Pittsburgh, PA---At its annual fundraiser, the Red Tie Affair, the local Red Cross will recognize the contributions that its volunteers made throughout this unprecedented year of natural disasters.  The chapter will also recognize Kevin McClatchy, CEO and Managing General Partner of the Pittsburgh Pirates for his significant leadership contribution to our communities.

It is within the spirit of uncompromising leadership to the community that the Red Cross will inaugurate a new and important recognition award, the Distinguished Leadership Award, and will present it to Mr. McClatchy Saturday, April 29, at the Westin Convention Center Hotel. 

The award was established to honor a community member through whose ongoing effort, commitment, courage and positive nature has made a difference in the perception and image of our entire Pittsburgh region---for the people who live here as well as for the visitors who look to our region with respect and applaud our community pride.

The Red Tie Affair begins at 6:30 pm, with the award presentation around 8 p.m. The evening will include a cocktail reception, followed by a five-course dinner, live entertainment by Jeff Jimerson and Airborne and as Master of Ceremonies, Tony Mowod from WDUQ radio.  Also included is a raffle for a $5,000 Louis Anthony Jewelers gift certificate, which was donated.

Unique auction items include a Super Bowl XL official football held in reserve (but unused) for the Steelers’ World Championship victory, an overnight stay for two and 18 holes of golf at Nemacolin Woodlands; three women’s fur apparel items from Canadian Fur Company; three cases of fine wines donated by Wine Cellars of Annapolis; a golf foursome with Kevin McClatchy at the prestigious Laurel Valley Country Club in Ligonier, and three designer dresses from Emporio Armani. 

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.  Cost is $325/person.

Platinum sponsors ($10,000+) are Giant Eagle and U.S. Steel Corp. and gold sponsors ($5,000+) are Fazio Mechanical Services, PNC, and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. Additional corporate sponsorships and underwriting opportunities are available by calling 412-263-3112.

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.

For more information about the benefit, contact Jessika Strauss at 412-263-3112 or visit the local Red Cross Web site at www.swpa.redcross.org.

PITTSBURGH - In support of March as American Red Cross Month, the Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter has been sending out information to ensure you know how to respond in case of an emergency - at home or in the workplace.  This is the final part of a five-part series.

Give Blood is the final of the five important actions everyone can take to prepare for disaster. The other steps are Make a Plan, Build a Kit, Get Trained and Volunteer. The American Red Cross is highlighting each of these steps as part of its “Together We Prepare” campaign.

Every two seconds, a person in the United States needs a blood transfusion.  The reality is that there is a desperate need for blood donors to help cancer patients, surgical patients, accident victims and others, and when disaster strikes, those needs can multiply.

Many generous Americans nationwide have been donating blood to ensure a sustained and secure blood supply for all Americans. Together with the Red Cross, these blood heroes are ensuring that the safest possible blood is readily available whenever and wherever needed. Some 4 million people give blood through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States.  The Red Cross provides nearly half of the nation’s blood supply (collecting more than 6 million units a year from volunteer donors) to patients in 3,000 hospitals across the country through its national network.

Red Cross collection centers depend on caring individuals to spare an hour or so to donate blood every couple months. It’s easy to save lives by giving blood, yet only 5 percent of the eligible U.S. population donates. Yet sooner or later, virtually all of us will face a time in which we will need blood, and that time is all too often unexpected. From its beginning, the Red Cross has formed a community of service that comes forth with neighbors helping neighbors in need - during earthquakes, floods, fires, storms - and also for the personal and often quiet disasters that require a gift of blood.

Celebrate American Red Cross Month---Give Blood.  To find the blood drive nearest you, visit www.redcrosslife.org or call 1-888-217-9599 to find out how to set up a blood drive in your community.

WASHINGTON, PA - In an attempt to adequately staff the city of Washington public swimming pool this summer, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is seeking swimmers interested in becoming summer lifeguards to go through its certification courses beginning March 30.

The swimmers that successfully complete Red Cross "Aquatic School" will have the proper certification to apply for summer lifeguard positions.

Through a partnership with the City of Washington and Washington & Jefferson College, the Aquatic School will be offered to certify lifeguards in time for summer employment at the Washington pool. 

To qualify for entry into the Lifeguard class, you must be at least 15 years of age. You must be able to swim 500 yards (20 lengths of the pool) and be able to surface dive nine feet and retrieve a 10-pound diving brick. Pre-registration is required; walk-ins will not be accepted.

The American Red Cross Aquatic School will be held over four days: March 30-April 2 at the Washington & Jefferson Henry Memorial Center.  Thurs & Fri times are 6-10 pm, Sat & Sun times are 8 am-7 pm.  There are still openings.  $150 non-refundable fee is due upon registration. Lifeguard candidates need to complete all four days for certification.  To register or for more information, please call the Red Cross at 724-222-4750.

PITTSBURGH, PA - As part of March's American Red Cross Month activities, your local Chapter wants you to know the various volunteer opportunities available with the Red Cross in your community as well as some of the personal benefits volunteering can offer.  This is part four of a five-part series as Volunteer is the fourth step in the American Red Cross Together We Prepare campaign.

Whether you’re retired, on summer vacation from school, or part of an organization looking for community service opportunities, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter offers numerous opportunities to volunteer doing a variety of tasks.

Some volunteer opportunities available through the local Red Cross chapter include:

• The Disaster Action Team (DAT) to help provide food, shelter and clothing and to stay involved with those who suffer losses as a result of a disaster until they have a solid recovery plan. Since July 1, the Red Cross has responded to 286 disasters and helped 1232 individuals.
  
• 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, 518 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.  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 semi-annual Aquatic School will be May 11-14 and 18-21 at the University of Pittsburgh Trees Hall pool. 
  
• 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.

It’s a common perception that volunteering makes you feel good.  But did you know it can improve your health? 

 One of the most well documented benefits of volunteering is that it expands a person’s social network. People who are socially connected are more likely to live longer than those who are isolated. A study at the University of Michigan showed that men who volunteered were two-and-a-half times more likely to live longer than men who did not. A Cornell study documented a similar trend for women.

“Consider taking time out of your busy schedule to help others, and encourage friends and family to do the same,” said Eugene Evans, volunteer resources manager.  “Besides making a difference in someone else’s life, you might even improve the quality of your own.”

Celebrate American Red Cross Month-Volunteer. Every day in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene and Washington counties, American Red Cross volunteers help families recover from disasters, and empower people with the skills they need to save a life.  For more information about volunteer opportunities with the American Red Cross, call 888-217-9599 or visit us at www.swpa.redcross.org.

PITTSBURGH---Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that offers flexibility of your time commitment, a chance to help others in times of emergencies and the opportunity to develop leadership skills while working with a team?  If so, register by this Thursday, March 23, for the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter Disaster Training Weekend at the East McKeesport Borough Building, 907 Florence Ave., East McKeesport, PA 15035. The training is free and open to the public.

The local group of Red Cross volunteers that responds to local emergencies such as fires, floods, chemical explosions and other natural or man-made disasters are members of the Disaster Action Team.  This team assists the affected families with disaster-caused needs such as food, new clothing and temporary shelter.

If you would like to join the Disaster Action Team, the following training is required:
 
Friday, March 24: Introduction to Red Cross Services (6 pm-9 pm)
Saturday, March 25: Shelter Operations (9 am-noon)
Saturday, March 25: Shelter Simulation (1-4 pm)
Sunday, March 26: Community Services (9 am-12 pm)
Sunday, March 26: Disaster Assessment (1 pm - 4 pm)

Registration: email Sandi Wraith at wraiths@usa.redcross.org or call 412-263-3147.

Location: East McKeesport Borough Building (907 Florence Avenue, East McKeesport , PA 15035

PITTSBURGH, PA - As part of March's American Red Cross Month activities, your local chapter wants to ensure you know how to respond in case of emergency - at home and in the workplace. This is part three of a five-part series.

As part of the Together We Prepare campaign, the Red Cross offers information on five essential steps:
Make a Plan
Build a Kit
Get Trained
Volunteer
Give Blood

In an effort to increase public awareness about our vital Health & Safety courses, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter encourages you to Get Trained.  Help save lives with First Aid, Infant and Adult CPR/Automated External Defibrillator (AED), workplace training and water-safety skills.

“Our chapter is dedicated to providing the community with a chance to learn basic life-saving skills through Health and Safety courses,” said Matt Clay, manager of health and safety services.  “To date, more than 50,000 local individuals have been trained to respond to emergency situations through these courses.”

Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED programs are designed to give you the confidence to respond in an emergency with lifesaving skills.  Programs are available for any age and can be tailored to the needs of specific groups and individuals. 

Victims of a sudden cardiac arrest usually need an electric shock called defibrillation to restore the heart to a regular rhythm. The local Red Cross offers AED training in its CPR courses.  AEDs could save as many as 50,000 of the 220,000 lives lost each year to sudden cardiac arrest.  As AEDs become more readily available to the public in the workplace, malls, airplanes and hotels, the American Red Cross is urging people to learn how to operate these devices.

Workplace training helps businesses protect the health and safety of their employees by ensuring that co-workers have the skills and equipment to respond if another co-worker slips, falls, or suffers cardiac arrest.

Celebrate American Red Cross Month-Get Trained. The Red Cross offers a variety of courses at designated Red Cross locations or on-site for your convenience. To learn more about the American Red Cross or for further questions call 1-888-217-9599 or visit us at www.swpa.redcross.org and click on “Register for a Class” to see the dates and times per course.

More than 92 health and safety organizations to attend

WHO: American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, Washington Hospital and Representative Solobay’s office partnering to host health and safety fair.

WHAT:  Health & Safety Fair-more than 92 organizations attending to provide information and demonstrations

WHEN:  10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, March 16, 2006

WHERE: Washington Crown Center Mall, 1500 West Chestnut St., I-70, US 40, Washington, PA, 15301---throughout corridor in the mall

WHY: An integral player in community disaster relief and preparedness, the American Red Cross is at the scene when emergencies occur, and will be providing information on the various programs it offers.  Together with the Washington Hospital and Representative Tim Solobay’s office, the Health and Safety fair will provide safety tips from law enforcement, fire and emergency services departments.  Expert health advice and information will be available from various Washington Hospital departments as well. 
The Washington Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) will present a Teddy Bear Clinic to teach children not to be afraid of hospitals.  Children are invited to bring their favorite teddy bear or doll to the clinic.  The clinic will demonstrate what happens to “Teddy” when he arrives at the ED after an accident.

HOW: For more information regarding the event, call Bobbie Clark at the Washington Hospital, 724-223-3541. 

PITTSBURGH, PA - During March as American Red Cross Month, your local Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants to ensure you know how to respond in case of an emergency - at home and in the workplace.  This is part two of a five-part series.

The Red Cross created the Together We Prepare campaign to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.  The first step was Make a Plan, and the second step in the campaign is Build a Kit.

“Our chapter is committed to doing everything we can to ensure that individuals, families and communities know how to respond in case of emergencies,” said Michael Adametz, director of emergency preparedness. “Building a disaster supply kit is a great step toward being better prepared.”

Every household should have a Disaster Supply Kit.  The kit should be able to sustain each person in the household for at least three days, whether confined to the home for an extended period of time (such as after a disaster or winter storm) or told to evacuate on short notice.

Your Disaster Supply Kit should include the following items:
Water  (1 gallon per family member per day)
Manual can opener
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
Flashlight (and extra batteries)
First Aid Kit
Battery-powered radio
Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
Duct tape
Matches in a waterproof container
Clothing (sturdy shoes, rain gear, hat, gloves)
Bedding
Prescription and non-prescription medications
Cash or traveler’s checks
Sanitary supplies
Important papers
Contact information and a map
Special items for infants or elderly members, if necessary 

Store your Disaster Supply Kit in a sturdy, easy to carry container such as a plastic storage container, backpack or a duffel bag and keep it in a convenient place known to all family members.  Keep paper supplies in a waterproof container inside your kit and make a smaller version of your Disaster Supply Kit for your vehicle. 

Celebrate American Red Cross Month-Build a Kit.  Pre-assembled Disaster Supply Kits are also available at your local Red Cross. To learn more about the American Red Cross Together We Prepare campaign call 1-888-217-9599 or to make a promise to Build a Kit visit us online at www.swpa.redcross.org.

PITTSBURGH, PA - As part of March's American Red Cross Month activities, your local Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants to ensure you know how to respond in case of an emergency - at home or in the workplace.  This is part one of a five-part series.
The Red Cross created the Together We Prepare campaign to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.  Follow these five steps to better prepare for what may come:

1.  Make a Plan
2.  Build a Kit
3.  Get Trained
4.  Volunteer
5.  Give Blood

"Our chapter is dedicated to teaching the community how to prepare for the unexpected," said Tim Tassone, chief executive officer. "Through these five actions, local individuals and families can become ready to respond in emergencies."

Disasters can strike quickly and without warning.  Would you know what to do?  The first action in the Together We Prepare campaign is Make a Plan.  Families can-and do-cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team.  Here’s what to do: 
Talk. Discuss what can happen and why you need to prepare. Calmly explain the potential dangers, and plan to work together as a team. Make sure every family member knows his or her particular responsibilities. Designate an alternate in case a person is not there at the time.

Plan.  Develop a communication plan.  Plan where to meet after a disaster.  Choose two places: right outside of your home, or outside of your neighborhood, depending on the circumstances of the situation.  Then, ask an out-of-town friend to be your "family contact," and find out how to care for your pets.

Learn.  Each responsible family member should learn how and when to turn off utilities such as electricity, water and gas. Ask someone at the fire department to show you how to use the fire extinguisher you store in your home.

Check Supplies.  Once a disaster supplies kit is assembled, do not forget about it! Review your disaster supplies and replace water and food every six months. Make sure a smoke alarm is installed on each level of your home and check the batteries every year. Check if you have adequate insurance coverage for each disaster.

Tell.  Tell everyone in the household where emergency contact information is kept. Make copies for each member of the family to carry with them. Be sure to include an out-of-town contact. It may be easier to call out of the area if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service.

Practice.  Practice your plan twice a year: conduct fire drills and practice evacuating your home. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on a map in case main roads are impassable or jammed with traffic. Practice earthquake and tornado drills at home, school and work. Commit a weekend to update phone numbers, disaster supplies and review your plan with everyone.

Celebrate American Red Cross Month-Make a Plan.  To learn more about the American Red Cross or to make a promise to be better prepared, call 1-888-217-9599 or visit us at www.swpa.redcross.org.

Pittsburgh, PA--- At its annual fundraiser this year, the local Red Cross will not only honor volunteers coming off an extraordinary year of natural disasters, but the chapter will also recognize Pittsburgh-area leaders such as Kevin McClatchy (of the Pittsburgh Pirates) for a trait necessary to every neighborhood: ‘community leadership.’
 
Red Cross’s Red Tie Affair takes place Saturday, April 29, at the Westin Convention Center Hotel, starting at 6:30 pm. The evening will include a cocktail reception, followed by a six-course dinner, unique silent auction and live entertainment.  Also included is a raffle for a $5,000 Louis Anthony Jewelers gift certificate, which was donated.

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.  Cost is $325/person. Corporate sponsorships and underwriting opportunities are available by calling 412-263-3112.

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.

The Red Tie Affair is a major fundraiser for the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, as it grossed $150,000 last year with more than 400 guests in attendance.

 “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.”

For more information about the benefit, contact Jessika Strauss at 412-263-3112 or visit the local Red Cross Web site at www.swpa.redcross.org.