• Disaster Action Team - These volunteers take on-calls shifts and respond to disasters - often house fires - and offer immediate emergency assistance to the victims in the form of food, clothing, shelter.

• Disaster Public Affairs Team - This team of volunteers takes on-call media relations duties, reporting information about Red Cross disaster responses to newspapers, television stations and radio stations.

• Foster Grandparent Program - Open to individuals ages 60 and older, this program offers seniors the opportunity to serve as mentors, tutors and caregivers to children and youth with exceptional needs.  Foster Grandparents may serve in schools, hospitals, drug treatment facilities and similar institutions.

• Health & Safety Instructors - Once they’ve received proper training, these volunteers teach vital lifesaving skills to the community such as CPR, First Aid, Babysitter’s Training, Lifeguarding and more. 

• Retired & Senior Volunteer Program - Individuals 55 years of age and older can contribute to the community by joining RSVP where they will have the opportunity to volunteer with other nonprofit organizations such as hospitals, libraries, schools, Meals on Wheels and cultural organizations.

PITTSBURGH - Where can you have the chance to win a $5,000 diamond for just $100 or bid on a genuine Prada Tote, a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey signed by Ike Taylor or a California getaway, complete with air travel courtesy of US Airways, all in the same night?

The silent auction at this Saturday’s Red Tie Affair - the largest annual fundraiser for the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter - will feature these and numerous other items. This year’s silent auction features 76 packages/items, the biggest collection of treasures in the history of the Red Tie Affair.

“There are some outstanding items in this silent auction,” said Michael Mingrone, Business Development Officer for the local Red Cross. “From fine jewelry to travel packages to sports memorabilia, there really is something for everyone.”

The highlighted item at this year’s Red Tie Affair is a one carat diamond donated by Casa D'oro Diamonds and Fine Jewelry and valued at more than $5,000.  While all other items will be available for bid in traditional silent auction format, those in attendance will have the chance to take home the brilliant cut diamond only through a special raffle sponsored by Casa D'oro.

A table will be set up displaying 100 champagne glasses, each containing a stone.  One stone will be the precious diamond while the other 99 will be an alternative stone. Red Tie guests will then have the opportunity to purchase a champagne glass and stone for $100; later in the evening, Casa D'oro representatives will perform tests on the stones to reveal which is the true diamond.

In addition to the diamond, the winner will also receive a $300 gift card to Casa D'oro. Even the “losers” still win as each individual who purchases a champagne glass will receive a $100 gift card and can keep the alternative stone.

The diamond isn’t the only upscale prize guests can take home. Silent auction items include:

• Five travel packages, including air travel courtesy of US Airways, with destinations ranging from Orlando to San Francisco.

• Sports memorabilia packages including a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey signed by Ike Taylor, a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey signed by Ryan Malone and collectibles from the Pittsburgh Pirates including an autographed Ian Snell baseball and an autographed Freddy Sanchez bat.

• More than 20 pieces of fine art, including works by famous cartoonists and a painting from a world-renowned pop culture artist.
  

• Exclusive golf packages for such courses as Diamond Run Golf Club, Oakmont Country Club and Treesdale Country Club.
  

• An assortment of exquisite handbags, totes, wallets and sunglasses.
  

• An exquisite collection of jewelry from Casa D’oro.
  

• Gift certificates to some of the city’s top restaurants including Seviche - Raw with a Twist, the Original Fish Market, Lidia’s Restaurant, Spaghetti Warehouse, and more. 

The annual Red Tie Affair will be held this Saturday, April 26 at the Westin Convention Center Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh from 6:30 p.m. to midnight.  In addition to the silent auction, the event will feature fine dining, live music and the presentation of the Distinguished Leadership Award to former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Ralph J. Cappy.

Sally Wiggin of WTAE-TV will serve as master of ceremonies and Ike Taylor of the Pittsburgh Steelers will be an additional guest of honor. 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. 

All net proceeds benefit the chapter’s daily emergency response and disaster relief efforts.  The American Red Cross is not a government agency and does not receive public funding; the local chapter does not receive funding from the national organization, except during large-scale disasters.

For more information about the 2008 Red Tie Affair, call 412-263-3112 or visit the local Red Cross Web site at swpa.redcross.org.

PITTSBURGH – At today’s Pittsburgh City Council meeting, City Council President Doug Shields read a proclamation declaring Saturday, April 26, 2008 official “Red Cross Day” in the city of Pittsburgh.

Shields thanked all Red Cross volunteers for their tireless efforts responding to disasters, communicating emergency messages to military members and saving lives through CPR, First Aid and AED training.  Shields then presented the proclamation to a contingent of personnel from the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, including board members Roy Cox, Philip Medsger, Fran Gargotta and Matt Wagle.

Red Cross Day falls on the same date as the Red Tie Affair, the local chapter’s largest annual fundraiser.  This year, the Red Tie Affair – a formal gala which includes a gourmet dinner, live entertainment and the presentation of the Distinguished Leadership Award – will be held at the Westin Convention Center Hotel from 6:30 p.m. to midnight.

“Our volunteers are very excited about Red Cross Day and the Red Tie Affair,” said Charlie McGivern, interim CEO of the local Red Cross. “We are thankful for all the work our volunteers do in the Pittsburgh community, and we appreciate this outstanding recognition.”

For more information on today’s proclamation or the Red Tie Affair, call 1-888-217-9599 or visit swpa.redcross.org.

PITTSBURGH – When two homes on the 800 block of Lovitt Way on Pittsburgh’s North Side exploded Friday morning, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter immediately responded and offered assistance to the victims.

The explosion destroyed two homes and damaged several others. Red Cross volunteers assisted seven families consisting of 10 adults.

• One individual was given assistance with food, clothing and shelter

• Six individuals were given assistances with food and shelter

• Three individuals were given assistance with food

Those seeking additional assistance should contact the local Red Cross at 1-888-217-9599.  For more information, visit swpa.redcross.org.

PITTSBURGH – Thursday, April 17 won’t be a typical evening in Pittsburgh. It will be “An Evening of Promise.”

The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter will host its Evening of Promise Cocktail Party at the historic 1902 Tavern in Market Square that day from 5 to 8 p.m.

Guests will receive complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine and select cocktails. Additionally, the event will feature door prizes, airline ticket raffles and live musical entertainment by Jackson Monsour.

Monsour, a singer/acoustic guitar player, described his music as “folkish-reggae-rock.” In addition to his original music, Monsour performs covers of artists ranging from Bob Dillon to Jimmy Buffett.

“It’s a pleasure to be a part of this event,” said Monsour. “The Red Cross does so much good work, I really hope the community comes and shows their support. It should be a fun night at the 1902.”

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased (by those 21-and-older) at the door. For more information, or to purchase tickets in advance, visit swpa.redcross.org.

All proceeds from the evening benefit the local Red Cross.

PITTSBURGH – US Airways has continued its long history of charitable contributions to the region by donating $5,000 in air travel to the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. The donation comes in the form of gift cards, which will be included in the silent auction at the local chapter’s annual Red Tie Affair fund-raiser next month.

“US Airways is pleased to support the American Red Cross and make a contribution that will help fund disaster relief efforts in Southwestern Pennsylvania,” said Julie Coleman, Director of Community Relations for US Airways. “We are proud to partner with such a reputable organization as the Red Cross.”

The gift cards will be auctioned off as part of multi-item packages at the Red Tie Affair.

“There are no travel restrictions with these gift cards, meaning the winners can use the cards to travel anywhere US Airways flies,” said Michael Mingrone, Business Development Officer for the local Red Cross. “I expect they will be very hot items at the silent auction. All the money raised at the auction will be used to help the victims of disasters, so this is certainly a very worthwhile gesture.  We greatly appreciate the support shown by US Airways. ”

The Red Tie Affair will be held on Saturday, April 26 from 6:30 p.m. to midnight at the Westin Hotel and Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh.  In addition to the silent auction, the event includes a gourmet dinner, live music by Jeff Jimerson and Airborne and the presentation of the Distinguished Leadership Award to the honorable Ralph J. Cappy, who retired as a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice in December.

Tickets are $325 apiece or $550 for two.  Corporate sponsorships and underwriting opportunities are available by calling 412-263-3112 or by visiting swpa.redcross.org.