It's All About Compassion: Run For Red

When it comes right down to it, the driving force behind the Red Cross is Compassion for our fellow men. We show compassion to every family we comfort at a disaster scene, at every lifesaving class we teach, when we help military families connect, and provide those in need with energy assistance. On March 5, 2011, we can show our compassion again. We can bring our friends and neighbors to the fundraising Run For REd 5k run, and help raise the means to keep showing the compassion we value so dearly. For more information, go to www.RunForRed.org.

Great Prizes! Great Cause! Run for Red!

Take your shot at winning amazing prizes like a 1-year Gold's Gym membership and Sundance Tickets when you support the Mountain Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross at the Run for Red 5k race and 1 mile walk. More runners are needed, so save March 5, 2011, at 10 a.m. at Independence High School, 636 Independence Avenue in Provo as the date and time to bring your friends to have a great time and support a great cause. For more information, or to register, go to www.runforred.org. See you there!

Blood Needed: Donate Now!

Every two seconds someone in America needs blood. You can help by donating blood through your local American Red Cross. Giving blood is easy. It only takes about an hour, and a single donation can help to save up to three lives. Give to someone in immediate need--it could be a friend, a neighbor, or a stranger. Give blood to the American Red Cross. To make an appointment call 1-800-Red Cross or visit www.redcrossblood.org today. The need is constant, the gratification is instant. Give blood.

Run for Red to Raise Funds for Red Cross!

Dear Friends of the Red Cross,

Now is your chance to be a humanitarian star! The Mountain Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross will host the 8th annual Run for Red 5K run and 1k walk event at Independence High School, 636 North Independence Avenue in Provo on March 5, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. This event will raise money to support the mission of the American Red Cross in Utah.

For more information go to www.utahredcross.org/runforred.

A Compilation of Posts and a Fond Farewell

Dear Devoted Readers,

It has been my greatest pleasure to write for this blog and keep you informed about preparedness as well as the goings on of the American Red Cross in Utah.

I am turning the reigns of this blog over as I leave the Red Cross and my time as an AmeriCorps volunteer is complete.

Since this will be my last post, below is a list of firsts; including many of the amazing things I was able to do here at the Red Cross and then get to write about.

First Disaster Response

First hike in the summer heat

First time donating blood

First 10 Things...post

First pet post

First post with Bret Michaels

First Halloween

First Sandwich in a Can

I hope you enjoy reading these posts as much as I enjoyed experiencing and writing them.

Practice Fire Safety

Red Cross volunteers have been responding to numerous house fires around the state of Utah! While our volunteers are on scene within two hours providing those affected by fire with immediate essential items like food, clothes and shelter our goal is also prevention. So I wanted to include in this blog post ways to prevent a fire from starting in your home:

If you're like me and love to cook, I highly recommend practicing cooking safety. So when I'm in the kitchen this Sunday mixing up a delicious Super Bowl menu for the Big Game, I plan to stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you do have to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. Check your food regularly and use a timer to remind you that food is cooking.

This freezing winter weather has surely caused many of you to pull out the portable heaters in your office, sleeping area, living room, etc. In order to prevent your heater from starting a fire make sure you turn it off when you leave the room!
While the Red Cross does not endorse smoking, if you choose to do so, make sure your butts are out and you never smoke in bed.

And last but not least (check out additional Red Cross safety tips here) talk to your children, family members and loved ones about the dangers of playing with fire.