Red Cross Helping Oklahoma Tornado Victims with Food, Shelter, Water and Supplies

Almost 30 Response Vehicles Enroute To Distribute Relief Supplies 

The American Red Cross continues to work around the clock to provide Oklahoma tornado victims with their immediate needs including food, shelter, water and comfort. The organization is currently operating seven shelters, and volunteers are on the ground, distributing relief supplies and assisting many on their path to recovery.

More supplies, equipment and workers are on the way to help the victims in Oklahoma. Almost 30 emergency response vehicles are enroute to distribute food, water and relief supplies to people in need. Two Southern Baptist Convention kitchens and kitchen support trailers will join the relief effort with the ability to serve tens of thousands of meals a day.

Although the Red Cross in Western Pennsylvania is not currently deploying volunteers or emergency response vehicles, it stands ready to assist in the national relief efforts. The local Red Cross has vehicles on standby throughout the region and it is assessing the availability of its workforce.

Emergency aid stations will open where people can get food and snacks, mental health and health services and information about what help is available. The Red Cross is supporting first responders and working with local and state officials to make sure people get the help they need. Meanwhile, the Red Cross continues to provide shelter in Shawnee and other parts of the Oklahoma City area following storms over the weekend.

SAFE AND WELL People in the affected area should let loved ones know they are safe, and the Red Cross recommends several ways to do this. People can register on the Red Cross Safe and Well website by visiting www.redcross.org and clicking on the “List Yourself or Search Registrants” link under “How to Get Help”. Disaster victims can also update their Facebook and Twitter status through the Safe and Well website.  From a smart phone, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell and click on the “List Yourself as Safe and Well” or “Search for friends and family” link.  People can also use the “I’m Safe” feature of the free Red Cross tornado app.

 HOW TO HELP This has been a major disaster, and the Red Cross will be there for the people in this state and this community. You can help people affected by disasters like tornadoes, floods and other crises by making a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. You can donate by visiting http://www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.  Your donation helps provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters.

Red Cross Response Update: Oklahoma

Red Cross Statement on Oklahoma Tornado
May 20, 2013:

Our thoughts and concerns go to everyone in Oklahoma following this horrific tornado.

The American Red Cross has one shelter open in Moore and is working on locating others; we continue to operate three shelters that were opened Sunday in the Oklahoma City area following the storms on Sunday. .

Red Cross volunteers are out tonight with food and supplies supporting first responders.

More than 25 emergency response vehicles are positioned to move at first light Tuesday, and we expect that the number will increase. The Red Cross is also sending in kitchen support trailers to support the upcoming operation to provide meals to those forced out of their homes.

People in Oklahoma near the tornado area are encouraged to connect with one another and let loved ones know that they are safe. This can be done through the I’m Safe feature of the free Red Cross tornado app. In addition, if you have access to a computer, go to redcross.org/safeandwell to list yourself as safe. If not, you can text loved ones or call a family member and ask them to register you on the site.

This has been a major disaster, and the Red Cross will be there for the people in this state and this community. People who wish to make a donation can support American Red Cross Disaster Relief, which helps provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters like the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma and Texas as well as disasters big and small throughout the United States by visiting redcross.org, dialing 1-800-REDCROSS or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

MonaLisa Leung, Community Outreach Intern, Shares Her Experience with the American Red Cross

“I was the Community Outreach and Education Intern from November 2012 to April 2013, and those were six wonderful months that, honestly, have changed my life.”

As an intern, I created brand new PowerPoint material for my department to use for community presentations. I created material for First Aid, Red Cross Ready initiatives and disaster preparedness. I also traveled to many events to educate people, teaching first aid to girl scouts and teaching disaster preparedness to the elderly.

In addition, I participated at the Red Cross Ball as a sign-in volunteer, and I created an informational slideshow for an open house in Washington, PA. Despite not being paid for working at the Red Cross, it was my passion and dedication for serving the community that drove me to come back more than the 15-hour per week requirement for my internship. I am always excited to go to work every day, and I get very sad when it’s time to leave work. The office is filled with caring and loving people who come to work every day not because of money but because they love their job and they genuinely care about serving the community.

This internship has also led me to venture into disaster relief. After responding to two fires with Betsy Myers, a disasters response specialist, I officially joined the Disaster Action Team because I saw the importance of helping those that are affected by unexpected emergencies, and it is wonderful to be part of a team that is actively helping people build their lives up from scratch. I encourage everyone, young and old, student or professional, to join us in our efforts in preventing and alleviating human suffering in the face of an emergency. We are always in need of volunteers and people in the community are always in need of help. Volunteering has this unique feeling to it; it’s not about earning money or getting a job. It’s all about being selfless and using our passion for our community to motivate us in our volunteer work. When you realize you have helped or saved a life, a proud yet humble feeling arises that makes you smile and want to help more people in the future. Trust me, that is a great feeling to have, and you must volunteer in order to feel this wonderful feeling.

If you are a college student and looking for internship opportunities, please join us! I can honestly say that the Red Cross is very excellent in training college students to be the leaders of the future and providing a wonderful environment to work in. You will gain just as much (and I argue even more) experience and skills at the Red Cross compared to other paid internships. You will learn the joyful feeling of helping those that are in need. You will be trained to be a leader in your field and an advocate of peace.

MonaLisa is a Communications major at the University of Pittsburgh. She will join UPMC’s Marketing and Communications Internship Program this summer.

Local American Red Cross in Need of Disaster Response and Community Outreach Volunteers

Allegheny Region Chapter Actively Recruiting Interested Community Members

All across the United States, American Red Cross volunteers make a positive impact in their communities. From assisting disaster victims and teaching community preparedness to working with millions of blood donors, volunteers donate their time and talents to carry out the organization’s humanitarian mission.

As a nonprofit organization, the Red Cross relies on its strong volunteer network to sustain its vital work in local communities throughout the country. With a low number of volunteers, the local Red Cross—serving Clarion, Crawford, Forest and Venango counties—will actively recruit interested residents this month.

The organization is always in need of individuals to fulfill various volunteer roles. However, this May, the local Red Cross will recruit for the following positions:

• Disaster Responder: disaster response volunteers work with victims on-site, assisting them with their immediate needs and following-up on their long term recovery plans.

• Community Outreach Volunteer:  community outreach volunteers educate the public about the Red Cross and its five key services. Volunteers provide this education through community presentations and tabling events, among other activities.

• Office Support Volunteer: office support volunteers will assist the local chapter with day-to-day administration duties.

For more information on how to help in the community, contact the local Red Cross at 814-677-2024 or 1-888-733-5603.

American Red Cross Offers Tips For National Water Safety Month

With recent warm weather providing a taste of the approaching summer months, many people are looking forward to fun in the sun. Swimming is a popular summer activity but must be enjoyed with care. As May is National Water Safety Month, the American Red Cross is encouraging area residents to keep water safety in mind now and for the entire season.

This summer, the Red Cross offers residents of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk and Jefferson counties the following tips to prepare for safe water fun:

■Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and Learn-to-Swim courses.
■Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
■Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone. Even at a public pool or a lifeguarded beach, use the buddy system!
■When boating, wear a life jacket! Most boating fatalities occur from drowning.
■Even if you do not plan on swimming, be cautious around natural bodies of water including ocean shoreline, rivers and lakes. Cold temperatures, currents and underwater hazards can make a fall into these bodies of water dangerous.
■Prevent unsupervised access to home pools or hot tubs. Use safety covers as well as barriers to pool areas that cannot be opened by children.
■Maintain constant supervision of children around water, even if there are lifeguards present.
■Avoid alcohol use. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination; affects swimming and diving skills; and reduces the body’s ability to stay warm.
■Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
■Always stay within arm’s reach of young children and avoid distractions when supervising children around water.
■If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.

To view a complete list of safety tips, or to register for a water safety course or other individual or private group instruction, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit RedCross.org.

AquaticsSafetyTips

Operations Intern, Bob Smathers, Writes About His Experience with the local Red Cross

With the recommendations of almost everyone close to me, I knew I should get an internship before I graduated. I was told the prospects of graduating without real-world experience were not great.

Volunteering and donating blood have been with me since my time in high school, so when I saw the American Red Cross looking for an accounting intern, I saw it as a great opportunity to build professional skills while giving back to the community. Looking back, I couldn’t have been happier with my decision to intern here.

I’ve had many positive experiences throughout the duration of the internship, so picking a favorite part poses a challenge. Working mainly with Excel is something I am grateful for, because most accountants and statisticians use complex spreadsheets regularly. The scope of operations for the region certainly enhanced my overall experience. It was complex at first, but once I became familiar with the accounting function of the regional headquarters, the process became both smooth and insightful. As far as accounting knowledge, I quickly learned that some things just aren’t taught in class. I gained valuable experience in my field of study, specifically in the area of accounting for various types of revenues. I enjoyed seeing and processing some of the large donations received for the Red Cross Ball event at the Omni William Penn Hotel in March. It was great to know that both individuals and corporations give back to a terrific organization.

Looking past the accounting knowledge gained, my favorite part of the internship was working with all the people here in the office. With this being my first office experience, I wouldn’t have guessed the employees and volunteers I’ve interacted with would be so friendly. While maintaining a professional atmosphere, everyone here has a great personality, making everyone very approachable. It was truly a breath of fresh air to be welcomed as quickly and as warmly as I was. I feel that I have connected with just about everyone in the chapter, and I will definitely remember these relationships as I go through my career.

What I’ve learned at the American Red Cross will definitely serve me in my career. The job-specific knowledge has been great, and the professional atmosphere can translate into any office setting. From gaining these skills, I was given an opportunity for a summer internship in financial reporting. I’m truly grateful for the people I’ve met at the American Red Cross and the skills I’ve developed while interning here.

Bob is a senior majoring in Accounting and Finance at the University of Pittsburgh.

Local Youth Rally Together to Support their American Red Cross

Local youth come together to benefit the American Red Cross.

In the Norwin School District, fifth grade students formed and operated a business model, selling items in their school store. The resulting profit was then donated to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. The below photos include images of handwritten cards from the students, explaining why they wanted to donate to the Red Cross.

One card reads:

“Dear American Red Cross, I chose you as my charity because a year or two ago, you helped my grandfather recover from the Hempfield and Rilton tornado. You help a lot of people. How we got the money is we read a book called ‘The Lemonade War.’ We did a project to go with it, to sell items in our school store and we decided to donate all the money that we got to your charity. Even though it’s not much, I hope this will help you save more people.

Sincerely,

Nathan a Hillcrest student”

Within the same month, students from Avonworth School District raised awareness of their local Red Cross. Students chose the organization during the annual volunteer symposium, further educating the student body on Red Cross services and the organization’s positive impact throughout the local community.

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