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
August 31, 2005 How you can help victims of Hurricane Katrina
How You Can Help Victims of Hurricane Katrina: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 ---The quickest and most efficient way to help the people affected by Hurricane Katrina is to make a financial contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
·This fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need for this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year.
·It is the Disaster Relief Fund that is currently focused on providing life’s most elemental essentials---food, water, shelter---in response to the destruction from Hurricane Katrina.
·The disaster relief effort for Hurricane Katrina is going to be a sustained one, unlike any other in Red Cross history, across many states and lasting many months.
Cash contributions may be sent through the local chapter at:
American Red Cross
Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter
P.O. Box 371997
Pittsburgh , PA 15251
Please indicate “Hurricane Katrina” on the memo line of the check so the Red Cross is clear of your intent.
For any other information, please visit us online at www.swpa.redcross.org.
August 30, 2005 Red Cross Houses 40,000 Evacuees in 230 Shelters; Local Chapter prepares
RED CROSS HOUSES 40,000 EVACUEES in 230 SHELTERS; LOCAL RED CROSS STOCKS AND POSITIONS VEHICLES AND VOLUNTEERS FOR POSSIBLE FLOODINGTuesday, August 30, 2005 — During the last 24 hours, Hurricane Katrina continued along its destructive path. The American Red Cross provided a safe haven for nearly 40,000 evacuees in more than 230 Red Cross shelters from the panhandle of Florida , across Alabama , Mississippi , Louisiana , Georgia and Texas .
Through its network of more than 850 local chapters, the American Red Cross is able to provide disaster relief to communities everywhere.
As the storm moves further inland, the Red Cross continues to urge residents in the storm’s path to prepare. Locally, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter will continue to take a proactive response to the approach of the storm.
·We are monitoring the rapidly changing weather conditions and are prepared for a local deployment of volunteers in anticipation of the storm.
·We have moved our Emergency Response Vehicle and shelter trailer to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in preparation should they need to be utilized during the night or into the next few days.
With a flash flood watch until tomorrow morning, residents in the Pittsburgh region should be prepared for potential flooding. Being prepared will lead to a much calmer response in a chaotic emergency. The Red Cross recommends that you take the following precautions:
·move your furniture and valuables to higher floors in your home
·make sure you have enough gas in your vehicle in case you need to leave quickly
·have an emergency bag of essential items in case you need to leave your home in a moment’s notice containing such items as: a change of clothes and shoes, medications, first aid kit, sleeping bags and/or blankets, a flashlight with extra batteries, etc.
The best way to help is by making an online contribution to the Disaster Relief Fund at www.redcross.org or by phone at 1-800-HELP-NOW. The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need for this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year.
The American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania serves over 1.6 million people in Allegheny , Washington , Greene and Fayette counties. Locally, the Red Cross provides relief to the victims of more than 300 disasters each year, facilitates more than 2,600 emergency messages between our deployed men and women in uniform and their loved ones here at home, as well as trains more than 50,000 individuals in vital lifesaving skills. The American Red Cross in Southwestern Pennsylvania is honored to support two senior volunteer programs, The Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, as well as the Homeless Prevention Services of Washington County. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, nor does it receive funding from its national headquarters except during times of large-scale disasters. It is only through the generosity of the people of southwestern Pennsylvania that the local Red Cross is able fulfill its mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other lifesaving emergencies. To make a donation of time or treasure, contact the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania by phone at 1-888-217-9599, by mail at 225 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15222 or online at swpa.redcross.org.
August 30, 2005 Golf Event to Benefit American Red Cross Southwestern PA Chapter
Southwestern Pennsylvania
WHAT: The 2005 Mulligan Golf Invitational to help the Red Cross continue to help the residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania prepare for, prevent and respond to emergencies.
WHEN: TUESDAY, SEPT. 6, 2005
(Media is invited to come at 5:30 p.m. to photograph/interview golfers coming off the course, hear the winners announced, see if any golfer won the hole-in-one prizes, etc.)
WHERE: Treesdale Golf & Country Club, One Arnold Palmer Driver, Gibsonia, PA15044
W HY: An integral player in community disaster relief, the American Red Cross is at the scene when emergencies occur – from fires to floods and from individuals to entire communities – providing for immediate needs such as food, shelter and clothing. Proceeds from the Mulligan Invitational will allow the Red Cross to continue its disaster response in the community.
Special event/attractions:
· Dwayne Woodruff, former Pittsburgh Steeler and prominent attorney, is honorary host
· Andrew Stockey, WTAE reporter, will be the master of ceremonies
· Rob Cochran of #1 Cochran Monroeville donated three Hummer vehicles to be a prize in a hole-in-one chance.
· Auction items include: Mario Lemieux’s 1985 autographed rookie jersey, autographed hockey stick, and autographed photo from his NHL draft signing at age 16; an autographed Ben Rothlesberger jersey and an autographed Jerome Bettis jersey; Sidney Crosby autographed jersey from Canadian league.
· The winner of a second hole-in-one contest sponsored by Ace Adventures will have the choice of a weekend vacation at one of seven premier golf locations.
· Title sponsors of the event are Giant Eagle and PNC Bank. Birdie sponsor of the event is Citizens Bank.
HOW:Registration of the golfers begins at 10:30 a.m. and a shot-gun start for golfing begins at 12:30. Media may come at any time, but the golfers are expected to be finished playing near 5:30 p.m. during which time scores will be tallied, winners will be announced, interviews may be conducted, etc. If interested in covering the event, please contact Tami Aubele at 412-263-3118.
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter serves over 1.6 million people in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene and Washington, counties. Locally, the Red Cross provides relief to the victims of more than 300 disasters each year, assists more than 1,000 military families by facilitating emergency messages between our deployed men and women in uniform and their loved ones here at home, as well as trains more than 45,000 individuals in vital lifesaving skills. The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is honored to support two senior volunteer programs, The Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, as well as the Homeless Prevention Services of Washington County. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, nor does it receive funding from its national headquarters except during times of large-scale disasters. It is only through the generosity of the people of southwestern Pennsylvania that the local Red Cross is able fulfill its mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other lifesaving emergencies. To make a donation of time or treasure, contact the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter by phone at 1-888-217-9599, by mail at 225 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15222 or online at swpa.redcross.org.
August 29, 2005 American Red Cross Responds to Hurricane Katrina
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate ReleaseAmerican Red Cross Responds to Hurricane Katrina
Monday, August 29, 2005 — The American Red Cross is launching one of the largest mobilization of resources in its history for a single national disaster. Nationally, the Red Cross is providing safe shelter for thousands from the Florida panhandle west across coastal Alabama , Mississippi , Louisiana , Georgia and Texas .
The American Red Cross is in the process of recruiting 1900 volunteers and staff from across the United States to respond to the devastation in the south. 885 Red Cross representatives are already on ground ready to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The Red Cross anticipates opening up to 600 shelters that could remain open for up to three months. The Red Cross is moving all available resources to safe areas so relief efforts can begin immediately after the storm passes.
The Red Cross has already identified 25 kitchen sites with the capacity to serving 500,000 meals a day.
WHAT WE’RE DOING LOCALLY
Locally, due to the storm’s projected path, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is assessing its personnel needs and preparing for the storm to hit our region.
Specifically:
·Red Cross is asking for our local disaster volunteers’ availability and preparing schedules and tasks for the volunteers so they can be assigned immediately as needs warrant.
·Red Cross emergency personnel are stocking vehicles, checking supplies and ensuring communications systems are in working order.
·Red Cross is communicating with our four counties’ community food banks and other local corporations with which we have already established relationships for times of disaster. Food banks, for example, could serve as important warehousing centers for mass distribution of supplies.
·Currently, the local Red Cross will not immediately dispatch our disaster volunteers to work out of state until we know more about the weather expected to reach us in the next day or so.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
If anyone is interested in volunteering for the local Red Cross, they can call toll-free 24-hours a day to 888-217-9599. The quickest way to help those already affected by the hurricane is to make an online contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW. The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need for this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL FLOODING:
Knowing what to expect and how to react should flood warnings or watches occur in this area can provide a much calmer and more organized response in such a chaotic time. The local Red Cross recommends the following in preparation for flooding as a result of Hurricane Katrina’s movement into our region:
·A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in your area. When a WATCH is issued, move furniture and valuables to higher floors in your home; fill your gas tank in your car in case of an evacuation.
·A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. When a WARNING is issued, listen to radio and TV news for advice and if told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.
·A FLASH FLOOD WARNING means a flash flood is occurring or will occur very soon. Be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
·Assemble a disaster supply kit containing at least a 3-day supply of items such as: first aid kit and essential medications; canned food and can opener; at least 3 gallons of water per person; protective clothing, rainwear, bedding or sleeping bags; battery powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries, etc.
For any other information or questions locally, please visit the local chapter’s website at www.swpa.redcross.org or call toll-free, 24 hours 888-217-9599.
The American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania serves over 1.6 million people in Allegheny, Washington, Greene and Fayette counties. Locally, the Red Cross provides relief to the victims of more than 300 disasters each year, facilitates more than 2,600 emergency messages between our deployed men and women in uniform and their loved ones here at home, as well as trains more than 50,000 individuals in vital lifesaving skills. The American Red Cross in Southwestern Pennsylvania is honored to support two senior volunteer programs, The Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, as well as the Homeless Prevention Services of Washington County. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, nor does it receive funding from its national headquarters except during times of large-scale disasters. It is only through the generosity of the people of southwestern Pennsylvania that the local Red Cross is able fulfill its mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other lifesaving emergencies. To make a donation of time or treasure, contact the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania by phone at 1-888-217-9599, by mail at 225 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15222 or online at swpa.redcross.org.
August 2, 2005 #1 Cochran Donates Vehicle to Local Red Cross #1 Cochran Donates Vehicle to Local Red Cross
Southwestern Pennsylvania and #1 Cochran, Monroeville
WHAT: A gift presentation of a Hummer3 vehicle to the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter kicks off a three-day Hummer Store event
WHEN: THURSDAY, Aug., 4, 2005 :
7:10 p.m. Rob Cochran to speak
7: 20 p.m. General Motors executives to speak
7:30 p.m. Vehicle presentation to Red Cross
7:35 p.m. Tim Tassone, Chief Executive Officer of Red Cross to speak
WHERE: #1 Cochran, 4520 William Penn Highway, Monroeville
W HY: An integral player in community disaster relief, the American Red Cross is at the scene when emergencies occur – from fires to floods and from individuals to entire communities – providing for immediate needs such as food, shelter and clothing. The HOPE Program (Hummer Owners Prepared for Emergencies) is a relationship between American Red Cross and General Motor’s Hummer Club to offer the opportunity to Hummer vehicle owners to become involved in Red Cross disaster response and to volunteer to help the community when disaster strikes.
The donation of a Hummer3 vehicle to the local Red Cross will add to its disaster response and help the Chapter to continue to be available wherever and whenever families need us most. On both Friday and Saturday guests can take an off-road drive in a Hummer vehicle for a $15 donation to the local Red Cross. This is an additional gift from #1 Cochran and those who attended the event in the spirit of helping the local Red Cross fulfill its mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
HOW:A three-day event beginning Thursday and going through Saturday will celebrate the new relationship as well as #1 Cochran’s Hummer Store opening. Media are invited to cover the three-day event; interviews will be available from Red Cross, Cochran and General Motors executives Thursday night.
