Live United!

Photos by: Danelle Schlegelmilch, Communications Manager

This week we made some noise at ConAgra Foods to support the United Way of the Midlands for their giving campaign kick-off event!!

A great time was had by all who attended. We are looking forward to hosting our own events throughout the campaign to raise money for the United Way!

Did you know that we are a United Way Partner Agency and when you give to them you help support the Red Cross?

Make a Kit

Video by: Jessie Wees and Matt Lafrentz, Communications Interns
Video Edited by: Nick Cavallaro, Communications Intern
Blog Written by: Jessie Wees, Communications Intern

Preparedness Step 1 – Make a kit

For National Preparedness Month, The Red Cross would like for you to be Red Cross Ready. The first step in being Red Cross Ready is to make a kit.

Why make a kit? You never know when a disaster or emergency might happen. If anything were to take place, you should be prepared by having the supplies you and your loved ones might need.

To start, get a sturdy, easy-to-carry container or bag. An example of this would be an old book bag. Once you have your bag, fill it with supplies you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate.

Important items to have in your kit:

Water – one gallon per person, per day.
Food – non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items.
Radio – battery-powered or hand-crank.
Flashlight – with extra batteries.
First aid kit.
Medications and medical items.
Sanitation and personal hygiene items.
Emergency blankets.

Remember to store enough supplies for you and your family to last three days. For more suggestions on what other items to place in your kit, go to redcrossomaha.org to learn more on creating your preparedness kit.

National Preparedness Night at Rosenblatt!

Photos by: Juan Carrillo, Communications Intern

Here are some photos from Wednesday's successful preparedness fair and press conference at Rosenblatt!

Visit a Red Cross Blood Drive For a Chance to Fuel your Fall Roadtrip for Free

Blood donations down, presenting donors can win $500 gas gift card

Blood donations through the local American Red Cross Blood Services Region have been declining this summer and supplies are currently less than sufficient. All blood types are needed to ensure blood supplies do not drop to emergency levels.

Summer blood donors can mean the difference between an adequate blood supply and a shortage. To help ensure sufficient blood supplies before and after the Labor Day holiday weekend, and to thank generous blood and platelet donors, the American Red Cross is raffling off a $500 gas gift card.

From August 30 through September 10, 2010, all presenting donors at Red Cross blood drives and blood donation centers in the Midwest Region of the American Red Cross will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $500 gas gift card. All presenting donors will also receive a complimentary Red Cross Racing-themed can cooler while supplies last.

“Summer is drawing to a close and many people may now be focused on heading back to school and taking one last family vacation,” said Tricia Rubens, CEO of the local Red Cross Blood Services region. “However, the need for blood is constant. Please set aside one hour of your time to donate blood and help patients in need.”

All blood types are needed to help maintain a sufficient supply for patients in need, especially types O negative, A negative and B negative. Type O negative blood, the universal blood type, is always in high demand because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type, especially in emergency situations.

UPCOMING BLOOD DONATION OPPORTUNITIES

• Bellevue Library blood drive on Wednesday, September 1 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 1003 Lincoln Rd. in Bellevue. Please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to make an appointment.

• AmeriStar Casino blood drive on Thursday, September 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 2200 River Road in Council Bluffs. Please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to make an appointment.

• Hooper community blood drive on Thursday, September 9 from noon to 6 p.m. at 107 N. Main St. in Hooper. Please call Chris Heitshusen at 402-719-1155 to make an appointment.

• Community Memorial Hospital blood drive on September 10 from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 631 N. Eighth St. in Missouri Valley. Please call Adele Hoss at 712-642-2784 to make an appointment.

• Patriot Day blood drive on September 10 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 6005 Grover St. in Omaha. Contact 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to make an appointment.

HOW TO DONATE BLOOD
Simply call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543) or visit redcrossblood.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 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Happy National Preparedness Month: Event Tonight!

September 2010 is National Preparedness Month, a time set aside for the last seven years to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities. The American Red Cross, City of Omaha, Citizens Corps, Douglas and Sarpy County Emergency Management, Douglas County Police and Fire Departments, FEMA, Salvation Army, State of Nebraska and United Way have come together to host a live preparedness press conference outside of Rosenblatt with state, county and city officials before the Omaha Royals game on Wednesday, Sept. 1st at 6:30p.m.

Lt. Gov. Sheehy, Mayor Suttle, FEMA’s Jono Anzalone and Douglas County Emergency Manager Paul Johnson are slated to speak at the brief press conference. In case of rain, the press conference will be held under a tent outside of the stadium or inside the concourse.

An interactive preparedness fair will also be going on outside Rosenblatt Stadium from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will include emergency vehicles, family friendly activities.

The game will also feature a free storm radio giveaway between innings sponsored by Bass Pro Shops!

We hope to see you all there- rain or shine the game will go on!

Five Years Later: Bringing Help, Bringing Hope to the Gulf Coast

Five years after Hurricane Katrina, a great deal of progress has been made in the communities along the Gulf Coast devastated by Katrina, Wilma and Rita. We are grateful to our donors, who contributed nearly $2.2 billion to the Red Cross, allowing us to assist millions of people affected by the storms.

Those funds helped us provide:

* Shelter for survivors across 31 states and the District of Columbia
* Hot meals and snacks
* Financial assistance for survivors to purchase groceries, clothing, diapers and other basic needs; and money for people to return home, make home repairs and get back to work
* Physical and mental health services to help them cope with stress and ease the trauma
* Tools to help survivors chart a path to recovery
* Disaster preparedness training so people know the steps to take to protect themselves and their families

The fifth anniversary of Katrina should be a reminder that the unthinkable can happen and that we all must do our part to get our homes, communities and nation ready.

* Businesses, schools, and organizations should have proper safety and emergency supplies, continuity of operations plans, staff trained in CPR and first aid, and employees who are prepared at home so they can return to work soon after an emergency.
* Families need a plan for how they will deal with disasters most likely for their area, a kit of materials and supplies for the needs of each person, and a way to be informed before, during and after a disaster. Someone in each family should be trained in CPR and first aid - contact your local chapter to find out how.

Click here to see the full 5 year report.

Thomas Jefferson Teacher Receives Merit Award for Saving Co-worker’s Life

Thomas Jefferson High School teachers Lori Williams and Nicole Vetter won’t soon forget February 11th or the events that unraveled before an away basketball game. The pre-game warm-up turned into a life or death situation after Williams collapsed on the gym floor without a pulse. Vetter, a Red Cross CPR Instructor, administered three rounds of CPR and was able to get William’s heart beating again. For this heroic act, the Loess Hills Chapter presented Vetter with the National American Red Cross Certificate of Merit on Friday, August 20th at a Thomas Jefferson High School pep rally.

2010 marks 100 years of First Aid for the American Red Cross and they encourage everyone to get trained in First Aid and CPR to save lives just like Vetter did. The Certificate of Merit that Vetter was awarded with is the highest award given by the American Red Cross to an individual who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in a Red Cross Health and Safety course. The certificate Vetter received bears the signature of President Obama, who is the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross. Vetter was also presented with a special Merit Award metal and lapel pin.

Heroes such as Vetter live among us. The Heartland Regional Grouping is currently in search of local heroes in Southwest Iowa and the Omaha Metro for their 2011 Heroes in the Heartland event. They are looking for people who have performed extraordinary acts of courage and dedicated countless hours to a special cause. Nominations are due November 1st and you can download a nomination form here.

You can also check out a story about Vetter on the Daily Nonpareil's website here.