American Red Cross of Central and Western Oklahoma

From Red Cross Volunteer to Bride: A Love Story

2012-02-13T19:36:00.000-06:00

Dick and Sara Nooe

U.S. Marine Dick Nooe was shot multiple times in the leg and the face, three days before the end of the Korean War. Blinded by the shots, Dick felt his life—as he knew it—was over.

Evacuated by helicopter to the nearest Mash Unit, he ultimately made his way to the Blind Rehabilitation Ward at the Hines Veterans Administration Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. He remained there from February through July 1954. While there he healed, with the help of one very special American Red Cross volunteer—a Gray Lady named Sara Scotchell.
Sara, a young professional, signed up with several gals in her office to become Red Cross Gray Ladies, named for the grey uniforms the volunteers wore. Gray Ladies read and wrote letters, talked and provided non-medical support to sick, injured and disabled veterans.

Every Thursday, Sara’s team, assigned to support the blind unit, would host a social, providing snacks, beverages and music. “We were there to help the veteran’s become more active,” she commented. “Dick was standing in the corner, looking a bit pathetic, so I asked him to dance.”
That dance was the first of many in their 55 years of wedded bliss. “We weren’t supposed to go out with any of them, but we did start to smooch a bit,” she blushes. Dick adds. “The boys told me she was good looking and if we went outside I could see a muffled outline of her face and body. While never truly seeing her, I know she is beautiful.”

After Dick was discharged from the hospital, he returned to Oregon to pursue a Social Work degree. The two kept in touch by letter and an occasional phone call. Sara would tape a love letter on a recording device and send it to him; he would listen to it on a Dictaphone belt. She traveled to Oregon during one summer break. The long-distance engagement was official in 1956. Soon after, Dick earned his graduate degree and they started a family.

Today, the Nooes live in Neenah, Wisconsin. At 80, Dick is still counseling part-time and is still giving back by working with local veterans. A year ago, they returned to Hines Veterans Administration Hospital to visit with other blind veterans. Dick always delivers a message of hope. “Look at us, together we have enjoyed a wonderful life,” he says, “We are blessed with two children and six grandchildren. We love to travel to Europe, Hawaii and across the United States.”

Each summer, they attend their military reunions—even though each year fewer and fewer veterans are there. Sara’s Gray Lady dress and hat have been safely stored through the decades. Her Red Cross volunteer pin is placed in the family keepsake box. It’s right next to Dick’s military ribbons of valor, including the Purple Heart.

Today, Dick and Sara continue to support the American Red Cross across the country and around the globe. “I give in my wife’s honor,” he said. “Just imagine if I had not had this young Red Cross volunteer in my life?”

Wilderness and Remote First Aid Class

2012-02-10T18:32:00.000-06:00

Wilderness and Remote First Aid Class:
March 24th and 25th in Tulsa
1-800-REDCROSS or http://www.redcross.org/ to register.

Train for Emergencies in Wilderness and Remote Environments

Ideal for scouts, outdoor enthusiasts or employees in remote environments an hour or more from EMS response, our new 16-hour Wilderness and Remote First Aid course gives you the skills and confidence you need to respond to an emergency when help may be delayed. Course participants must be at least 14 years of age and possess current certification in adult CPR/AED.

Become a Wilderness and Remote First Aid Instructor

Become a Red Cross instructor and be part of an elite team that delivers lifesaving health and safety training under the most recognized and trusted symbol in the world. Whether you are a current instructor in wilderness first aid, or you are interested in becoming an instructor for the Red Cross course, you’ll enjoy training opportunities that help expand your teaching skills and technical expertise while helping others.

Pet First Aid Offered in Tulsa

2012-02-10T18:13:00.001-06:00

As a cherished member of the family, it is important to know what to do if our pet is ever injured or has a medial emergency. To help every member of the family be safe, the American Red Cross is hosting a Pet First Aid Class at our office in Tulsa.

The course is March 17th from 10am to 1pm. Click here to register for the course

Among the many topics covered in this course is treating common ailments, aid for choking, performing CPR, building a pet first aid kit and recognizing emergency situations.

"There are 44 million dog owners in the United States. This is a must-have for pet lovers," said Spokesman Rusty Surette. "We know pet owners enjoy a very special bond with their pets - they're a part of the family. Just like people, accidents and emergencies can happen and being prepared by knowing what to do could make a lifesaving difference."

To purchase a Cat First Aid or Dog First Aid book and DVD click on this link. For assistance, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Free Smoke Alarms to Hearing Impaired

2012-02-10T14:25:00.000-06:00

From our friends at United Way:

Solutions 2011 provides free smoke alarms to hearing impaired:

The Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT) has received a $277,550 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and has partnered with Fire Protection Publications at OSU to implement Solutions 2011. Solutions 2011 will accept and approve applications from, people who are deaf or hard of hearing; install free smoke alarms that meet the unique needs of these individuals; plan a home fire drill specific to each home, and assist with a home safety survey to prevent fires, burns, falls, and other common home injuries. The equipment being installed uses the latest technology for alerting people with hearing impairments, such as the Lifetone HL15O that was invented in Oklahoma. It features three different signals to wake you up, including a bed shaker, a visual display that flashes the word “Fire” and a 9OdBA alarm signal that’s like having a lawn mower next to your bed. Anyone with a documented hearing impairment who lives in Canadian, Kingfisher, Logan, Oklahoma, Lincoln, Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Payne, Creek, Okmulgee, Wagoner, Tulsa, Pawnee, Osage, Rogers or Washington counties is eligible to apply for free smoke alarms and alert equipment. The Solutions 2011 project is also updating home fire safety materials. One DVD that is available at no cost is “Fire Safety for YOU at Home” in American Sign Language. It explains the different types of equipment and provides home fire and life safety messages. For more info, contact OkAT at (405) 744-9748 or 1-888-885-5588.

American Red Cross Unveils New Brand Identity

2012-02-09T20:38:00.000-06:00

The American Red Cross officially unveiled its new brand identity today with a logo that features the iconic Red Cross in a button, symbolizing the personal participation of volunteers, employees and supporters in the Red Cross mission. This new identity is designed to appeal to both long-time Red Cross supporters as well as an entirely new generation of volunteers and donors, who are eager to show their affiliation with the organization.

The new identity is a systematic evolution of the 130-year-old organization. The Red Cross, one of the world’s most recognized, iconic and trusted brands, has historically represented hope, safety on the battlefield and care in crisis. The new identity also reflects the organization as it is today: modern, authentic and innovative.

The presentation of the Red Cross logo is similar to the lapel pins and buttons worn by Red Cross supporters in the early part of the 20th century. While most people think of disaster relief and blood donation when they think of the Red Cross, the updated brand identity is meant to invite people to learn more about the organization and its mission.

”We want to show more people how they can be part of a Red Cross that intersects with their lives in many ways,” said Peggy Dyer, chief marketing officer of the Red Cross. “We’re proud of both our history and our future. We look forward to telling our story to a wider audience and the new brand identity is an important step in that process.”

The Red Cross partnered with branding and design firm Turner Duckworth to create this new visual identity system. Audiences received a sneak peak of the new identity in the Red Cross’ holiday ads in December when Red Cross teamed up with ad partner BBDO NY, the Red Cross agency of record.

“Our objective was to bring forth aspects of the Red Cross heritage that are still relevant today, with a modern—rather than historical—approach,” Turner Duckworth founding partner David Turner said. “The logo is now a pin that symbolizes a sense of belonging and enthusiastic participation. We are honored to have worked on this project to help position the Red Cross for the future.”

The Red Cross will continue to roll out the new branding when it debuts its redesigned corporate website, redcross.org, later this year. The new site will use the logo button, updated graphics and an enhanced usage of photography. It will also feature user-generated content to better share authentic Red Cross stories. Next month, as part of March is Red Cross Month, hundreds of local events will feature the new visual identity system.

BBDO is also developing a public service ad campaign that will feature the real stories of people whose lives have been touched by the Red Cross mission.

Dueling Pianos in Stillwater and Enid!

2012-02-09T10:12:00.000-06:00

Click here to purchase tickets

Altus Office Receives New Television For Training Classes

2012-02-08T07:12:00.000-06:00

We are so thankful when our business partners step up and help out.

Volunteer Steve Grayson with Rent-A-Center's
Denise Lopez and Thomas Davis

That's exactly what happened recently at our office in Southwest Oklahoma. Steve Grayson, a Disaster Action Team leader, secured a donation from Rent-A-Center in Altus. The beautiful flat screen television will be used in the training room at our office in Altus.

"This gift is freeing up a lot of room in this office," said Disaster Response Specialist and Services to the Armed Forces Specialist Rosayln Hall. "We'll be able to offer our classes to a larger group of people. That includes training more people to prepare, prevent and response to emergencies."

Again, thank you Rent-A-Center and a big thank you to Steve Grayson for all his volunteer work.

If you would like to make a donation to the Red Cross mission or volunteer with our organization call (405) 228-9500.

History Behind First African American to Lead American Red Cross

2012-02-08T06:57:00.000-06:00

Jerome Holland is briefed by a Red Cross Worker
following a 1979 tornado that struck Wichita Falls, Texas.

The legacy of Jerome H. Holland, African American educator, businessman, author, civil rights proponent, diplomat and 1985 Presidential Medal of Freedom winner, lives on through his mission of helping to provide the safest blood possible to those in need.
The American Red Cross Jerome H. Holland Laboratory for the Biomedical Sciences is named in his honor.

Holland was the driving force behind the current phase of biomedical research and development at the Red Cross; the national center for biomedical research and development. A true visionary, Holland recognized the importance of blood research and the benefits it could bring to human health. The Holland Lab continues his legacy today through the American Red Cross Research and Development Program.

Holland was born in Auburn, New York, one of 13 children born to Robert and Viola Bagby Holland. He led the American Red Cross Board of Governors as its chairman from 1979 until his death in 1985.

As the only one of his siblings to attend college, Holland entered Cornell University in 1935 where he excelled in academics and on the football field. He was named an All-American end in 1937 and 1938 at a time when the nation was heavily segregated and very few Black players were welcome in college athletics. In 1965, he was inducted into the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame. He earned his doctorate in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania.

With his Ph.D. in hand, Holland embarked on a 30-year career as an educator and administrator. From 1953 to 1959 he served as president of Delaware State College (now Delaware State University); from 1960 to 1970 he served as president at Hampton Institute in Virginia (now Hampton University). Both schools are among the leading historically black institutions of higher learning in the United States, also known as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

Holland’s first term on the Red Cross Board of Governors began in 1964 and ended in 1970 when he was appointed United States ambassador to Sweden. Upon his return to the United States, Holland served on the boards of directors of many major U.S. corporations, including AT&T, Chrysler, General Foods, Federated Department Stores, Manufacturers Trust and Union Carbide. In 1972 he became the first African American to serve on the board of the New York Stock Exchange; in 1979, President Jimmy Carter appointed Holland as chairman of the Red Cross Board of Governors.

In addition to consolidating Red Cross biomedical research into the Holland Lab, Holland began programs to raise disaster relief funds for the organization and was instrumental in building the international services department within the American Red Cross. Recognizing that the American Red Cross had a major role to play on the world stage, he convinced the Board of Governors to create a committee on international services, and was especially effective in building close ties with other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies around the world.

On February 23, the Holland Lab will celebrate its 25th anniversary.

American Red Cross Announces New Learn-to-Swim Program Pricing

2012-02-02T14:29:00.002-06:00

The American Red Cross is announcing a new Learn-to-Swim program pricing structure for aquatic providers.

This price adjustment and new package offering, which goes into effect June 1, is in response to feedback received by the Red Cross from discussions and research conducted with aquatic providers over the past six months.

The package includes a $350 annual fee per facility with 100 Learn-to-Swim student learning fees, certificates, banners, posters and promotional items. The Red Cross will offer providers that conduct Red Cross Lifeguarding courses a $300 annual fee with 150 initial Learn-to-Swim enrollments and certificates. Additional student learning fees with certificates for both packages will be available for only $1 each.

“The adjusted pricing should enable our partners to continue to provide Red Cross Learn-to-Swim programs,” said Steve Glockenmeier, vice president, Preparedness and Health and Safety Services, at the Red Cross. “We look forward to strengthening relationships with our existing aquatic partners and forging new ones.”

The 2012 swim season pricing package contains incentives for facilities to become true partners of the Red Cross by offering aquatics and other training courses in their communities. Those providers with a high volume Learn-to-Swim enrollment base (e.g., 1,000 or more) that offer other Red Cross training programs will also be eligible for additional discounts and partnership opportunities. National Recreation and Park Association members will receive a 10 percent discount on aquatic printed and web-based training materials.
Red Cross representatives will be contacting aquatic providers to explain the new pricing package, to discuss how the system will work and to answer any questions they may have. These representatives will work with providers to ensure that they can continue to offer Red Cross programs and to explore scholarship opportunities for underprivileged communities.

The Red Cross is committed to increasing water safety awareness and decreasing the number of drownings by making training courses available to even more people across the country. Countless lives have been saved because providers offer Red Cross programs in their communities. People can learn more about Red Cross aquatic programs by visiting redcross.org/swimming.

All Bets on Red

2012-01-30T21:44:00.000-06:00

It's never a good idea to gamble with disaster.

That's why Oklahomans packed into the Firelake Grand Casino Saturday night for Operation Relief: Shawnee "All Bets on Red."

Photos of the festivities are posted online here on Facebook and here at Hibben Photography online.

We owe a sincere thank you to our sponsors including Firelake Grand Casino, SwiveLimb Treestands, Unity Health Center, First National Bank, Marsh Electric, VGT, VF Jeanswear, Paris Limousines, Tinker Federal Credit Union, Pond Pro Shops, Jenifer Stevenson Realtor, Eric’s Pharmacy, TriLink, OG&E, Southwest Airlines and our volunteers who helped out!

The night included a $29,880 check presentation from Firelake Grand Casino. Money raised at this event support the American Red Cross mission.

The American Red cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American pubilc to perform its mission.

We have additional fundraisers coming up in Enid, Stillwater and Oklahoma City. We hope you can join us for the fun!

Grandson Saves Choking Grandfather

2012-01-30T06:25:00.000-06:00

When twelve-year-old Landon Tucker took American Red Cross training in First Aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), little did he know he would use that training to help his grandfather when he choked while eating breakfast.

What to do when you see someone choking

Carl McGowan and his grandson were home alone recently, enjoying breakfast, when a piece of sausage became lodged in McGowan’s throat. His wife Martha and a neighbor, who happens to be a paramedic, were both at work.

McGowan knew his grandson had taken the Red Cross classes at school, and asked Tucker if he knew what to do. Tucker said he had been trained, but had never actually performed the skills on anyone.
“I told him now would be a good time to try it,” Carl said. “He was scared. He tried to help me and was successful after several tries.”

McGowan credits Tucker with saving his life and is thankful his grandson had access to Red Cross training. “Being trained is very important,” Carl said. “Landon saved me. I want to thank him for everything he did.”

The Red Cross has information available for download on how to help someone - adult, child or infant - who is choking, and how to perform back blows and abdominal thrusts.

The Red Cross also offers classes across Oklahoma in First Aid, CPR and the use of an AED (automated external defibrillator), and recommends that at least one person in every household be trained. People can also take Red Cross babysitter and lifeguard training, learn how to swim, take training on first aid for use in wilderness and remote settings, sports safety training, even first aid for pets. Classes are available for individuals as well as for businesses and organizations.

According to a Red Cross survey, many have witnessed someone choking. One person in ten surveyed reported they needed help themselves because they had choked on something. Most often, 57 percent of the time, a family member came to their aid, while in 30 percent of the instances the people had to help themselves. The survey also revealed that most choking incidents occur at home, with a high percentage also occurring in a restaurant.

This year there’s still plenty of time to resolve to protect yourself and your loved ones by taking a Red Cross class. Landon Tucker and his grandfather understand the importance of First Aid training firsthand and now know what to do when an emergency occurs.

Red Cross Sending In Workers, Equipment To Help People Of Alabama

2012-01-25T09:06:00.000-06:00

Photo: Jefferson County, Alabama

The American Red Cross continues to provide food, shelter and basic necessities for residents of Alabama whose lives were affected earlier this week when tornadoes destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes and left thousands of people without power.

Governor Robert Bentley declared an emergency for the entire state. Particularly hard hit are Jefferson, St. Clair and Chilton counties. Red Cross workers from across the country are deploying to the area to assist those affected. Emergency vehicles are out in the affected neighborhoods distributing food and necessities, and Red Cross damage assessment teams are working to determine what people will need in the coming days.

The Red Cross has safety steps people should follow as they return to their neighborhoods after authorities say it is safe to do so.

Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes when examining your home for damage.
Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately.
Use battery-powered flashlights when examining buildings—do NOT use candles.
If a gas smell is detected, or a hissing noise, open a window and get everyone out of the building quickly. Call the gas company or fire department.
Keep animals under control.
Clean up spilled medications, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids that could become a fire hazard.

Spring is the time of year known for dangerous tornado activity in the United States, but tornadoes can form at any time of the year. The Red Cross has safety tips people can follow if tornadoes threaten their neighborhood.

Go to an underground shelter or safe room if available. A hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is also a safe alternative.
Do not seek shelter in a hallway or bathroom of a mobile home. Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes. If there is access to a sturdy shelter or vehicle, get out of the mobile home immediately and go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter.
If caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building.
If unable to walk to a shelter quickly, immediately get into a vehicle, buckle the seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter.
- If debris is flying while driving, pull over and park. Stay in the car with the seat belt on, head down below the windows and covered with hands and a blanket if possible.
- If it is possible to get safely to an area noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, get out of the car and lie in that area. A person’s choice should be driven by specific circumstances.

For more information on what to do before, during and after a tornado, visit http://www.redcross.org/.

A New Year, a New Flu Season

2012-01-23T11:08:00.000-06:00

In the United States, when cold weather appears, flu season begins. Reports across the country have found low flu activity thus far, but with the peak season typically in January or February experts are expecting activity to rise. The Red Cross has tips that can help you survive the season. The flu virus can spread from a cough, sneeze or even talking. To avoid getting the flu, follow these prevention tips:

Be Red Cross Ready - Flu Checklist

Get a flu shot every year. It’s not too late! Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to minimize illness and death.
Practice good health habits to maintain your body’s resistance to infection by eating a balanced diet, drinking lots of fluids and getting a good night’s rest.
Stop the spread of germs by washing your hands with soap and water, covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze with a tissue and minimizing contact with sick people.
Stay home when you are sick. Adopt business/school practices that also encourage employees/students to stay home when sick.

The flu is contagious, with the ability to infect others a day before symptoms appear and up to a week after becoming sick. Children may be contagious for an even longer period.
Staying home will help protect those around you from the flu virus – at work, at school or at the grocery store. If someone in your home has the flu, follow these steps:

Designate one person as the caregiver.
Avoid sharing items such as pens, towels, sheets, blankets, food or eating utensils unless cleaned between uses.
Disinfect doorknobs, switches, handles, computers, telephones, toys and other surfaces that are commonly touched around the home or workplace.
Wash everyone’s dishes using very hot water and soap.
Wash your hands after handling dirty laundry.
Wear disposable gloves when in contact with or cleaning up body fluids.

To learn more about how to stay healthy this flu season visit Preparedness Fast Facts.

MLK Day of Service 2012

2012-01-16T12:27:00.000-06:00

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

MLK Day of Service Volunteers in Oklahoma City

On this special day, Red Cross volunteers are canvassing neighborhoods in cities across the country, talking to people about how to prevent home fires and how to escape safely should a fire occur. Batteries are also being distributed for smoke detectors.

For more photos please click here

In Oklahoma City, we have teamed up with HOPE Worldwide, Greater Bethel Baptist Church and the Oklahoma City Fire Department to make this a day of service and not just a day off work.

“At the American Red Cross, the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday marks the time of the year when our volunteers reach out to their neighbors to talk about fire safety,” said Stephanie Troy, Regional Coordinator of Community Disaster Education. “Because home fires are one disaster that can usually be prevented, the program offers volunteers a valuable service activity that can directly save lives by helping our communities understand how to protect their families from this most common disaster threat.”

It’s also an opportunity for our partnerts to answer The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King’s call to service by teaching others about fire safety. The initiative takes place in winter, the time of the year when the most home fires occur.

In this month alone, Red Cross volunteers have responded to more than a dozen home fires in Central and Western Oklahoma. Last month, that number hit 57 in this region.

Fire is the biggest disaster threat to American families – not floods, hurricanes or tornadoes. On average, the American Red Cross provides food, shelter, comfort and hope to people affected by approximately 63,000 fires every year, or about one fire every eight minutes.

For more photos please click here

This is the fifth year the American Red Cross has celebrated the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday with a fire safety project. In past years, volunteers from the American Red Cross, HOPE worldwide and other partners have provided fire safety information to more than a quarter of a million households. During the 2012 MLK Day of Service nearly 30 volunteers in Oklahoma City will visit homes in the area of Northeast 23^rd and Martin Luther King Avenue.

On Friday, students from Oklahoma City’s Martin Luther King Elementary made a wonderful donation to American Red Cross!

Bose' Akadiri and students at MLK Elementary

Students raised nearly $300 during a recent contest and presented the check last week to the Red Cross at the school.

Following the presentation, a group of Pre-K students performed a “good morning” song and dance to our Bose’ Akadiri and Rusty Surette.

For more photos please click here

A sincere thank you to everyone who has made this weekend and day a very special one!

Written by:
Rusty Surette
Director of Communications
rsurette@arcok.org

Rockstar Volunteer: Diana Mitchell

2012-01-10T16:23:00.000-06:00

Diana Mitchell outside our office in Enid, Oklahoma

Last month I sent an e-mail to our staff across Central and Western Oklahoma asking for a list of "rockstar volunteers." Of course, every volunteer at the Red Cross is valuable and we cherish them all, but I wanted a way to really recognize those who go above and beyond.

Immediately, I received this e-mail from Julia Aikman, our Disaster Services and Services to Armed Forces Specialist in Enid:

"I would like to recognize Diana Mitchell. She has been the most help to me since I started this job back in November. I have received the best training and information from her about this chapter, and she comes in everyday and works about 4 hours. She also makes herself available for emergencies and disasters, in addition to helping staff and the board with events, putting together fire kits, cleaning out the kitchen, taking out the trash and cleaning out the ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle). I owe her so much already. She is truly devoted to the American Red Cross."

I first met Diana last summer as she was preparing to deploy to the East Coast to help hundreds living in the path of Hurricane Irene. Diana, a grandmother of three from Waukomis, has also volunteered her time and energy to helping those affected by a tornado in Greenville, Tennessee and responding to massive wildfires that tore through a neighborhood near Austin, Texas.

Diana and Patrick O'Neal pose for a photo before
leaving for the East Coast to help with Hurricane Irene.

And that was just last year!

Diana says her husband, Richard, came up with the idea of volunteering and she loves that there is "never a dull moment."

"Doing this allows me to help others and it keeps me busy," said Diana during our recent conversation. "I get a chance to meet very interesting people and I've had some great experiences!"

The Mitchells joined our family in January 2011 and we're hoping they're around for many more years. Without our volunteers, we couldn't do the work of helping your neighbors in need.

If you're interested in joining the American Red Cross as a volunteer, click on this link here for more information.

Written by:

Rusty Surette
Director of Communications

Central and Western Oklahoma

rsurette@arcok.org

Two Years Later...

2012-01-06T17:27:00.000-06:00

Two years after the Haiti earthquake, the American Red Cross is helping people rebuild their homes and their lives and improving communities with health, water and sanitation projects.

In a two-year update, the American Red Cross highlighted its emergency work after the 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, as well as its recovery efforts over the past year. Recovery activities have included building homes, giving people opportunities to earn money, providing access to clean water and sanitation systems, supporting the delivery of health care, and teaching communities how to prevent the spread of diseases and be better prepared for future disasters.

“The money donated to the American Red Cross provided life-saving relief to millions of Haitians after the earthquake and is now being used for longer-term solutions such as helping people move from camps to permanent homes and communities,” said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross.

“Although progress is not as fast as we would like, recovery is well underway,” McGovern said, adding “for example, the pace of home construction has increased rapidly, with the American Red Cross and the rest of the global Red Cross network providing housing to more than 100,000 people at the two-year mark.”
Other highlights of the past year include:

Providing clean water and sanitation services to more than 369,000 people
Providing health services and hygiene education to more than 2.4 million people
Reaching more than 3 million people with cholera treatment and prevention
Teaching more than 436,000 people how to better prepare for disasters
Providing livelihoods assistance – grants, jobs and other help – to 114,000 people

The American Red Cross received about $486 million in donations following the earthquake, and has spent and signed agreements to spend $330 million on Haiti earthquake relief and recovery efforts in the first two years. The largest portion of spending has gone to food and emergency services, followed by housing, water and sanitation, health, livelihoods, disaster preparedness, and response to the cholera outbreak.

“In the coming year, the American Red Cross will focus on programs to renew communities, which include constructing and repairing homes, providing clean water and sanitation, health education, livelihood support and disaster preparedness programming,” McGovern said. “We also continue to support hospitals and clinics that are critical to providing access to needed medical treatment in Haiti, and we will maintain our efforts to combat cholera and teach people how to prevent diseases.”

Housing is a priority, and the American Red Cross is shifting its focus from providing transitional homes to building permanent homes and repairing damaged homes so people can return to their former neighborhoods.
Further information on Red Cross work in Haiti, including a copy of the two-year report, can be found at redcross.org/Haiti.

January is National Volunteer Blood Donor Month

2012-01-05T10:13:00.000-06:00

January is National Volunteer Blood Donor Month and the American Red Cross wishes to thank people who give blood to help patients in need.

Since 1970, Blood Donor Month has been observed to educate everyone about the importance of being a blood donor and the impact blood donations can have on patients who need blood.

“We want to thank everyone who gives blood and ask them to schedule a time to donate now,” said Shaun Gilmore, president of Biomedical Services for the Red Cross. “We’d also like to encourage people who have never donated before to consider giving for the first time and join those across the country who change lives by donating blood.”

January is a time of year when blood supplies often dip drastically as winter weather blankets the country, keeping people from giving blood. At the same time, patient need for blood does not diminish.
Every two seconds, someone in this country needs blood. 44,000 blood donations are needed every day to help accident and burn victims, cancer patients, those having surgery, new mothers, premature babies and many others.

A life saver donates blood at our office in Norman last year

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general 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. Individuals should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when coming to donate.

For more information on giving blood, or to make an appointment to give blood or platelets in the coming days, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/.

Make Being Prepared One Of Your New Year’s Resolutions

2012-01-03T08:56:00.000-06:00

It’s that time of year when many people look forward to the New Year and what they would like to change to make their lives better. Many resolve to lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier. The American Red Cross asks that everyone resolve to make 2012 the year they get prepared, to be “Red Cross Ready” when emergencies happen.

Households can look ahead and determine how to deal with disasters, whether it be a fire in the home, or something that affects their entire neighborhood. They need to know what emergencies are most likely to happen in their area. Knowing what to do when disaster strikes can make a difference for everyone in the household, and for the community. To be prepared, you should:

1. Get a kit. If you’ve ever had to search for your flashlight when the power goes out, you know what it feels like to be unprepared. The Red Cross has a downloadable checklist to help you assemble your emergency preparedness kit. It should include the following:

Ready-To-Go Emergency Preparedness Kit

Three-day supply of non-perishable food and water—one gallon per person, per day for drinking and hygiene purposes
Battery-powered or hand crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit, medications and medical items
Copies of all important documents (proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Extra cash

2. Make a plan. Talk with members of your household about what to do during emergencies. Plan what to do in case everyone is separated, and choose two places to meet—one right outside the home, in case of a sudden emergency such as a fire, and another outside the neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate. Other tips on how you should formulate your emergency plan are:

Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. All household members should have this person’s phone number and email address. It may be easier to call long distance or text if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service.
Tell everyone in the household where emergency information and supplies are kept.
Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on a map in case main roads are impassable.
Plan ahead for your pets. If you must evacuate, make arrangements for your animals. Keep a phone list of “pet friendly” motels/hotels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes.

3. Be informed. Know what situations may occur where you live, where you work, where you go to school.

If you live or travel often to areas near a fault line, learn how to prepare and what to do during an earthquake. If summer includes a trip to the beach, know what to do in case you are faced with a tropical storm or hurricane. Remember that emergencies like fires and blackouts can happen anywhere, so everyone should be prepared for them.
Find out how local officials inform the public in the event of an emergency.
Learn first aid and CPR/AED so that you have the skills to respond in an emergency before help arrives, especially during a disaster when emergency responders may not be as available. Contact your local chapter to get trained.

As you look forward to the new year and what you would like to change, add getting prepared to your list of resolutions for 2012. Visit the preparedness section of our web site to know what to do to stay safe in all kinds of emergencies.

Happy Birthday, Clara Barton

2011-12-25T21:10:00.000-06:00

Clara Barton, circa 1881,

by the Betts Studio, Dansville, New York.

Barton established the American Red Cross in 1881

On Christmas Day, while families gather together and children open presents, the American Red Cross celebrates the 190th birthday of Clara Barton. Widely known as the founder of the American Red Cross, she was born on December 25, 1821. Barton’s understanding of the needs of those in distress and the ways in which she could provide help to others guided her throughout her life.

For the first 20 years in the existence of the Red Cross, with Barton at its head, the organization devoted itself largely to disaster relief. A forest fire in Michigan and flooding along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers were among its first disaster responses. Disasters that sound familiar still in 2011.

Like the holiday season, birthdays also mark the closing of a year and the beginning of a new one. In 2011, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and wildfires became all too common headlines. But Barton’s legacy lives on. It paves the way to each answered cry for help and shines the light of hope for those who struggle to put back the pieces in the wake of devastation.

With a relentless series of disasters this year, the Red Cross responded to more than 100 large-scale events by feeding, sheltering and providing emotional support to those affected across the country. In response to Hurricane Irene alone, the Red Cross provided shelter for more than 25,000 people up and down the East Coast. Even as the number and impact of disasters increases, the Red Cross commitment to providing relief never wavers.

Today, the symbols of the season are all around us. Amid silver bells and ribbon-tied packages, countdowns and clinking glasses, we send cards of holiday cheer and promise to do more in the new year. It is a season of giving and resolution.

For the American Red Cross, a symbol never far from mind is that of Clara Barton. The woman who provided food, clothing and supplies to sick and wounded soldiers during the Civil War. The woman who read to them, wrote letters for them, listened to their heartache, and quietly, prayed with them. The woman who became a symbol of selfless compassion and went on to found an organization committed to providing relief for those in need.

Amid a symbolic season where angels top evergreen trees strung with lights, the Red Cross remembers the birthday of Clara Barton, “Angel of the Battlefield” and founder of the American Red Cross.

Holiday Mail for Heroes Arrives in Oklahoma City !

2011-12-23T12:54:00.000-06:00

Smiles on the face of a vet at the Oklahoma City
VA Medical Center

Cards have been written – scribbled in crayon, decorated with trees and collected in armfuls. The mailbox has been closed. And the cards have been organized into bundles for the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes program

To watch cards being delievered to Mike Meadows of Yukon, click on this link

Hundreds of thousands of cards are making their way to U.S. service members, veterans and their loved ones worldwide through Holiday Mail for Heroes from the American Red Cross.

Dozens of cards were handed out this week to vets at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. Our team also passed out first-aid kits.

Sponsored by Pitney Bowes, the program aims to give members of the Armed Forces a “touch of home” this holiday season.

Click here to view the text version of KFOR/KAUT-TV's coverage of this program.

To watch the actual news story, click here and go to 5:30 in the video. It's right after the weather forecast.

Alice Olivio from Holdenville, Oklahoma reads a
card to her husband, Marvin

The Red Cross collected holiday cards throughout the past several weeks for distribution on military bases and hospitals, veterans’ hospitals and other locations in the U.S. and abroad during the holidays. Pitney Bowes donated all screening, packaging and shipping.

Over a million cards were collected this year, bringing the total to about 4.5 million cards over the past five years.

This year’s cards included cards done by school children, senior citizens, churches, Scout troops, businesses college sororities, members of Congress and other elected officials, television anchors, and a wide range of other people. Many cards were hand made or hand painted, others were distributed for signing by companies, and the cards even included at least one in Braille.

Here's a great video from our team in Dallas delivering cards to our nation's brave!

Red Cross staff delivering cards to Oklahoma City
resident Mark Motte

“The American people have been extremely generous this year, taking a break from their busy schedules to write words of encouragement and gratitude to those who serve our country,” said Sherri Brown, senior vice president of Service to the Armed Forces at the Red Cross. “Receiving a simple, heartfelt message can mean the world to service members away from their families during the holidays.”

The mailbox for the 2011 Holiday Mail for Heroes program is now closed, but Americans wanting to help military members, veterans and their families can visit the Red Cross holiday giving catalog and click on “Help Our Troops.” The online catalog offers symbolic donations to help provide members of the Armed Forces with phone cards and comfort kits as well as assist homeless veterans, among many other options.

Donated Quilts in Enid to Help Oklahomans Affected by Fires and Disasters

2011-12-22T16:08:00.002-06:00

Calvary Baptist Church Peacemakers Quilters

Kaetlyn Gaines is learning early in life what it means to help others in need.

The 10-year old Taft Elementary student is the third generation of an Enid family that spends most of the year making quilts for fire and disaster victims.

“My grandmother taught me how to make them”, said Gaines. “I used to watch her and my first thing to sew was a pillow case.”

Gaines’ grandmother, Roxanna Armstrong, and her great-grandmother, Doris Ramer, are part of the Peacemakers Quilters at Enid’s Calvary Baptist Church. Other members of the group include Helen Davis, Dee Bonbarke and Daisy Johns.

“This is our mission”, said Davis. “We like to help people out and give back to our community.”

Every Monday the ladies meet at the Church to make quilts that are given to the American Red Cross. They’ve been doing this since 1998.

Davis says some quilts take up to two months to complete.

On Wednesday, the group donated more than 30 completed quilts to the Cimarron Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross in Enid.

Last fiscal year volunteers from the Enid office responded to many home fires and provided emergency financial assistance to more than 50 local families.

“We can’t thank them enough for doing this. They are truly a blessing for our organization and for our clients”, said Robin Unruh, Red Cross Chapter Executive.

Red Cross staff picking up the completed quilts

Gaines plans to continue making the quilts and has even won several awards at the County Fair for her previous work.

“I’m just really happy to be able to help someone else”, Gaines said.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

Red Cross Receives Bennett Basore Award in Stillwater

2011-12-22T15:00:00.000-06:00

This week we had a wonderful open house here in Stillwater, but Santa’s gift came early… in the mail.

The American Red Cross office here in Payne County has been awarded the Bennett Basore award with a $1000.00 check from our local United Way. This award was established to recognize the late Bennett Basore. He was the first to encourage and support excellence in management & fiscal responsibility.

This is the 10th year for this award. Also, we will be presented a plaque at the Annual Meeting on January 26, 2012.

This award is the result of the efforts of everyone involved with this Chapter. Board members, disaster service volunteers, communications and our leadership team all played vital roles in positioning our office to receive this award.

Thanks everyone for all your support.

Written by:
Mary Ann White

American Red Cross

Red Cross Had 137 Big U.S. Relief Operations in 46 States in Disaster-Filled 2011

2011-12-20T20:24:00.000-06:00

The American Red Cross helped hundreds of thousands of people whose lives were forever changed by disasters in 2011, from tornadoes, floods, wildfires and hurricanes in the U.S. to earthquakes and other disasters around the world.

Throughout the year, the American Red Cross supported the people of Japan and Haiti, while launching 137 domestic disaster relief operations in 46 states and territories to help people affected by fires, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes across the

United States

. In addition, major international disasters included the Japan earthquake and tsunami response and the continuing work following the 2010

Haiti

earthquake.

“The number of lives affected by large disasters in the past year is simply staggering,” said Rusty Surette, spokesman for the Central and Western Oklahoma region. “Devastating tornadoes, flooding and wildfires wiped out entire neighborhoods. Through it all, the Red Cross, our partners, and communities nationwide responded, offering people shelter, food and comfort.”

In the United States, the Red Cross opened 1,019 shelters and provided more than 130,000 overnight stays. 27,622 trained disaster workers served more than 6.7 million meals and snacks and distributed more than 2.6 million relief items. Health and mental health workers provided more than 133,000 consultations and Red Cross workers opened 16,752 cases to help people get on the road to recovery.

Winter Weather Possible in Oklahoma

2011-12-17T15:31:00.001-06:00

A round of winter weather is expected to blow into Oklahoma Monday.

Your American Red Cross is ready to respond into affected communities if necessary.

Winter storms can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, winddriven snow that lasts for several days. We encourage all Oklahomans, especially those in Northwest Oklahoma, to pay close attention to local media for weather updates.

We also invite families to review our Winter Storm Safety Checklist by clicking here.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter for more updates @redcrossokc

Written by:
Rusty Surette
Regional Director of Communications
rsurette@arcok.org

Reconnection Workshops, Presented by Walmart

2011-12-15T11:44:00.000-06:00

The American Red Cross is pleased to present Reconnection Workshops, Presented by Walmart, dedicated to our country’s service men and women, their families and loved ones. The Red Cross changed the name of this course from Coming Home Series to Reconnection Workshops to better position Red Cross with a more unique and distinguishing name for the program. Our goal is to support and ease the transition home:

Reconnection Workshops, Presented by Walmart focuses on individual/small group discussion that enhances the likelihood of positive reconnections among family members and the successful re-engagement of the service member in civilian life.

Each workshop focuses on a topic area that service members and their families have found relevant to their experience as they transition back home. Current topic areas include: managing anger, supporting children, building communication, reconnecting with others, and recognizing PTSD & TBI and other topics critical to reunion adjustment.

The workshops assist those impacted by a military deployment and bridge all branches of the Armed Forces. We invite Reserve, National Guard, active duty service members, veterans and their families, including spouses, parents, siblings and significant others, to participate.
Participants will be able to choose the topic they are most interested in from the available options; sessions and materials focus on learning useful tools, effective coping mechanisms and where to find resources.

Available workshops are:

Communicating Clearly
Exploring Stress and Trauma
Indentifying Depression
Relating to Children
Working Through Anger

You may read more about the Reconnection Workshops, Presented by Walmart in this brochure.
To register for one or all of these valuable workshops, please email your name, city/state and which workshop you are interested in attending to reconnection@usa.redcross.org.

Follow These Steps To Have A Safe Holiday

2011-12-14T09:34:00.000-06:00

Having a busy time getting ready for the holidays? While you are shopping, baking, gift wrapping, decorating and going to parties, the American Red Cross has 12 Days of Holiday Safety tips to help keep the season safe, happy and bright.

1. Prepare your vehicle for traveling to grandmother’s house. Build an emergency kit and include items such as blankets or sleeping bags, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, compass and road maps, shovel, tire repair kit and pump, extra clothing, flares, and a tow rope.

2. Drive your sleigh and reindeer safely. Avoid driving in a storm. If you must travel, let someone know where you are going, the route you’re taking to get there, and when you expect to arrive. If the car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along their predetermined route.

3. Help prevent the spread of the flu. Stay home if you’re sick. Wash hands with soap and water as often as possible, or use an alcohol-based hand rub. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and throw the tissue away after use. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.

Winter Storm Safety Checklist

4. Follow Santa’s fashion lead – dress in layers. When it’s cold outside, layered lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Gloves and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs.

5. Use a Red Cross-trained babysitter when attending holiday festivities. Red Cross-certified babysitters learn to administer basic first aid; properly hold and feed a child; take emergency action when needed and monitor safe play. Some may be certified in Infant and Child CPR.

6. Avoid danger while roasting chestnuts on an open fire. Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen even for a short period of time, turn off the stove. Remember, unattended cooking causes nearly 90 percent of all kitchen fires

7. Be a lifesaver during the holidays. The Red Cross recommends at least one person in every household should take first aid and CPR/AED training. Visit www.redcross.org/training for details and to register.
plan on drinking, designate a driver who won’t drink.

9. When the weather outside is frightful, heat your home safely. Never use your stove or oven to heat your home. Never leave portable heaters or fireplaces unattended. Install smoke alarms.

10. Cut down on your heating bills without being a Grinch. Get your furnace cleaned and change the filters. Make sure your furniture isn’t blocking the heat vents. Close off any rooms not in use and turn off the heat in those rooms. Turn down the thermostat and put on a sweater.

11. Home for the holidays? Travel safely. Check the air pressure in your tires and make sure you have windshield fluid. Be well rested and alert. Give your full attention to the road – avoid distractions such as cell phones. If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.

12. Resolve to Be Red Cross Ready in the New Year. Get ready now in case you or a member of your household faces an emergency in 2012.Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed.

7 Days. 15 Fires. One Red Cross Responds

2011-12-12T17:27:00.000-06:00

Red Cross teams arrive on the scene of a home
fire in Choctaw

American Red Cross volunteers have been busy helping their neighbors who have lost so much due to home and apartment fires.

Just last week (December 4 - December 11), our dedicated volunteers responded to 14 home fires and one apartment fire in Central and Western Oklahoma, and provided assistance to at least 40 people in need. Many of them children.

On Saturday night, Linda Wilder stood side-by-side with the rest of her family as they watched their home in Choctaw go up in flames.

"We're just thankful everyone is okay. We have to count our blessings," Wilder said. "We're lucky my sister lives next door." Two members of our Red Cross Disaster Action Team arrived on the scene as the fire continued to burn.

Linda's sister, Kathy Strider, said it was a perfect example of why she supports Red Cross.

"My brother is a firefighter and you are here to help our family. This is why I'm a donor. I always give to the Red Cross," said Strider.

Firefighters extinguish what's left of Linda Wilder's home

The family talked with Oklahoma City TV station FOX 25. You can see the story by clicking here.

Sadly, this story is becoming a familiar one. Wynnewood, Yukon, Noble, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma City, Comanche, El Reno, Tishomingo, Stillwater, Cache, Lawton, Moore, Bethany. Our volunteers have responded to fires in all these cities in just the last week alone.

It's been a busy week, but it doesn't stop there.

Today, volunteer Sarinah Cable was teaching a group of teens how to provide First Aid and CPR to infants during a Babysitter Bootcamp course.

Our teams are also getting ready for several blood drives this week. On Tuesday, we'll be collecting blood donations at our office in Stillwater from 12pm - 6pm. We'll be doing the same thing Thursday in Guthrie and Friday in Shawnee. For more information and to schedule a donation, please call 1-800-REDCROSS or go online to http://www.redcrossblood.org/.

A volunteer from UCO helps stuff stockings
with gifts for children in need.

Down the hall in our Oklahoma City office, volunteers continue to stuff nearly 5,000 stockings for children in Oklahoma who may not be expecting much this holiday season. The stockings are stuffed with toys, socks and hygiene products like toothpaste and brushes. Thank you volunteers, and a special thank you to Conner & Winters Law Firm, Ideal Homes and Patterson Dental and Dr. Jeffrey Baggett and many others.

Finally, we are still doing what we've been doing since day one. Our staff and teams are working around the clock to provide emergency communications to members of our military. Last year the Red Cross provided near 400,000 services to military members, veterans and their families.

In November 2011 we provided financial assistance to 154 people living in Central and Western Oklahoma who were affected by a tragedy. The work doesn't stop. Your American Red Cross is a 24-hour a day operation that stretches around the world but we can't do it alone.

No gift is too small. This organization is a non-profit that depends on the generosity of others. To donate, please go online to http://www.okc.redcross.org/ or call 405-228-9500. You can also text REDCROSS to 90999 for a $10 donation via your cell phone service.

Rusty Surette
American Red Cross
rsurette@arcok.org

As Weather Turns Colder, Red Cross Teams in Oklahoma Work Around the Clock

2011-12-06T17:29:00.000-06:00

Red Cross Volunteer Helps Oklahoma City
Resident Affected by Home Fire

In the last two days American Red Cross volunteers in Oklahoma have responded to five home fires and provided emergency assistance to 17 people.

The first fire was reported in Noble around 4:00 a.m. Monday morning. The second happened in Yukon Monday afternoon. And as the wind chills dipped into the mid-teens Tuesday morning, our volunteers were out again -- in Pauls Valley helping a family of four and in Oklahoma City helping a man left with very little.

Otis Smith is the gentleman in Oklahoma City who lost nearly everything he owns to a fire. His home on the Southeast side was scorched by flames that erupted early this morning. Luckily, he made it out alive but he needs help and that's where the Red Cross steps in.

Two of our Disaster Action Team volunteers arrived on the scene around 5 this morning to begin helping Mr. Otis with finding a warm place to stay and few other things to help him get back on his feet. He said a faulty space heater is to blame for the fire.

"The Red Cross is a blessing from God," said Mr. Smith as our teams were on scene helping him. "I sure appreciate them. I sure appreciate them and the fire department too."

Damage inside Otis Smith's home in Oklahoma City

The latest fire our volunteers responded to happened just a few hours ago -- again, in Oklahoma City. In this fire we assisted six people.

It's been a very busy week already and that's why we really can't say "thank you" enough to our men and women who volunteer their time and energy to respond to these fires at any hour of the day.

With the onset of winter and colder weather, people will be turning up their thermostats to stay warm. Many will resort to alternate heating methods to cut down on costs. Supplemental heating sources can be dangerous if not used properly. The Red Cross urges caution when using heating alternatives and offers the following safety tips on how to prevent fires:

Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys and furnaces professionally inspected once a year.
Never use a stove or oven to heat the home.
Never leave portable heaters or fireplaces unattended.
Turn off space heaters or extinguish the fireplace before going to bed or leaving home.
Place a space heater on a hard, level, nonflammable surface. Do not put space heaters on rugs or carpets, near bedding or drapes, and keep children and pets away. Look for a space heater model that shuts off automatically if the heater falls over.
When using a fireplace, use a glass or metal screen large enough to catch sparks or rolling logs and keep the fire in the fireplace.
Keep all flammable materials such as newspapers, matches, bedding, clothing, carpets and rugs at least three feet away from heat sources such as space heaters, fireplaces and stoves.

Smoke alarms save lives. People should:

Install smoke alarms on every level of their home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
Check monthly that smoke alarms are working properly by pushing the test button.
Replace batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year.
Replace smoke alarms every ten years.

Red Cross Volunteers Working to Help Others at 5 a.m.

Planning for fire emergencies is important. Make sure all household members know two ways to escape from every room of the home, and set up a meeting place outside in case of fire. Practice escaping from the home at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Teach household members to stop, drop and roll if their clothing should catch on fire.

For more information on what you can do to keep you and your loved ones safe, visit the “Help Prevent Home Fires” section of our website.

To make a donation to the American Red Cross mission, please go to http://www.okc.redcross.org/ and click on "DONATE." Your gift is greatly appreciated.

Written by: Rusty Surette

American Red Cross Public Affairs
rsurette@arcok.org

American Red Cross Powered by Verizon Wireless

2011-12-01T11:39:00.002-06:00

A celebration filled with 'Razr Sharp' technology, celebrities and fantastic food also served as an early Christmas present for the American Red Cross.

Verizon Wireless makes a $10,000 donation to American Red Cross

Verizon Wireless hosted a launch party Wednesday night at Oklahoma City's Red Prime Steakhouse and announced a $10,000 gift to the American Red Cross of Central and Western Oklahoma. Additional $10 donations were made by guests texting "REDCROSS" to 90999. Award winning fashion designer Johnathan Kayne emceed the evening's event with music provided by Oklahoma's own Graham Colton and DJ Kun Luv.

Steve Smith, President of Verizon Wireless South Central Region, presented Red Cross Board Chairwoman Suzanne Symcox with the $10,000 donation. This happened just hours after our volunteers were on the scene of a home fire that displaced 7 Oklahoma City residents.

The American Red Cross depends on the public to keep our mission going. Even a $3 donation provides a comfort kit to a fellow Oklahoman affected by a disaster.

We're providing emergency assistance to more than 40 of your neighbors affected by home and apartment fires in just the last two weeks. Will you follow Verizon's lead and join us in helping many more?

You can make an online donation at http://www.okc.redcross.org/ or call (405) 228-9500 to learn more about the many volunteer opportunities we have.

We thank Verizon and all of our community partners, sponors, donors and volunteers for keeping your American Red Cross on the ground this holiday season!

To view more photos from Wednesday night's event click here.
Rusty Surette
Regional Director of Communciations
Contact: rsurette@arcok.org
Twitter: @redcrossokc

Volunteers Respond To Multiple Fires During Thanksgiving Week

2011-11-29T11:45:00.004-06:00

For most of us, last week was all about family, food and football. There were also those who braved the Black Friday crowds. It was a week of giving thanks, but for too many of our neighbors and friends- Thanksgiving this year was, literally, a disaster.

From November 21st to November 28th, volunteers with the American Red Cross of Central and Western Oklahoma responded to 10 home and apartment fires in Oklahoma City, Norman, Wynnewood, McLoud, Shawnee, Stillwater, Wanette, Enid and Warr Acres.

Thanks to your support and generosity, we were able to help 33 Oklahomans affected by those fires. Many of them children.

It's that time of year when more house fires happen due to cold weather and other events. Even as we write this blog post, members of our Disaster Action Team is responding to a home fire near Chickasha near Grady County.

For more on our responses to home fires, please click here and watch our "Silent Disasters" video.

We continue to need your help. You can donate to American Red Cross by going online to http://www.okc.redcross.org/ or text REDCROSS to 90999 for a quick and easy $10 gift to our mission. You can also mail a gift to:

American Red Cross of Central and Western Oklahoma
Dept. #96 – 0397
Oklahoma City OK 73196-0397

The Red Cross responded to more than 62,960 home fires during the 2011 fiscal year. House fires are the worst disaster threat to families in the United States. To learn how to prevent a fire in your home and how to keep members of your household safe, you can download The Red Cross Fire Prevention and Safety Checklist. Downloadable fact sheets are also available at http://www.redcross.org/ on how to be fire safe over the holidays, how to avoid home heating fires, candle safety, proper use of smoke alarms and teaching your children what to do in the event of a fire.

Written by:
Rusty Surette
Regional Director of Communications
rsurette@arcok.org

A Poem Asking, "Please, Text 4 Trees!"

2011-11-22T12:08:00.000-06:00

‘Twas the holiday season and all through the mall

Five decorated trees stood proud and tall


The American Red Cross tree in Central Mall.

Each for a good reason - to show people they care

In hopes that some shoppers soon would be there

Their ornaments hung with meaning and thought

Though one tree stands out for those who fought

Fallen soldiers are dedicated on this tree

They protected our nation so we could be free

The American Red Cross helps all displaced by disaster

And ensures messages to military are delivered faster

They also teach people how to better prepare

For disasters, emergencies and giving proper care

To help the Red Cross just send a text or two (or a few!)

Because no disaster is small when it happens to you!

Whether it’s a house fire, tornado or earthquake

The Red Cross will be there to help with the ache

From now until December 1 all you have to do

Is text 444-222 with the word Give2

To honor soldiers fallen and those over seas

Just take a minute to Text 4 Trees!*

*The Text 4 Trees program will run from now until December 1. The tree with the most votes receives $2,100 with second place receiving $1,100 and all others receiving $600. The trees are located at Central Mall in Lawton near Dillards. The American Red Cross tree is dedicated to Oklahoman fallen soldiers. Each star on the tree represents a fallen soldier.

Written by: Kayla Costner, Regional Communications Specialist, kcostner@arcok.org

Grainger and American Red Cross Win U.S. Chamber of Commerce Corporate Citizen Partnership Award

2011-11-21T15:21:00.000-06:00

Grainger employees assist with bulk distrubution in Oklahoma City
following the May 24th tornadoes

North America’s leading industrial supplier Grainger (NYSE: GWW) and the American Red Cross were honored with the 2011 Corporate Citizenship Award for Best Partnership by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The “Citizens” Award honors excellence in corporate citizenship and civic leadership for initiatives in both the United States and across the world. The United States Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) recognized the Red Cross and Grainger for developing the corporate volunteer program, Ready When the Time Comes™ designed to build a network of response volunteers in advance of a disaster.

“Both Grainger and the American Red Cross are in the business of meeting urgent needs,” said Jim Ryan, Chairman, President and CEO of Grainger. “Our joint commitment has engaged not only people of both our organizations but also hundreds of other businesses in a remarkable effort to recruit and train our employees as Red Cross volunteers.”

Currently nearly 14,000-volunteers strong, Ready When the Time Comes™ mobilizes specially trained individuals to help communities impacted by disasters. Today, 460 companies and organizations – from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses -- across 52 cities in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico participate in Ready When the Time Comes™.

“The work of Grainger and the American Red Cross is the definition of a successful corporate/non-profit partnership,” said Stephen Jordan, U.S. Chamber BCLC Founder and Executive Director. “Their support of the Ready When the Time Comes program has made communities throughout the United States safer and more secure in the event of a disaster.”

The Ready When the Time ComesTM nationwide business community has helped increase the American Red Cross volunteer response capacity by 40 percent in just six years in the communities where the program is active. The program was particularly vital during the turbulent 2011 Spring season and during Hurricane Irene, as volunteers staffed shelters and conducted damage assessments from North Dakota to Puerto Rico, and along the east coast.

For example, a group of employees from Grainger served as volunteers in Red Cross shelters in the Memphis area when Mississippi River flood waters overtook the region this spring. The Grainger volunteers helped run the shelter, were there to support residents who needed a sympathetic ear, and even played with kids to give their parents a break. Andriana Allen, Grainger Customer Service Associate, described her experience as life-altering: “It will change your life. It will change the way you see other people; it will knock down barriers. It will change the way you perceive people, just from helping one time.”

Red Cross volunteers and Grainger workers together in
Oklahoma City following the May 24th torando outbreak

In 2001, Grainger joined with the Red Cross to develop Ready When the Time Comes™ in Chicago. The unprecedented events of Hurricane Katrina brought to light the challenges many communities face in times of disaster and the unique opportunities businesses have to help. As the program’s National Founding Sponsor, Grainger has donated more than $13 million to the American Red Cross in cash, product and employee resources for preparedness and response initiatives as well as helped trained nearly 1,400 Ready When the Time ComesTM volunteers.

BCLC is the U.S. Chamber’s resource and voice for business’ social and philanthropic interests, with a mission to advance the positive role of business in society. The Corporate Citizenship Awards exemplify the continued evolution of corporate citizenship, defining its movement from the periphery of business activity to the strategic alignment with the core of a company. The Best Partnership category raises public awareness of worthy social causes by allowing “people’s choice” voting to select the winner. In 2011, more than 44,500 people participated in the voting, setting an all-time record for this five-year-old category.

About Grainger
W. W. Grainger, Inc., with 2010 sales of $7.2 billion, is North America’s leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products, with expanding operations in Europe, Asia and Latin America. For more information about the company, visit grainger.com/news.

Poll: Americans Want to Give Meaningful Gifts

2011-11-17T14:45:00.000-06:00

What is TEDxRC2 ?

2011-11-16T13:59:00.000-06:00

And what does it have to do with the Red Cross? Many people would look at this and think it is some sort of crazy math equation. That being said, let’s break it down piece by piece:

The TEDxRC2 event will be held in Geneva on November 27

What is TED?

TED, a nonprofit organization, started in 1984 as a conference designed to share “ideas worth spreading.” It began with three words: Technology, Entertainment, Design.

Today, TED is still going strong. Now featuring the “world’s leading thinkers and doers,” TED travels the world to bring people together to share ideas. Past speakers have included Jane Goodall, Sir Richard Branson and Bill Gates, to name a few.

The speakers are asked to summarize their ideas into 18-minute talks, “TEDTalks,” which are then made available at TED.com for free.

What does the X stand for?

In this equation, x = independently organized TED event. This means that the TED event is a local, self-organized TED-like experience. TED provides guidelines, rules and regulations for these events.

Finally, what is RC²?

The International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies jointly organized this particular TED event. Hence, RC squared.

On Sunday, November 27, in Geneva, 500 guests will gather together to share their ideas on spreading humanity. Guests will include leaders of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, international and Swiss diplomats, local officials, journalists, academics, scientists, health professionals, volunteers and many more. A list of speakers can be found here.

This event will be webcast live and you can find it and more information at tedxrc2.com or by following their Twitter @TEDxRC2.

Written by: Kayla Costner, Regional Communications Specialist, kcostner@arcok.org

Sources:

TED, "TED: Ideas worth spreading." Accessed November 16, 2011. http://www.ted.com/.

TEDxRC2, "TEDxRC2 - Geneva." Accessed November 16, 2011. http://tedxrc2.com/.

Holiday Season Action Items: Give Back Through Soap.com

2011-11-15T08:34:00.000-06:00

"As a young community outreach volunteer with the Red Cross, years ago I joined an effort to help with the distribution of supplies during an extended power outage in Queens. In three eight hour shifts, we worked in teams to hand out water, ice, and food to nervous area residents. At times, the heat and long lines brought out the worst in people: some took more supplies than they needed, and acted with a sense of entitlement toward their fellow neighbors. But I also saw people at their very best. Children offered to help us unload our packed response vehicles. Strangers comforted each other while they stood on line, and shared food when our supplies ran low. Residents thanked us for our efforts and inquired about how they themselves could sign up to volunteer. My lasting image is that of a woman and her two children, who after patiently waiting for food, were so grateful upon receiving it that they each insisted on giving us all a hug, and telling us that we would always be “heroes” to them.
A seemingly small gesture in the course of a long day, it affected me deeply and impressed upon me the impact that volunteerism, at any level, can have on communities, people, and volunteers themselves. "

The quote above is from Teju Prabhakar, a Soap.com employee and Red Cross volunteer. Teju and other employees who recommended the American Red Cross were part of the reason that Soap.com decided to become a Holiday Campaign Sponsor this season.
See below for some simple ways you can give back through Soap.com for the holiday season this year!

Sharing the Savings
As a Holiday Campaign Sponsor, Soap.com has already generously committed over $375,000 to Red Cross through their Share the Savings program. Sharing the Savings works like this: Every time a customer of Soap.com recommends the site – or one of its sister sites such as Diapers.com – to a friend, the site will donate $10 to the American Red Cross when their friend completes their first purchase. The friend will also get 20% off their first Soap.com order.

Battle of the Brands
From now until Thursday Nov. 17th, Soap.com and Diapers.com are hosting a face-off between 10 Soap.com brands and 10 Diapers.com brands on Facebook. If you vote now for your picks, you can save later. On Black Friday through Cyber Monday the winning brands will be 30% off!
Which one would you pick?

Share the Battle of the Brands promotions on Facebook to potentially win the Red Cross some extra donations.

If 1,000 people or more share Battle of the Brands on Facebook, Soap.com will sponsor a meal distribution vehicle through the Red Cross Holiday Catalog and provide up to 200 meals for children and families when disaster strikes.
If 2,500 people share Battle of the Brands on Facebook, Soap.com will sponsor two meal distribution vehicles providing 400 meals for children and families and a full day of emergency shelter for 10 families when disaster strikes through the Red Cross Holiday Catalog.

Thursday is Winter Weather Preparedness Day

2011-11-10T11:06:00.000-06:00

As we near the winter weather season, it's a good time for Oklahomans to become prepared for freezing temperatures and the snow and ice that may accompany them.

Toward that effort, Governor Mary Fallin has proclaimed Thursday, November 10 as Winter Weather Preparedness Day. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the National Weather Service, the American Red Cross, along with other state and local agencies have teamed together to share information designed to assist the public in taking action now to ensure they are better prepared for the season.

To help out, please click here to view the American Red Cross Winter Storm Safety Checklist. It tells you everything you need to know about winters storms and how best to prepare and respond to the winter weather.

Rusty Surette
American Red Cross
rsurette@arcok.org

NOTICE: EARTHQUAKE MEETING

2011-11-09T16:54:00.002-06:00

American Red Cross Hosting Earthquake Awareness Community Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Thursday, November 10, 2011

TIME: 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: City of Prague Municipal Building

820 Jim Thorpe Blvd.
Prague, Oklahoma 74864

The American Red Cross and its community partners are hosting a community meeting Thursday night to address recent earthquake activity in Oklahoma. While the meeting is open to all citizens, we strongly encourage residents of Prague, Sparks, Meeker and Paden to join us.

Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning, and they can occur at any time of the year, day or night. This meeting is simply an opportunity to address any concerns residents may have and to learn how to properly prepare, react and respond to earthquakes.

The moderator of this meeting will be Prague City Manager Jim Gress. Also expected to join are representatives from the Oklahoma Geological Survey, Lincoln County Emergency Management, Oklahoma Emergency Management, Oklahoma Insurance Department, Salvation Army and other city, county and state leaders.

Flu Season Gets Early Start This Year

2011-11-08T10:04:00.000-06:00

Flu season is just around the corner and the American Red Cross wants everyone to know that the best way to be protected against influenza is to get a flu vaccine. It takes approximately two weeks to have maximal protection, so get your vaccine early to be protected throughout the season.

The highest number of flu cases is usually reported in January or February, but doctors can begin to see cases this early in the season. Flu vaccine supplies are plentiful and available in many locations such as your doctor’s office, pharmacies, grocery stores and health departments.

“The best way to help avoid getting the flu is to get a flu vaccine,” said Dr. David Markenson, chair of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council and pediatric expert. “Everyone six months of age or older should get a flu vaccine, especially pregnant women, those younger than five and age 50 or older, those with certain chronic medical conditions, people in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, health care workers and teachers. Those who care for or are in contact with children less than six months of age should also be vaccinated.”

In addition to getting vaccinated, the Red Cross has some simple steps people can take to help prevent the spread of the flu. Parents can also practice these things with their kids to help keep them well as they settle into the new school year:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and throw the tissue away after use. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.
Wash hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand-rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home if you’re sick.

If you think you have the flu, your health-care provider should be consulted. Seek medical care immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms:

Fast breathing, trouble breathing or bluish skin color.
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen (adults).
Confusion or sudden dizziness.
Not drinking enough fluids, not being able to eat, or severe or persistent vomiting.
Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
Not waking up, being so irritable that the child does not want to be held or not interacting (children).
Fever with a rash (children).
No tears when crying or significantly fewer wet diapers than normal (children).

For more flu preparedness tips check out the Be Red Cross Ready - Flu Checklist.

Businesses can learn how to prepare for potential flu outbreaks by becoming members of the Red Cross Ready Rating™ Program at www.readyrating.org. This free, web-based program helps businesses, schools and organizations measure how ready they are to deal with various emergencies and gives customized feedback on how they can improve their efforts. They may also contact Stephanie Troy at (405) 228-9543 or by email stroy@arcok.org to schedule free presentations on many different preparedness topics.

Earthquake Situation Update:

2011-11-06T18:32:00.000-06:00

From the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management:

EARTHQUAKES RATTLE STATE

Due to the earthquake activity Oklahoma continues to experience, emergency managers and other key agencies and organizations are responding to damage reports. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management has staff in the field assisting with local damage assessments. In addition to emergency managers in the affected area, OEM remains in contact with officials at the Oklahoma Geological Survey, U.S. Geological Survey, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Weather Service, American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.

This weekend’s earthquake activity began with a 4.7 magnitude earthquake which occurred at 2:15 a.m. Saturday, with the epicenter located near Prague. A record-breaking 5.6 magnitude earthquake followed Saturday night around 11 p.m. near Sparks. The quake was felt as far away as Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

More than 40 aftershocks have also occurred in the Sparks, Prague, Meeker area. The largest aftershock was a magnitude 4.0 earthquake reported at 3:39 a.m. today, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Oklahoma Geological Survey reports they are in the process of collecting data from the earthquakes which occurred along a known fault line. OKGS warns Oklahomans to anticipate still more aftershocks. Anyone living in a home already affected by the earthquakes should be aware that future aftershocks may cause additional damage.

Saturday night’s earthquake breaks the former record dating back to 1952 when a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck the El Reno area, USGS records show.

One Woman Honored for Three Decades of Helping Others

2011-11-03T13:44:00.001-05:00

It’s a milestone not many people reach in their careers: The American Red Cross honors Patricia Whitener for 30 years of service.

Pat Whitener at her Ardmore office.

Patricia “Pat” Whitener remembers working for the Red Cross in Ardmore, Oklahoma when it only had one typewriter, a phone and an answering machine. At that time, the South Central Oklahoma Chapter was supporting four counties and had a staff of two.

Pat applied for the secretary position in October of 1981. She had two kids, no college degree and was divorced. Eventually, she was offered the manager position but turned it down.

“They asked that I make a commitment to assist with national disasters around the country,” Pat explained. But with two kids she knew she couldn’t be away for long periods of time.

A new manager was hired but after three months that person pursued opportunities elsewhere.

“They offered me the manager position again,” she said, but this time she told them they would have to compromise with her. After coming to an agreement, Pat became the manager of the chapter.

As manager, Pat became a “jack of all trades” by sending emergency messages to members of our military overseas, teaching first aid and CPR courses and fundraising for the organization. She was also helping the community be better prepared for disasters and responding to house and apartment fires.

Fast forward three decades and you’ll find Pat is still at it. In fact, just two weeks ago she was up at 2 a.m. responding to a nearby house fire.

With the help of the Red Cross’ scholarship program, Pat was able to attend night classes to obtain her degree. She now has a degree in management and a degree in business administration.

A clock recovered from May 1995 tornadoes
was given to Pat Whitener as a thank you.

Eventually, as Pat’s kids grew up, she was able to respond to national disasters. She assisted with the 1999 San Francisco earthquake as well as the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995.

One of her favorite things about the job is the strong community support. She speaks very highly of her neighbors in Ardmore and surrounding communities. Without their support, Pat knows it would be much harder to continue delivering the Red Cross mission.

“When you have the opportunity to help someone who has lost everything - that is what it is all about.” She believes you have to be dedicated to your workplace and believe in its mission in order to keep going for 30 years (and more)!

Now, as the Operations and Response Coordinator, Pat’s goal is to expand the volunteer base in her area. She’s also excited to see her 16-year old grandson grow up and become increasingly interested in volunteering and working with the Red Cross.

Written by Kayla Costner, Regional Communications Specialist, kcostner@arcok.org

Report: College Blood Drives Successful

2011-11-02T09:51:00.000-05:00

People on college campuses across the country were responsible for donating seven percent of the American Red Cross blood supply in FY11, an increase of more than three percent over the previous year.

College blood drives are very successful, some doing so well they are among the biggest collections in the country. Many of them are organized by the students, who come up with clever ideas to promote their collection.

Every time someone gives blood, their donation can help save more than one life when it is made into blood products such as red cells, platelets and plasma. The need for these donations is constant – every two seconds, someone in this country needs blood.

Every year the Red Cross distributes about 9.2 million blood products to approximately 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Blood products help not only surgical patients and trauma victims, but also burn victims, cancer patients, patients with blood disorders and so many others.
The Red Cross collects about 6.3 million units of blood from approximately 3.7 million volunteer blood donors to be able to furnish blood products for the patients in these hospitals. Eighteen percent of these donations come from blood collections held at high schools and colleges across the nation.

To give blood, individuals must be 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and be in generally good health. People should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when they come to donate.

If someone is eligible and would like to join these young people in giving blood, they can call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive and schedule a donation appointment.

Give Something That Means Something This Holiday Season

2011-11-01T09:54:00.000-05:00

This holiday season, the American Red Cross is urging Oklahomans to give something that means something and help people in need through a donation to the Red Cross.

People can visit www.redcross.org/gifts and browse through the online Red Cross Holiday Giving Catalog, selecting from more than 20 symbolic gifts to purchase for, or in honor of, a loved one during the holiday season. The gifts represent all Red Cross lines of service, and include items such as blankets for disaster victims, comfort kits for wouned warriors, swimming lessons for those who want to learn to swim and vaccinations against measles for children overseas.

Everyone is invited to make a donation in the name of the people on their gift list. Their donation will help ensure the Red Cross is able to help people when they need it - when a disaster victim needs food and shelter; when a patient needs blood; when a member of the military needs to get in touch with their family.

This has been a busy year for the Red Cross.

Across the country, the Red Cross responded to wildfires that burned hundreds of thousands of acres. Many of those fires were right here in Oklahoma and destroyed numerous homes. Our volunteers were there for each one providing care for firefigthers and emergency support to those who lost everything.

We had large tornadoes touch down in several Oklahoma communities on May 24th and our Disaster Action Teams were on the scene immediately to provide food, shelter and emotional support.

We've also responded this year to hundreds of house fires and apartments fires and we've provided assistance to more than 386,000 members of the military and their families. That's in addition to the 9 million blood products we've distributed across the nation. And we've taught life-saving courses to the more than 8 million people in the U.S.

The public's support during this holiday season will allow the Red Cross to continue to help those in need. Please give something that means something by giving to YOUR American Red Cross.

Rusty Surette
Regional Director of Communications
Central and Western Oklahoma Region

Red Cross Employee Honored for Achievements

2011-10-28T12:55:00.001-05:00

As the nation faces one of the toughest job markets in decades, individuals under the age of 30 are finding it difficult to stand out in their respective industries. ion Oklahoma Online, an online digital magazine, is showcasing the achievements of 30 successful Oklahomans under the age of 30 with their first annual celebration, “Next Gen”.

We're thrilled to announce one of the "30 under 30" honored last week was our very own Regional Financial Development Director Bose' Akadiri.

Bose’ is a proud Oklahoman and graduate of the University of Oklahoma. She is an alumna of Leadership Oklahoma City's LOYAL program for young adult leaders. Currently she sits on the Metropolitan Library Commission, Leadership Oklahoma City Alumni Board, and Youth Leadership Exchange Board. She is also an active member of the Junior League of Oklahoma City. She was honored to represent our state on a Rotary Group Study Exchange in 2010. Bose' says her passion to help others is why she joined the Red Cross family this summer as our Regional Financial Development Director.

"I have the opportunity to turn that passion into a global humanitarian effort – touching those here in Oklahoma as well as those abroad. I consider myself very fortunate to be part of such a well respected organization that is able to support hundreds of humanitarian efforts year after year," said Bose'.

The 30 under 30 celebration commends the next generation of distinguishable leaders in the Oklahoma City metro area. They are leaders who are bucking the national trend and making a huge impact despite teh conventional widsom that one one really "makes it" until their 30's or beyond.

Edmond Nurse Receives International Award

2011-10-28T12:07:00.000-05:00

The Florence Nightingale Medal recognizes exceptional nurses and nursing aides who have worked in natural disasters or armed conflicts. Awarded by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the medal is the highest international distinction a crisis nurse can receive.

We’re thrilled to announce Edmond resident Debra Williams accepted this award in Washington this week.

Just a few months ago, Debra Williams was responding to

tornadoes in Oklahoma, working as a Red Cross disaster health

services manager. She spent10 days in April serving in the

same way.

Debra has been a Red Cross volunteer all of her adult life. As a

nursing student, she taught Family Caregiving classes, and, while raising her family

in Texas, began responding to disasters as a mental health and nursing

professional.

Living in Delaware on September 11, 2001, she spent much of the day with her

children and the children of neighbors who worked in New York City. That evening,

she emailed the local Red Cross chapter executive, explaining her prior Red Cross

service and her training as a psychiatric nurse. She wanted to go to New York to

help.

Instead, Debra was asked to train more than 100 Delaware health professionals

who deployed to New York over the next few months. Then, she was assigned to

manage the Red Cross Integrated Care Teams that visited the 200 Delaware

families directly affected by the attack.

In Houston, Debra was appointed American Red Cross state nurse liaison for

Texas, helping Red Cross chapters recruit and retain health professionals, build

partnerships to respond to disasters and teach CPR/AED courses and Nurse

Assistant Training.

She specifically recruited nurses to bring Red Cross services to members of the

military—to serve in military clinics and hospitals and to teach the Get to Know Us

Before You Need Us course to deploying troops and their families.

Now living in Oklahoma, Debra leads the nationwide American Red Cross State

Nurse Liaison network, mentoring and supporting three dozen nurse volunteers

who help Red Cross chapters implement health initiatives and increase the number

of health care volunteers. She continues as a disaster volunteer, working long

hours in hardship conditions. Debra has helped people affected by hurricanes, ice

storms, wildfires, floods and tornadoes.

Children Especially Vulnerable In Home Fires

2011-10-26T13:59:00.000-05:00

Here at the Red Cross we're wrapping up our Fire Safety and Prevention month, but the reality is homes will continue to burn and our volunteers will have a busy winter assisting families who lose everything they own due to a fire.

We're so thankful to have a team of volunteers dedicated to helping others and we consider ourselves to be very lucky to be sitting here in the heart of a very supporting and caring community.

For example, just last week a mother from Midwest City stopped by our Oklahoma City office to donate 62 stuffed bears for us to give to children during disasters. Karen Lippe said she bought the bears many years ago during the "Beanie Babies" craze.

"My sons and I would get up at 5:00 a.m. and we'd go all over town searching for the bears because we loved them," said Lippe. "The boys are now grown up and we wanted to do something meaningful and we heard the Red Cross may be able to give them out during disasters."

She's right. The bears will be used to help comfort a kids right here in Oklahoma, and herre's something to think about:

Young children are more at risk than anyone else when fire strikes a home. Kids under the age of five are twice as likely to be fatally injured in a home fire than other members of their household. During Fire Prevention Month, the American Red Cross wants families to be aware of the dangers children face, and offers steps people can take to keep their youngsters safe in a home fire.

Children playing with matches or lighters are the cause of about two-thirds of fires involving youngsters. More than half of these fires start in a bedroom, and bedding is most often the first thing in the room to catch fire. Kids also can start fires by playing with candles, fireworks, cigarettes, and stoves.
Only a small percentage of families - 26 percent - have actually practiced a home fire escape plan. The Red Cross urges families to develop an escape plan and practice it with their children several times a year. Parents should also practice stop, drop and roll and low crawling with their youngsters.
Other steps parents can take to ensure their children’s safety include:

Keep matches, lighters and other ignitable substances in a secured location out of the reach of children, and only use lighters with child-resistant features.
Familiarize kids with the sound of your smoke alarm and what to do when they hear it.
Teach your children not to be afraid of firefighters. Take them to your local fire department to meet them and learn about fire safety.
Kids should be taught to tell you or a responsible adult when they find matches or lighters at home or school.
Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year. Having a working smoke alarm reduces the risk of dying in a home fire by nearly half.

The Red Cross responded to more than 62,960 home fires during the 2011 fiscal year. House fires are the worst disaster threat to families in the United States. To learn how to prevent a fire in your home and how to keep members of your household safe, you can download The Red Cross Fire Prevention and Safety Checklist. Downloadable fact sheets are also available at http://www.okc.redcross.org/ on how to be fire safe over the holidays, how to avoid home heating fires, candle safety, proper use of smoke alarms and tips on how to avoid cooking fires.

Turkish Red Crescent Helping After Strong Quake in Turkey

2011-10-25T08:20:00.000-05:00

A deadly earthquake hit the country of Turkey Sunday and Turkish Red Crescent responders rushed to the scene to reach people trapped in the rubble, as well as support the immediate needs of those left homeless by the quake.

The 7.2 quake is the most powerful to hit Turkey in more than ten years. It was centered in a remote, mountainous area. The hardest hit cities are Ercis, a city of 75,000 close to the Iranian border and Van. The Turkish government has confirmed that more than 250 people have been killed with hundreds still missing and more than 1,000 injured. Temperatures are close to freezing at night, increasing the harshness of conditions for survivors and those involved in the rescue.
The Turkish government response includes providing more than 1,200 search and rescue personnel, 174 vehicles, nearly 300 health officials, 43 ambulances, and six air ambulances on duty in the affected area.

REUTERS/Ali Ihsan Ozturk /Anadolu Agency

The Turkish Red Crescent has mobilized resources to support those affected, sending over 100 responders. Tent camps have been established for those whose homes have been destroyed or who are afraid to re-enter their homes in the wake of numerous aftershocks. The Turkish Red Crescent has sent in more than 12,000 tents and 25,000 blankets, as well as food and clean water, kitchen sets, heaters, sleeping bags, and other supplies. Psychologists and social service specialists have been deployed to the affected regions to provide emotional support services for those who lost their relatives and who have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder due to the quake.

News release here

Turkey has not appealed for international aid. The Turkish Red Crescent is one of the largest disaster response organizations in Europe and has prepared extensively to respond to large earthquakes. The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the situation should assistance be needed.
The American Red Cross has worked with the Turkish Red Crescent for more than a decade, providing support following major earthquakes as well as supporting initiatives to strengthen disaster preparedness. Both are part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Red Crescent is used in place of the Red Cross in many Islamic countries.

Our Lucky 13 Tips for a Safe Halloween

2011-10-24T08:39:00.003-05:00

Ghouls and goblins will take over the night. But even scary creatures need to be safe and celebrate Halloween right. Halloween’s greatest hazards aren’t vampires and villains, but falls, costume mishaps and automobile collisions. The Red Cross want your family to have a safe Halloween so we’re providing these tips, the Lucky 13:

1. Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home!

2. From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!

3. If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don’t go inside.

4. When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.

5. Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing to be seen in the dark! (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, and brooms and the edges of your cape!)

6. Whether you walk, slither or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.

7. As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And speaking of streets, the corners are the place for trick or treaters to cross no matter their pace.)

8. Wigs, capes and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!

9. Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn’t a safety gamble!

10. You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (Between parked cars is no place to hide, be sure that you’re seen whether you’re a clown or a bride.)

11. Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!

12. You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.

13. Have a grown-up inspect your candy when you’re done trick-or-treating to remove open packages and choking hazards before eating.

Holiday Mail For Heroes Program Enters 5th Year

2011-10-22T12:26:00.001-05:00

It’s been said that home is where the heart is. Nothing brings a touch of home to someone far away from family and friends like a card. For the fifth year in a row, the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are giving everyone an opportunity to send a touch of home this holiday season to members of the U.S. military, veterans and their families through the 2011 Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

From now until December 9, the public is invited to send holiday cards that contain messages of cheer and appreciation. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will then screen the cards for hazardous materials, sort and package the cards, and deliver them to military bases and hospitals, veteran’s hospitals and other locations during the holidays.
Sam Kille served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1990 to 2003. He is now the Regional Director of Communications for the Red Cross in Greater New York. Kille knows what it means to get mail when you are serving your country far from home.
“It’s hard to describe what it means to get a letter from home,” he said. “And it didn’t matter who the letter was from. Somehow, mail was a validation that what I was doing was important and recognized.” You can read more on his blog, “Changing Lives, The Storybook.”

The Holiday Mail For Heroes post office box is open and ready to receive cards. Please send all mail to:

Holiday Mail For Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Please observe the following guidelines to ensure your card goes through the review process quickly:

Only cards are being accepted. Do not send letters.
All cards should be postmarked no later than Friday, December 9, 2011. Please be sure to affix adequate postage.
Ensure that all cards are signed.
Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals cannot be delivered through this program.
Do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
Please do not send cards with glitter.
Participants should limit the number of cards they submit to 25 from any one person or 50 from any one class or group. If you are mailing a large quantity, please bundle the cards and place them in large mailing envelopes. Each card does not need its own envelope, as envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.

Additional ways to become involved with the campaign include connecting with fellow card senders through Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcross and Twitter at www.twitter.com/redcross using the hashtag #holidaymail.
For more information and card requirements, please visit www.redcross.org/holidaymail.

About Pitney Bowes:
Delivering more than 90 years of innovation, Pitney Bowes provides software, hardware and services that integrate physical and digital communications channels. Long known for making its customers more productive, Pitney Bowes is increasingly helping other companies grow their business through advanced customer communications management. Pitney Bowes is a $5.4 billion company and employs more than 30,000 worldwide. Pitney Bowes: Every connection is a new opportunity™. www.pb.com

Red Cross Warns Pontotoc County Residents of Fire Dangers

2011-10-21T09:47:00.000-05:00

Red Cross DAT Volunteer Paula Nelson speaks with residents

When fire strikes in the home it can be devistating for the family. And when it happens in two homes in one week, in the same neighborhood, and a life is lost -- it can be devistating for almost everyone in town

That's why the American Red Cross is pounding the pavement in Allen, Oklahoma.

On Monday, October 11th, an early morning fire claimed the life of a woman living in a home on Broadway. Less than one week later, another fire damaged a home down the street displacing at least six people.

"We have had too many fires lately," said Pontotoc County Disaster Action Team Leader Paula Nelson. "We need to keep everybody."

Volunteers Megan Brockhoff and Heather Nelson

To help out, Nelson and a team of Red Cross volunteers and staff went into the affected neighborhoods in Allen and passed out fire safety brochures, free 9 volt batteries for smoke detectors and stickers for calendars that remind residents to test their smoke detectors.

Nelson was joined by her daughter and Red Cross volunteer Heather, her mother and Red Cross volunteer Pam and her husband JB who is also the City of Allen Emergency Manager. Others who joined included volunteer Megan Brockhoff, Disaster Services Specialist Angielee Wright and Director of Communications Rusty Surette.

We also appreciate coverage from the Ada News, Allen Advocate and KXII-TV 12. In fact, you can watch the news story from Channel 12 by click here on this text.

Ironically, this is Fire Prevention Month and Week for the American Red Cross.

Angieelee Wright with our wonderful volunteers

During Fire Prevention Week, the Red Cross reminds everyone of the steps they should take if a fire breaks out in their home. Most important is to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency phone number. Other safety steps include:

If closed doors or handles are warm, go out another way. Never open doors that are warm to the touch.
Crawl low under smoke.
Meet household members outside and then call for help.
If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.

Remember to use a portable fire extinguisher ONLY if you have been trained by the fire department and in the following conditions:

The fire is confined to a small area, and is not growing.
The room is not filled with smoke.
Everyone has exited the building.
The fire department has been called.
Remember the word PASS when using a fire extinguisher.

Pull the pin and hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you.
Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

The Red Cross Fire Prevention and Safety Checklist offers more information on how to keep your household prepared should a fire break out in the home. Downloadable fact sheets are also available on how to be fire safe over the holidays, how to avoid home heating and cooking fires, candle safety, proper use of smoke alarms and teaching your children what to do in the event of a fire.

-Rusty Surette
American Red Cross
rsurette@arcok.org

Lost and Found: From Cashion to Stillwater

2011-10-20T09:43:00.000-05:00

On May 24th several large tornadoes ripped across central Oklahoma and debris was scattered for miles. However, some of the debris was picked up by the storm and dropped off many more miles away.

An example of this became a bit of a mystery for our team in Stillwater.

Shortly after the storms hit, a Payne County resident came to our office in Stillwater with a beaten up birthday card signed by "Grandma Shirley." Inside, was a clean, crisp $20 bill that never made it to Grandma Shirley's 5-year old great-granddaughter, Lindsey Elliott.

We attempted to track down the family, but had no luck. So, we turned it over to our good friends at News 9 in Oklahoma City.

Finally, five months later and more than 50 miles away - Lindsey finally received her birthday gift.

To watch the happy reunion click here for the video.

Who volunteers? We do!

2011-10-18T08:38:00.000-05:00

The phrase: "American Red Cross Volunteer" is one that's heard pretty often, but who are the people who wear the Cross? Sometimes they are your neighbors, sometimes they are complete strangers. But no matter who they are or where they are from, they have one mission, one goal: to serve and to help.

Take a look at this video to find out more about our everyday heroes.

If you're interested in giving back to your community, please contact us at (405) 228-9500 or e-mail pwhite@arcok.org

Volunteers Respond to Multiple Fires

2011-10-17T13:17:00.000-05:00

Members of our Disaster Action Team in Del City

Our volunteers in Oklahoma and Pontotoc Counties had a very busy weekend.

It began Saturday night shortly after 10:00 when a fire damaged several apartments at the Oakridge Village Apartments in Del City. Five members of our Disaster Action Team responded to the scene and immediately began working with all the residents affected by the blaze. At the end of the night we provided emergency assistance to four families living at the complex.

Five hours later our team in Pontotoc County was called to a house fire in the city of Allen. [click here for news link] Our volunteers provided water and Gatorade to firefighters on the scene and we made contact with the family affected. This was tough to hear because this fire wasn't far from a home that burned last week and took the life of the woman living there.

Del City apartment damaged by fire

Shortly after that call, we received another request for assistance. This time it was a home that caught fire in Oklahoma City near NW 16th and May Avenue. Our volunteers were able to provide assistance to two families living here.

All of this happened within a 10-hour span and it's why the Red Cross is reminding everyone to pay extra attention to your home. Check your smoke detectors and make sure your family has an escape plan in case of a fire. Each room should have at least two exits.

The Red Cross responded to more than 62,960 home fires during the 2011 fiscal year. House fires are the worst disaster threat to families in the United States. To help bring this home we've created the Every 80 Seconds website. Click here to find out more.

Lawton Office on the Move

2011-10-15T13:34:00.000-05:00

We’re on the move!

The American Red Cross is excited about our future home in Lawton and while we continue to finalize those plans, we’re making a temporary move from our facility on West Gore Boulevard to inside the Prairie Building at the Comanche County Fairgrounds at 920 South Sheridan Road. It is located on the north side of the Coliseum.

Hours of operation will remain Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

We’ll likely be making one more temporary move next month. We’ll keep you posted on the details of our new home and make those announcements in the near future.

We’re also looking to expand our volunteer force in Comanche County and we need dedicated Oklahomans who are ready to give back to their community. Our next volunteer orientation is Monday, October 17 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

To reserve a spot in our class please contact us at (580) 355-2480.

Babysitter Bootcamp !

2011-10-14T13:56:00.000-05:00

If you’ve ever dealt with a cranky toddler or had to change a squirmy infant’s diaper, you know childcare isn’t so easy. Luckily, young babysitters can learn to deal with those challenges, among others, through the American Red Cross.

Just in time for the fall break, we're annoucing a Babysitter Bootcamp course in Oklahoma City, October 20 - 21 (Thursday and Friday) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In a recent Red Cross survey, of those who said they expect to hire a teenaged babysitter at some point this summer, 70 percent said they would have more confidence in a babysitter trained by the Red Cross.
Sixty-four percent said that if they had a choice, they would hire a Red Cross-trained babysitter instead of one who was not trained by the Red Cross.

To register call 1-800-RED-CROSS and select option 3 or go to click here

Cooking Main Cause Of House Fires

2011-10-14T10:31:00.000-05:00

The kitchen is the place where family and friends love to gather, but it is also the setting of more fires than any other room in the house.

Cooking is the number one cause of home fires in this country and during Fire Prevention Month, the American Red Cross wants everyone to be aware of steps they should take to avoid a fire while cooking.

Start by not wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking. Never leave cooking food unattended – stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. Other safety steps include:

Check your food regularly while cooking and remain in the home while cooking. Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
Keep the kids away from the cooking area. Enforce a “kid-free zone” and make them stay at least three feet away from the stove.
Keep anything that can catch fire - pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from your stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.
Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen. Contact your local fire department to take training on the proper use of extinguishers.
Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.
Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.

The Red Cross responded to more than 62,960 home fires during the 2011 fiscal year. House fires are the worst disaster threat to families in the United States. To learn how to prevent a fire in your home and how to keep members of your household safe, you can download The Red Cross Fire Prevention and Safety Checklist. Downloadable fact sheets are also available at http://www.redcross.org/ on how to be fire safe over the holidays, how to avoid home heating fires, candle safety, proper use of smoke alarms and teaching your children what to do in the event of a fire.

All Forms of Transportation Get Blood to Needed Destinations

2011-10-14T00:37:00.000-05:00

Many people may be surprised to learn that the American Red Cross ships blood across the country in many of the same ways that people travel. Depending on distance and the situation, blood products may go to a hospital or transfusion center by plane, car, bus, even by helicopter.

The process of delivering blood begins when a hospital or other facility places a call to any one of the Red Cross Blood Services Regions around the country. Blood that meets all testing and manufacturing requirements will be ready to send to hospitals in 48 to 72 hours.

Across the country, Red Cross Blood Services regions check their blood inventory each day and then work with hospital customers to fulfill orders for blood. Because patients are in need of blood virtually around the clock, Hospital Services staff are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to receive requests for blood products and to provide consultation services when patients have special needs.

Every year the Red Cross distributes about 9.2 million blood products to approximately 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Blood products help not only surgical patients and trauma victims, but also burn victims, cancer patients, patients with blood disorders and so many others.
The Red Cross Blood Services mission is simple: to ensure that every person in need of blood or blood products receives the blood they require. The need for blood is constant – every two seconds, someone in this country needs a blood transfusion.
To give blood, individuals must be 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and be in generally good health. People should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when they come to donate.

If someone is eligible and would like to give blood, they can call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information about donating blood, to find a blood drive near them, or to schedule a donation appointment.

Home Fires Biggest Disaster Threat to Families in Oklahoma

2011-10-13T23:25:00.000-05:00

The American Red Cross responded to more than 62,960 home fires during the 2011 fiscal year. House fires are the worst disaster threat to families in the United States. During Fire Prevention Month, the Red Cross encourages awareness of steps to take to prevent a house fire.

Home fires are devastating for the families involved, and the Red Cross lends a helping hand to those whose homes are affected. In East Providence, Rhode Island, 18 people were recently left homeless after fire destroyed their apartment building. In Hazleton, Pa., 17 people were forced out of their apartments when awakened by smoke and flames. In both instances, the Red Cross was on the scene.

To help avoid a fire in your home, there are steps you can take now:

Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.

Never smoke in bed.

Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach.

Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Across the country, cooler weather is settling in and people are relying on alternative heating sources such as space heaters, fireplaces, wood or coal stoves to take the chill off their homes. Portable heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended. Other safety steps when using alternative heating sources include:

Keep all potential sources of fuel like paper, clothing, bedding or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves, or fireplaces.

Turn off space heaters and make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home.

Place space heaters on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.

When buying a space heater, look for models that shut off automatically if the heater falls over as another safety measure.

Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.

Keep fire in your fireplace by using a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, and furnaces professionally inspected and cleaned once a year.