 disasters across the country and around the world. This includes both large disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes and smaller disasters such as house fires.

If you would like to help, please consider making a donation today by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Resources on RedCross.org

Red Cross Provides Comfort in Darkest Hours

2011-08-17T14:20:00.006-05:00

American Red Cross volunteer Martha Crosby receives a warm hug from Jean Farmer, 85, who survived the devastating tornado that left her home in ruins. Tuscaloosa, AL. (Photo: Talia Frenkel/American Red Cross)

Recent tragic events—such as the stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair—remind us how important emotional support is after a disaster. In the days and weeks following a crisis, attention to mental health becomes important for survivors and emergency responders alike.

The American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis sent more than a dozen volunteers and employees to the scene of the collapse in Indianapolis to help support emergency workers searching for missing people. The local Red Cross also kept their chapter office open for friends and family searching for loved ones.

The Red Cross Disaster Mental Health program began in 1992, prompted in part by the crash landing of United Airlines Flight 232 at the Sioux City, Iowa, airport in July 1989. The deadly accident took more than 100 lives, but 184 passengers and crew survived.

After the Sioux City crash, the local Red Cross chapter partnered with Jerry Jacobs and Randy Quevillon, licensed psychologists from the nearby University of South Dakota, to provide mental health support to survivors and disaster responders.

Jane Morgan, then Red Cross lead for Disaster Health Services in the Midwest, took away from that experience the knowledge that the Red Cross Disaster Mental Health program needed to be structured so that all disaster survivors and responders would have access to emotional support.

Today, the Disaster Mental Health cadre stands at approximately 4,000 people, and represents the largest and most highly credentialed disaster mental health response force in the nation. These workers respond during some of the country’s most difficult times, including this spring’s devastating tornadoes and floods.

You can find information on taking care of emotional health after a disaster on Redcross.org. If you’re interested in becoming a disaster volunteer, please contact the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter.

Red Cross Connects Cousins – 76 Years Later

2011-08-16T14:26:00.005-05:00

Elizabeth "Lily" Farkas was one of millions of people separated from her family amid the chaos and confusion of World War II. But thanks to a Red Cross search across international borders, she and a cousin connected after many decades.

Lily, who now lives in Sarasota, was a teenager in Hungary during the war, and recalled those as "God awful" times.

In 1945, the Russians came in to liberate Hungary from the Nazis, but when the Communists took over in 1949, liberation became domination and the Hungarian government was subordinate to Soviet control.

Hungarian students began demonstrating against the Communist government in 1956 but the Soviets sent in tanks and troops and defeated the Hungarian freedom fighters.Thousands of people died, more than 26,000 were put on trial, about 13,000 were imprisoned and about 300 were executed. Nearly 200,000 refugees escaped into Austria or Yugoslavia and eventually started new lives in other parts of the world.

Lily participated in the Hungarian Revolution and worked underground. She served 2 1/2 years as a political prisoner in Budapest and a prison in northeastern Hungary. Her husband, Imre, was sentenced to death but his sentence was later commuted to life in prison.

In 1956 Imre and other prisoners broke out of an infamous political prison in Vac, Hungary, three days after the revolution started. Imre and Lily were reunited in Budapest and arrived in the United States on Christmas Eve 1956. They have since had two daughters and three grandchildren who live in Holland.

Although Mrs. Farkas lost touch with her family in Hungary, a second cousin – Judit Bojthy Hajda – contacted the Red Cross to help locate her long lost relative after 76 years.

Cindy Desmond, Director of Volunteers, Client Services and Training for the Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross, spoke with Lily to inform her that her second cousin wanted to connect with her. Red Cross family tracing services help reconnect families who have been separated internationally by war and natural disasters.

"At first, Lily was hesitant," said Cindy. "Then the memories started to come back."

Now Lily corresponds with her second cousin, talking on the phone and sending photos to each other over the internet.

There are American Red Cross caseworkers at local chapters around the United States helping families locate missing relatives by working with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations in nearly every country around the world.

Once a family member is found, the Red Cross helps them reconnect. In the past year, the American Red Cross helped reconnect more than 4,200 families – bridging years of separation to renew critical links between new communities in the U.S. and their families around the world.

Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center
Holocaust Tracing, Family Searches and Wartime Documentation

Red Cross Tips Help Kids Stay Safe When Home Alone

2011-08-15T14:51:00.004-05:00

As children around the nation are returning to school, many of them will be spending time home alone after school until their parents get home from work.

The American Red Cross has steps parents and children can take to make these after-school hours safer and less stressful.

“The first thing parents need to decide is if their child is old enough to stay home alone,” said Dr. David Markenson, chair of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council and pediatric expert. “If not, other options include after-school child care, programs at schools and youth clubs, or enrolling the child in youth sports programs.”

“When a child is old enough will vary from child to child based on their individual development, comfort and maturity. Parents and guardians should consider their child’s maturity level and ask if he or she would be comfortable being left alone for an extended period of time,” Markenson added. “If so, parents and guardians should develop a home safety plan and discuss it and practice it with their children.”

The Red Cross recommends that parents and guardians take the following steps if a child will be home alone after school.

If the child is going to go home after school, it’s a good idea to have them call to check in when they get home. For an older child, set ground rules about whether other kids can come over when the parents are absent, whether cooking is an option, whether they can leave the home.

Other steps that parents and guardians can include in their home safety plans:

Post an emergency phone list where the children can see it. Include 9-1-1, the parents work and cell numbers, numbers for neighbors, and the numbers for anyone else who is close and trusted.
Identify neighbors whose home your child can go to in case of an emergency that requires your child to leave your home.
Practice an emergency plan with the child so they know what to do in case of fire, injury, or other emergencies. Write the plan down and make sure the child knows where it is.
Make sure the first aid kit is stocked and stored where your children can find it; keep it out of reach of young children.
Let children know where the flashlights are kept. Make sure that the batteries are fresh, and that the child knows how to use them.
Remove or safely store in locked areas dangerous items like guns, ammunition, knives, hand tools, power tools, razor blades, scissors, and other objects that can cause injury.
Make sure potential poisons like detergents, polishes, pesticides, car-care fluids, lighter fluid and lamp oils are stored in locked cabinets or out of the reach of children.
Make sure medicine is kept in a locked storage place or out of the reach of children.
Install safety covers on all unused electrical outlets.
Limit any cooking a young child can do. Make sure at least one approved smoke alarm is installed and operating on each level of the home.
Limit the time the child spends in front of the television or computer. Activate parental controls. Use programs that limit the sites children can visit, restrict chat sites and allow parents to monitor online activity.

Safety Steps for Children

When talking to kids about being at home alone, parents should stress the following steps, and post them somewhere to remind the child about what they should, or shouldn’t, do until mom, dad or caregiver get home:

Lock the door and make sure all the windows are closed and locked.
If the home has an electronic security system, children should learn how to turn it on and have it on when home alone.
Never open the door to strangers. Always check before opening the door to anyone, looking out through a peephole or window first. Only open the door for people that parents and guardians have given you permission to let in the house. If unsure, contact your caregiver.
Never open the door to delivery people or service representatives. Ask delivery people to leave the package at the door or tell them to come back at another time. Service representatives, such as a TV cable installer, should have an appointment when an adult is home.
Never tell someone on the telephone that the parents are not at home. Say something like “He or she is busy right now. Can I take a message?”
Do not talk about being home alone on public websites. Kids should be cautious about sharing information about their location when using chat rooms or posting on social networks.
Never leave the house without permission. If it’s okay to go outside, children should contact their parents and tell them where they are going, when they are leaving, and when they will return. If mom and dad are still at work, children should call them when they leave and when they return home.
Do not go outside to check out an unusual noise. If the noise worries the child, they should call their parents, an adult, or the police.
Don’t talk to strangers.
Do not have friends over to visit when your parents aren’t at home. Do not let anyone inside who is using drugs or alcohol, even if you know them.
If the child smells smoke or hears a fire or smoke alarm, they should get outside and ask a neighbor to call the fire department.

Consider Babysitter’s Training for Youth Taking Care of Others

Many tweens and teens are responsible for watching younger siblings. The Red Cross Babysitter’s Training course provides 11 to 15 year-olds with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly provide care for children and infants. Participants learn basic child care and first aid, develop leadership skills and learn how to develop a babysitting business. Contact the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter or visit www.redcross.org/babysitting for more information.

Tips to Keep Athletes Safe in Extreme Heat

2011-08-12T09:28:00.006-05:00

Recommendations for Teams Practicing for Fall Sports

Record-setting temperatures and extreme drought are still plaguing most of the southern region of the United States, a hazardous situation for people living there. The hot weather is especially dangerous for athletes practicing for their various fall sports.

The American Red Cross has steps residents of the affected states can take to help ensure their well-being during the ongoing heat wave, with special advice for team officials to follow to help ensure the safety of their players.

“Keeping athletes safe during extreme temperatures is as important as getting them ready for the upcoming season,” said Dr. David Markenson, chair of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. “One of the most important thing athletes can do is stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids like water or sports drinks with electrolytes before, during and after practice – even if you are not thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol,” Markenson added.

During the hot weather, team practices should be scheduled for early in the day and later in the evening to avoid exposing players to the hottest times of the day. Other steps teams, schools and parents should take to protect their athletes include:

Allow athletes to get acclimated to the heat by reducing the intensity of practice until they are more accustomed to it.
Make frequent, longer breaks a regular part of practice. About every 20 minutes stop for fluids and try to keep the athletes in the shade if possible.
Reduce the amount of heavy equipment—like football pads—athletes wear in extremely hot, humid weather.
Dress athletes, when appropriate, in net-type jerseys or light-weight, light-colored, cotton T-shirts and shorts.
Know the signs of heat-related emergencies and monitor athletes closely.

“Knowing the signs of heat-related emergencies and how to help someone who is suffering from the heat is vital,” Markenson stressed. “Coaches and parents need to be vigilant in watching for signs of heat-related emergencies. Athletes should inform their coaches, teachers or parents if they are not feeling well.”

The hot, dry weather is expected to continue for at least the next week in areas of the south. Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas have been particularly hard hit by the heat wave. Red Cross chapters have opened cooling centers in some areas and supported first responders as they answer numerous calls for grass blazes and home fires.

The Red Cross has steps people should follow to help ensure their safety as the heat continues:

If someone does not have air conditioning, they should choose places to get relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day, such as schools, libraries, theaters or malls.
Temperatures inside a vehicle quickly reach dangerous levels. Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
People should stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids even if they aren’t thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
During the heat, it’s best to eat small meals and eat more often.
Avoid extreme temperature changes.
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
Postpone outdoor games and activities.
Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.
If someone must work outdoors, they should take frequent breaks.
Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
Check on your animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.

Knowing the signs of heat-related emergencies and how to help someone who is suffering from the heat is important.

Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs or abdomen caused by exposure to high heat and humidity and loss of fluids and electrolytes. Heat cramps are often an early sign that the body is having trouble with the heat. If someone is experiencing heat cramps:

Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Stretching, massaging and icing the affected muscle may help.
Give a half glass of cool water or a sports drink with electrolytes every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse.

Heat exhaustion is caused by a combination of exercise induced heat and fluid and electrolyte loss from sweating. Signs of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea; dizziness; weakness; and exhaustion. To help someone with these symptoms:

Move the person to a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing. Spray him or her with water or apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin. Fan the person. If the person is conscious, give small amounts of cool water cool water or a sports drink with electrolytes to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Watch for changes in his or her condition.
If the person refuses water, vomits or begins to lose consciousness, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

Heat stroke (also known as sunstroke) is a life-threatening condition in which a person’s temperature control system stops working and the body is unable to cool itself.

Signs of heat stroke include those of heat exhaustion and hot, red skin which may be dry or moist; change or loss of consciousness; seizures; vomiting; and high body temperature.
Heat stroke is life-threatening. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.
Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the person’s body by immersing them up to their neck in cold water if possible. If unable to immerse them, continue rapid cooling by applying bags of ice or cold packs wrapped in a cloth to the wrists, ankles, groin, neck and armpits, spraying with water and/or fanning.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Learn how to prevent and respond to heat-related and other emergencies by taking a First Aid/CPR/AED course. Contact your local Red Cross or visit redcross.org/training to register.

Geneva Convention Anniversary: A Look Back

2011-08-10T11:40:00.006-05:00

Geneva, 1949. Diplomatic conference for the revision of the Geneva Conventions. Photo Credit: ©ICRC/J. Cadoux/hist-03538-06

By Catherine Carlton, American Red Cross North Texas Region

Anniversaries are a time to celebrate milestones and look back and remember how the "relationship" started.

This month marks the anniversary of the Geneva Convention that continues to guide us when it comes to international humanitarian law.

When we at the Red Cross celebrate how our relationship with Geneva Convention started and its milestones, we are reminded of our history of helping people, specifically those in war and affected by war across the globe; and the importance of our Red Cross emblem.

Join us in recognizing this anniversary by reviewing the history of these important humanitarian laws that began in 1864 and continue to evolve:

First Geneva Convention: protects soldiers who are out of the battle. Later expanded to include wounded/sick soldiers as well as medical personal.
Second Geneva Convention: adapts the protections to reflect conditions at sea.
Third Geneva Convention: sets out specific rules for treatment of prisoners of war.
Fourth Geneva Convention: civilians in areas of armed conflict are protected
Two 1977 protocols give greater protection to victims of both international and internal armed conflicts.

Where our history is more visible is in our Red Cross symbol. Those drafting the Geneva Convention of 1864 foresaw the need for a universal symbol of protection easily recognizable on the battlefield.

The red cross on a white background (the reverse of the Swiss flag) was identified as a protective emblem in conflict areas.
Under the Geneva Conventions, the three distinctive emblems of the red cross, red crescent and red crystal are intended to identify and protect medical and relief workers, military and civilian medical facilities, mobile units and hospital ships.
They are also used to identify the programs and activities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies.

The Red Cross has many resources for you to learn more and celebrate this important anniversary:

Red Cross: Exploring Humanitarian Law

Fact Sheet: Summary of the Geneva Conventions of 1949

What are the Geneva Conventions & International Humanitarian Law?

Story of an Idea - the animation

This animation of the comic book Story of an idea brings to life the story of the creation of the Red Cross, Red Crescent Movement and its history to date. The comic strip was created by the world renowned artist Jean Giraud, alias Moebius.

The animation presents in simple terms, the meaning of the Geneva Conventions, the universal humanitarian principles underlying the Movement's efforts and the general activities carried out by the different components of the Movement as they work together to help those in need. http://www.icrc.org

Extreme Heat Drains Red Cross Water Wells

2011-08-09T09:13:00.003-05:00

The Red Cross is known world-wide for helping families with food, clothing and shelter after disasters. But the agency also provides an unknown and lifesaving service in communities across the Metroplex every day; and that's making sure that area firefighters working on disaster scenes have plenty of bottled water and Gatorade to keep them hydrated.

With this year's extreme temperatures, the Red Cross has plowed through an entire summer's worth of bottled water and Gatorade in just a few short weeks. Seeing an increase of 132% in the amount of hydration supplies distributed over this time last year, and a 46% increase in disaster responses, the organization is now facing a critical shortage and reaching out to North Texans for financial help to restock the shelves.

"Our warehouse is bare. We're down to about one pallet of bottled water and not much more Gatorade," said Leslie Palmer, interim regional chief executive officer, American Red Cross. "That's not going to last long so we're in great need of financial donations to make sure the many firefighters working out in this heat stay hydrated."

Palmer says that the way to help is with a financial gift. "That financial gift will allow us to purchase specific sizes of product to fit on our relief trucks and be easily palletized. We can also purchase in bulk which will help your gift go even further. No gift is too small or too large."

North Texans who would like to help the Red Cross restock the water and Gatorade shelves can make a donation at www.redcrossdallas.org or call 214-678-4800 to make a gift over the phone.

Thank You for Being a Friend

2011-08-08T09:39:00.006-05:00

Yesterday was the 76th anniversary of National Friendship Day! This special day was established by the United States Congress in 1935 as a day to honor friends and friendships. At the American Red Cross, we could not operate without the support and generosity of our many friends.

Donors. Your humanitarian spirit counteracts the force of disasters that tear through communities across America. You are a true friend and partner of the American Red Cross and we thank you for your generosity.

Partners. How do we prepare for the unthinkable? How do we put people where they need to be so they can do the most good? How do we work within a humanitarian network that touches lives in every part of the world? You are the answer to these questions.

Volunteers. You are the American Red Cross. As a volunteer, you display the selflessness and dedication to humanity that enable us to continue the timeless commitment of this organization. We value your work and it is with deep appreciation that we say thank you for being a friend.

Blood Donors. Every two seconds someone in America needs blood. By supporting the American Red Cross Biomedical Services, you help to ensure that the nation’s blood supply is safe and available to help every individual in need of it. When you help the American Red Cross, you help your family, your community and our country. Thank you for your generosity and friendship.

Compassion for others, thoughtfulness in deed and generosity during times of need are the very essence of what makes the world a better place. Thank you to our many friends for rising to the occasion. You have enabled the American Red Cross to help an individual, a family, a community realize that there is hope.

In honor of National Friendship Day, we salute each of you!

Thank You for Being a Friend

Power Outage Tips To Keep You and Your Family Safe

2011-08-04T16:05:00.005-05:00

High temperatures don’t just cause discomfort, they can be deadly and can cause a whole host of other problems that you would only expect during a disaster. Power outages are one very real concern. As air conditioners are running at maximum capacity, there is a heavier demand on the energy grid. Sometimes this can result in widespread unexpected power outages, other times areas institute “rolling blackouts” to help ease the demand. Either way, you could be without power which means you and your family are completely without air conditioning, your food could quickly spoil and you need a plan. Make sure you have alternative places to go to stay cool if something like this happens. You and your family should have a plan ready to go just as you would in any other situation. Here are other helpful tips to keep you and your family safe should you lose power.

What should I do during a power outage?

Keep food as safe as possible.

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. First use perishable food from the refrigerator. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about 4 hours.
Then use food from the freezer. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
Use your nonperishable foods and staples after using food from the refrigerator and freezer.
If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items.
Keep food in a dry, cool spot and keep it covered at all times.

Electrical equipment

Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.
Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.
Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.
Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.

Using generators safely

When using a portable generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a portable generator to a home’s electrical system.
If you are considering getting a generator, get advice from a professional, such as an electrician. Make sure that the generator you purchase is rated for the power that you think you will need.

What should I do when the power comes back on?

Do not touch any electrical power lines and keep your family away from them. Report downed power lines to the appropriate officials in your area.

Throw out unsafe food.

Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!
Never taste food or rely on appearance or odor to determine its safety. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they have been at room temperature too long, bacteria causing foodborne illnesses can start growing quickly. Some types of bacteria produce toxins that cannot be destroyed by cooking.
If food in the freezer is colder than 40° F and has ice crystals on it, you can refreeze it.
If you are not sure food is cold enough, take its temperature with the food thermometer. Throw out any foods (meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been exposed to temperatures higher than 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture, or feels warm to touch.

Caution: Carbon Monoxide Kills

Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoalburning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire.
Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.
If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.
Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.

The Measles Initiative Vaccinates One Billion Children in First Decade

2011-08-04T10:46:00.005-05:00

Parents wait in line with their children to receive a lifesaving measles vaccination in Mozambique, May 2011. One child helped make history when he received the one billionth dose of the vaccine provided by the Measles Initiative since 2001. (Stuart Ramson/UN Foundation)

Milestone marks progress and points to need for funding and political will to eradicate measles

The Measles Initiative today announced it has helped vaccinate one billion children in more than 60 developing countries since 2001, making significant gains in the global effort to stop measles.

The child who received the history-making measles vaccination was one of 3.5 million immunized in Mozambique this May. The immunization campaign was sponsored by the Measles Initiative’s five founding partners – the American Red Cross, United Nations Foundation, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, and World Health Organization (WHO).

“When we started the Measles Initiative ten years ago, we knew that we would help save millions of lives, but we never imagined where the world’s support would take us,” said David Meltzer, senior vice president of international services with the American Red Cross. “With every dollar donated, we vaccinated another child. Across the globe, we stopped outbreaks, improved treatment and protected future generations from one of the world’s deadliest diseases. This milestone in measles control is significant and improves the overall outlook for children’s health around the world.”

In 1980, before widespread vaccination, measles caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year. With accelerated immunization activities spearheaded by governments and the Measles Initiative, global measles mortality has decreased by an impressive 78 percent worldwide from 733,000 deaths in 2000 to 164,000 in 2008. Reductions in measles-related deaths during that same time period accounts for nearly a quarter (24 percent) of the overall decrease in childhood mortality, representing significant progress toward Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG4). This goal, which was set by the UN, aims to reduce the mortality rate for children less than five years by two thirds between 1990 and 2015.

Even as the Measles Initiative’s founding partners marked this significant achievement, they warned that governments and the global health community should not rest or redirect their efforts and resources elsewhere at the expense of tackling measles. Because of the decline in deaths, measles is no longer perceived to be a threat by many and must compete for funding with programs aimed at other diseases.

“The steady march toward a measles-free world is now facing a setback,” said Dr. Brent Burkholder, director of the CDC’s global immunization division. “Outbreaks in Africa, a high number of deaths in India and global funding gaps threaten the gains made in the last ten years and will hinder efforts to eradicate measles and achieve MDG4.”

Since 2009, widespread outbreaks affecting 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia, have resulted in more than 320,000 new measles cases and more than 2,400 measles-related deaths. In the past year, several European nations have faced their worst measles outbreaks in more than 10 years, with more than 30,000 estimated cases across the region. The U.S. is also experiencing its largest measles outbreak since 1996, with more than 150 reported cases.

“The rise in outbreaks, especially in Africa, can be attributed in large part to the decrease in financial support to the Measles Initiative,” said Andrea Gay, executive director of children’s health with the United Nations Foundation. Funding decreased from a high of $150 million in 2007 to $68 million in 2010. “Due to inadequate funding, measles vaccination campaigns have been delayed and the target age groups have been narrowed, resulting in outbreaks and in less children being vaccinated overall,” she said.

The WHO estimates that waning support could result in half a million more deaths each year and erase the Measles Initiative’s gains by 2013.

Because it costs less than $1 per child to vaccinate against measles, the real stumbling block is the lack of political commitment in many countries. Several economic studies, including those referenced in the Journal of Infectious Diseases July 2011 supplement, however, demonstrate that the eradication of measles is more cost effective than a control strategy and is actually cost saving for countries where measles has already been eliminated.

The Measles Initiative continues to advocate with governments and appeal to donors around the world to maintain an aggressive vaccination schedule, and improve routine immunization and surveillance in developing countries. The support of other nations, paired with financial and technical support from the Measles Initiative, has proven to be influential among those countries whose immunization programs have not kept pace.

For example, three out of four children who died from measles in 2008 lived in India, where persistently low vaccination coverage was the norm. Last year, however, the country initiated measles vaccination campaigns in select districts and has plans to organize additional vaccination campaigns throughout the next two years. India, with a population of more than 1 billion, plans to self-finance these efforts.

Looking ahead to its second decade, the Measles Initiative will focus on achieving a series of interim targets toward the eventual eradication of measles. The first of these milestones will be to reduce measles mortality by 95 percent by 2015 (compared to 2000). The Measles Initiative estimates it will need approximately $212 million between 2012 and 2015 to reach the targets.

About the Measles Initiative:
The Measles Initiative is a partnership committed to reducing measles deaths globally. Launched in 2001, the Initiative—led by the American Red Cross, the United Nations Foundation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and the World Health Organization—provides technical and financial support to governments and communities on vaccination campaigns and disease surveillance worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.measlesinitiative.org

Video: The Last Measle

Video: Disaster Preparedness Tips from Jim Cantore

2011-07-29T11:11:00.007-05:00

Jim Cantore is a meteorologist for The Weather Channel and a member of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet.

Let them know you are Safe and Well

2011-07-29T08:44:00.002-05:00

Safe and Well allows people in the affected areas to list themselves as “safe and well” online whether they are in a shelter, staying with friends, or if they are moving to another location. Friends and family outside the disaster area can then search for messages from their loved ones by using a pre-disaster phone number or complete address. Disaster victims can also update their Facebook and Twitter status through the Safe and Well website.

You can either register yourself or search for a registered family member on Safe and Well by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Safe and Well can also be accessed from a smart phone by going to www.redcross.org/safeandwell and click on either “List Yourself as Safe and Well” or “Search Registrants”.

Communication is key before, during and after a disaster. Make certain you have a plahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifn with your family members that may be dispersed throughout the country before a disaster hits. Remember that communications may be overloaded or down completely after a disaster. Utilizing resources like Safe and Well, social media, and email can help you get a message to your loved ones quickly, but it is only effective if they know where to check for your updates in case of a disaster.

Video: Swimming and Water Safety

2011-07-27T10:16:00.005-05:00

Red Cross experts answer your swimming and water safety questions.

What are some general water safety tips that I should know and follow?
So blow up toys, like water wings and rings, aren't safety devices?
What are the courses in the American Red Cross Learn to Swim program?
At what age should children start swim lessons?

To find Red Cross swim lessons near you, contact the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter at 214-678-4800.

Service To The Armed Forces Supports Military Members And Their Families

2011-07-25T16:44:00.005-05:00

The American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) provides important support to members of the United States military, help that includes financial assistance, counseling and a commitment to support our veterans - the sick and disabled men and women who have served our country through the Armed Forces.

But perhaps the most important support SAF provides is emergency communications to link members of the military with their families back home. SAF provides that vital link between families and their member of the military 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, no matter where in the world service members are stationed.

Ohio mother Angela Blair learned how important the SAF emergency communications program is when her son, Chad, was stationed overseas in 2009 and there was a death in the family. She contacted her local Red Cross chapter, the Hancock County Chapter in Findlay, Ohio, about the possibility of getting Chad home to be with his family. Angela reports she made that call on a Thursday and Chad was home Sunday night.

The military mom later began to learn all she could about the Red Cross SAF program and found it very helpful to her during Chad’s time overseas. Since then she has become an SAF volunteer and recently completed training to become a volunteer caseworker for the program.

Red Cross emergency communications services keep military personnel in touch with their families following the death or serious illness of an immediate family member, the birth of a service member's child or grandchild or when a family experiences other emergencies. Red Cross-verified information assists commanding officers in making a decision regarding emergency leave. Without this verification, the service member may not be able to come home during a family emergency.

“My Red Cross friends helped me through this latest situation with Chad,” Angela said. “I would encourage everyone who is going through the same life event I did to give the SAF program a try. It is so helpful, especially during a deployment.”

“It’s very important to educate yourself about what help and information is available,” she continued. “Service to the Armed Forces can help family members and new members of the armed forces with that. Taking the orientation is even beneficial for parents whose child is considering joining the military.”

Chad has just returned stateside from Afghanistan. Since his first deployment in 2009, he has been injured three times and received just as many Purple Hearts, the award presented to members of the armed forces who are wounded by an instrument of war at the hands of the enemy.

“My son asked if I would keep on going with my SAF volunteering when his time with the military is over and I told him I will do it for as long as I can,” Angela said. “It’s important for people to have a place to go to get an education about what help is available when someone is in the military.”

While providing service to 1.4 million active duty military personnel and their families, the Red Cross also reaches out to more than 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families living in nearly every community in America.

For more information on Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, contact the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter at 214-678-4800 or visit www.redcross.org.