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.

10 Things You Can Do in 5 Minutes

I was recently reading an article in a magazine about things you could do if you had 5 minutes to spare. Included in the list were: brush and floss your teeth, write a thank you note, and call a loved one. The list included simple things to do but important tasks that sometimes get overlooked. What would you do with a 5 minute break?

I decided to create my own list of preparedness items you can do if you have an extra 5 minutes in your day. See I told you it was easy! Check it out!

1. Change the batteries in your smoke alarm
2. Make sure items in your food storage are not expired
3. Make a list of emergency contact information for you and your family members
4. Assemble a small emergency pack with items around your house like a flashlight, water, etc.
5. Read up on Red Cross earthquake safety information
6. Fill up your gas tank
7. Make a fire escape plan and discuss it with your kids and family
8. Put fresh batteries in a flashlight and put it next to your bed
9. Sign up for a CPR class
10. Order a first aid kit online

What else can you do to be prepared with just 5 minutes to spare?

Preparedness: It's Not That Hard!

Preparedness can be a scary word; it's true, it can be daunting. Many people I have talked to during preparedness presentations across the state are overwhelmed by what the word entails. Here in Utah, people have entire rooms in their homes dedicated to preparedness. Shelves full of canned foods and gallons of water! But if you think about the basics of being prepared, you shouldn't be daunted. It really can be easy if you start with the essentials.

My advice, start with a 72-hour kit! Either purchase one already made on our online store or gather the supplies and put them in an old backpack. Make sure your kit is readily available for use. This could mean near your bed, in your car, or by the front door.

Once you feel comfortable with your kit, start gathering other items that may be useful. These include, extra flashlights and batteries in case of a power outage, a few extra cans of food and some water containers after a trip to Costco and beefing up your first aid kit. Then check your fire alarms and make sure everyone in your house knows what to do and where to go in case of an emergency.

As soon as you have the basics down, you can rest assured that while you may not have everything but the kitchen sink in your earthquake, tornado, and atomic bomb proof chamber, you have essential items that will help in case of any type of emergency.

If this simple post doesn't do it for you, I suggest saving your money for this instead. 



Shout out to Jana Sweeny for bringing up the "preparedness is simple" topic and to the Oregon Trail Chapter for this awesome video.

10 More Things I Didn't Know About the Red Cross...

...Until I Started Volunteering Here

A while ago, in my Red Cross naïveté I posted 10 things I didn’t know about the Red Cross until I started volunteering here. Well it’s been almost a year now and I certainly have learned a plethora of things about the Red Cross and all of the services we provide. So I came up with 10 MORE things I didn’t know about the Red Cross. It was hard to narrow down the list, as it certainly could have been 20! Please read, enjoy, learn, and share with your friends and family!

1. Everyday Heroes in the community are honored annually by the American Red Cross. Do you know someone who has saved a life, or done something make the community a better and safer place to live? The Red Cross awards Heroes at annual events across the state. Submit your nominations here by December 31st! And check out our previous award recipients online.

2. The American Red Cross can unite family members separated due to war, armed conflict, and disasters. As part of the International Family Tracing Services, and thanks to the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the Red Cross can help unite local individuals with their family members.

Tracing cases occur when:

• Families have been separated as a result of either armed conflict or disaster.

• As much as possible, families should have tried normal channels of communication before requesting Red Cross tracing services.

• The family member making the inquiry provides essential information on the sought person.

• The family member making the inquiry is a close family relative, who has been in direct contact with the sought person before the conflict or disaster occurred.

Recently the Salt Lake Chapter has helped in one of these tracing cases. We were able to unite a refugee from Africa with his family members here in Utah.

3. The American Red Cross provides the curriculum for swim instructors. Taken a swim class? Then chances are that you were taught by a Red Cross certified instructor.

4. Heidi Klum and The Rock support the Red Cross. There are over 40 celebrities on the National Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet. These celebrities including tween heartthrobs Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato donate their time, skills, and energy to help promote Red Cross initiatives and response efforts. Here’s a full list of this year’s Red Cross celebrity cabinet members.

5. You can take Pet First Aid and CPR! The Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter offers a pet first aid and CPR class. Make sure you know what to do if Fido stops breathing or Ted breaks a paw. Sign up for a class today.

6. The American Red Cross teaches life-saving skills to young Babysitters! Know someone between the ages of 11 and 14? If so, sign them up to become a Red Cross certified Babysitter. Young leaders are taught CPR and First Aid among other skills so they can be responsible babysitters. If you are interested in learning more about Red Cross courses check out www.utahredcross.org/takeaclass

7. The Red Cross in Utah has chapter offices in Provo, Ogden, St. George and Cache County! The Red Cross operates across Utah with offices in Provo, Ogden, St. George and Cache County. No matter where you live, the Red Cross is here to help when you need! For information about the Red Cross in your area check out www.utahredcross.org/acrossutah

8. The American Red Cross follows 7 Fundamental Principles: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Universality. No matter who you are, what your background may be the American Red Cross can and will help you.

9. The American Red Cross in Utah responded to 139 disasters this year; But we don’t self deploy. If the fire department, police department, or individuals call for Red Cross help our Disaster trained volunteers are on the scene and can provide food, clothing, shelter and a listening ear.

10. We are the only organization to have a congressional mandate to perform and carry out our services and not receive any federal line-item funding. I know this was my last number 10, but I think it is incredible, so incredible I wanted to put it on this list too. The Red Cross relies on the generous donations of our community and community partners in order to be able to do all of the things I just mentioned. If you would like to donate to the American Red Cross in Utah or would like to volunteer your time and talents, click here.

Is your company looking for a way to give back?!

Trina Polta is a guest blogger for the American Red Cross in Utah. Here is her story of giving back.

I used to work for a Fortune 500 company. This was my first large corporate experience which in the end reminded of many things I had forgotten, including the importance of giving back to my community. The company was and is well versed in connecting their employees to volunteer opportunities. Working for a company that valued community service helped me realize, I can make a difference. Yes, little old me, who is not wealthy. We all bring something to the table, and during my two plus years working there, I started donating can foods. My helping hand quickly evolved to organizing site events like blood drives and giving trees.

Maybe, you have never thought of approaching your company to see if they have some corporate dollars set aside for each business quarter or business year?

Asking could make the difference in many ways:

Help Others: You help those in need by helping your company donate

Help Expand Your Work Goals: You could fulfill a work goal by getting your company involved in community service

Help Your Team Morale: You could organize a team builder exercise and volunteer your lunch hour once a month to help your local American Red Cross Chapter

Help Expand Your Knowledge: You could organize a team builder exercise to become CPR certified

Help Create A Sense Of Community: You could partner with surrounding businesses and start a blood drive in your business park

Learn how you and your company can partner with the American Red Cross by calling (801) 323-7015 or emailing jballard@utahredcross.org

These are a few of my favorite things...

Oprah has her favorite things; cars, sweaters, watches, diamonds, and lots of food! I wanted to take a minute to list a few of my favorite things, or Red Cross favorites at least...

Blankets: Purchase 3 of them for $18 and help keep disaster victims warm this winter when a fire or flood forces them outside in the cold.

Calling cards: Purchase 3 of them for $60 and soldiers over seas can talk to their loved ones to make their service time more bearable.

Shelter: $50 buys one full day of emergency shelter for a disaster victim including a cot, three meals, two blankets, personal supplies and the emotional support from Red Cross volunteers 

Food: $100 provides hot meals for ten disaster victims who need the energy to last another day without the comforts of their own home.

Water: For $50 you can buy water containers for 10 families affected by natural disasters abroad to collect and store clean water.

Safety Tube: For just $9.95 you can give your friends and family members the gift of safety with the persoanl safety tube. It comes with a poncho, emergency blanket, a mini first aid kit and many other items.

72-hour kit: Purchase a 72-hour Kit for yourself or your loved ones for just $49.95 in case of an emergency. They will thank you later!

You Don't Have to be a Superhero to Save a Life

Every year the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross honors ordinary people in the community who do extraordinary things. Ordinary people like Brady Johnson, an army medic who was on his way up American Fork Canyon to picnic with his family when he witnessed a horrible bicycle crash. Without hesitating he jumped out of the car to help and along with other responders on the scene saved the life of the injured cyclist. Read his story here.

Last year the Salt Lake event honored eleven heroes, including a group of teens who witnessed their friend have a seizure in the pool and immediately sprang into action to help rescue her. You can read all of their powerful stories on our website.

This year the Red Cross is looking for nominations from the community for 2011 Hero events across the state in Salt Lake, Provo, Ogden, St. George and Logan.

If you know someone who saved a life or worked to make the community a better and safer place to live, fill out a nomination form online or send your nomination to heroes@utahredcross.org. The deadline is December 31st so get your nominations in soon!!

A Safe Cook is a Happy Cook!



Bobby Flay's Pumpkin Pie



This Thanksgiving, I am going to be baking pie after pie after pie. As an aspiring chef or maybe just a Food Network junkie I have been gathering recipes and doing some pre-Holiday research. Research that includes baking, testing, and tasting; starting with a pumpkin cheesecake I made this weekend with every intention of giving away. I caved in and decided I needed to make sure it tasted good before giving as a gift. I'm not sure why I thought it would taste bad what with all the cream cheese, sour cream, butter and graham crackers. It was delicious and I highly recommend it as an addition to your Holiday feast. Click here for Paula Deen's recipe. 

My research will continue this week as I decide which recipe/concotion to bring to my family's Thanksgiving dinner. Next on the agenda is Bobby Flay's Pumpkin Pie with cinnamon crunch and bourbon maple whipped cream. This recipe will put my baking skills to the test, but if you are familiar with Bobby Flay and his show on the Food Network called Throwdown, you know that this recipe is a winner. If you care to try it out, click here.

While I will not be cooking the turkey this year, I have been reading about and watching all the ways to cook your bird. Paula Deen reccomends frying it; Alton Brown says to roast it, and Anne Burrell brines her turkey.

Which ever way you decide to cook your turkey this year and whatever pie you decide to bake, the American Red Cross wants you to stay safe in the kitchen. Thanksgiving is the peak day for home fires; 90% of those fires are caused by unattended cooking. So stay in the kitchen, avoid loose fitted clothing, and keep kids away from the stove and oven. For more tips for safe cooking click here.

Happy cooking!

Youth Council Raises $4,000 for the Measles Initiative

Yesterday the American Red Cross Youth Council concluded their fundraising efforts for the Measles Initiative. The Youth Council learned about the Measles Initiative and the combined efforts of the Red Cross, the CDC, UNICEF, UN, and WHO. They knew they had to help children all over the world dying from this preventable disease. The youth volunteers sold pins for $1 each to their friends, family, and classmates. For each pin purchased, a child in a developing country will be vaccinated for measles. Measles is a terrible illness that kills an estimated 450 people each day.

Over the past two weeks Youth Council members have been selling pins like crazy! About $4,000 pins were sold which means that many young children will have the chance to live another day and receive such an important vaccination.

The youth members had a great time counting money last night and celebrated their success with ice cream sundaes. Check out these photos from their celebration last night!

Holiday Time Already??

This weekend at the Gateway, store fronts had been decorated with Christmas trees, and red and green were prominent colors in every window. Holiday music was playing over the loud speakers, and holiday sales were posted on big signs to draw consumers in. It's hard not to get sucked in to the gift buying/gift giving that is the Holiday season. Pretty sweaters draw you to their cashmere softness. Fifty percent off is just too hard to say no to. And the smell of fresh pine, mixed with "Jingle Bell Rock" makes using that plastic card on shirts, shoes, and holiday trinkets easy as pumpkin pie.

However, as I walked the streets looking in every window, seeing men, women and children walk out with their arms full of bags, I decided to make myself a little promise. (I'm always making promises on this blog, promises to update my 72-hour kit, to make sure I change the batteries in my smoke alarm, etc. And so far I have held my word!) I have been working with the Development team a lot lately with our upcoming Heroes event (more info to come!) last month's Gala in Ogden, and more recently the Holiday Giving Campaign.

With the Red Cross Holiday Giving Campaign, your gifts this Holiday can take the form of many things to support the mission of the Red Cross. For example for $50 you can purchase a full day of emergency shelter for a victim of a disaster in the name of a family member, friend, or loved one. Or for $18 you can purchase 3 blankets to keep disaster victims warm in the middle of the night. Or for $30 you can provide water containers for 6 families in International Disasters.

So next time you brave the winter weather to take a Holiday shopping excursion, keep in mind that while sweaters go out of style and wreathes wither, blankets and water for disaster victims, can go a long way.

Happy Halloween from the GSLAC Gremlins!

Happy Halloween from the Gremlins at the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter. We had a great time dressing up for the holiday. Check out our photos from today!


And don't forget to be safe and prepared this Holiday weekend with our Lucky 13 preparedness tips.

And check out our Halloween Reminder Video. Put together your own 72-hour kit, or update your current one.  Happy Haunting my friends!!

Getting in the Halloween Spirit!

 Our friends at the Portland Red Cross asked, "What does your desk say about you?" Well to get into the Halloween Spirit we here at the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter have issued a desk decorating contest. While I just have this Dilbert-esque cubicle, I still decided to go all out. So I hit up my mom's "leftover" Halloween decorations and went to Smith's for some last minute essentials, like the sweet spiderweb I attached to my shelf.

Above is the final product...spooky, I know! So as you begin or continue, your Halloween preparations, don't forget to follow these Lucky 13 safety tips! Whether you're out there trick or treating, or simply decorating your office space, have fun and Be Safe.

Oh and don't forget to leave room, like I did, (see photo below) so you can still Drop, Cover, and Hold On!

Holiday Mail for Heroes

Utah Senator Bob Bennett spent part of a September day signing cards for soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait as part of the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is led by the Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc., providing Americans with the opportunity to extend holiday greetings, expressions of gratitude and well wishes to service members, veterans and their families worldwide. Now in its fourth year, more than three million cards have been distributed during the first three years of the campaign.

Any member of the general public can be part of the Holiday Mail for Heroes program and send greeting cards from now until December 10 to: Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456. The cards will be distributed to members of the United States Armed Forces and veterans during the 2010 holiday season.

Holiday Mail for Heroes began in December 2007, when Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. approached the American Red Cross to assist in distributing thousands of holiday cards to hospitalized servicemen and women. In response to this request, the Red Cross partnered with Pitney Bowes to turn the project into a larger opportunity that could reach members of the military at other medical facilities in this country and abroad.

The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are encouraging families, schools, youth, civic groups, scouting troops, places of worship, and other groups that are interested in participating in the Holiday Mail for Heroes program to organize and host card-making events. For a list of tips and ideas, please visit: www.redcross.org/holidaymail  


Check out Video of Senator Bennett signing cards with the Red Cross






Emergency Supplies

Do you have everything you need in case of an emergency? This guy seems to have the correct supplies. But is he missing anything?

Share Your Impact

What's your Impact? This Sunday is 10-10-10. While many people will probably be marking this day by getting married, the Red Cross has a different idea about how to celebrate the occasion. Check out the One Day on Earth website to find out how you can share your Red Cross story with the world. Below are the guidelines for defining and sharing your impact. Let the creativity commence!

Guidelines

1. Identify a word or two that is a description of how you define your impact within the Red Cross. For example: Blood, Support, Relief, etc. Be creative!

2. Write your impact word on a sign that you can hold while being filmed.

3. Find a unique location that you have impacted and tell us your name and Impact word on video while holding the sign towards camera.

4. Increase your impact by taking things further. Use the day to document, with video, how you support the Red Cross: giving blood, volunteering, working on the front lines. Show us your daily impact with the Red Cross, so that we can showcase it to the world.

5. When you upload your video please be sure to tag it to the "American Red Cross".



Autumn is Here!

Celebrate by Attending the First Annual Autumn Gourmet Gala

Even though the recent weather has been perfect, sunny, and warm, last night I noticed that by 7pm the sun was already setting. Which means in a few weeks when we set our clocks back an hour (and update our smoke alarm batteries and 72-hour kits) the sun will be setting around 6pm!

Although I'm not too keen on the idea of less light in the day, I am looking forward to the Autumnal goodness that is cozy sweaters and jackets, blankets, mittens and the changing of the colors; as in this great video that the national Red Cross blog shared:



With the arrival of Autumn comes the first annual American Red Cross Gourmet Gala at Snowbasin Ski Resort.

Northern Utah’s chefs and restaurants are preparing their finest dishes to benefit the American Red Cross of Utah on October 7, 2010 for the first annual Autumn Gourmet Gala at Snowbasin Ski Resort. It's going to be a fun, chic event in which restaurants from across the state will be preparing food for every palate. The Gala will include a silent auction featuring dining experiences, travel, jewelry and other specialty items donated by participating restaurants and businesses.

For more information about the event and to purchase your ticket click here.

The Herriman Fire Reminds Us to Be Prepared

Jana Sweeny, Disaster Officer for the American Red Cross, spent time in the Red Cross shelter for residents of Herriman who had to evacuate. Here is her story of one family who took the necessary precautions to be prepared. What would you bring in the event of an evacuation? Are you prepared?

Monday morning haze hung over Herriman High School as people wandered around the American Red Cross shelter located there. Some were waking up from sleep, some stayed awake all night waiting for news. Most people were in the cafeteria getting breakfast for their children and a snack or cup of coffee for themselves. Like many people do when hearing about this type of disaster, I began thinking about what I would take from my home if I only had 10 or 20 minutes to get out. I have my disaster kit ready to go and keep important documents in a fire-proof lockbox. I also keep a list of things I want to remember to grab- work boots, change of clothes, prescriptions for my family and my pets. I started talking to people about this. What did they grab? What do they wish they had grabbed? Most answers were similar- computers, paperwork, and family photos. Many people talked about having to leave precious family mementos behind. Antique furniture made by relatives, artwork, and other treasures that could never be replaced.

During this string of conversations I started talking to Chris Streicher who recently moved into his Herriman home with his new bride Angela and his teenage son. As we began to talk I realized that his story of evacuation was much different. Chris and Angela care for three aging family members in their home. Chris’s mother who is in her 70’s and Angela’s aunt and uncle who are in their 80’s live with the couple. They bought their home in Herriman because it had the space to accommodate the needs of these very special

family members. They were able to add handicap accessible fittings to bathrooms and stairwells to make sure that all three, who use assistive devices including wheel chairs and walkers, could comfortably access their whole home.

When the notice came from police that they had 20 minutes to get out the first thought was, what do they need to bring for their elderly family members. Chris loaded the wheel chairs and walkers, while Angela packed the bags. They made sure to grab everyone’s medication and then they piled in the car and headed to Herriman High School. On arrival Chris immediately notified the Red Cross nurses of the condition of his family. He asked that they be looked at by a medical profession to ensure that the high level of smoke hadn’t caused any breathing problems. After they were checked out Chris made the difficult decision to split the family up. He realized quickly that his mother and Angela’s aunt and uncle would be more comfortable in a hotel. He made arrangements and dropped Angela off with the older members of the family. He and his son returned to the shelter for the night knowing that it would probably be the best place to quickly receive updates on the situation.

Taking into account the needs of vulnerable family members is key to smart disaster planning. Chris had great suggestions for elderly family members. Ensure that you have assistive devices that will help them continue to feel some level of independence, not only wheel chairs, but walkers or canes. Make sure to grab all medication. Remember that elderly family members often feel security in certain items such as their purse or wallet. Be sure to grab those things as well. As Chris said “you can always run to the WalMart for new socks, but some things are harder or will take longer to replace.” He also recommended making sure that all of your family members are informed about what is happening. As any of us with aging relatives know, change in routine is often hard. Even though he had little time, he quickly explained to them what was happening and then took more time in the safety of the shelter to talk through the decision with this family. Additionally, make sure to inform shelter staff at check in of any potential medical needs of your family. Finally, ask for help if you need it. Chris asked members of the police department who were patrolling the neighborhood to assist him in getting everyone and everything loaded into the car. Recognizing that it would take the Streicher family longer than families who were all able bodied, they were more than happy to help.

Chris and Angela did everything right. They made good and informed choices for their family and were able to react quickly because they had taken time to think through potential scenarios and plan for them ahead of time. To ensure your family is prepared like the Streichers are, visit the Red Cross website.

Herriman Fire Photos

A few photos taken by volunteer James Fair from the Red Cross shelter at Herriman High School. Thank you to James and all the volunteers helping in Herriman.

Volunteer Holly Andrews with a client at the Red Cross shelter



Lunch room of the Red Cross shelter at Herriman High School

Red Cross shelter update in Herriman

About 80 people spent last night at the Red Cross shelter at Herriman High School. Red Cross volunteers are on hand to provide medical attention, trauma counseling and emotional support. We will keep updating our Twitter @utahredcross with information.

For inquires about friends and loved ones in Herriman click here or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

To make a donation to the relief efforts click here.