Friday, January 29, 2010

Local Musicians Rock for Haiti Relief


Salt Lake City, Utah (Friday, January 29, 2010) – A group of local musicians is ready to rock to help in Haiti.



Salt Lake Rocks for Haiti Relief hits the stage Saturday, February 6th from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Sandy’s Club Allure, 8925 Harrison Street. The concert includes nine local acts including acoustic rocker Tony Oros, singer/songwriter April Meservy, and event organizers, Ravings of a Madman. The concert will feature mostly acoustic rock acts, said Jeremiah Hammon, organizer and Ravings of a Madman lead singer, with some jazz, blues and metal thrown in. Attendance is a $5 minimum donation to the Red Cross’ International, National, & Local Disaster Funds – not that folks aren’t encouraged to give more.



“The earthquake in Haiti is a tragedy,” Hammon said. “They just don’t have the support we have in America. We need to do whatever we can to help. What can groups of local musicians do? We can rock. I don’t have a lot of money, but I’m using the resources I do have to help people. Collectively, we can make a difference.”



Officials from the local Red Cross couldn’t agree more. “Right now, the most effective way to help is by donating dollars. Every little bit counts,” said Neva Baker, development director Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.



Baker pointed out exactly what a few dollars donation can do for the people left homeless by the devastating 7.3-magnitue quakes that hit Haiti on January 12. A blanket costs $6; a shelter is $60. For $100, a family can receive a kit with everyone from toilet paper and soap to tarp for shelter. The International Red Cross is also the lead agency for temporary medical help and transportation of those with serious injuries as well as water sanitation right now in Haiti. The costs for those services add up, Baker said.



Salt Lake Rocks for Haiti Relief line-up Saturday, February 6th is Tony Oros from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Acoustic Madman from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; The Velvetones from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Dirt Bags Don’t Die from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; April Meservy from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Melisa Kelly from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Tired Life from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Jack Jones from 11 p.m. to midnight; and Ravings of a Madman from midnight to 1 a.m.



For information about the concert, contact Jeremiah Hammon at 406-209-7719 or jeremiahhammon@yahoo.com.



For more information about the American Red Cross, please call Susan Thomas 801-707-7535.



For donations call 1-800-HELP NOW, 1-800-REDCROSS or visit www.utahredcross.org.



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Help people affected by disasters like the earthquake in Haiti by donating to the International Response Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the International Response Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O.

Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting utahredcross.org.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Café Zupas Donates Proceeds on Thursday to American Red Cross


Café Zupas Donates Proceeds on Thursday to American Red Cross to help disaster relief efforts underway in Haiti


Salt Lake City, UTAH (Thursday, January 28, 2010) -- Café Zupas wants to make a difference and help with the devastation in Haiti after the January 12th 7.3 earthquake. The popular café will donate proceeds from all of the 7 locations to the American Red Cross on this Thursday, January 28th. Holly Coleman of Café Zupas said, “The owners want to help in a meaningful way with a significant gift to help the people of Haiti.” The locally owned restaurant chain will also match cash donations made in the stores on that day, up $20,000.

Café Zupas serves fresh salads sandwiches and soups make from scratch daily with unique flavors and recipes. They are located in Provo, American Fork, Draper, South Jordan, Cottonwood Heights, downtown Salt Lake and Layton.

Help people affected by disasters like the earthquake in Haiti with a donation to the International Response Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the International Response Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter at 555 East 300 South Suite 200 Salt Lake City, Utah 84102 or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.utahredcross.org.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Haiti-What will you do to help?

It has almost been two weeks since the devastating earthquake in Haiti shattered the lives of all the Haitians, as well as the volunteers and aid workers from the United States and abroad who were already living and working in Haiti. One of these people is a friend and former classmate of mine at the University of Portland, Molly Hightower.

Molly was working in an orphanage at the Father Wasson Center in Petion-Ville, Haiti when the earthquake hit. The building she was in completely collapsed. A Search and Rescue team was sent to where the remains of the building lay in a crumpled mess. Unfortunately, Molly's body was found in the rubble.

Molly worked with the special needs children at the orphanage, playing and doing physical therapy with the kids, even helping some to walk! Molly wrote about her life in Haiti in a blog she started when she first arrived last June. She lived her life so that each and everyone of the moments she experienced were treasured and worth something. http://mollyinhaiti.blogspot.com/

Her story and legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew Molly or heard about her life and work. She is a true inspiration and her passion for volunteering and helping people who need it the most is something we should all strive to obtain.
So what will you do to help those in Haiti, and those locally who are effected my disaster?
To donate to the Red Cross relief effort in Haiti or to the local disaster fund, visit http://www.utahredcross.org/.



Wednesday, January 20, 2010

If a quake hit in Utah - we'd need preparedness kits, like the people in Haiti

How to Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit For Home and Car

• First aid kit and essential medications. • Canned food and can opener. • At least three gallons of water per person. • Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags. • Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries. • Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members. • Written instructions for how to turn off gas, electricity, and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn natural gas service back on.) • Keeping essentials, such as a flashlight and sturdy shoes, by your bedside.

In Haiti right now, people need a first aid kit.. some food... water.. sturdy shoes... If a quake hit Utah, we'd all need those very same items. Put a kit together today. You'll be Red Cross Ready ... for anything.

Buy a kit - go to www.utahredcross.org and click on "store" or take this list and make your own kit. The Red Cross wants everyone to have a kit!

Red Cross Helps 2 Families After Fatal Fire


SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (Wednesday, January 20, 2010)— The Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is helping two families due to the apartment fire today at 236 East and 3560 South in Salt Lake City. One family is made up of two adults and two children. They are moving to another unit in the same building. The Red Cross will help them with food, clothing and cots. The Red Cross will also help the other family, the mother of the son who perished in the fire and her other son, with lodging and any other immediate essential needs they have, including counseling if desired. A Red Cross mental health team is on the way to offer help to the mother and her son at this time.

Red Cross Chapters in Utah responded to 114 disasters last year. Some of them rendering multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing, emotional support and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

How you can help:

Help people affected by disasters like this fire by donating to your local Chapter. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Learn more www.utahredcross.org.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Help Haiti and the Red Cross International Response Fund

New-- Donate the the International Response Fund at Smith's or Golden West Bank. Smith's offering donations at registers through January 30th. Golden West taking donations at all Utah branch locations.

The American Red Cross and KUTV 2 Raise $424,720 for the Red
Cross International Response Fund for Haiti


Salt Lake City, UTAH (Friday, January 15, 2010) The American Red Cross in Utah partnered with KUTV 2 to raise more than $424,720 during an all-day telethon Friday. Dozens of volunteers started answering phones at 6:00 am and continued through 11:00 pm. Major donations included $25,000 from the Bastian Foundation, $15,000 from NuSkin, $10,000 from Questar Gas and $5,000 from Ancestry.com. Wells Fargo announced during the telethon a nationwide gift of $100,000.

CEO Maxine Margaritis of the Red Cross Utah Region said, “It was heartwarming to watch those phones light up with local callers making donations all day long. The devastation in Haiti has deeply affected Utahns. The donations, big and small, are desperately needed for the International Response Fund. We were impressed with KUTV’s ability to put the telethon together very quickly and it was extremely well organized.” KUTV Channel 2 Vice President and General Manager Steve Carlston said, “What a thrilling experience this has been to see our Utah
community come together so quickly to support the people of Haiti. Every person we call, every corporation that we contact is eager to do whatever they can to help the victims of this tragic event. Every member of our KUTV family is honored to be part of this great humanitarian effort."

Smith’s and Golden West Bank have joined the cause as well and will be taking donations from the public. Golden West will be accepting donations at all 17 Utah branches. You can also go into any Smith’s Food and Drug now through January 30th to make a donation at the cash register. Utahns who missed the telethon can continue to donate online at www.utahredcross.org, by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or by mailing donations to: 555 East 300 South Suite #200 Salt Lake City, Utah 84102.

Red Cross Chapters in Utah responded to 114 local incidents this past year, some of them rendering multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

About the American Red Cross in Utah: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; supplies blood to 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The organization also provides emergency utility assistance and international family tracing services. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to your local Red Cross: Mountain Valley Chapter/Provo (801) 373-8580, Northern Utah Chapter/Ogden (801) 627-0000, Cache Valley Area/Logan (435)752-1125, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter 801-323-7000. Visit www.utahredcross.org click on “Across Utah.”

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Utahns Reaching Out to Haiti


Salt Lake City, Utah (January 13, 2010) — The American Red Cross issues a call for donations to help with disaster relief efforts in Haiti after several earthquakes, one registering 7.3 on the Richter scale, have rocked the area.

All Chapters of the Red Cross in Utah are flooded with calls this morning… People wanting to help or make donations. Donations may be made to the International Relief Fund by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or online at www.redcross.org. Donors may text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given to the American Red Cross to help with relief efforts; the donation is an automatic $10 donation. Groups wanting to raise funds can contact Neva Baker at 801-323-7003.

For Utahns with loved ones in Haiti, the Red Cross encourages you to continue to try to reach them via telephone, social networking sites or through a third party outside the disaster zone. Telephone lines are down, so the Red Cross advises you to try to be patient. Also, if you are concerned about a U.S. citizen living or travelling in another country, you may call the U.S. Department of State at 1-888-407-4747 for assistance.

Help people affected by disasters like these earthquakes, by donating to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters.


Donations: Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the International Response Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.”
Utahns Reaching Out to Haiti
The American Red Cross Calls For Donations to Help in Haiti
Salt Lake City, Utah (January 13, 2010) — The American Red Cross issues a call for donations to help with disaster relief efforts in Haiti after several earthquakes, one registering 7.3, have rocked the area.
The Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the Red Cross is flooded with calls this morning… People wanting to help or make donations. Donations may be made to the International Relief Fund by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or online at www.redcross.org. Donors may text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given to the American Red Cross to help with relief efforts; the donation is an automatic $10 donation.
For Utahns with loved ones in Haiti, the Red Cross encourages you to continue to try to reach them via telephone, social networking sites or through a third party outside the disaster zone. Telephone lines are down, so the Red Cross advises you to try to be patient. Also, if you are concerned about a U.S. citizen living or travelling in another country, you may call the U.S. Department of State at 1-888-407-4747 for assistance.

Help people affected by disasters like these earthquakes, by donating to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters.
About the American Red Cross in Utah: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; supplies blood to 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The organization also provides emergency utility assistance and international family tracing services. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to your local Red Cross: Mountain Valley Chapter/Provo (801) 373-8580, Northern Utah Chapter/Ogden (801) 627-0000, Cache Valley Area/Logan (435)752-1125, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter 801-323-7000. Visit www.utahredcross.org click on “Across Utah.”
Donations: Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575
(Spanish). Contributions to the International Response Fund may be sent to your
local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O.
Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure
online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.”