Give Something That Means Something

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!

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Black Friday is over... Cyber Monday is around the corner... now shop.

'Tis the season for shopping, shopping and more shopping. Have you found the perfect gift that says you would save someone's day? Or, have you found a gift that can really make a difference in the receiver's life?

After much angst and searching, I have found the perfect gift.

'What is it?' you ask.

Well, it is the gift of life.

Click here to find out what snazzy gifts you can give to make a difference. Options include the following:

• Disaster Comfort Kit - $45
• Patriot Phone Card - $20
• One month's supplies - $100
• Comfort Kits to Wounded Heroes - Two for $100

Another great perk, if you donate $150 by donating in someone's name (maybe even your own), you can get a way cool, super prepared, deluxe first aid kit.

Are you excited yet?

Take a look at the gift of the month while you're helping others get prepared.

So, give a gift, save a life and become more popular than New Kids on the Block (the first time) to those you help... and your loved ones (of course).

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The American Red Cross goes posh

What happens when you mix one of Fashion Week's top labels and the American Red Cross?

You get fabulous bags for a cause!

Louis Vuitton is celebrating 150 years of excellence with a special tribute to the America Red Cross. Not only are they donating 10 percent of online sales of four iconic monogram pieces: Keepall, Speedy, Noe and Alma; but they are hosting a charity auction at Southeby's in London on November 19.

Good 'ole Louis hasn't stopped there though. In a collaboration with Marc Jacobs, Annie Leibovitz, Damien Hirst, Ferran Adria, Gustavo Santaolalla and Patrick-Louis Vuitton, special travel-themed creations have been created to benefit the French Red Cross, including a one-of-a-kind Red Cross kit.

Pause for the description... get your pocketbooks ready...

"The hard-sided case in monogram canvas, equipped with Louis Vuitton's signature natural leather handle, brass S-lock and corners, opens frontally to reveal an array of red and grey aluminum medicine boxes arranged in such a way as to form the familiar emblem of the RedCross. The logo of the Red Cross is hand-painted on the front of the case.”

If something a little easier on your pocketbooks sounds better for the holidays, check out our awesome store for other fabulous gifts.

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