Holiday Giving Catalog

Shop the 2011 Red Cross Holiday Giving Catalog! 

1. Choose gifts to honor your friends and family. 

2. Announce your gifts with free greeting cards.  

 3. Know your gift will help people when they need it most.

Here are some FAQs about the Holiday Giving Catalog.

Happy Shopping :)

Question: What is the Red Cross Holiday Giving Catalog?
Answer:The American Red Cross 2011 Holiday Giving Catalog offers people a chance to give something that means something and helps people in need. We believe that in this season of hope people want their gifts to really matter. Research shows that many people would prefer to receive a meaningful gift that would help someone else instead of a traditional holiday gift. We feel this gift catalog fills that need.

Question: What are the greeting cards like and how do they work?
Answer: Greeting cards from the Holiday Giving Catalog enable you to let friends and family know you've given a Red Cross gift in their name. During the catalog order process you can opt to receive a free greeting card and corresponding product insert for each product you purchase. The free greeting card and insert will be mailed to the gift purchaser. Greeting card options include either a printed greeting card with corresponding purchased product-specific insert or eCards which will be sent to the email address you provide. You will receive one printed greeting card and a corresponding product insert for each product you purchase.

Question: How is my donation spent?
Answer: The purchase of each gift item is a tax-deductible contribution to the overall mission of the American Red Cross. On the rare occasion when donations exceed the need in a particular area, we will use your contribution to help others where the need is greatest.

To shop the 2011 Holiday Giving Catalog click HERE 

Thanksgiving!

I absolutely LOVE Thanksgiving! Family, friends, and food... what's not to love? 

As always Thanksgiving is a very busy time for travel. The American Red Cross wants to make sure that everyone arrives safely at their destination.

To arrive safely, the Red Cross recommends these steps for those driving to visit loved ones:

• Make sure your vehicle is in good working order.
• Start out with a full tank of gas, check the air pressure in your tires and make sure you have windshield fluid.
• Buckle up, slow down, don’t drive impaired.
• Be well rested and alert.
• Use caution in work zones.
• Give your full attention to the road.  Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
• Observe speed limits – driving too fast or too slow can increase your chance of being in a collision.
• Make frequent stops.  During long trips, rotate drivers.  If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.
• Be respectful of other motorists and follow the rules of the road.
• Don’t follow another vehicle too closely.
• If you plan on drinking, designate a driver who won’t drink.
• Clean your headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows to help you see, especially at night.
• Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or if you are using your windshield wipers due to inclement weather.
• Don’t overdrive your headlights.
• If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.

It’s also recommended that you keep an emergency preparedness kit in the vehicle. Useful items include water, snacks, a flashlight, first aid kit, extra cash and blankets. The Red Cross Deluxe Auto Safety Kit is a great solution to help people prepare for emergencies on the road and is available in the Red Cross Store at www.redcrossstore.org.
For people traveling by air, bus or train, the Red Cross reminds them that the seasonal flu can occur as early as October. If you have come in contact with someone who is sick, perhaps the trip should be postponed as you may be contagious for a week before symptoms appear.
Other safety tips to avoid the flu while you travel include the following:

• Remember that everything you touch has to be touched by someone else – luggage handlers, etc. Handle your own belongings as much as possible. Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Carry hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes with you. You can use them to wash your hands or wipe down surfaces such as armrests.
• Bring your own pillows and blankets – they can act as a shield against the seat itself.
• If you have to cough or sneeze, do so into a tissue or your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your face or eyes.

Flu Season

 

Flu season is just around the corner.. 

The American Red Cross is encouraging everyone to get a flu shot in order to be protected throughout the season.

Here are some simple steps people can take to help prevent the spread of the flu:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and throw the tissue away after use. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.
• Wash hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand-rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you’re sick. 

If you think you have the flu, your health-care provider should be consulted. Seek medical care immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms:

• Fast breathing, trouble breathing or bluish skin color.
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen (adults).
• Confusion or sudden dizziness.
• Not drinking enough fluids, not being able to eat, or severe or persistent vomiting.
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
• Not waking up, being so irritable that the child does not want to be held or not interacting (children).
• Fever with a rash (children).
• No tears when crying or significantly fewer wet diapers than normal (children).

Be Red Cross Ready- Flu Checklist