Nine newly trained Red Cross disaster volunteers will leave for Baton Rouge today where they will be assigned to work in Red Cross shelters for the next three weeks. As a result of the enormous response by the Red Cross to assist the families affected by Hurricane Katrina, the Upstate SC Chapter of the American Red Cross held two large disaster training workshops with hundreds of people attending the workshops. Many of the trained volunteers have been working at the Palmetto Expo during the past week and nine more will leave today for Louisiana. More than 85,000 trained disaster relief workers from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have responded to help their neighbors in need.
To date, trained volunteers have assisted 1136 people providing assistance of food, clothes, prescriptions and other emergency supplies. The Upstate Chapter has provided direct assistance of over $371,000 to hurricane victims that have come to the Upstate. Trained Red Cross caseworkers are now working with each family to transition them out of the Palmetto Expo including helping them reach a final destination or if they are planning to stay in the area, helping them find temporary or permanent housing arrangements. The Red Cross is leading local efforts to integrate all evacuees into the community, providing stability and a platform for rebuilding lives and families.
Across the Mid-Atlantic, the American Red Cross has provided immediate emergency assistance for almost 7,000 families and now will continue to work within neighborhoods to help these families transition to services for their long term needs.
Since Hurricane Katrina slammed ashore, the Red Cross has provided survivors nearly 2 million overnight stays in 709 shelters across 24 states and the District of Columbia. Yesterday, the Red Cross housed more than 50,000 survivors in 268 shelters and served more than 365,000 hot meals. The American Red Cross is expanding the variety of its efforts to provide immediate financial assistance to upwards of three quarters of a million dollars to Hurricane Katrina victims who are dispersed across the nation. With an understanding that the process of getting assistance to victims will take weeks rather than days, the Red Cross continues to reach out to the thousands of people in need of help.
The Red Cross has been preparing for Tropical Storm Rita by assessing potential equipment, shelter and volunteer needs even while responding to Katrina. The first priority of the Red Cross before, during and after any disaster is to provide safe shelter, food and safe drinking water, as well as emotional support. The Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters every year - whether the situation is a single-family fire or a multi-state catastrophe.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort Facts at a Glance
The American Red Cross is responding to an unprecedented natural catastrophe and devoting every resource to this humanitarian relief effort. The American people can be confident the Red Cross will spare no effort to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of Hurricane Katrina survivors.
• Since Hurricane Katrina slammed ashore, the Red Cross has provided survivors nearly 2 million overnight stays in 709 shelters across 24 states and the District of Columbia.
• On Monday night, the Red Cross housed more than 61,500 survivors in 348 shelters.
• The American Red Cross served more than 358,500 hot meals on Monday.
• The Red Cross has served more than 7.7 million hot meals and more than 6.6 million snacks to survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
• To date, more than 112,000 people have received Red Cross Disaster Mental Health services.
• More than 85,000 trained Red Cross disaster relief workers from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have responded to help their neighbors in need. During this effort, the Red Cross has trained more than 75,000 people in specialized disaster relief skills.
• To date, nearly 80,000 families have received more than $140 million in aid through Red Cross programs. In addition to funds, 85,000 Red Cross trained volunteers are providing services like meals, blankets, clothing, hygiene kits and a place to sleep for hundreds of thousands of people.
• More than 182,000 people have registered on the Red Cross “Family Links Registry,” which is helping reconnect loved ones separated by Hurricane Katrina. To register, go to www.redcross.org or call 1-877-LOVED-1S.
The American Red Cross is expanding the variety of its efforts to provide financial assistance to upwards of three quarters of a million Hurricane Katrina victims who are dispersed across the nation. Assistance is provided in a variety of ways, including client assistance cards, vouchers, and checks.
The Red Cross is fulfilling urgent needs, turning donations into help faster than ever before. Our gold standard is for everyone touched by Katrina to be safe and comforted.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
• Since Hurricane Katrina slammed ashore, the Red Cross has provided survivors nearly 2 million overnight stays in 709 shelters across 24 states and the District of Columbia.
• On Monday night, the Red Cross housed more than 61,500 survivors in 348 shelters.
• The American Red Cross served more than 358,500 hot meals on Monday.
• The Red Cross has served more than 7.7 million hot meals and more than 6.6 million snacks to survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
• To date, more than 112,000 people have received Red Cross Disaster Mental Health services.
• More than 85,000 trained Red Cross disaster relief workers from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have responded to help their neighbors in need. During this effort, the Red Cross has trained more than 75,000 people in specialized disaster relief skills.
• To date, nearly 80,000 families have received more than $140 million in aid through Red Cross programs. In addition to funds, 85,000 Red Cross trained volunteers are providing services like meals, blankets, clothing, hygiene kits and a place to sleep for hundreds of thousands of people.
• More than 182,000 people have registered on the Red Cross “Family Links Registry,” which is helping reconnect loved ones separated by Hurricane Katrina. To register, go to www.redcross.org or call 1-877-LOVED-1S.
The American Red Cross is expanding the variety of its efforts to provide financial assistance to upwards of three quarters of a million Hurricane Katrina victims who are dispersed across the nation. Assistance is provided in a variety of ways, including client assistance cards, vouchers, and checks.
The Red Cross is fulfilling urgent needs, turning donations into help faster than ever before. Our gold standard is for everyone touched by Katrina to be safe and comforted.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Update 09/13/2005
The American people can be confident the American Red Cross will spare no effort to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of Hurricane Katrina survivors. The Red Cross is establishing a comprehensive system to deliver needed financial assistance to storm victims.
The Upstate SC Chapter of the American Red Cross continues to assist families and individuals devastated by the hurricane's onslaught. To date, trained volunteers have assisted 927 people providing assistance of food, clothes, prescriptions and other emergency supplies. The Upstate chapter has provided direct assistance of over $322,000 to hurricane victims that have come to the Upstate. We are now working with each family to transition them out of the palmetto Expo. This includes helping them reach a final destination or if they are planning to stay in the area, helping them find temporary or permanent housing arrangements.
The Upstate SC Chapter has organized training for literally hundreds of volunteers to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Because of this generous outpouring from community members, the Red Cross has now reached its capacity for volunteers needed to help in the Upstate with this disaster at this point in time.
The American Red Cross continues to work with our partners to provide food and sheltering to the victims in the affected areas. More than 74,000 trained Red Cross Disaster Relief workers from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have responded to help their neighbors in need. To date, the Red Cross has provided 207,000 survivors in over 709 shelters. The American Red Cross has served more than 7.6 million hot meals to survivors of Hurricane Katrina since before first landfall.
Many of the evacuees have lost loved ones or are unable to locate their families. The Red Cross "Family Links Registry" on www.redcross.org is one way for families to re-connect. Concerned family members can register the names of their loved ones and view the list of those already posted. Since its inception, the Registry has received a total of 115,242 calls with over 5,000 coming in during the past 24 hours Due to the extent of the damage and the number of people displaced, concerned friends and family members are encouraged to visit the site daily. You can visit the "Family Links Registry" via www.redcross.org or call 1-877-LOVED-1s (1-877-568-3317)...
The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need for this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year.
Due to the generosity of the American people, the American Red Cross stands ready to meet the monumental challenge of helping to rebuild lives. The WYFF Telethon raised over $640,000 for Katrina Relief. For every dollar donated, 91 cents goes directly to assist disaster victims.
Ten local volunteers have been deployed from the Upstate Chapter for 3-week assignments in affected areas. They are feeding victims on mobile emergency response vehicles and working in shelters in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. One volunteer has been deployed to the National Call Center.
Hurricane Katrina is the worst natural disaster our nation has faced; the disaster is the largest and costliest relief effort ever mounted by the American Red Cross. It is expected that relief efforts will continue for many months and will have to be sustained through the generosity of the American public.
The Red Cross has been preparing for Hurricane Ophelia by assessing potential equipment, shelter and volunteer needs even while responding to Katrina. Shelters are already open and more are on standby in the Outer Banks and other low-lying and inland areas. The first priority of the Red Cross before, during and after any disaster is to provide safe shelter, food and safe drinking waters, as well as emotional support. The Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters every year - whether the situation is a single-family fire or a multi-state catastrophe.
The Upstate SC Chapter of the American Red Cross continues to assist families and individuals devastated by the hurricane's onslaught. To date, trained volunteers have assisted 927 people providing assistance of food, clothes, prescriptions and other emergency supplies. The Upstate chapter has provided direct assistance of over $322,000 to hurricane victims that have come to the Upstate. We are now working with each family to transition them out of the palmetto Expo. This includes helping them reach a final destination or if they are planning to stay in the area, helping them find temporary or permanent housing arrangements.
The Upstate SC Chapter has organized training for literally hundreds of volunteers to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Because of this generous outpouring from community members, the Red Cross has now reached its capacity for volunteers needed to help in the Upstate with this disaster at this point in time.
The American Red Cross continues to work with our partners to provide food and sheltering to the victims in the affected areas. More than 74,000 trained Red Cross Disaster Relief workers from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have responded to help their neighbors in need. To date, the Red Cross has provided 207,000 survivors in over 709 shelters. The American Red Cross has served more than 7.6 million hot meals to survivors of Hurricane Katrina since before first landfall.
Many of the evacuees have lost loved ones or are unable to locate their families. The Red Cross "Family Links Registry" on www.redcross.org is one way for families to re-connect. Concerned family members can register the names of their loved ones and view the list of those already posted. Since its inception, the Registry has received a total of 115,242 calls with over 5,000 coming in during the past 24 hours Due to the extent of the damage and the number of people displaced, concerned friends and family members are encouraged to visit the site daily. You can visit the "Family Links Registry" via www.redcross.org or call 1-877-LOVED-1s (1-877-568-3317)...
The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need for this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year.
Due to the generosity of the American people, the American Red Cross stands ready to meet the monumental challenge of helping to rebuild lives. The WYFF Telethon raised over $640,000 for Katrina Relief. For every dollar donated, 91 cents goes directly to assist disaster victims.
Ten local volunteers have been deployed from the Upstate Chapter for 3-week assignments in affected areas. They are feeding victims on mobile emergency response vehicles and working in shelters in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. One volunteer has been deployed to the National Call Center.
Hurricane Katrina is the worst natural disaster our nation has faced; the disaster is the largest and costliest relief effort ever mounted by the American Red Cross. It is expected that relief efforts will continue for many months and will have to be sustained through the generosity of the American public.
The Red Cross has been preparing for Hurricane Ophelia by assessing potential equipment, shelter and volunteer needs even while responding to Katrina. Shelters are already open and more are on standby in the Outer Banks and other low-lying and inland areas. The first priority of the Red Cross before, during and after any disaster is to provide safe shelter, food and safe drinking waters, as well as emotional support. The Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters every year - whether the situation is a single-family fire or a multi-state catastrophe.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Update 09/12/2005
Greenville, SC Sept. 6, 2005 – The American Red Cross is responding at a record-setting pace in its drive to bring shelter, food and safe drinking water to the tens of thousands of Americans impacted by Hurricane Katrina’s savage assault on the Gulf Coast. The Upstate SC Chapter continues to assist families and individuals devastated by the hurricane’s onslaught. To date, trained caseworkers have assisted 880 victims. Direct assistance such as food, clothing, prescriptions and other emergency supplies totaling over $300,000 has been provided to victims who have reached the Greenville area from the gulf coast.
Families who are unable to reach a Red Cross office can call 1-800-975-7585 toll free 24 hours a day to register for emergency financial assistance which they will obtain from a financial institution in the community where they are now staying.
The American Red Cross continues to meet the staggering challenge of providing relief to thousands of survivors in the widespread path of devastation and destruction left by Hurricane Katrina. To date, the Red Cross has housed 1.8 million survivors in over 700 shelters. The American Red Cross has served more than 7.2 million hot meals to survivors of Hurricane Katrina since before first landfall. The sheer volume of people affected, as well as the extensive geographical area impacted will require long-term massive feeding and sheltering operations for many months to come. 90,000 square miles have been affected—about the same size as Great Britain.
In order to accomplish this extraordinary level of relief, over 63,000 trained Red Cross disaster specialists have been deployed in 13 states and at the Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, D.C. Recruitment is continuing and local chapters across the country are expanding training for thousands of spontaneous volunteers who are willing to make the priceless donation of their time and skills to this enormous humanitarian outreach.
With families, friends and colleagues scattered in the face of Katrina’s fury, the American Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross have established the “Family Links Registry” to enable people to re-establish those essential relationships. Since its inception, the Registry has received a total of 115,242 calls with over 5,000 coming in during the past 24 hours. The “Family Links Registry” can be accessed through www.redcross.org or by calling toll-free 1-877-LOVED 1S (1-877-568-3317).
Families who are unable to reach a Red Cross office can call 1-800-975-7585 toll free 24 hours a day to register for emergency financial assistance which they will obtain from a financial institution in the community where they are now staying.
The American Red Cross continues to meet the staggering challenge of providing relief to thousands of survivors in the widespread path of devastation and destruction left by Hurricane Katrina. To date, the Red Cross has housed 1.8 million survivors in over 700 shelters. The American Red Cross has served more than 7.2 million hot meals to survivors of Hurricane Katrina since before first landfall. The sheer volume of people affected, as well as the extensive geographical area impacted will require long-term massive feeding and sheltering operations for many months to come. 90,000 square miles have been affected—about the same size as Great Britain.
In order to accomplish this extraordinary level of relief, over 63,000 trained Red Cross disaster specialists have been deployed in 13 states and at the Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, D.C. Recruitment is continuing and local chapters across the country are expanding training for thousands of spontaneous volunteers who are willing to make the priceless donation of their time and skills to this enormous humanitarian outreach.
With families, friends and colleagues scattered in the face of Katrina’s fury, the American Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross have established the “Family Links Registry” to enable people to re-establish those essential relationships. Since its inception, the Registry has received a total of 115,242 calls with over 5,000 coming in during the past 24 hours. The “Family Links Registry” can be accessed through www.redcross.org or by calling toll-free 1-877-LOVED 1S (1-877-568-3317).
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Update 09/08/2005
Red Cross emergency shelters are providing a safe refuge for tens of thousands of Hurricane Katrina survivors. Since Hurricane Katrina first slammed ashore in Florida, the American Red Cross has:
# housed 142,000 survivors in more than 485 shelters in 18 states.
# served more than 3.3 million hot meals to survivors of Hurricane Katrina since before first landfall.
# Mobilized more than 5,600 trained Red Cross workers who have left their homes in every corner of the United States to join thousands of local volunteers who responded immediately to help their neighbors in need
# housed 142,000 survivors in more than 485 shelters in 18 states.
# served more than 3.3 million hot meals to survivors of Hurricane Katrina since before first landfall.
# Mobilized more than 5,600 trained Red Cross workers who have left their homes in every corner of the United States to join thousands of local volunteers who responded immediately to help their neighbors in need
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Telethon on WYFF Tomorrow - We NEED your help
The Chapter will once again be partnering with WYFF for a telethon to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The telethon is tomorrow, September 1st, from 5:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
We NEED your help! Please call 271-8222 as soon as possible and sign up for a two-hour shift to help answer phones at the telethon. When you call, ask for Ginger or Amy or Genean and they will sign you up.
Check out the WYFF website.
We NEED your help! Please call 271-8222 as soon as possible and sign up for a two-hour shift to help answer phones at the telethon. When you call, ask for Ginger or Amy or Genean and they will sign you up.
Check out the WYFF website.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Red Cross Needs Your Help
The following message is from Marty Evans, President and CEO, American Red Cross:
The extent of damage and loss of life caused by Hurricane Katrina is still unfolding; however, early news reports today indicate that the hurricane has left a trail of utter destruction even as it continues to flood communities far inland. Today, as floodwaters still rise, 80 percent of New Orleans is reported to be under water, and the Gulf Coast communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have awakened to extreme damage that will put many thousands of families out of their homes for months on end. Officials believe that this storm will be more costly than Hurricane Andrew, the previous record-breaking hurricane of 1992. In response, the American Red Cross is launching the largest mobilization of resources for a single natural disaster involving thousands of trained disaster relief workers, tons of supplies—and shoulders on which to lean.
Even with the rapid and generous support from our partners and the public, a nationwide, coordinated fundraising effort is necessary to ensure we have the resources to deliver the critical services that Americans trust us to deliver. Effective immediately, we will begin a nationwide Disaster Relief Fund Campaign. Your service area will be working with each chapter to determine the most appropriate goal for your unit.
We anticipate a sustained disaster relief effort, unlike any other in our history, lasting many months. Already, the Red Cross has provided a safe haven for nearly 70,000 evacuees in more than 230 Red Cross shelters - from the panhandle of Florida, across Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, and Texas. However, because Katrina is still wreaking havoc as she tracks northward, we do not have a full report of the damage and services needed, and we do not yet have a firm nationwide fundraising goal. Early estimates indicate that this response could cost as much or more than the sum of the four combined hurricanes during last year’s hurricane, which cost approximately $130 million. The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is still to come.
I want to stress that the initial $130 million target is only an estimate and may change, depending on updated damage assessment figures and the amount of assistance needed by the families affected by this event. The Red Cross is committed for the long haul. We will meet the immediate emergency needs of disaster victims in the weeks and months ahead. We are asking field units to continue to educate the public that we anticipate the costs of this disaster to be significant and that we need their help
The extent of damage and loss of life caused by Hurricane Katrina is still unfolding; however, early news reports today indicate that the hurricane has left a trail of utter destruction even as it continues to flood communities far inland. Today, as floodwaters still rise, 80 percent of New Orleans is reported to be under water, and the Gulf Coast communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have awakened to extreme damage that will put many thousands of families out of their homes for months on end. Officials believe that this storm will be more costly than Hurricane Andrew, the previous record-breaking hurricane of 1992. In response, the American Red Cross is launching the largest mobilization of resources for a single natural disaster involving thousands of trained disaster relief workers, tons of supplies—and shoulders on which to lean.
Even with the rapid and generous support from our partners and the public, a nationwide, coordinated fundraising effort is necessary to ensure we have the resources to deliver the critical services that Americans trust us to deliver. Effective immediately, we will begin a nationwide Disaster Relief Fund Campaign. Your service area will be working with each chapter to determine the most appropriate goal for your unit.
We anticipate a sustained disaster relief effort, unlike any other in our history, lasting many months. Already, the Red Cross has provided a safe haven for nearly 70,000 evacuees in more than 230 Red Cross shelters - from the panhandle of Florida, across Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, and Texas. However, because Katrina is still wreaking havoc as she tracks northward, we do not have a full report of the damage and services needed, and we do not yet have a firm nationwide fundraising goal. Early estimates indicate that this response could cost as much or more than the sum of the four combined hurricanes during last year’s hurricane, which cost approximately $130 million. The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is still to come.
I want to stress that the initial $130 million target is only an estimate and may change, depending on updated damage assessment figures and the amount of assistance needed by the families affected by this event. The Red Cross is committed for the long haul. We will meet the immediate emergency needs of disaster victims in the weeks and months ahead. We are asking field units to continue to educate the public that we anticipate the costs of this disaster to be significant and that we need their help
Upstate volunteers help Katrina relief effort
Two volunteers, Joe Hawkins and Wayne Deitz, left on Sunday morning driving the Emergency Response Vehicle. They went to Little Rock where they will be dispatched to an affected area. Three more volunteers will be leaving on Tuesday.
Gary Yearwood will go to Montgomery, AL, where he will be sent to an affected area to work as a computer technologist. You can read more about Gary's work in today's Greenville News.
Frances Thompson is going to Houston where he will be assigned to a shelter operation and Jean DuRant from Anderson is going to Falls Church, Virginia, where she will be working at the call center. We may have more volunteers leaving in the next day or two.
You can make a donation here.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Electronic Greetings Cards
Did you know that you can send Red Cross themed electronic postcards? Neither did I, but they're pretty cool.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Update on National Youth Council volunteering
I'm sure you all remember Kelly Davis who is our our volunteer on the National Red Cross Youth Council, and was formerly the President of the Furman University Red Cross club and member of our Board of Directors. She was at the Chapter recently and gave Ann an update on her current activities.
Excitingly she has been asked to stay on the Council an additional year, so she is now one month into her fourth year on the council. This year she will be the project lead for the Navin Narayan College Scholarship, the Navin Narayan Convention Youth Speaker Award, and the Convention scholarships. She will also work on one more project committee which will probably be the Convention and Youth Institute committee.
In the past she's worked on the Convention and Youth Institute committee and the Measles Initiative committee; she was the project lead for the Navin Scholarship last year as well. She says she's enjoyed meeting the Board of Governors members; her adopted BoG is Doug Dettrick. She has greatly enjoyed the company of BoG members Karen Goodman and Rick Grinnan.
Excitingly she has been asked to stay on the Council an additional year, so she is now one month into her fourth year on the council. This year she will be the project lead for the Navin Narayan College Scholarship, the Navin Narayan Convention Youth Speaker Award, and the Convention scholarships. She will also work on one more project committee which will probably be the Convention and Youth Institute committee.
In the past she's worked on the Convention and Youth Institute committee and the Measles Initiative committee; she was the project lead for the Navin Scholarship last year as well. She says she's enjoyed meeting the Board of Governors members; her adopted BoG is Doug Dettrick. She has greatly enjoyed the company of BoG members Karen Goodman and Rick Grinnan.
Friday, August 05, 2005
This year I don't want to miss the Motorcycles
Each year that I've been in the Upstate I've always meant to attend the Motorcycle Rally, but somehow something always came up and I never made it. This year I'm determined to get there.This year the Motorcycle Rally, from which all proceeds benefit the Upstate and Piedmont Chapters of the American Red Cross, is on September 9th and 10th, with the Red Cross Motorcycle Drag Races at the Greer Dragway on Friday 9th and the Red Cross Poker Run on Saturday 10th.
For more information call (864) 271-8222 (Greenville) or (864) 583-8000 (Spartanburg) or check online.
See you there.
One blog created 'every second'
I knew that blogging was becoming more popular, but didn't realize how popular until I saw this piece on the BBC News web site.
What started out as something mostly just done by individuals is now being adopted by businesses as part of their overall marketing strategy. General Motors is a good example of a company using a blog in this way.
I haven't been able to find a good example of a not-for-profit blog, so I guess we'll have to make up our own guidelines as we go along.
What started out as something mostly just done by individuals is now being adopted by businesses as part of their overall marketing strategy. General Motors is a good example of a company using a blog in this way.
I haven't been able to find a good example of a not-for-profit blog, so I guess we'll have to make up our own guidelines as we go along.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Red Cross Trivia
The American Red Cross was chartered by Congress to furnish disaster relief services. Contrary to popular belief, however, the Red Cross gets no funding from the U.S. government. All funding comes from private donations. That's why it is so important that all of us support the Red Cross with our donations.
It's hot in the Upstate
The TV, Radio and Newspapers are all warning that today is going to be really hot and humid, so people need to take extra precautions to ensure they are not overcome by the heat.
“Almost 400 Americans die each year due to summer’s heat and humidity,” says Ann Wright, CEO, Upstate SC Chapter, American Red Cross. “So it’s important that community members are careful and take precautions when conditions get hot.”
To prepare for the hot weather, the Upstate SC Chapter of the American Red Cross offers these heat-related tips:
• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.
• Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.
• Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR. While the above tips can help prevent emergencies, it is crucial to know what to do if an emergency situation arises.
Know These Heat-Related Terms:
• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
• Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke. Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
• Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high—sometimes as high as 105 F.
General Care for Heat Emergencies:
• Heat cramps or heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.
For more information on how to prepare for heat-related conditions, contact the Upstate S.C. Chapter of the American Red Cross at 864-271-8222.
“Almost 400 Americans die each year due to summer’s heat and humidity,” says Ann Wright, CEO, Upstate SC Chapter, American Red Cross. “So it’s important that community members are careful and take precautions when conditions get hot.”
To prepare for the hot weather, the Upstate SC Chapter of the American Red Cross offers these heat-related tips:
• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.
• Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.
• Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR. While the above tips can help prevent emergencies, it is crucial to know what to do if an emergency situation arises.
Know These Heat-Related Terms:
• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
• Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke. Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
• Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high—sometimes as high as 105 F.
General Care for Heat Emergencies:
• Heat cramps or heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.
For more information on how to prepare for heat-related conditions, contact the Upstate S.C. Chapter of the American Red Cross at 864-271-8222.
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