Reminder: Saving lives is easy as pie!

Reminder that you can receive a free pie voucher from Baker's Supermarket for presenting to donate blood at the following Thanksgiving blood drives!!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009
12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
-Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross, 2912 S. 80th Ave., Omaha

Thursday, November 26, 2009
7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
-Baker’s Supermarket, 17370 Lakeside Hills Plaza, Omaha
-Baker’s Supermarket, 3614 Twin Creek, Bellevue
-Baker’s Supermarket, 13250 W. Maple, Omaha

How to Donate Blood
Simply call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit givebloodgivelife.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors younger than 19 years also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Save the Day!

Here are ways you can help save the day:

You can visit the Holiday Giving Catalog and buy inspired gifts

You can share this blog post with your friends, on Facebook, and on Twitter (use #HolidayGiving)

You can share this Catalog widget

You can join our brand new Facebook Cause called Give the Gift that Saves the Day

Don’t Let the Flu Ruin Your Holiday

With H1N1 flu causing illness all across the country, the American Red Cross has some steps to take that will lessen the chances of getting sick over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

“Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy being with family, not to be in bed with the flu,” said Sharon Stanley, chief nurse of the American Red Cross. “You can follow easy tips to try and avoid becoming ill over the upcoming holiday.”

Thanksgiving is all about food, family and friends. Here are some steps that will help keep the celebration happy and healthy:

●Avoid the usual kisses and handshakes when greeting friends and family.

●If hosting the holiday dinner and someone in the household becomes ill, make sure that they can be isolated into a separate area for care, or ask another family member to host dinner to avoid spreading the flu.

●Wash hands frequently, before preparing food, while cooking, and especially before eating.

●Keep plenty of hand soap in the bathroom, preferably in a pump container. Skip the pretty hand towels this year and instead use disposable hand towels or a roll of paper towels.

●Consider putting the glasses away this year and using plastic cups, or provide a way for guests to identify their drinks. Don’t drink out of anyone else’s glass.

●Put serving utensils in every dish, including snacks like nuts, pretzels, etc. This allows people to spoon out their portion instead of reaching in with their hands.

●Remember—always cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and clean hands afterwards.

●If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into the inside of the elbow or upper arm.

●Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth to prevent spreading germs.

Want more? Click here for more tips, including tips for holiday travelers.

Youth Council Members Paticipate in Veterans Parade

(The Heartland Chapter parade crew)

Written by: Rosa Rodriguez, Youth Council Member

On November 7th, I took part in an event I never thought I’d ever be in. I was walking through the streets of Bellevue, throwing candy to the little kids, and honoring those who served our country.

This event I took a part of was the Veterans Day Parade. When I first got there, I was so amazed to see so many people, but I was just as amazed of how many veterans were there that served our country. Before the parade began my fellow Red Crossers and I walked around and took lots of pictures with a lot of different veterans.

I never knew how many different branches of services there were, and I never knew how many different wars we had fought, until this day. The one thing that I learned from this day was what a Purple Heart was. Basically a Purple Heart is given to those who served in the line of combat and were wounded and survived or who saved their comrades life who had been injured.

When I took those pictures with the veterans I had so much pride to tell them, “Happy Veterans Day” and “Thank you for your service” because, without them no one on this country would have any freedom.

(L to R: Youth Council members: Ashley Small, Rosa Rodriguez and Ashley Neary with Veterans)

To see more photos from the day click here.

Reunited after 68 years

Separated by war, thousands of miles and many years Lily Carlson was recently reunited with her family in Latvia after 68 years, thanks to the Red Cross and its worldwide network.

One of Lily’s earliest memories of the Red Cross is when she received a Red Cross care package after living in one of Germany’s WWII camps for four years with next to nothing. In the package: a bright blue dress embroidered with flowers and hearts. She still remembers how that bright blue dress made her feel during such an uncertain time. Lily and her family relocated to the small town of Verdel, Nebraska to escape communist Germany in 1951.

In 2007, Lily’s cousin, Karita, contacted the Latvian Red Cross Society trying to get in touch with her long lost family. In January 2009, Karita received a letter back from the American Red Cross National Headquarters with the happy news of how she could get in touch with Lily. There was only one problem: Karita didn’t speak English. She delayed responding until she finished an English language course.

Ironically, at about the same time Lily took at trip to Riga, Latvia looking for her family. She took old photos and letters with her, hired a tour guide, but had no luck finding them. When Lily returned home she received a letter from her cousin, who happens to lives in Riga. “I read it, and I bawled the whole day, and the next day,” Lily said. “It was very emotional because all of these emotions and feelings came back.”

After several email exchanges Lily headed back to Latvia. “We had 68 years of catching up to do,” Lily said. “It was very emotional. There was a lot of crying and a lot of laughing.”

“I can’t hardly describe the feeling,” Lily adds. “It’s like it came full circle…I finally have a family. For years people have always talked about cousins, and I never had anybody. Now I have that back.”

To learn more about the Red Cross International Tracing Program give us a call at 402-343-7700 or visit us at www.redcrossomaha.org

Give Hope This Thanksgiving by Donating Blood

While Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, it can also be a time to give hope to patients who rely on donated blood.

This Thanksgiving, the American Red Cross is thanking blood donors for giving hope to patients in need by offering all presenting donors a voucher for a free pie courtesy of Baker’s Supermarkets at participating special blood drives during the week of Thanksgiving.

PARTICIPATING BAKER’S PIE DRIVES
Saturday, November 21, 2009
7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Faithful Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 2530 S. 165th Ave. Omaha

Wednesday, November 25, 2009
12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross, 2912 S. 80th Ave., Omaha

Thursday, November 26, 2009
7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Baker’s Supermarket, 17370 Lakeside Hills Plaza, Omaha
- Baker’s Supermarket, 3614 Twin Creek, Bellevue
- Baker’s Supermarket, 13250 W. Maple, Omaha

For those still in the giving spirit after Thanksgiving, the Red Cross is hoping they will add donating blood to their holiday to-do list.

WESTROADS MALL BLACK FRIDAY BLOOD DRIVE
Friday, November 27, 2009
8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Westroads Mall, register in the storefront next to T.G.I. Friday’s, 10000 California Street, Omaha

“Blood donation is a simple act that helps save lives,” said Tricia Rubens, CEO of the local Red Cross Blood Services Region. “It only takes about an hour and gives patients and their families hope during the holiday season.”

Recipients of blood products are not able to take a holiday from needing lifesaving blood. They are in constant need of a healthy supply. Please take the time to give thanks by giving blood this holiday season. You could change a life, starting with your own.

How to Donate Blood
Simply call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit givebloodgivelife.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors younger than 19 years also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

The Hunt for Heroes has Begun

The Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross is pleased to announce that they are currently accepting nominations for their 2010 “Heroes in the Heartland” event. The award honors individuals from Burt, Cass, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders or Washington counties who have saved another person’s life during the past year, or who have positively impacted the quality of life in the Heartland in another way. Past honorees have ranged in age from nine to 92 and have represented all walks of life, and almost every conceivable circumstance.

The chapter is also pleased to announce Jodie Mackintosh as the event chair and Red Cross supporters Mary and Charles Heider as honorary chairs for the event. “The Heartland Chapter is excited to be honoring local heroes for the tenth year in a row,” said Jodie Mackintosh, Event Chair. “Heroes walk among us everyday and it is nice to take the time out to thank those who change lives.” Additional volunteers serving on the planning committee include: Chad Beeson, Jean Bell, Cathy Bonnesen, Lisa Fisher, Nadine Johnson, Jennifer Jones, Lisa Koch, Diny Landen, Lisa Mellen, Rochelle Mullen, Linda Newell, Sandy Parker, Carol Russell, Shelley Siemers, Kathi Sites, Jessica Thurmond, and Ellen Wright.

Awards will be given in the following categories:
Lifetime Hero - presented to an individual who by the way they live their life are considered an inspiring example to others. This individual has either overcome tremendous hardship and risen above their challenges, or spent much of their time devoted to service to others.

Good Samaritan - presented to an individual who is considered a hero because of their unselfish devotion and concern for the welfare of others.

Call to Action - presented to an individual who by circumstances beyond their control found themselves in a challenging situation and demonstrated extraordinary courage.

Commitment to Community - presented to an individual, couple, group or organization that has made a tremendous impact on the community through their volunteerism, philanthropy, service to others, or example.

Disaster Relief - presented to an individual or organization who has served an important role in disaster relief in our community.

Public Servant Hero - presented to an individual who in the line of duty (police, fire, military, medical, etc.) went above and beyond the call.

Nominations must be returned to the Heartland Chapter, 2912 South 80th Ave., Omaha, NE 68124, or faxed to (402) 343-7777 by November 16, 2009. The awards will be presented at a lunch Wednesday, March 3rd at 11:45 a.m. at Embassy Suites LaVista Conference Center. Reservations may be made by calling Carol at 343-7769. Proceeds benefit the American Red Cross in our community.