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The Vivint Gives Back Project 

Vivint, Inc. is one of the largest home automation companies in North America. Operating from offices throughout the United States and Canada, the company services close to 500,000 customers. Vivint is dedicated to enhancing security, convenience and energy efficiency. 

The Vivint Gives Back Project is giving away $1,250,00 to charities and you get to choose where the money goes! The Greater Salt Lake Area Red Cross is currently in 26th place, we need to make the top 20 in order to reach the next round.

 You have until June 11 to help us win $250,000! Click HERE to vote for the American Red Cross, you must be logged into facebook in order to vote. 

Become a Volunteer

Over the last couple weeks we have seen devastating disasters across the country. These disasters affect all aspects of life and require an extensive amount of assistance. The American Red Cross is here to provide all types of assistance but we could not do it without our volunteers. We need you!  Becoming a volunteer is easy and can be extremely rewarding. Click HERE to learn more about volunteering and how to become a volunteer!

Since the end of March, the Red Cross has:

• Served more than 1.7 million meals and snacks with the help of community partners.
• Opened more than 200 shelters and provided more than 17,000 overnight stays.
• Handed out more than 1 million relief items like hygiene kits, mops, brooms, tarps, shovels, work gloves and coolers.
• Provided more than 39,000 health and mental health consultations.
• Deployed more than 700 emergency response and other disaster vehicles to areas affected by floods, wildfires, and tornadoes.

AmeriCorps Week Continued..

The American Red Cross Utah Chapter has 6 AmeriCorps Members.. 

I handed out a survey to our AmeriCorps members so our blog followers could get to know them. The questions included..

Name:

Job Title:

Home town: 

Favorite Activity:

Favorite Food: 

If you could be any animal what animal would you be? why?

Gabi Roozee

Emergency Services 

Santa Cruz, San Jose, Chico California and Bend Oregon

Obsessively following the San Jose Sharks hockey

Ramyun

Kangaroo, because of Remi Gaillard (see youtube) 

Sarah Worlton

Emergency Services 

Lehi, Utah

Being with fun friends- laughing and sharing ideas

Crackers, cheese, cucumbers and hummus

A dolphin, I love to swim!

Miguel Silva

Health and Safety 

Born in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador. Raised in Concord, Calafornia. Now lives in Salt Lake City

Playing games and spending time with friends and family

Pupusas (from El Salvador)

Central American Leopard, cause they're cool. 

Linnea Fletcher 

Health and Safety 

West Jordan, Utah

Running, hiking and cycling

Mangos, chips and salsa

Cheetah, they run fast 

Page Neal

Communications and Marketing

South Ogden, Utah

Skiing

Chocolate covered pretzels 

A penguin, everyone loves penguins! 

AmeriCorps Week

May 14-21st is AmeriCorps Week!

The American Red Cross in Utah has 6 AmeriCorps members!

Don't know what the AmeriCorps program is? Here is a little history.. 

     In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act, which established the Corporation for National and Community Service and brought the full range of domestic community service programs under the umbrella of one central organization.

     This legislation built on the first National Service Act signed by President H.W. Bush in 1990. It also formally launched AmeriCorps, a network of national service programs that engage Americans in intensive service to meet the nation’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.

    The newly created AmeriCorps incorporated two existing national service programs: the longstanding VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program, created by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).

     In September 1994, the first class of AmeriCorps members—20,000 strong—began serving in more than 1,000 communities. On July 3, 2003, President Bush signed the Strengthen AmeriCorps Program Act, which nearly doubled the number of AmeriCorps members. By establishing new accounting guidelines for making Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards from the National Service Trust, the Corporation can now authorize approximately twice as many AmeriCorps positions in all categories. The legislation was the product of extensive, cooperative discussions with the Administration and a sign of the strong bipartisan support for AmeriCorps.

      AmeriCorps and its programs are among the most recent chapters in our country's long history of encouraging and supporting civic engagement.

"Service is a spark to rekindle the spirit of democracy in an age of uncertainty. When it is all said and done, it comes down to three simple questions: What is right? What is wrong? And what are we going to do about it?"
— President Bill Clinton, upon swearing in the first class of AmeriCorps members

For more info about AmeriCorps program and how YOU can get involved click HERE 

 Check back this week for more stories and to meet the American Red Cross AmeriCorps members! 

 

Cupcakes

CUPCAKES!! 

Everyone is going crazy for this new trend including the American Red Cross. Last month Sprinkles Cupcakes in Los Angeles had a Red Cross cupcake week, all proceeds going to American Red Cross to benefit the 

Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund.

   Click HERE to view the Sprinkles website and the full story. 


Want to make your own Red Velvet Red Cross cupcakes?  I found a wonderful recipe from Paula Deen and the Food Network. Enjoy.. 

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting.. 

• 1 pound cream cheese, softened
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry.

Cook's Note: Frost the cupcakes with a butter knife or pipe it on with a big star tip.

Make them a Red Cross Cupcake to by adding the signature Red Cross! 

 

The Cache Valley  Red Cross Heroes Awards Breakfast is this week! Check out the Cache Valley Heroes and their stories..

 May 10, 2011

9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Utah State University Taggart Student Center / Walnut Room Room 215 • 900 East 700 North Logan, Utah

Please RSVP to (435) 752-1125 or dougr@redcrossutah.org

Decades of Service:  Blythe Ahlstrom has volunteered with the Cache County American Red Cross for over 20 yrs. He has served in a number of ways including disaster services (DAT team), health & safety (instructor), and in a number of positions on the Board of Directors. He has assisted with fundraisers, for example a fundraiser to acquire  our Disaster service Trailer and the Run for Red 5k race events. He has represented the Red Cross  at countless community booths, fairs, parades, and events such as the home & garden show. He has taught many training classes for our other volunteers and has responded to  countless disasters, both large and small. He has also been a great financial contributor, and has provided extensive support to all the employees that have served in the Cache Valley office. He will receive the 2011 Lifetime Hero Award. 

Food for the Needy:  Matthew Whitaker directs the Cache Community Food Pantry. Matt and his team serve as symbols of hope to the community and never hesitate to help those in need.  He treats everyone with hope, dignity and kindness.  He is cheerful and respectful to all, and speaks Spanish fluently.  He is generous with his time and talents, despite receiving no monetary compensation for his efforts. As one friend describes him, “Matt Whitaker is a man among men and stalwart example of all that is good within our community; he is a symbol of nobility and honor.  Even though Matt and I are roughly the same age, ‘when I grow up,’ I want to be just like him.” – Jeff Stout.  Matt will receive the 2011 Community Good Samaritan Award.

Neighbor in Danger:  Kaylee Ellertson is an 11-year-old girl who heard the sound of breaking glass at an elderly neighbor’s home and ran to render aid.  She found her  neighbor, Ms. Runae Steele, face-down on the ground in a pool of blood.  Ms. Steele had fallen and suffered serve facial trauma as well as  possible head, neck and spinal trauma.  Kaylee  quickly summoned medical personnel using the 911 phone system.  Kaylee’s  actions played a significant role in restoring the well-being of Ms. Steele. She will receive the 2011 Youth Good Samaritan Award. 

Explosive Rescue: On the morning of October 22, 2009, a large mushroom cloud of smoke appeared in the sky as a propane tank exploded in a nearby home.  Cache County Deputy Shane Zilles, off-duty and living just doors away, made an instant decision to rush to the scene,  where he jumped into action looking for survivors of this horrific event.  After tending to one victim, he began searching for the second by digging and sifting through burning rubble, risking personal injury and even the loss of his own life when a second explosion occurred.  Quickly locating the second victim, Deputy Zilles and another citizen carried the victim to a safe location out of harm's way.  Deputy Zilles' commendable service did not end there.  He began clearing debris from the roads to provide unimpeded access for emergency response vehicles.  It is certain  that without his assistance on that day, the outcome of this tragic event could have been far different.  He will receive the 2011 Law Enforcement Award.    

St. George Heroes

The St. George Heroes Event was today! Here are some of the Heroes that were honored...

Adult Good Samaritan Hero Award: Snow Canyon High School students Alex Lambson and Dane Zdunich and their families will be forever grateful to the brave and heroic acts of school principal Warren Brooks, vice principals Paul Hurt and Conley Gali, social studies teacher Ron Hansen and resource officer Travis Brown.  On a mostly clear afternoon in October the two students were struck by lightning while standing next to a tree outside the school.  This tragic event was witnessed by many students and staff.  The four men took the lead to get the boys back in the school where they administered CPR until the Emergency Team took over.   Giving CPR immediately saved the lives of these two young men, who at the time showed no sign of life.  Mr. Brooks, Mr. Hurt, Mr. Gali, Mr. Hansen and Officer Brown worked as a team to restore the lives of Alex and Dane and joyfully reunite their families.

Family Hero Award: Cory Arnett-Hauenstein exemplifies what it means to be family. What started off as a scenic drive on an off-road in New Harmony ended in tragedy as Cory’s babysitter, the driver, lost control of her vehicle which landed nose first in a 15-foot streambed. She was ejected from an open window and died instantly.  Cory, a 12-year old boy, initially blacked out but regained consciousness and tended to the other kids in the van ages 2, 3 and 4.  He pushed one child up the embankment while carrying a second in his arms and dragging the third with his leg.  He sheltered the children from the heat under a tree and then walked a mile to get help, where he flagged down an individual who fortunately happened to be a nurse.  Cory kept calm in a chaotic situation, reacting in a manner which demonstrated maturity way beyond his young age.

International Hero Award: James Stewart made two trips to Haiti to bring aid to those affected by the devastation caused by a massive earthquake.  He travelled very dangerous grounds in the midst of the chaos to find supplies including water, diapers, formula, food, medicine and medical supplies, which were not available to most, but needed by many.  He also helped organize the effort to ensure children from an orphanage were safely on a bus that took them to the airport, where they were flown to their new families waiting in Florida.  For those that remained behind, he promised a fresh water supply when he returned.  He fulfilled that promise during his second trip back by drilling and installing a well that supplied water to the orphanage and the community.  

St. George Heroes

The St. George Heroes Event is tomorrow!! Here are the featured Heroes for today, check out their inspirational stories..

Medical Rescue Award: Exhibiting heroic personal efforts to help others beyond the call of duty, Jan Call is the ideal candidate for the Medical Rescue Award.   Jan is a member of the Washington County Sheriff's Search and Rescue who donates many hours as a responder and as an instructor for medical treatment.  She is a Lifeflight nurse working on the new Lifeflight Helicopter recently stationed in southern Utah.  During the disaster in Haiti, Jan with other Search and Rescue members were dispatched to Haiti to help during the disaster.  In one dramatic situation, Jan actually helped a mother give birth on the sidewalk next to the road with no equipment or sterile conditions. In fact, she used a piece of construction twine to tie off the umbilical cord.  She assisted in many surgical procedures including amputations with extremely limited resources.  Jan also was part of a group of volunteers that helped bring the 80 orphans out of Haiti.  All this was done on her time and expense.

First Responders Hero: Officer Darrin Coleman, with the Kanab City Police Department, has over sixteen years of experience in law enforcement.  He serves as the D.A.R.E. instructor teaching fifth grade students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. He is also a volunteer firefighter for Kanab City and an intermediate EMT with the Kane County Ambulance service.  In addition to all that, he serves as the ambulance service training coordinator and is on-call for ambulance duty.  Because of his selfless dedication Officer Coleman has made to the people of Kanab City, as well as Kane County, countless lives have been saved.

Community Good Samaritan Hero: “I did what needed to be done,” was the response from Steve McArthur.  What started as just another quiet day in Kayenta changed in a hurry when an elderly gentleman collapsed outside the local coffee shop.  Steve stopped his truck, bolted to the scene and began CPR immediately on the fallen gentleman.  The swift response was witnessed by many and its impact rippled through the small close knit community. He continued CPR as emergency personnel arrived.  Even though he attributes his quick response to adrenalin, it demonstrates a much deeper commitment of sacrifice that stems from placing others above self.

Workplace/Community Safety Hero Award: For the past 24 years, Karen Orton has worked as an E-911 Emergency Medical Dispatcher for the local ambulance, police, highway patrol, and fire departments in Cedar City. She has taken emergency calls when a young person had collapsed due to heart issues.  This and other examples caused her to step forward.  She wrote a grant proposal and was awarded funds to purchase Automatic External Defibrillators (AED’s), which when used quickly can “shock” the heart, restoring a normal heart rhythm.  "It breaks my heart to have a child die from an undiagnosed heart condition,” Karen stated but now she is literally helping mend hearts and save lives.