Red Cross in the News

HEALTH & SAFETY: Malaria No More

2006-12-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

The Red Cross is proud to support Malaria No More.

Just $10 can buy a bed net and save a life.

AWARD: Adam Rae Receives Highest Red Cross Award

2006-12-13T17:01:00.000-07:00

Adam Rae recently received the highest award the Red Cross can bestow on a hero, the Certificate of Merit, for his life sustaining efforts performed when he was just sixteen years old. We are fortunate to have a young man like Adam as an instructor and a friend.

For the full story, read these articles:

EVENT: National Make a Difference Week

2006-11-01T16:14:00.000-07:00

October was a busy month at the Centennial Chapter. In addition to two major fires (Sterling & Ft. Collins), Ken Williams, chapter CEO, was called to East Texas to work on a flood disaster.

We also had the pleasure of hosting a crew of volunteers that worked for three days to improve the Fort Collins office during Make a Difference Day that is promoted by United Way. For most of the country, the event lasts a day, but in Larimer County we can have projects for up to a week.

Guy Verbest, QA engineer from HP, partnered with the chapter to organize projects for more than 30 volunteers. The majority of the workers were from Hewlett Packard and the City of Fort Collins, though we also appreciated the contributions of the unaffiliated volunteers who helped as well.

Projects included painting the building’s exterior trim, painting the first floor entry way and main office, and landscaping. Two teams also painted and organized the three storage sheds and built shelves in one of them.

We would also like to thank the corporate sponsors for the projects. Sherwin Williams donated the interior and exterior paint. Sutherlands donated the wood and brackets for the shelves in the storage shed. Also, Crackerjack Mud Jacking did an amazing job of leveling our sidewalk and stairs. We are grateful to these three companies for contributing to the great work that was accomplished by the volunteers.

To finish the month, we took a break long enough to take a Halloween picture.

EVENT: Come Hell or High Water '06

2006-09-28T11:15:00.000-06:00

“Come Hell or High Water,” the new signature event for the benefit of the local Centennial Chapter of the American Red Cross was held September 23, 2006. The event featured notable recording artists Orleans and The Steven Manshel Band. “Gourmet Grazing” was provided by several caterers and featured a wide array of hors d'oeuvres and foods.

Co-chaired by Nancy McBryde of Windsor and Steve Manshel of Loveland, sponsors included many leading northern Colorado businesses. Presenting sponsors were WRC Corporation and Post Modern Development. The Lavin Family Foundation, United Western Bank and EMC2 rounded out the largest sponsors. Also participating were the Monfort Family Foundation, Advanced Energy, LaFarge, Woodward Governor, Home State Bank Trust Department, the McWhinney Foundation, and several table and in-kind sponsors.

EVENT: Come Hell or High Water

2006-09-22T14:38:00.000-06:00

Come Hell or High Water, the best charity party in northern Colorado, returns for its second year. Orleans ("Still the One" and "Dance with Me") will headline the event, and the Steve Manshel Band will also perform.

We're going to have gourmet food, live and silent auctions and drinks. Relive the best of the 70s and 80s in this casual, fun and lively event.

Leave the tux and tight shoes at home. Come ready to relax and dance, enjoy your adult friends, eat, drink, and merrily support your local Red Cross all at once.

September 23, 2006

6:00 p.m. to Midnight (or later)
Behind Thunder Mountain
September 23, 2006
Dress is Corporate Casual

2008 Olympics in Beijing

2006-09-12T10:46:00.000-06:00

Red Cross to join in service for 2008 Olympic Games (People's Daily Online, 09 Sept 2006)

"The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) will provide emergency rescue training and health knowledge for volunteers for the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, according to the organization on Friday.

"Agreed by the Beijing's Olympic Organizing Committee, the RCSC will have one first-aid person for every 80 to 150 volunteers."

Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES)

2006-09-12T10:16:00.000-06:00

With Red Cross, soldiers are just a phone call away (Sun-Herald, 09 September 20006)

"I want to remind any of you who may have family or friends in the military about what you need to do if you must get an emergency message to a soldier.

"Whether they are stationed stateside or overseas, you must go through your local Red Cross chapter to start the message.

"Our phone is manned 24 hours a day. Our Red Cross worldwide emergency communication network operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

"We will help you or your family send emergency messages regarding the death or serious illness of a family member, the birth of a child, or other family emergencies. The Red Cross can provide you and your loved ones with fast, reliable information to help make decisions regarding emergency leaves, deferments, compassionate reassignments and dependency discharges.

"The Red Cross collaborates with the military aid societies in providing financial assistance when an urgent personal or family crisis arises -- that is, when you might need financial assistance for emergency travel, burial of a loved one, or urgent health and welfare needs such as food and shelter."

Red Cross Ship on Rescue Mission

2006-08-23T14:25:00.000-06:00

Red Cross ship will rescue hundreds from siege city (Times Online, 22 Aug. '06)

"AN AID ship loaded with tonnes of food and medicine was preparing to sail to Jaffna last night as the UN said a humanitarian catastrophe was looming in the besieged Sri Lankan city. The vessel, flying the Red Cross flag, is expected to pick up hundreds of people, nearly all of them Tamils with foreign nationality, including around 60 British citizens who have been trapped for a week.

"Electricity and telephone lines in Jaffna have been cut and food prices are spiralling as the area around the city has suffered airstrikes and bombardments in the past week. Yesterday hundreds of people were queueing outside the Red Cross offices hoping for a passage on the aid ship, but only foreign passport holders and some wounded civilians were expected to be allowed to board. The vessel’s departure has been delayed by heavy monsoon rains in Colombo, but it is expected to arrive tomorrow after a 50-hour voyage.

"Jaffna is controlled by the Sri Lankan Government, but is cut off from the rest of Sri Lanka by rebel territory. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have closed the city’s airport with artillery strikes and effectively cut sea links with the threat of suicide speedboat attacks."

ICRC Supports Returning Families

2006-08-23T14:17:00.000-06:00

News -- Red Cross helps returnees (Reuters.com, 21 Aug. '06)

"As thousands of people stream back to their wrecked homes in south Lebanon, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is scaling up its operation to support at least 200,000 returnees each month until the end of the year.

"The British Red Cross is actively supporting the humanitarian effort, with two logisticians delivering aid from Cyprus and one of our delegates co-ordinating relief operations in Syria with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

"We are also sending 227,000 ready-made meals to those most in need in Lebanon. As the long-awaited cease-fire holds, thousands of people are now returning home to face new difficulties including a lack of electricity, water and food. The level of destruction varies drastically but many private homes and even hospitals have been badly damaged.

"Red Cross convoys carrying food, medical supplies and fuel for generators have taken to the roads in a major effort to reach villages and towns that have been cut off from the outside world for weeks. "

A Volunteer's Inspiring Story

2006-08-17T09:25:00.000-06:00

South county man finds inspiration as Red Cross volunteer (Nevada Appeal, 16 Aug '06)

"When Douglas County resident John McDougal first learned of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, he took a train to San Antonio to help manage a shelter for displaced families.

"It was the start of a new chapter in his life as a volunteer with the Red Cross, and he said he wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

"I'll never give up this work. It's invigorating," he said. "Everyone needs to volunteer. Instead of sitting back and saying what should be done, volunteers are doing it."

"A small business owner and truck driver by trade, McDougal, 51, said he was one of the older volunteers and as such, was put in charge. This is a job that primarily appeals to the younger set, as most were between 21 and 30 and they were inspirational.

"They have hearts of gold and they're so full of life and energy," he said. "They will work nonstop to do what needs to be done."

"There are a variety of volunteer opportunities at the Red Cross to support all of the organization's services. People who wish to volunteer should contact their local American Red Cross chapter because many volunteer opportunities are typically found locally."

Hurricane Season (Part 2)

2006-08-16T11:19:00.000-06:00

Red Cross prepared for storms (The Shreveport Times, 15 Aug '06)

"BATON ROUGE -- The American Red Cross learned important lessons in dealing with storms last year that the organization's state director says should be avoided if a storm hits the state again.

"During Katrina, we maxed out" with 150,000 evacuees in Red Cross shelters around the country, Victor Howell told the Press Club of Baton Rouge Monday. "That was far and away the largest number every in Red Cross Shelters" and "far and away the largest single disaster response."

"This year, he said, across the U.S. the organization has invested $80 million in pre-positioning supplies -- cots, blankets and "comfort kits" containing personal hygiene necessities -- to take care of 500,000 people. A large number of meals also are stationed at numerous points and financial assistance -- usually about $200 per family for clothing and necessities -- stands ready."

North Korean Flood Response

2006-08-15T12:13:00.000-06:00

S. Korea Red Cross plans massive rice aid for North (Reuters, 14 Aug '06)

"SEOUL, Aug 14 (Reuters) - South Korea's Red Cross can give as much as 100,000 tonnes of rice to flood-ravaged North Korea in a one-time aid package, its president said on Monday.

"Relations between the two Koreas soured after North Korea defied international warnings and fired seven missiles on July 5. South Korea on Friday offered a one-time aid package worth $10 million to help its neighbour cope with massive floods in July.

"Three major storms hit North Kora [sic] last month, causing floods that killed at least 151 people, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. A pro-North Kora [sic] paper put the death toll at 549 with 295 missing."

Difficult Year for China

2006-08-14T10:48:00.000-06:00

China has had a hard year, which means the Red Cross has been busy.

1,700 dead, 400 missing from disaster this year: Red Cross (China Daily, 11 Aug '06)

"BEIJING - Natural disasters in China this year have killed 1,699 people and left another 415 missing, the nation's Red Cross Society has said in a report carried by the Xinhua News Agency.

"The disasters have impacted on another 300 million people and led to more than 130 billion yuan (16.25 billion dollars) in economic losses, the Red Cross said Thursday, according to Xinhua.

"The Red Cross said more than five million houses and 32 million hectares (79 million acres) of farmland had been destroyed, adding its figures had been verified by the Ministry of Civil Affairs."

Red Cross and the Elderly

2006-08-14T10:38:00.000-06:00

While all chapters of The American Red Cross provide basic emergency services, some also offer additional services. Today I'll highlight a friendly activity.

Elderly enjoy visits by Red Cross (Cayman Net News, 11 Aug '06)

"Once a week, residents of the retirement and nursing home on Cayman Brac enjoy the company of a caring group of people who understand the worth of senior citizens with so many memories to share.

"Every Tuesday from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, the Kirkconnell Community Care Center (KCCC) at Stake Bay is visited by volunteers of the Cayman Brac and Little Cayman chapter of the Cayman Islands Red Cross.

"They visit these special people to show them they care, and whether it is through reading, singing, chatting, or assisting them with activities of daily living, the KCCC residents will have the volunteers' undivided attention while they are at their home."

Devastation Continues in Lebanon

2006-08-14T10:22:00.000-06:00

Ongoing heavy civilian toll in Lebanon ‘unacceptable’: Red Cross (Khaleej Times Online, 13 Aug '06)

"GENEVA -The International Committee of the Red Cross on Sunday slammed the ongoing heavy civilian casualties in the conflict in Lebanon as ‘unacceptable’.

"'The ICRC has repeatedly expressed its concerns about insufficient precautions taken in attacks by the parties to the armed conflict,' the agency said in a statement.

"'It is unacceptable that after more than 30 days of ongoing military operations, all necessary precautions to spare civilian life and those engaged in medical work have still not been taken,' it added."

Red Cross ship arrives in Lebanon (News.com.au, 12 Aug '06)

"A SHIP chartered by the International Committee of the Red Cross has unloaded 200 tonnes of urgent humanitarian aid in the Lebanese port of Tyre after its arrival had been delayed by Israel.

"Israel gave security clearance to the ship Giorgios K which had been anchored in the Cypriot port of Larnaca, after refused it access for the past two days, said the ICRC spokesman in Tyre, Roland Huguenin.

"The cargo included 200,000 food packages, 50 tonnes of flour, medication, petrol and fuel, said Mr Huguenin."

Dental Program

2006-08-09T16:27:00.000-06:00

Here's a unique service provided by one Red Cross chapter:

From school to job: Red Cross Dental Program benefits community

Leesville Daily Leader, Aug. 9, '06)

"Students of the Red Cross Dental Assistant Program learn these facts and more as they study for certification as dental assistants. The program is a joint effort between DENTAC and the American Red Cross to provide training to the Fort Polk community."

Video - How to Grow Hatred

2006-08-07T15:54:00.000-06:00

VCCP helps Red Cross highlight prisoners' poor treatment (BrandRepublic/Creative Bulletin, Aug. 2, '06)

"Abuse grows hatred" is a hard-hitting animated film that attempts to show how the violation of human rights breeds hatred within the families, communities and countries of the imprisoned.

"The film can be seen on the ICRC website www.icrc.org and will be shown on TV channels internationally."

(picture from BrandRepublic)

Target / Red Cross Collaboration

2006-08-07T15:28:00.000-06:00

From Target and Red Cross--New kit for disaster preparation (The Charlotte Observer, Aug. 5, 2006)

"Target and the American Red Cross partnered to design an affordable emergency kit. It contains items that a family of four might appreciate during an emergency....

"The kit is $29.99, and Target will donate $10 from each purchase to the Red Cross. Kits are available at stores, and at www.Target.com.

"Kits include two flashlights with batteries, eight snap lights, a transistor radio with batteries, four survival blankets, four plastic whistles. There's an activity book for kids, and a family first aid kit."

(pictures from www.target.com and www.redcross.org)

Red Cross Evacuations in Lebanon

2006-08-03T12:03:00.000-06:00

ICRC says Lebanese Red Cross involved in evacuating hundreds of wounded (Kuwait News Agency, Aug. 3, '06)

GENEVA, Aug 2 (KUNA) -- The Innternational [sic] Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said Wednesday night that the Lebanese Red Cross Society (LRC), which remains on high alert for the 21st consecutive day, has between July 12 and August 1 evacuated 542 wounded, transported 3493 medical cases and 153 bodies.

Hurricane Season

2006-08-03T11:58:00.000-06:00

Tropical Storm Chris ‘a wake-up call,’ says Red Cross (Boca Raton News, Aug. 2, '06)

"Tropical Storm Chris is an opportunity for our community to remember that hurricane season is with us until November and we have just entered the height of the season," said Mary Blakeney, emergency services director.

"The American Red Cross, the National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency urge each and every family to develop a family disaster plan."

Blood Drives

2006-08-02T11:06:00.000-06:00

The Red Cross does not collect blood in Colorado because other organizations have historically done a great job of it. However, other areas around the nation are in low supply.

Red Cross Holds $1K Gas Card Drawing To Spur Blood Donations (KNBC 4 TV, Aug. 1, 2006)
"LOS ANGELES -- The American Red Cross is conducting a blood drive with an incentive -- a chance to win a $1,000 gift card for gasoline."

Red Cross Said Blood Supply Level Critically Low (WCSH 6 TV, Aug. 1, 2006)
"The Red Cross is asking people to roll up their sleeves and donate a pint of blood this summer. Summer is always a slow time for blood donations, but the Red Cross says this year is particularly tough."

Red Cross holds several blood drives (Daily Journal, Aug. 1, 2006)
"The urgent appeal for blood is over but the need for blood is always there, according to the American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region."

Red Cross blood supply is critical (The Messenger, Aug. 2, 2006)
"An American Red Cross blood drive in Troy today will help ease a critical shortage in the state's blood supply.

"The Red Cross issued an appeal on July 5 for the Alabama and Gulf Coast regions, which means the blood supply in those areas has dropped to dangerously low levels and patients who need blood may not get it."

Fund Raising Ideas

2006-08-01T10:30:00.000-06:00

What do you love to do? How could you use that as a way to raise funds to support the community? Here are two sporting events to spark your creativity:

Red Cross hosts golf tourney at Plantation course (The Miami Herald, July 30, 2006)

"Rick Case Honda sponsored two hole-in-one contests offering a 2006 Honda Civic and a Honda ATV as prizes, and Eastern Financial Credit Union sponsored a putting contest.

"After sinking the last put, players gathered for a silent auction before sitting down to a barbecue luncheon."

Soccer Tourney Aids Red Cross (The Morning News, July 30, 2006)

"The First Security Soccer Cup was held over the weekend at Bulldog Stadium and featured a field of 20 teams from throughout Northwest Arkansas as well as the River Valley.

"All proceeds from the Cup are being donated to the Red Cross. Equally as important as the fundraiser itself is the uniting of the Latino community through their common love for the "beautiful game."

"The group set a goal of raising $3,000 and exceeded that amount by on the first day alone. Chicas said the group expected to raise close to $6,000 for the American Red Cross, making the event a win-win for not only the fund-raising aspect, but also the unity the beautiful game brings to the Latino community."

International Variety

2006-08-01T10:20:00.000-06:00

The Red Cross offers diverse services around the world. Here are two stories that reflect the expanded mission:

Liberia: Red Cross Distributes 82 Tons of Seed Rice (allAfrica.com, July 31, 2006)

"The Liberia National Red Cross Society has completed the distribution of 82 tons of seed rice and 17,000 pieces of tools to communities in three counties.

"Meanwhile, the LNRCS has distributed assorted items valued at US$5,000 to nine orphanages in and around Monrovia.

"The United States Trading Company provided the funding for the purchase of the items, which included mattresses, used clothes, blankets and slippers."

Red Cross donates relief materials to prison inmates (The Tide Online, July 28, 2006)

"The Rivers State branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society has stated its preparedness to continuously identify with the less privileged in the society.

"Items donated were: three bales of blankets , Jumbo detergents, mats and 147 plastic plates.

"Others are: 127 plastic cups, two bags of used clothes, two cartons of premier soap, one crate of detol, half carton of protex soap, amongst others."

Red Crystal

2006-07-31T16:02:00.000-06:00

International conference paves the way for red crystal (ICRC.org, June 22, 2006 Press Release)

"The 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent has amended the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to incorporate the additional emblem of the red crystal, which now has the same status as the red cross and red crescent."

Emblems of the Red Cross (Wikipedia.org)

The above picture is from Wikipedia.

"On 22 June 2006 the ICRC announced the recognition of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the Israeli National Society and Magen David Adom (MDA), and also announced the formal adoption in the ICRC statutes of the Red Crystal as third official symbol.

"The new emblem was designed to be easily recognizable and, to make it more universally acceptable throughout different cultures, devoid of religious connotation (contrasting the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which are often associated with Christianity and Islam, respectively). No country or National Society will be obliged to change their emblems, none will be obliged to use the new one, but all will be required to respect it in the same manner."

Shelter Safety Concerns & Attitudes

2006-07-31T16:01:00.000-06:00

Red Cross shelter safest place to be (Sun-Sentinel, July 29, 2006)

"On the heels of two devastating hurricane seasons, I was troubled to see the Harvard University survey stating that one in four people would ignore evacuation orders. According to the study, more than one in three of those who said they would stay behind believed evacuation would be dangerous. During a hurricane, nothing is more dangerous than remaining in a flood-prone area or a susceptible structure.

"Additionally, 35 percent of respondents expressed worry about staying in a shelter because of concerns over sanitation and availability of food and water. Images of the Superdome in New Orleans undoubtedly contributed to these feelings. However, the Superdome was not an American Red Cross-operated shelter....

"Shelters operated by the American Red Cross are held to the highest safety and sanitation standards.... All locations have sanitary and operational bathrooms. The Red Cross network of warehouses and staging areas ensures that food and water supply are plentiful and readily available to shelter residents. In short, if you live in an evacuation zone, there is no safer place to be than a shelter."

Evacuations in Lebanon

2006-07-31T16:00:00.000-06:00

On a mission of mercy with Lebanon Red Cross (MSNBC.com, July 26, 2006)

"This incident [ambulance bombing], though, has caused anxiety and anger among the Lebanese Red Cross volunteers, who number about 2,400. They say they were under the impression that they would be safe and point to the Geneva Convention, which says that the Red Cross symbol should prevent them from being targeted. However, they say, not one volunteer has called in to withdraw their services."

Red Cross Ambulances Targeted in Lebanon

2006-07-31T15:58:00.000-06:00

Ambulances fired on by Israel, says Red Cross (Sydney Morning Herald, July 25, 2006)

"The Red Cross in Tyre said that five of its volunteers and three patients were wounded when Israeli aircraft attacked two ambulances on Sunday night."