*The following article was published by Congressional Quarterly on Monday, April 8, 2013*
By Jennifer Scholtes, CQ Staff
Immediately following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the Red Cross was seeing Facebook and Twitter messages posted by survivors saying their family members were trapped beneath the rubble, but the organization that helps people during disasters was largely helpless in the realm of social media. Continue reading Red Cross Expands Social Media Presence
Kicking into high gear this week is the annual Get Prepared, California! auction to promote earthquake preparedness and to support the American Red Cross. The online auction runs through April 26, with many once-in-a-lifetime items available for bidding at www.GetPreparedCalifornia.org.
Exclusive items available for bidding include opportunities to meet celebrity bands and musicians such as Shania Twain, Maroon 5 and Justin Bieber, meet star athletes and see them in action, get dance lessons from the pros at Dancing with the Stars and tickets to this year’s final show, and win a Kennedy Space Center All-Access Space Pass astronaut-training experience. Continue reading Annual Star-Studded Auction to Support Red Cross Offers Exclusive Items
Red Cross officials from around the state traveled to Sacramento to discuss the latest Red Cross happenings and to meet with local legislators during the annual Red Cross Legislative Symposium and Day at the Capitol, held April 2-3, 2013.
This annual event offers a unique opportunity for Red Crossers from around the state to interface and network with each other and receive updates on key activities in California, while also providing an education on legislative processes and direct contact with local elected officials. Continue reading Legislative Symposium and Day at the Capitol
Everyday individuals performing extraordinary acts of courage
On Wednesday, April 10, the American Red Cross will honor 19 community members from San Joaquin and CalaverasCounties who have performed extraordinary acts of courage. These outstanding individuals will be recognized at the annual Heroes Breakfast at Wine and Roses in Lodi, beginning at 7:30am.
This annual event pays special tribute to local everyday heroes who have performed heroic acts. This year’s honorees were nominated by members of the community for such selfless deeds as spearheading a student community project, honoring fallen soldiers through volunteer efforts, donating bone marrow, performing life saving CPR, and much more. Continue reading Red Cross to Honor Heroes of San Joaquin and Calaveras Counties
*Posted by the American Red Cross*
April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month and a great opportunity for pet owners to brush up on tips from the American Red Cross to keep their animals safe and healthy as we head into spring and summer. Continue reading April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month
March is Red Cross Month. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the “everyday heroes” at work in our communities everyday, making it possible for the Red Cross to fulfill its mission to provide comfort and alleviate suffering around the world. Beginning with Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1943, every United States President has since designated March as Red Cross Month.
This year, several local governments from within the Capital Region also moved to recognize Red Cross Month, presenting local proclamations and honoring the work of the thousands of “everyday heroes” delivering Red Cross services throughout our expansive territory. Continue reading Local Governments Proclaim March “Red Cross Month”
Bowling spirits were high and full throttle on Saturday, March 9, as celebrities, volunteers, and fun seekers of all ages decended on Strikes Unlimited in Rocklin, CA for the First Annual Angels in the Alley Celebrity Bowling Tournament, benefitting the American Red Cross!
More than 300 bowlers turned out for an afternoon of fun for the whole family, featuring numerous local and national celebrities and a wide range of bowling “skills”. Thanks to the generosity of participants and over 40 sponsors, the First Annual event raised nearly $7,000 for the Red Cross.
The American Red Cross Capital Region Chapter teamed with the City of Sacramento Fire Department and the Oak Park Neighborhood Association on Saturday to launch “Team FireStopper,” a fire safety and education program aimed to reduce the occurrences and impacts of house fires.
Team FireStopper is a new disaster mitigation program that raises fire prevention awareness using targeted community outreach and fire safety seminars to encourage communities to be proactive in their fire preparedness efforts. Today’s seminar, held at the Oak Park Community Center in Sacramento, welcomed 55 registered participants from the local community to receive hands-on experience planning and preparing for fire emergencies. Continue reading American Red Cross Joins with City of Sacramento to Launch “Team FireStopper” Safety and Education Campaign
March is Red Cross Month, and throughout the month, the American Red Cross Capital Region Chapter will offer free Hands-Only CPR training sessions and Automated External Difibulator (AED) demonstrations as part of Save-a-Life Saturdays!
In addition to Hands-Only CPR and AED, these free public events – to be held in several locations within the Capital region – Red Cross volunteers will be on site sharing information about how to plan for disasters, including how to put together a disaster kit, how to make an emergency plan with your family, and special disaster activities for kids. Continue reading American Red Cross Presents ‘Save-a-Life Saturday’ Events throughout Red Cross Month
A military tradition which began during World War I, “Challenge Coins” have long been a symbol of honor and appreciation for outstanding service. Often exchanged between military personnel to recognize the actions of each other, the American Red Cross Capital Region Chapter is honored to continue this time-honored tradition.
On Thursday, January 31, 2013, at the Army National Guard Training Center in Sacramento, the Red Cross Tiffany Circle and Legacy Society proudly presented Challenge Coin awards to four local military members in recognition for excellence in service. This event marked the Capital Region Chapter’s first Challenge Coin Awards and welcomed over 150 guests from all branches of the military to pay tribute to the honorees. Continue reading Capital Region Chapter Honors Four Local Military Members with Challenge Coins for Exceptional Service
Gold Country News and Notes 