Uncategorized – Page 25 – Gold Country News and Notes

Red Cross opens evacuation center for families affected by the Trail Fire

Placer County, Calif., June 28, 2016 —The American Red Cross has opened an evacuation center for residents affected by the ongoing Trail Fire affecting two counties. The evacuation center is located at Foresthill High School located at 23319 Foresthill Road, Foresthill, CA 95631.

If evacuation orders remain in place overnight, the Red Cross is prepared to transition to a full shelter operation. Additionally, an Animal Shelter has been set up at the Gold Country Fairgrounds and is ready to receive animals.

“Right now our volunteers are making sure that these families have an immediate, safe place to go,” said Tami Martin, Red Cross Disaster Program Manager. “Our disaster teams are ready to provide lodging, hot meals, water, hygiene items, health services, and comfort for anyone impacted by this growing fire.”

The Red Cross urges everyone to follow evacuation orders from local law enforcement and have an emergency kit ready go for any disaster including wildfires.

We are responding and working together with local emergency services in both counties to offer the best assistance as possible to those who have been asked to evacuate.

Visit http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/wildfire to learn more.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

The Gold Country Region serves a twenty-four county territory including Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba counties.

For more information, please visit redcross.org/GoldCountry or cruzrojaamericana.org. Stay up to date by following us on Twitter (@RCSierraDelta | @RedCrossNECal) or join the conversation on Facebook’s Sierra-Delta Chapter Page or Northeastern California Page.

Gold Country Region

1565 Exposition Boulevard

Sacramento, CA 95815

www.redcross.org/goldcountry

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Lilly Wyatt

Phone: 916-993-7084

Cell: 916-208-4058

Lilly.Wyatt@redcross.org

Red Cross opens evacuation center for families affected by the Trail Fire in Placer County and parts of El Dorado County

Placer County, Calif., June 22, 2016 —The American Red Cross has opened an evacuation center for residents affected by the ongoing Trail Fire affecting two counties. The evacuation center is located at Foresthill High School located at 23319 Foresthill Road, Foresthill, CA 95631.
If evacuation orders remain in place overnight, the Red Cross is prepared to transition to a full shelter operation.

The Red Cross urges everyone to follow evacuation orders from local law enforcement and have an emergency kit ready go for any disaster including wildfires.

We are responding and working together with local emergency services in both counties to offer the best assistance as possible to those who have been asked to evacuate.
Visit http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/wildfire to learn more.

Gold Country Region

1565 Exposition Boulevard

Sacramento, CA 95815

www.redcross.org/goldcountry

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Lilly Wyatt

Phone: 916-993-7084

Cell: 916-208-4058

Lilly.Wyatt@redcross.org

Red Cross opens evacuation center for families affected by the Trail Fire in Placer County and parts of El Dorado County

The Red Cross urges everyone to follow evacuation orders from local law enforcement and have an emergency kit ready go for any disaster including wildfires.

4th of July: Red Cross Steps for Enjoying a Safe Holiday Weekend Fireworks, beach safety tips to keep everyone safe this Independence Day

Sacramento, CA (June 28 2016) — Everyone is looking forward to the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend and the American Red Cross has steps they can follow to stay safe when enjoying the fireworks or taking a trip to the beach.

“Millions of people will visit the seashore or watch fireworks shows over the 4^th of July weekend and there are steps they can take to have a safe holiday,” said Gary Strong, Chief Executive Officer of the Gold Country Region. They can also download our First Aid and Swim Apps to have important safety information at their fingertips.”

FIREWORKS SAFETY The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show. Many cities and states outlaw most fireworks. If someone is setting fireworks off at home, follow these safety steps:

Never give fireworks to small children.
Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

BEACH SAFETY If holiday plans include visiting the beach, learn how to swim in the surf. Swim only at a beach with a lifeguard, within the designated swimming area. Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. While enjoying the water, keep alert and check the local weather conditions. Other safety steps include:

Swim sober and always swim with a buddy. Make sure you have enough energy to swim back to shore.
Have young children and inexperienced swimmers wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Protect your neck – don’t dive headfirst. Walk carefully into open waters.
Keep a close eye and constant attention on children and adults while at the beach. Wave action can cause someone to lose their footing, even in shallow water.
Watch out for aquatic life. Water plants and animals may be dangerous. Avoid patches of plants and leave animals alone.

RIP CURRENTS Rip currents are responsible for deaths on our nation’s beaches every year, and for most of the rescues performed by lifeguards. Any beach with breaking waves may have rip currents. Be aware of the danger of rip currents and remember the following:

If you are caught in a rip current, try not to panic. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore. If you can’t swim to the shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore.
Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist near these structures.

DOWNLOAD SWIM, FIRST AID APPS The Red Cross Swim App promotes water safety education and helps parents and caregivers of young people learning how to swim. The app has features specifically designed for children, including a variety of kid-friendly games, videos and quizzes. It also contains water safety information for parents on a variety of aquatic environments including beaches and water parks. The First Aid App provides instant access to expert guidance on a variety of situations from insect bites and stings to choking and Hands-Only CPR. People can download the apps for free by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in their app store or at redcross.org/apps.

The Red Cross and National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF) have developed an online safety course for pool and hot tub owners. Home Pool Essentials helps people understand the risks of pool ownership, how to maintain a safer and cleaner pool, what safety equipment is appropriate, how to prevent pool and hot tub entrapment hazards, and how to respond to an emergency.

Disaster Response Update

west virginia flood 1 — Members from a fitness group volunteering to help clean a flooded home in West Virginia.

Right now, the American Red Cross is responding to two large-scale disasters in the East and West: the raging wildfires in California and the devastating floods in West Virginia. Thanks to people like you, we are there with immediate relief, providing emergency shelter, warm meals and comfort for those who need it most.

We’ve already assisted more than 14,000 families who have been impacted by large disasters with casework support in 2016, and with your support, we’ll help even more in the weeks and months ahead.

Donate now to Disaster Relief so the Red Cross can continue to provide help and hope in the wake of disasters big and small at a moment’s notice.

Nearly every eight minutes, the Red Cross helps a family who has lost everything to a home fire or other disaster. With your support, we can be there once again to make a difference.

west virginia flood 2 — Red Cross volunteer Joe Smyser hands out cool drinks to firefighters from the Chula Vista Fire Department.

Will you make a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief today so we can continue to be there when disaster strikes?

Thank you so much in advance for your support of Disaster Relief.

Sincerely,

Harvey Johnson
Senior Vice President, Disaster Cycle Services
American Red Cross

Gita and Sridha Iyer hari and anu Reddi

Memorable Dinner

By: Pramila Kriplani, Red Cross Gold Country Region Board Member

I have the most generous friends.

Gita and Sridhar Iyer donated an Indian fusion vegetarian dinner to the Red Cross Bash, which was held last April. Then, two other friends Hari and Anu Reddi decided to bid on it no matter how much it cost. After a fun auction by David Sobon, the Reddi’s held the highest bid at $2500 for an intimate dinner for eight of their closest friends.

Two months later, the Reddi’s hosted an unforgettable night with amazing food, great company, laughter and joy. They set the tables overlooking the El Macero Golf Course, in Davis. Gita brought her fine china and the Reddis served a different wine with each course.

We were served pappadum cups with homemade cheese as an appetizer, followed by avocado and bean salad. We loved the asparagus soup, the yoghurt rice, the pomegranate rice sticks, which were my favorite.

And they closed the amazing five-course dinner with rose ice cream… a perfect finishing touch to an unforgettable meal.

Mohini Jain, another friend of ours , bid on a tour of the airport . I hope that her tour will be equally memorable .

Check out the unbelievable, mouth-watering menu we got to enjoy. This would not have been possible without the Red Cross Bash, hope you attend in 2017 and bid on a similar item! Or if you are a very good cook, you can donate a similar dinner!

American Curry, Red Cross Dinner

Appetizers

Curried Asparagus Soup – covered by the Press Tribune because the recipe calls for ONE of everything – 1 asparagus bundle, 1 t salt, 1 T butter, 1 spring rosemary, 1 potato, 1 onion.
Paneer Bhurji in Paapad cups – delicately spiced cottage cheese served in molded lentil wafers
Black Bean & Avocado Salad – cool and refreshing, and ultra-healthy! Toasted pimpkin seeds add to this very colorful, crunchy salad.

Entrees

Coconut Lentil Pilaf – a nutritious blend of yellow lentils and rice and coconut. Served a spicy tamarind sauce of Thai chilis

Pomegranate Rice sticks – Traditional Asian rice sticks cooked in fresh Pomegranate juice and Indian spices. Roasted cashews were added for a crunch

Yoghurt rice – made with homemade yogurt, it was served with chopped green grapes, with a side of Apricot Pickle. Other sides included homemade ghee and homemade yogurt.

The lassi that was served between the appetizers and the main course was flavored with organic curry leaves.

Dessert

Rose ice cream – an infusion of rose syrup, and fresh organic rose petals into milk and cream

Coconut Almond Burfi tray – The Red Cross thanks Anu and Hari Reddi. With only 3 main ingredients, this burfi can be shaped and decorated you would a cake.

It’s a Win-Win

Going to the State Fair? You can order discounted tickets online AND the Red Cross receives $1 for each ticket sold.

Here’s everything that you need to know to help!

So, go online and order your tickets today! Then go enjoy the animals, the exhibits, the everything-to-eat-on-a-stick and of course the rides – all while helping the Red Cross deliver on our mission!

Red Cross Helps in Texas as Floods Devastate Communities Once Again

Sacramento, CA (June 1 2016) — Texas residents are once again facing devastating flooding and the American Red Cross is there, helping those affected. Since the beginning of the year, numerous storms have ravaged the state, displacing thousands of families and devastating homes and businesses.

Some parts of Texas have already received as much as 19 inches of rain and the threat isn’t over – weather experts predict flooding will continue for several more days.in the Red Cross has 15 shelters open in Texas.. Emergency officials estimate that some 6,000 homes may be affected as mandatory evacuations continue.

Red Cross volunteers have mobilized once again, and our local region is helping with this national disaster by deploying volunteers. The Red Cross is also providing meals in coordination with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and other local partners. Red Cross volunteers will also be delivering relief supplies as soon as it is safe to do so.

“Texas has been having a tough year. Disasters first hit the area as the year began and again in March, April and earlier this month,” said Robin Friedman, Regional Disaster Officer. “Many families have suffered repeated loss from several floods just this year alone. Red
Cross workers have been helping from day one and will remain in the affected communities in the weeks and months ahead to make sure people get the help they need.”

HOW TO HELP You can help people affected by the Texas Floods and Tornadoes by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word TXFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations to Texas Floods and Tornadoes will be used to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.

FLOODING SAFETY INFORMATION With the threat of more flooding in the region, the Red Cro
ss has steps people should follow to remain safe:

Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice and heed evacuation orders when given. When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
Stay away from floodwaters.
If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
Keep children out of the water.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

DOWNLOAD EMERGENCY With the threat of more severe weather, people should download the free Red Cross Emergency App to receive emergency alerts and information about what to do in case of flooding and other disasters, as well as locations of shelters. The App also includes emergency first aid information and a Family Safe feature which allows people to instantly see if loved ones are okay. The free Emergency App is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

About the American Red Cross:The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

For more information, please visit redcross.org/GoldCountry or cruzrojaamericana.org. Stay up to date by following us on Twitter (@RCSierraDelta | @RedCrossNECal) or join the conversation on Facebook’s Sierra-Delta Chapter Page or Northeastern California Page.

Giving Back… Gives Friendships

Jess Chairez and Marcus Heningburg met through the Red Cross. They drive the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) together, and have developed a friendship that both are grateful for.

For Jess, joining the Red Cross was a way to recover after the loss of his son Joe. Joe was 24, a newly graduated police officer, with a history of helping others. He collapsed while making an arrest. “Joe pushed kindness on everyone.” Exclaimed Chairez proudly. As a testament to his son Joe Chairez says “I am so thankful for the Red Cross and Donor network west, to keep the legacy of my son alive, and helping people in the process, that’s the biggest blessing.” Joe will forever live in servitude, so will his father Jess. “Red Cross gives me different platforms to work from, it keeps me active, they don’t realize that they are healing my heart,” said Jess.

Jess’ first assignment with the Red Cross, immediately after joining, was ten years ago during Hurricane Katrina. He spent 4 weeks in service to the victims of the largest and third strongest hurricane ever recorded to make landfall in the US at the time. “To hand someone a meal, and give them a hug, let them speak to you is helping them from one step to the next,’ Jess remembers “I am so thankful, it is such a healing to my heart.” Ten years later, Jess continues to serve the Gold Country region in different capacities. It doesn’t matter to Jess how big or small the need is, “People need hugs, and someone to talk to. The more I help people, the better I feel inside of me. I’m trying to give back.”

For Marcus Heningburg… the Red Cross journey began in Mobile, Alabama many years ago. His family taught him early on, that if you can help, you should, and there is always some way you can help. Marcus stood in service to this country with the Air Force, and then with the penal service. By the adage that was instilled in him early on, he joined the Red Cross. Marcus also found was a new friend, another selfless individual, Jess Chairez.

Marcus is humble and likes getting involved in preparedness events as well as disasters. But there is never a dull moment in the Red Cross and he’s done so much. Working in telethons, installing smoke detectors, delivering mattresses to veterans, working as a parking lot attendant during the the California State Fair, and even participating in staff events at the headquarters like potlucks and staff meetings. “How can I help?” Red Cross answers that question for me and many of us,” smiles Marcus humbly. “Seeing someone with a smile on their face, and shaking their hands, is my reward. It’s easy.” Said Marcus “It’s so easy working with Jess, I do it as much as I can. He allows me to do as much as he does, He is always going. I try to keep up.” Meanwhile, Jess adds “You don’t have to force the guy, he wants to do it. You can see the compassion, it might be a parking lot one day, and delivering a mattress another. Marcus does it with a smile on his face and with open arms.”

Pairing up to drive the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV), these two enter into a partnership, that adds to each individual in ways unimaginable. Red Cross allows them the platform in which to reflect a little bit of themselves to those who need it. Sometimes it’s a neighbor, sometimes a stranger. It doesn’t matter which, be a mirror; with a smile. A hug, a meal or your time, as Jess and Marcus do. Red Cross can help you serve those in your community; show you an opportunity to give. It may also connect you, as it did Jess and Marcus, with your long lost best friend.

Disaster Institute – Last Day to Register!

Kathy doing casework at the Red Cross client assistance center

Carrie checks the latest info before heading out on the next ERV delivery run.

A reminder-Today is the absolute last day to register for our yearly training Institute.

The American Red Cross Gold Country Region will host a premiere training opportunity to learn life-changing leadership skills. The Fired Up! Disaster Training Institute offers training that emphasizes management skills as well as fundamentals related to disaster response. Last year, we had more than 200 people signed up, this year; we’d like to double that number which will help us build more capacity to help our communities.

Red Cross volunteers, employees, and representatives from partner organizations are invited to attend the second annual Disaster Training Institute of the Gold Country Region. During this four-day training event from Thursday to Sunday, you will have an opportunity to catch up on your disaster training, learn new courses and most importantly, get to know fellow Red Crossers from our region and the Pacific Division.

We will be hosting more than 60 classes including Disaster Assessment Fundamentals, Disaster Public Affairs for National Relief Operations, Feeding Fundamentals, ERV: Ready, Set, Roll, Partnering with Public Health, Shelter management and Born on the Battlefield, among many other exciting courses.

For more information, visit the event on our website here.

Cost: $45 Overnighter / $25 Commuter

#BigDog2016 – May the Fourth Be With YOU!

BDOG2016_WebFooter_500x179_Neg_Email Signature

Dear Friend:

Although the breakdown of the Big Day of Giving system was frustrating and disappointing, we have two bits of good news to share:

First, Big Day of Giving has been EXTENDED – gifts made to a Red Cross donation page will count until 3:00 today!

Second, any gifts made to the link below will be MATCHED!

starwars

Hold onto your lightsabers – we have some exciting news from Star Wars: Force for Change!

Visit Crowdrise.com/FFCRedCross today to have your gift matched! Plus, every $10 donation is a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Ireland, including Skellig Michael, the location of the dramatic final scene from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

So let the Fourth be with You – donate today and help Red Cross volunteers fulfill their commitment to always be there for those who have such great needs!

Gary Strong, CEO

A Trip to IKEA, But Not to Shop: IKEA Donates 100 Comfort Kits

By Marlene Stamper, Public Affairs Volunteer, Photos by Bob Eger A few days ago I went to the IKEA store in West Sacramento. For me, a trip to IKEA is usually about new throw pillows or maybe something to brighten up the kitchen or patio. But this trip was different. It was not about shopping or buying stuff, it was special. Why? Because I got to spend time with some great IKEA folks who were packing up 100 bright blue shopping bags with cool stuff to donate to the American Red Cross.

When I got to the conference room where the IKEA team was working (although they seemed to be having too much fun to call it “work”) they had already organized a colorful assembly line of towels, washcloths, sheet sets, pillows, and teddy bears. They were busily packing everything into shopping bags ready for giving. We call these bags “comfort kits.” It didn’t take long for these energetic workers to complete the job of assembling 100 comfort kits.

Once the kits were packed, the team put everything into carts and then we all headed down to the parking lot for the final step—loading up the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV). What an enthusiastic and energetic team! And what a pleasure for me to spend a little time with them!

Thanks to these folks and everyone at IKEA, people in emergency situations will receive the comfort of new fresh bedding, pillows, and towels. Maybe this sounds a bit humdrum to you, but imagine if you were trying to rebuild your life after a fire, you might feel a little different. In fact, a Red Crosser told me when she delivered comfort kits to victims of last summer’s Butte Fire, they reacted as if she’d given them “a pot of gold.” But, it’s not just recipients of the comfort kits who benefit. I spoke to several members of the IKEA team who put together the kits. They were proud to work for IKEA because IKEA is committed to helping the community. Angel R. told me that it makes him happy to work for IKEA due to their support for this great cause. Well, Angel, what IKEA and people like you do makes a lot of people happy, including me. Thanks, again to you and everyone at IKEA!

Here’s the official scoop on the five-year partnership between the American Red Cross and IKEA:

IKEA has generously committed to a national in-kind donation of 4,300 “IKEA Care Packages” nationwide for Red Cross disaster clients. Annually they have committed to provide 100 packages per IKEA location across the United States (currently 41 IKEA stores and 2 IKEA Offices) to 31 American Red Cross Regional offices.

The care packages include the following items:

1- 4 pack washcloths
1-bath towel
2-standard pillow cases
2-pillows
1-queen flat sheet
1-queen fitted sheet
1-optional plush toy
1-large blue plastic bag —shopping bag that contains all of the items.
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Also, IKEA comes through when times get tough. Michelle LaPierre Bell, Executive Director, Northeastern California Chapter told me that IKEA donated an additional 400 each of towels, washcloths, and lap blankets for victims of last summer’s fires here in California. Currently, we are in year two of our five-year partnership with IKEA. And, as Michelle said, “IKEA is a great partner and we look forward to many more years of partnering with them.”