Red Cross Helps Allegheny County Libraries Prepare Patrons for Flu Season
PITTSBURGH – With extensive reference materials, computers and class offerings, Allegheny County libraries provide a wealth of information to the community. Amid flu season, however, the America
PITTSBURGH – The holidays are a time for excitement, celebration and laughter. With this holiday season quickly approaching, people throughout the region are decorating homes; while the American
Red Cross Urges Local Residents to Use Fire Alarms
PITTSBURGH - The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants you to be safe and ready in the case of a fire. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) release
April 26, 2005 American Red Cross Asks Public to Volunteer within Specific Opportunities
American Red Cross Asks Public to Volunteer within Specific Opportunities
PITTSBURGH, PA – Whether you’re retired, on summer vacation from school, or part of an organization looking for community service opportunities, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter offers numerous opportunities to volunteer doing a variety of tasks.
The Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. It is with the help of volunteers that the Red Cross is able to successfully fulfill its mission.
“Last September 300 new volunteers came on board with interests in helping during the flooding,” said Eugene Evans, Volunteer Manager for the local Red Cross. “Many of these volunteers are continuing to help long after the flood waters subsided.”
Emergencies happen every day. When they do, our trained and dedicated volunteers respond to fires, floods, explosions and other local disasters. During the flooding, volunteers helped deliver 25,876 meals and snacks, 1,046 clean-up supply kits and 581 comfort items to the families affected. At one time, 10 emergency shelters were open, housing 975 people, and volunteers helped at the shelters. The volunteers also helped 1,041 families obtain emergency assistance and helped field 3,615 phone calls on the informational hotline set up at the chapter.
Some volunteer opportunities available through the local Red Cross chapter include:
• The Disaster Action Team (DAT) to help feed, provide shelter and clothing and stay involved with those who suffer losses until they have a solid recovery plan. Since July 1, the Red Cross has responded to 282 disasters and helped 457 families.
• Disaster Mental Health Services (DMHS) and the Disaster Health Services (DHS) assist with the emotional and physical demands a devastating tragedy has on a person, and help provide coping strategies to get the families back on the road to recovery.
• Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES). Thousands of military families depend on the AFES program around the clock and around the world to speed urgent messages to loved ones in the US Armed Forces. Since July 1, 826 emergency communications through the AFES program were completed.
• International Services. Similar to AFES is the assistance provided to families all over the world who are separated by war, international conflict, or other types of disasters through. This program ensures families remain in contact when disasters happen on an international level.
• Health and Safety Instructors teach the necessary skills to confidently respond to emergencies. Programs teaching the many life-saving skills including water safety, first aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillation (AED) are offered through the Red Cross. The Red Cross bi-annual Aquatic School will be May 12-15 and 19-22 at the University of Pittsburgh Trees Hall pool. More than 90% of the lifeguards in Allegheny County are certified through Red Cross training.
• Senior volunteer opportunities. The Red Cross offers the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) for volunteers 55 years and older to work with children and fellow senior citizens in various capacities.
• Chapter office opportunities. Volunteer positions in accounting, marketing and communications, information services, financial development and other professional fields are available at the local Red Cross.
“The selfless dedication of hundreds of volunteers enables us to meet our mission,” said Evans. “Every member of our organization plays an integral role in helping others and we welcome volunteers to join our team. Together, we can provide relief, assistance and support to our neighbors in need of help.”
For more information regarding volunteer opportunities through the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, please call 1-888-217-9599 or visit us online at www.swpa.redcross.org.
April 6, 2005 THOUSANDS HELPED AS AMERICAN RED CROSS RESPONDS
THOUSANDS HELPED AS AMERICAN
RED CROSS RESPONDS
Four volunteers from the local Red Cross Chapter are deployed to
Bucks County, Pa.
PITTSBURGH-- April 6, 2005 – The American Red Cross continues to assist thousands of people in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, after extensive weekend flooding forced many from their homes and is helping people get back to normal as quickly as possible. The local Red Cross is sending four volunteers to help.
Virginia Hall of Mt. Pleasant, Peg Redmond of Brownsville, Kay Smith of Oakwood and Richard Ritchie of Upper St. Clair were deployed to work in the Bucks County flooding relief effort in areas of disaster assessment, family assistance and mass care. Disaster assessment helps the Red Cross most efficiently plan its assistance, its volunteer network, and the cost and timeframe of the relief operation. It also helps determine the number of families who may be eligible for assistance in the weeks and months ahead. Family assistance could include cash vouchers for food and additional clothing, or for health-related needs — which could include replacement of medications or minor medical equipment. Assistance could also include help in finding a safe place to live or emotional counseling. Ritchie is driving the emergency response vehicle (ERV) to assist with the mass care and food distribution during the flooding relief. The volunteers will be working out of the Service Center in Yardley.
Many shelters are still open and will remain in place until residents can safely return home. Meals and snacks are available in a variety of locations. Supplies to disinfect and clean homes are being distributed. The Red Cross will also work with individual families to provide additional assistance for needed food, clothing and other basic necessities. All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.
April 5, 2005 Red Cross Annual Benefit—a “Red Tie Affair” All proceeds will remain in the area to help local families.
Red Cross Annual Benefit—a “Red Tie Affair”
All proceeds will remain in the area to help local families.
Pittsburgh, PA--- April 23 is quickly approaching and at 6 p.m. on the 17th floor of the Omni William Penn Hotel, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter will host some of the region’s top business executives and community leaders at its annual fundraising benefit—a “Red Tie Affair.”
Guests are asked to wear an element of red in their ensemble to show support for the tireless and vital work of the Red Cross. The cost is $325/person. The evening begins with a cocktail reception, followed by a five-course dinner, and live performances by Jeff Jimerson and Airborne, featuring B.E. Taylor. Also participating is former Pittsburgh Steeler and prominent attorney, Dwayne Woodruff and his wife, Joy, as honorary hosts; and WTAE-TV anchor Mike Clark as Master of Ceremonies.
Unique auction items include high-value opportunities such as a private breakfast with Senator Rick Santorum, lunch with Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster, Lanny Frattere, a country club engagement with former Steeler Craig Bingham as well as other opportunities with sports, radio and television personalities. Also included is a raffle for a $5,000 Louis Anthony Jeweler gift certificate which was donated by the jeweler.
Historically, this American Red Cross fundraiser has been consistently named one of the best parties of the year.
All proceeds from the Red Tie Affair will stay in the area to help local families. The American Red Cross is not a government agency and the chapter does not receive local funding from the national organization, except during large-scale disasters.
“We must rely on the generosity of our neighbors each year to continue our vital work in this region,” said Red Cross CEO Tim Tassone. “Our annual benefit is one of the ways we raise these much-needed funds.”
Organizations can participate in the Red Tie Affair with sponsorships at the Silver $2,500, Gold $5,000 and Platinum $10,000 levels. Already supporting the benefit at the Platinum Level is Giant Eagle and the following are contributing at the Silver Level: Blattner Brunner & Gateway Bank, A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., Bill Few Associates- Ward Garner, Car Wash Technologies, Citizens Bank, Coca-Cola, Consult USA and Oracle, Continental Real Estate Companies, Dean Dairy Products, Elizabeth Giant Eagle, EMC Corporation, Fazio Mechanical, Getronics, Heinz North America, Hewlett-Packard Company, J.J. Gumberg Co., J.P. Phillips, Inc., Liberty Candy Company, Inc., MBM Contracting, Inc., Mercer Human Resources Consulting, Oxford Development Company, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLP, Rapidigm, Reed Smith, LLP, Respironics, Retail Research Group, Inc., Rycon Construction, Inc., Sarcom Desktop Solutions, Inc., Sitko, Rodella & Bruno, LLC, The Hillman Company, UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, and Deloitte.
For more information about the benefit or to purchase your ticket or sponsorship, contact Julie Smith at 412-263-3112 or visit the local Red Cross website at www.swpa.redcross.org.
