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
February 29, 2008 President Bush proclaims March Red Cross Month
PITTSBURGH - In 1943, as the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to declare March “American Red Cross Month.” Every year since then, the president of the United States has proclaimed March as Red Cross Month.
Today, President George W. Bush continued the tradition, again designating March as the time to recognize the unending good deeds and tireless efforts of the Red Cross.
In the statement released this morning the President said, "The American Red Cross exemplifies the good heart of this Nation by leading humanitarian efforts at home and around the world. This past year the American Red Cross provided food, comfort, and medical assistance to the victims of the tragic bridge collapse in Minnesota, the devastating wildfires in California, and the tornadoes that affected several Southern States. From the mountains of Peru to the lowlands of Bangladesh, the American Red Cross and its partners helped to provide relief abroad to those affected by natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies.”
Locally, to kick off Red Cross Month, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants to ensure area residents are prepared for emergencies through its Promise to Prepare campaign. The goal of the campaign is to encourage people to take action to better prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Residents can visit the local Red Cross Web site at www.swpa.redcross.org and promise to take one or more of the four preparedness steps:
1. Make a Plan
2. Build a Kit
3. Get Trained
4. Volunteer
“The American Red Cross is committed to not only responding to disasters, but teaching people to prepare ahead of time for emergencies,” said Charlie McGivern, Interim CEO of the local Red Cross. "Red Cross month is the perfect time to encourage everyone to make a promise to prepare, which will make the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region a safer place.”
Each week during Red Cross Month, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter will offer additional information on one step in the process.
February 21, 2008 American Red Cross offers safety tips for driving in winter weather
PITTSBURGH -- The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Southwestern Pennsylvania beginning tonight. That means snow, ice and slush could arrive just in time for tomorrow’s morning commute.
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter recommends staying inside and avoiding driving if at all possible when winter weather creates hazardous road conditions. However, if you have to head out, keep in mind the following safety tips before taking the road.
General Travel
Tell another individual your destination and planned route so that if you get stuck, help can be sent.
Fill up gas tank before weather hits, and don’t let the gas level approach empty.
Keep an ear tuned to the radio for the latest road conditions and weather forecasts. A storm WATCH means a storm is possible in your area; a storm WARNING means a storm is headed for your area.
Drive with your headlights on.
Keep all your windows clear of snow and ice for maximum visibility.
Don't drive faster than you can see ahead and leave extra space between your automobile and others on the road.
Remember bridges and overpasses usually freeze before other roads.
Wear your seat belt.
Bring a fully-charged cell phone and emergency phone numbers.
Keep a disaster supplies travel kit in your vehicle containing blankets, extra warm clothes, flashlight, extra batteries, bottled water, ready to eat food, can opener, jumper cables, roadmaps, shovel, knife, tire repair kit, flares, tow rope and a bag of cat litter or sand (for traction).
If You Get Stranded
According to the National Weather Service, many people die each year when they attempt to leave their vehicles during a storm to walk to safety. Instead, stranded drivers should stay with their vehicle.
Tie a piece of cloth to the car’s antenna to signify you need help.
If you have a cell phone and are in service range, call for help. However, use cell phone sparingly to save battery power.
Run the engine and use the heater for 10 minutes out of every hour; keep interior lights on only while the engine is running.
Reduce the chances of hypothermia by constantly moving your arms and legs.
For more valuable information on preparing for winter weather, visit the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter’s Web site at www.swpa.redcross.org. Find detailed reports on the weather in your area at www.weather.com or find details on winter storms at www.noaa.gov or www.fema.gov.
February 14, 2008 Lifeguard training offered in East Liberty at The Kingsley Association
PITTSBURGH -- The frigid weather outside does not mean it’s too early to start thinking about a cool summer job. In association with the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, The Kingsley Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to positively impacting the lives of the local youth, is offering a lifeguard training course at its East Liberty headquarters. The course dates are:
Tuesday, Feb. 26 - 4:30-9:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 28 - 4:30-9:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 29 - 4:30-9:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 1 - 2-10 p.m.
Tuesday, March 4 - 4:30-9:30 p.m.
The course is open to all individuals ages 15-and-older, and attendance at all classes is required for certification. Topics covered include first aid, CPR/AED and water rescue techniques. The cost of the course is $165 for members of The Kingsley Association and $185 for non-members. Deadline to register is Saturday, Feb. 23.
Robert Harris, the aquatics director at The Kingsley Association, explained that Red Cross lifeguard training is an important part of the association’s mission.
“People can expect a quality program and quality instruction,” he said. “Lifeguarding creates an opportunity for kids to have part-time job. It gets kids out of the house and puts them into a better situation in the community.”
The Kingsley Association is located at 6435 Frankstown Ave. in East Liberty; the organization plans on holding similar lifeguard training programs monthly. For more information, call 412-661-8751 or visit www.kingsleyassociation.org.
February 7, 2008 Local Red Cross CEO Returns to Private Sector; Long-Time Executive Tapped for Interim Post
PITTSBURGH, PA - After five years as Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, Tim Tassone will return to his previous career field of marketing as president of Campos, Inc., a Pittsburgh-based marketing research and strategic marketing consulting firm effective March 3.
During Tassone’s tenure at the local Chapter, the staff and volunteers have provided vital disaster relief services, military communications, and life-saving training to hundreds of thousands of the region’s citizens when they needed it most. The local chapter continues to respond to a home evacuation emergency or disaster right here in our area every 22 hours on average.
“The local board of directors will begin a thorough search for a replacement CEO,” said Board Chairman, Joseph Kennedy. “Tim Tassone, in the time he has been CEO, has made a tremendous contribution to our Chapter. We are a better Chapter as a result of his efforts over the past five years.”
To aid with the transition of responsibilities, a long-time Red Cross professional has been recruited as an interim CEO.
Charles C. McGivern, of Ormond Beach, Fla., has begun working with Tassone to provide as seamless of a transition as possible. With an extensive Red Cross background covering the various fields within the organization and its management levels, McGivern brings to the local Red Cross experience and support during this time of change.
“Charlie is a good fit for a smooth transition of the Chapter’s vital emergency response and disaster relief work in progress because of his vast experience as a Red Cross Executive in many other large Red Cross Chapters around the country,” said Tassone.
“I am excited to be a part of an organization that provides vital services to the local communities and is a highly recognized chapter among the more than 700 Red Cross chapters in the U.S.,” said McGivern.
February 6, 2008 Annual Red Tie Affair slated for April 26 at Westin Convention Center
PITTSBURGH -- Are you ready for an elegant Evening of Promise? The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter will hold its annual “Red Tie Affair” on Saturday, April 26 at the Westin Convention Center Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh from 6:30 p.m. to midnight.
In addition to being the biggest annual fundraiser for the local Red Cross, the Red Tie Affair has earned a reputation as the place to be each spring. This year, Ralph J. Cappy - a recently-retired Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice who is now with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney - will receive the local chapter’s Distinguished Leadership Award for his significant judicial and higher education leadership and humanitarian contributions to our local communities.
Sally Wiggin will serve as master of ceremonies at the event, which will include a cocktail reception, a five-course gourmet dinner, silent auction, live entertainment by Jeff Jimerson and Airborne and a special diamond raffle sponsored by CASA D’ORO Diamonds and Fine Jewelry. Among the items already secured for the silent auction are 21 signed fine art pieces, free veterinary services for one year and gift certificates to numerous area restaurants, including the Spaghetti Warehouse, The Original Fish Market, Seviche-Raw with a Twist and D’Imperio’s.
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. Tickets are $325 apiece or $550 for two. Corporate sponsorships and underwriting opportunities are available by calling 412-263-3112 or by visiting www.swpa.redcross.org.
All net proceeds are used to assist the chapter’s daily emergency response and disaster relief efforts throughout the community. The American Red Cross is not a government agency and the local chapter does not receive funding from the national organization, except during large-scale disasters.
The Red Tie Affair is a major fundraiser for the local Red Cross, as it grossed $200,000 last year with nearly 400 guests in attendance.
“The generosity of the people in our region is what enables us to help local families recover from disasters,” said Red Cross CEO Tim Tassone. “The annual Red Tie Affair is a great way to help raise those funds. It’s for a great cause, and it’s an outstanding evening.”
For more information about the 2008 Red Tie Affair, contact Ingrid Shaw at 412-263-3112 or visit the local Red Cross Web site at www.swpa.redcross.org.
February 1, 2008 This Valentine's Day give a gift that could save the life of your loved one
PITTSBURGH, PA - Are you having difficulty thinking of a unique Valentine’s Day gift idea for your sweetheart? Instead of flowers or jewelry this year, what could be more thoughtful than the gift of saving a life?
Team up with the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter for the perfect gift. Programs offered by the Red Cross can provide you with the knowledge and confidence to respond to emergencies and the tools needed for you to help save a life.
Red Cross First Aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) programs are designed to give you the knowledge and confidence to respond to any emergency with lifesaving skills. Using AED equipment, the courses feature hands-on simulation, lectures, live instruction and video demonstrations. These programs teach participants how to save the lives of infants, children and adults, and can be tailored to the needs of specific groups, businesses and individuals.
Also available for unique Valentine’s Day gifts are:
Gift Certificates redeemable for CPR or First Aid classes.
First Aid Kits are one of those emergency items -like fire extinguishers and smoke detectors - that make ideal gifts that you hope you never have to use. The Red Cross has several sizes and types of First Aid kits available ranging in price from $8.50 to $39.95.
AEDs are also available and can be purchased by individuals or businesses.
Training courses are available at the following times and locations:
First Aid:
Feb. 7, 8 a.m.- noon; Pittsburgh location - 225 Blvd of the Allies
Feb. 7, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Washington location - 524 E. Maiden St.
Feb. 13, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Fayette location - 108 Morgantown St., Uniontown
Feb. 21, 6-10 p.m.; Pittsburgh location
Standard First Aid with CPR/AED - Adult and Child, plus Infant CPR:
Feb. 19, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Pittsburgh location
For course descriptions and prices, or to register, contact 1-888-217-9599 or visit the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter Web site at www.swpa.redcross.org. First Aid Kits and other Red Cross merchandise can also be purchased at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter headquarters located at 225 Boulevard of the Allies in downtown Pittsburgh.
