Third annual door decorating contest spreads holiday cheer and joy

By John Bernard,  Crossroads Division Disaster State Relationship Director

December 19, 2019- Editor’s note: The winner of the 3rd annual Northeast Ohio Region Disaster Cycle Services (DCS) holiday door decorating contest has been announced by John Bernard, the Crossroads Division Disaster State Relationship Director. Like in previous years, we found his comments to be so entertaining that we couldn’t resist including them, along with photos of all 7 doors entered in this year’s competition.

OK, third year in a row. Was hoping for an upward trend. But, I suppose even Santa had tough years – that’s why he hired that bullied kid with the weird nose after all. Anyway, here we go.

Emily Probst, Regional Disaster Workforce Engagement Manager: Let It Snow

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Entire door decorated – with wrapping paper and an anorexic Santa straddling a let it snow ornament. Is this a Santa-came-in-like-a-wrecking-ball theme, borrowing from Miley Cyrus? First, that was 2013 and second, no one wants to see a naked Santa. So, thank you for at least putting clothes on him. I would have suggested a more timely approach – maybe Baby Yoda as Santa?

Renee Palagyi, Senior Regional Disaster Program Manager: Merry Christmas with Santa’s Head and Three Big Snowflakes

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At first glance, meh. BUT, the Santa head is really nice. Very primitive – which is an “in” thing as far as decorating, as my wife tells me.  It’s not a chinoiserie Santa, but it’s still hot! Thank God it’s not “simple,” “clean” and made from “shiplap.” The long reign of terror under Joanna Gaines has come to an end!

Teresa Greenlief and Carrie Shultz, AmeriCorps American Red Cross Corps: The Chimney

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Did we NOT cover this a year ago?  We do NOT do fires. Especially ones with so much inflammable….wait a second, flammable….wait, let me get my thesaurus……..WHAT?  They mean the same thing. Well, regardless, so much stuff above it that can catch on fire! Yeah, that snowman would have melted. Holy Santa, look at the size of that one elf in that photo! He’s like 8 feet tall! Must be related to Buddy from the movie.

Debbie Chitester, Disaster Program Manager, Summit, Portage and Medina Counties: Pedro the Penguin Ugly Sweater

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Just…what?

Tim O’Toole added the following comments on the door: I think the incorporation of the Pedro theme was very well thought out, however, Pedro lacking both thumbs and fingers, it is unclear how he would have typed the associated message.  So obviously some foul play here.

Tim Reichel, Disaster Program Manager, Stark and Muskingum Lakes Chapter: Honoring Our Heroes

Tim Reichel Door

Going for the heartstrings approach, huh?  Might as well have put baby Yoda up there again.  Wait, you don’t know about Baby Yoda?  Jeez, get Disney + and watch the Mandalorian. Great Western! Anyway…..re those patches organized is the same geographic alignment as they would be on a map? Thank Santa there is not a Coast Guard patch up there!

Tim O’Toole, Regional Disaster Officer: The Wreath

Tim O'Toole Door

Can you honestly suck up to Gail any more? “I took her leadership tips, posted them on my door and put a wreath around them.” I bet you have a Joanna Gaines tattoo on your lower back.

Chad Whitaker, Regional Disaster Manager, Mass Care and Logistics: Two Doormats

Chad Whitaker Door

Had you gone all in with the Jimmy Buffet theme, you’d be the win. BUT, two door mats is like have the nice hand towels in the half bath for guests to look at BUT NOT USE AT ALL! Step over the good one. Well, which one is the good one?

So, with that….

The runner up is Honoring our Heroes. Obvious effort went into getting the patches and putting others before oneself pretty much sums up what it’s all about, right? (Tim Reichel)

The winner is the terribly unsafe, out of proportion, big-elf having chimney! Love seeing those Red Crossers at work, enjoying each other’s company and serving our clients.  Obvious time (not safety efforts) went into this effort. (Teresa Greenlief and Carrie Shultz)

It’s the spirit of giving that makes this holiday special. Every gift is a reflection of love that exists in our hearts. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

JB

New blood transportation vehicle provides volunteers opportunity to help save lives

By Eilene Guy, American Red Cross volunteer

December 18, 2019- Picture yourself at the wheel of a custom vehicle, tooling down the road to the admiring glances of your fellow motorists.

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If you’re a Cuyahoga County resident with a compassionate heart and a good driving record, the American Red Cross is eager to put you behind the wheel of a sparkling white van with the distinctive red cross boldly on each side.

Volunteers are needed to drive specially equipped transport vans from blood collection sites around Northeast Ohio to the Red Cross blood processing center in Cleveland. There, blood is tested and prepared for accident victims; moms and newborns in difficult deliveries; surgery patients; and men, women and children who rely on transfusions for a healthy life.

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On average, the Red Cross Northern Ohio blood services region collects 500 pints of blood daily across 19 counties, from Erie County on the west to the Pennsylvania border on the east and Tuscarawas County on the south.

Meanwhile, life-sustaining whole blood and its components – platelets, plasma, white cells and red cells – go out constantly to patients in 50 local hospitals. Red blood cells must be used within 42 days and platelets within five days, so prompt, reliable transportation is key.

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The American Red Cross recently added a new van to its blood transportation fleet, thanks to the generosity of the Erie County Community Foundation, the Sidney Frohman Foundation, the Randolph J. and Estelle M. Dorn Foundation and the Wightman-Wieber Charitable Foundation. Photo credit: Cali Griggs/American Red Cross volunteer

“This volunteer opportunity is a vital link between generous blood donors and those whose lives depend on that blood,” said Melanie Collins, who helps recruit volunteers for the Red Cross throughout northeast Ohio.

The biomedical activity of the Red Cross is at the very heart of the organization’s mission, “to prevent and alleviate human suffering … by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors,” she noted.

Volunteer Couriers

For more information and to apply for a transportation specialist position, visit www.redcrossorg/volunteer.  To view more photos of the ribbon cutting and blood drive at the Erie County Community Foundation offices in Sandusky, visit our photo album here. Photo credit: Cali Griggs/American Red Cross volunteer.

 

 

Give something that truly means something this holiday season- Give blood!

By Christy Peters, External Communications Manager, Northern Ohio Biomedical Services

December 16, 2019- The American Red Cross urgently needs donors of all blood types to donate blood or platelets and be the lifeline patients need this holiday season.

Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee 2019

The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday.

This holiday season there are thousands of patients who will be in the hospital instead of enjoying holiday parties, finishing their shopping or preparing for family gatherings. They’re counting on blood and platelet donors for their treatments.

Blood bank Campaign ceremony 2017

But a decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. Donors of all blood types, especially platelet donors and those with type O blood, are urgently needed to ensure a sufficient supply for patients.

Blood Donation in Murray, Utah 2014

Join the Red Cross at one of several holiday blood drives happening in northeast Ohio and help save lives this holiday season:

Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019

Cuyahoga Falls Holiday Blood Drive

Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls

1989 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 44221

7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Blood Drive

The Atrium

1 Center Court, Cleveland, 44115

8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 20, 2019

Mahoning Valley Holiday Blood Drive

Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 5th Ave., Youngstown

Packard Music Hall, 1703 Mahoning Ave., Warren

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 23, 2019

Hilton Garden Inn Twinsburg Holiday Blood Drive

8971 Wilcox Dr., Twinsburg, 44087

7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020

Landerhaven Blood Drive

Executive Caterers at Landerhaven

6111 Landerhaven Dr., Mayfield Heights, 44124

7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Bloodmobile Blood Drive Columbia, South Carolina 2018

During the season of giving, please make time to give the gift of life. Appointments can be made by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Volunteer power is an awesome force

“The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.​”

By Doug Bardwell, an American Red Cross volunteer

December 13, 2019- Thousands of people’s lives are affected by disasters each year, and those same lives are also affected by relief and comfort from the American Red Cross.

Following a disaster, when life is at its lowest, the American Red Cross is often the first with:

  1. an encouraging word
  2. a hug
  3. financial assistance
  4. a safe place to stay
  5. meals and snacks
  6. a caseworker to help recovery
  7. any or all of the above

Since this isn’t a graded exam, we can share the answer: G.  Throughout the year, locally, nationally, and internationally, the Red Cross is often the first humanitarian association people ever encounter after a disaster.  Responding to a hurricane earlier this year, a survivor told me, “I’ve been through four hurricanes in my life, and the Red Cross is the only organization that has been there to help me after each one.

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During fiscal year 2019, more than 150 volunteers from Northeast Ohio deployed to relief operations resulting from disasters such as Hurricane Dorian, flooding caused by Tropical Storm Imelda, and multiple wildfires in California.

While hurricanes aren’t a concern in Northeast Ohio, we’ve certainly had our share of other catastrophes. Locally, the Red Cross responded to 979 local disaster events, the vast majority of them home fires, resulting in the distribution of $810,086 in financial assistance to help individuals begin the path to recovery.

In addition to local disasters, we served almost 2,500 military members, veterans and their families with critically needed support while those servicepeople were deployed. Local program staff and volunteers also delivered the “Get to Know Us” briefing to more than 3,200 military recruits and their family members.

Finally, the region’s Biomedical Services collected 145,531 units of blood that resulted in the distribution of no fewer than 436,593 life supporting blood products to more than 50 medical facilities in Northeast Ohio.  These blood products helped patients across Northeast Ohio recover from a variety of medical conditions, including some that were life threatening.

Nationally, the results are even more staggering.  During the 60,000-plus disasters that the Red Cross responds to each year, we

  • Served over 1.1 million meals and snacks with our partners
  • Distributed over 354,000 relief items
  • Made over 92,000 contacts to support health, mental health, spiritual care and disability needs
  • Provided over 79,000 overnight shelter stays with partners
  • Provided emergency financial assistance to nearly 376,000 people for disaster needs like food and lodging.

Most important to remember, is that all this assistance requires two critical ingredients: donations from our cherished donors and a volunteer workforce.

Despite a mandate from the government to respond to disasters and to support our military, no federal funding is generated.  Operating funds come from the generous donations of American citizens and organizations.  For more information on donating, please visit our donations page.

And, 90% of the Red Cross workers are volunteers, almost all of them are part-time. Some respond to disasters once a year, some monthly and some only when a local disaster occurs near their home. If you have a couple hours, a day, or more, see if there’s a volunteer opportunity you’d like to perform. These days, you don’t even need to leave home to volunteer, with some of the digital opportunities available.

Photo by Doug Bardwell, Red Cross volunteer

Student volunteers encourage blood donations

By Beth Bracale, American Red Cross communications volunteer

I’m a new teacher at Lakeside High School in Ashtabula, Ohio, and I discovered that some of my students volunteer at our American Red Cross blood drives. They’re held four times a year, the most recent being the last day of school before Thanksgiving break. Student volunteer Yuliana Padilla Rios pointed out that one unit of donated blood can potentially help three different people. That means all the students and staff who donated blood that Tuesday gave many families reason to give thanks!

I asked Iris Arrieta Ortiz, a senior at LHS, why she volunteers. She said it gives her the chance to help others help those in need. When she and her friends register donors at the event, they explain the process and let people know what to expect. They assure new donors there’s nothing to worry about. Everyone is well taken care of – and they even get snacks! The students encourage anyone at school who is 16 or older to donate.

Ainniz and Iris

Ainniz Millan Ithier, left, and Iris Arrieta Ortiz staff the registration table

This event was Ainniz Millan Ithier’s first time volunteering at a blood drive. She said she would definitely do so again. She and her fellow volunteers hope to inspire others to participate in the next event. Yuliana and Iris said being able to scan the new Ohio driver licenses made registration even easier. All agreed that the Red Cross team members who came to the school were great to work with, and it’s a plus to be able to do community service right at school.

Angelina Isco

Student volunteer Angelina Isco

If you would like to help blood donors at blood drives as a volunteer donor ambassador, visit our website by clicking here.

For information about holding a blood drive at your school or to find a donation event in your area, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross communications volunteer

Photo credit: Lakeside High School

Fires force families to flee their homes

Disaster workers respond to nearly a dozen home fires in Northeast Ohio over the weekend

Nearly three-dozen people, including nine children were left homeless – at least temporarily – following weekend fires in Cleveland, Lorain, Eastlake, Mansfield and Cadiz, Ohio.  Disaster action team members responded, tending to their immediate needs by providing financial assistance, comfort kits that include personal hygiene items, and hope for finding a way forward.

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One of the fires near downtown Cleveland forced eight adults to flee in the middle of the night on Saturday.  Ben Bellucci, disaster program manager for the Red Cross of Greater Cleveland, said the tenants and property owners expressed heartfelt appreciation for the help being offered.

fire6“They had no idea we do this,” Ben said. “When I told them we respond to fires like these 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, they were shocked.  They could not have been more appreciative.”

Financial assistance totaling more than $6,300 was distributed to the 34 people who found themselves out in the cold.  Additional assistance was also offered, including help replacing prescription medications and eyeglasses, and making connections with other community resources.

Only by the power of our volunteer workforce and the generosity of our donors are we able to provide such assistance.  There is no government funding for the help residents receive – on average, three times every 24 hours in Northeast Ohio.  To make a financial contribution, visit www.redcross.org/donate.  And to volunteer to help your neighbors by responding to home fires and other disasters, apply here.

Photo credit: Ben Bellucci, American Red Cross

Trees, Wreaths, and a Blimp

Annual Festival of Trees event raises money and lifts spirits

By Jim McIntyre, American Red Cross Regional Communications Officer

Wooster, December 6, 2019 – It’s one of the most timely events of the season. And it’s one of the most popular events in the region. Dozens of designer trees, wreaths, centerpieces and baskets were on display at the annual Festival of Trees fundraiser for disaster relief.  The items were auctioned off on Tuesday, December 3 at the Shisler Conference Center on the Wooster campus of The Ohio State University.  Supporters also bid on valuable gifts donated by local companies and individuals during a live auction.

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One of those gifts is always in high demand: a ride on the Goodyear blimp.  The highest bidder was Annette Saeger, owner of the Gilcrest Center, an adult daycare in Wooster.

“One of her resident’s  dying wish is to ride in the Goodyear blimp,” said Lara Kiefer, executive director of the Red Cross of Lake Erie/Heartland. “She bought that for him.” 

49164545698_7913cd9266_cThe event raised more than $80,000 for the Red Cross to help residents who are affected by disasters like home fires and flooding in Ashland, Holmes, Richland and Wayne counties.

The general public was invited to attend a preview the night before the auction.

They 49164556318_dca86bd6ac_cwere treated not only to the splendor of the decorated trees, but also a performance by the  Wooster High School Choir and a visit from Santa Claus.

“What a great way to kick-off the holiday season,” Kiefer said.  “People had a good time for a good cause – those who need help during their darkest hours, after a disaster like a home fire.”

If you’d like to help people recover from home fires, floods, tornadoes and other disasters, visit redcross.org/neo and click the donate button at the top of the page, or call 800-RED CROSS.

To view dozens of photos from the preview night and the auction at Festival of Trees, visit our photo album here.

Photo credits: Tom Newman/American Red Cross volunteer; Jim McIntyre, American Red Cross

Trim Your Home with Care this Holiday Season

By Samantha Pudelski, American Red Cross Volunteer

December 4, 2019- As we enter the holiday season here in Northeast Ohio, many will be trimming trees and putting up decorations. As you hang your stockings with care, make sure to keep in mind these holiday decorating safety tips from the American Red Cross.

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  1. Candles: Use battery-operated candles whenever you can. If you do use candles, never leave them unattended, keep them away from anything that could burn, and place them out of reach from children and pets.
  2. Lights:
    1. Check all holiday light cords to make sure they aren’t frayed or broken.
    2. Don’t string too many strands of lights together—no more than three per extension cord.
    3. Turn off all holiday lights when going to bed or leaving the house.
    4. Don’t use electric lights on metallic trees.
  3. Outside Decorations: Make sure all decorations hung outside are marked for outdoor use. If using hooks or nails outside, make sure they are insulated to avoid an electrocution or a fire hazard.
  4. Trees: If buying an artificial tree, look for the fire-resistant label. If getting a live tree, make sure it’s fresh and water it often to keep it from drying out. Bend the needles up and down to make sure no needles fall off. Keep the tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other sources of heat.
  5. Indoor Decorations:
    1. If using older decorations, check their labels. Some older tinsel is lead-based.
    2. If using angel hair, wear gloves to avoid irritation. Avoid breathing in artificial snow.
    3. If hanging stockings on the fireplace mantel, don’t light the fireplace.
  6. Ladders: Make sure to have a good, stable placement of the ladder before use. Wear shoes that allow for good traction.

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Home Fire Campaigns Saves Lives

Home fires take seven lives each day in the U.S. To prevent fire tragedies, the Red Cross works with community partners to install free smoke alarms and help families create escape plans through its Home Fire Campaign — which has saved at least 658 lives nationwide since launching in October 2014. In Northeast Ohio, Red Cross volunteers and partners have:

  • Installed 62,656 smoke alarms.
  • Reached 16,273 youth through preparedness programs.
  • Made 22,308 households safer from the threat of home fires.

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You can help save lives by making a financial donation to support our mission, registering to become a volunteer or by taking steps to protect your family from home fires. Visit redcross.org to learn more.

Donating to the Red Cross: Ideas for impactful giving

#GivewithMeaning during Holiday Campaign, kicking off on Giving Tuesday

Ben Bisbee, Grants Specialist, American Red Cross of Northeast Ohio

December 2, 2019- Every donation to the American Red Cross matters. Your gift of money or blood, time or talents, allows the Red Cross to smartly convert every kind of gift given to help people in need every single day. But when it comes to the topic of donations, it’s often unknown how many fantastic ways there are to donate to the Red Cross.

So this holiday season, we thought it would be smart to showcase all the dynamic ways you can powerfully and thoughtfully donate a gift to the Red Cross beyond the classic gift of credit, cash or checks.

REGULAR or SUSTAINING AUTOMATED GIFT

Preparedness is a major focus of the Red Cross mission. If you include the Red Cross as part of your annual or often-giving intentions, you can help us better plan and be prepared. Consider setting up a regular automated gift, such as monthly, quarterly, semi or annually. Many individuals and families choose this option to increase their giving without having to give one lump sum at one time. For some, it seems easier to give, say, $250 a month rather than $3,000 all at once.

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VEHICLE DONATION

Like a scene out of a movie or auto commercial, who doesn’t love the gift of a car for the holidays? The American Red Cross Vehicle Donation Program is an easy and effective revenue donation opportunity for anyone with a car, van, truck, RV, boat, tractor, heavy equipment or jet ski in almost any condition to simply donate their item as a cash donation. We work with a vendor to provide services from the time of donation through the initial acknowledgement to you, the donor, as well as post-donation customer service support.

LEAVE A LEGACY – PLANNED GIVING

  • Your passionate display of support can continue to make a difference. You can become a member of our Legacy Society simply by including the Red Cross in your estate planning. Many choose to be in our Legacy Society just by designating the Red Cross as a beneficiary of a life or insurance policy or a portion of their estate. By doing so and working with a financial advisor, this can benefit the Red Cross and leave a lasting legacy in your name.

GIFT OF STOCK

Sometimes donors consider making a gift of cash after selling key stock. This is a wonderful way to donate. However, we sometimes encourage a directed gift of stock to the Red Cross by the financial institution instead of converting a gift into cash first. This is because with a gift of appreciated securities held long-term, both the donation you make and the deduction you get are greater if you were to sell the shares and donate the cash proceeds. Essentially, this process allows you to avoid paying capital gains tax. Since 2019 has had such a robust stock market, this may be a great option for many. But please consult with your financial advisor/accountant.

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GIFT OF MUTUAL FUND 

The gift of a mutual fund is very similar to stock (donate directly vs. selling). However, there are some limitations, especially with regard to length of holding. After consulting with a financial advisor, the Red Cross will be glad to receive such a gift.

IRA ROLL-OVER

If you’re a donor over the age of 71, you have a unique option to give a special gift. The Charitable IRA Rollover allows individuals age 70½ and older to make direct transfers of up to $100,000 per year (and up to $200,000 per year for married couples) from individual retirement accounts to the Red Cross without having to count the transfers as income for federal tax purposes.

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SPECIAL EVENTS HELP SUPPORT THE OVERALL MISSION

Like many nonprofits, the American Red Cross enjoys the excitement and interaction of community events as fundraising opportunities. In 2020, you may consider participation in one or more of our upcoming major events:

  • Acts of Courage Awards, the Red Cross of Summit, Portage and Medina Counties March 5.
  • Greater Cleveland Hero Awards Breakfast March 12.
  • BASH, Stark and Muskingum Lakes fundraising auction, May 30.
  • Acts of Courage Awards, the Red Cross Lake to River Chapter June 11.
  • Red Cross Cup golf outing September 21.

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Donating to the American Red Cross can be a rich and diverse experience depending on your opportunities and objectives. We hope these ideas will inspire you to think differently about ways you can contribute now or in the future. If you have any questions, contact Michelle Polinko, regional chief development officer, at 216-233-9645 or Michelle.Polinko@RedCross.org.

Please remember the Red Cross this holiday season to help those in need

By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

November 29, 2019- Earlier this month, another volunteer and I sat with a woman outside her family’s home, which had been severely damaged by fire a few hours earlier. Toward the end of our discussion, we handed her an assistance packet. She looked at it for a moment, nodded and thanked us through tears. While the aid we provided consisted of objects and financial assistance, there was also something greater: the beginning of recovery, of moving forward.

In Northeast Ohio, moments like these happen three times a day, on average. They are among the many critical services provided by the American Red Cross — and are made possible through generous donations from people like you.

Eilene Guy photo (2)

The holiday giving season is now in full swing, and many of us seek ways to express gratitude to loved ones. For Black Friday, Giving Tuesday and throughout the season, please consider helping others as well, whether they are recovering from a disaster, serving their country, learning lifesaving skills, in need of smoke alarms, in need of blood or facing medical issues. These are among the community members the Red Cross assists every day.

Whatever you can give is very impactful. For instance, $2.50 covers the cost of a comfort kit with hygiene supplies, while $5 provides someone with a blanket, and $15 covers the cost of fire safety training and installation of a smoke alarm.

California Wildfires 2019

Similarly, a $50 donation can provide hot meals for five people, a day’s worth of supplies to a person in an emergency shelter, or it can help connect veterans and their families to critical community services such as food, housing, mental health support and rehabilitation. A $100 gift can provide lifesaving vaccinations for 100 children facing an increased risk of measles and rubella around the world, or it can supply a crib for an infant in a shelter. A donation of $145 can provide hospital kits for 20 service members. Training and installation of a smoke alarm for a deaf or hearing-impaired person is possible through a $150 donation, while $200 can cover the cost to deploy an Emergency Response Vehicle or provide a full day of food and shelter for a family of four.

These are just a few of the examples of what a Red Cross financial donation can provide. If you are able to help, please visit redcross.org/gift.

 

Blood donor

There are other ways to contribute as well. Donating blood is especially important during the holiday season as busy schedules and winter weather make collection more difficult. For more information or to schedule a donation, visit redcrossblood.org. Volunteers are also needed in a number of areas. If you can help, visit redcross.org/volunteer for more information or to apply.

As a volunteer, I have been honored to see the positive impact and effectiveness of Red Cross services and am grateful for the contributions that make it possible. If you are able to provide financial assistance, volunteer or give blood, please consider helping the Red Cross this Giving Tuesday and throughout the season.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer