Red, White & You Too! Benefit Concert

Join us for the second annual American Red Cross benefit CD concert at Hollywood Casino Toledo on July 29 at 7 p.m.

Admission is totally FREE and CDs will be available for purchase. All proceeds from the sale of the CD will benefit local Red Cross programs and services including providing disaster relief and recovery, assistance to military families, and more.

CDs are on sale NOW for $10 at all neighborhood Frisch’s Big Boy and Ralphie’s restaurants. Plus there is a $4 coupon inside making the total cost to you just $6. What a deal!

Here is the line-up for the fabulous night ahead:

• 7:00-7:15 Zak Ward/Bob Stevens
• 7:20-7:35 Fish Fisher
• 7:40-8:00 The Bradberries
• 8:05-8:25 Carmen Miller with Aaftermath
• 8:30-8:45 Robert Storm
• 8:45-9:00 Nathan Roberts & the New Birds
• 9:05-9:25 Cindy Slee
• 9:35-10:00 Distant Cousinz

Special thanks to Michael Miller, News Talk 1370 WSPD, Toledo Free Press, Bennett Enterprises, and our other supporters for making this event a reality!

RSVP here. See you there!

Be Ready for April Showers

Our Red Cross store is full of items that may fit many of your needs. The weather is starting to get a little bit warmer now that Spring is here. Why not wear an American Red Cross t-shirt to stay cool and show your support in style? The opening for the Toledo Mud Hens is approaching which means lots of great days at Fifth Third Field! Stay safe from the sun with an American Red Cross cap. Good luck catching one of those fly balls!

Every day isn’t guaranteed to be great weather for baseball, sadly. Spring also brings the promise of stormy, rainy, flashy floody, weather – especially for our region. Don’t get caught with your favorite shoes completely soaked or your sandals stuck in the mud. Pick up a pair of our American Red Cross wellies to make your water hazard travels much easier. Or rain boots. Or galoshes. Or whatever you call them. 🙂

The store is also a great destination to stay Red Cross Ready and stock up on supplies. We have emergency radios that can keep your phone charged, first aid kits you can keep in the car, survival kits you can take with you while camping, and more. There’s also First Aid/CPR/AED items to replenish your materials or brush up on your training.

Make sure you have all the necessary components to respond to disasters and emergencies to aid you, your family, and your loved ones.

 

Anatomy of a Disaster Kit

Being Red Cross Ready means having a checklist in place for responding to disasters. We suggest that you get a kit, make a plan, and be informed. Disasters strike so suddenly that it leaves little time to gather the necessities needed in case of an emergency – this is where the disaster kit comes in handy. It contains a 3-day supply of food and materials to ensure you and your loved ones are prepared for a disaster. You can build your own or purchase the regular or deluxe versions we have available at our American Red Cross store.

If you’re choosing to build your own, here are the items we suggest you include in your kit:

• 1 gallon of water, per person, per day; 3-day supply of non-perishable food, per person
• Flashlight, extra batteries; cell phones with chargers
• Medical Items; copies of personal documents; emergency blankets
• Maps of the area; battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Family and emergency contact information

Remember to check your disaster kit every six months to replace expired items and also to keep your furry friends in mind with their own disaster kit. Visit our Be Red Cross Ready website for all the details and download our mobile apps for information on how to respond to disasters.

Celebrity Support

We rely on the support of people from all walks of life here at home and overseas. But, did you know that a portion of our volunteers and donators are also celebrities? We have partnerships with well-known public figures from a variety of categories such as athletes, musicians, actors, television personalities, and more. Their efforts and stories help us extend our reach to multiple people; maybe you’ve seen a few yourself?

The 9th season of The Bachelorette aired May 27, 2013 and featured bachelorette Desiree Hartsock. The American Red Cross was featured during the week 4 episode on June 17th. Desiree, her date, and a Red Cross representative toured the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. It was here that they met some of the victims of the hurricane, learned of its impact, listened to their stories, and learned what could be done to help.

March 3, 2013 marked the start of the “All-Star” Celebrity Apprentice. The show featured different celebrities making business decisions in hopes of raising funds and awareness for a charity of their choosing. American Red Cross spokesman Trace Adkins not only competed on our behalf, but he also won the contest raising more than 1.5 million dollars during the show. His dedication and support also earned him the Red Cross Crystal award in recognition of his efforts.

The American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet was developed in 2002 to help the Red Cross highlight important initiatives and response efforts. Celebrity members are “on-call” for a full year term to help support in our mission, message, events, education, and relief efforts both locally and abroad. The current chair of the group is former CEO of Paramount Pictures, Sherry Lansing. This year’s cabinet features such names as Trace Adkins, Sara Evans, Eli & Peyton Manning, Demi Lovato, Amanda Peet, and Darius Rucker.

Many celebrities have also shared stories on how American Red Cross has had an impact on their lives.

Jackie Chan: “When I was a young schoolboy at the Beijing Opera Academy in Hong Kong, I was very poor and yearned for some of the most basic things in life. My fellow students were in similar need and it was at this time that a representative from the Red Cross arrived, bringing us supplies. My classmates and I were so grateful and touched and I vowed to always remember this generosity.”

Jane Seymour: “It’s a great honor to be asked to take part in this worthwhile endeavor for the American Red Cross for another year. I can tell you from personal experience that the time I spend volunteering and working with other volunteers has enriched my life. I look forward to continuing to support the Red Cross during the next year and as a mother, I hope to make a difference, especially with children’s issues.”

Read more celebrity quotes or sign up to be a volunteer and make your own impact.

 

Tornado Myths and Facts

Winter is almost in the rear-view mirror and that means we can finally say goodbye to all of the snow and subzero temperatures. That’s the good news! Spring’s arrival does bring us a new weather event to be prepared for, though: tornado season. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground.  They are dangerous and require preparation. Increase your awareness for yourself, family, and friends by knowing the truth behind these four tornado myths:

Myth: Opening windows in a home or building during a tornado will help equalize pressure. Fact: Opening windows will have no effect. Stay away from windows and exterior walls. Take shelter in the basement, storm cellar or an interior room without windows on the lowest floor.

Myth: If you are caught driving during a tornado, you should always get out of your car and get in a ditch.
Fact: Try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If there is flying debris, pull over and park. Stay in the car with the seat belt on and the engine running. Put your head below the windows, covering your head with your hands and a blanket.

Myth: Cities are protected from tornadoes because of the tall buildings.
Fact: Tall buildings do not protect from tornadoes. Cities cover a small geographical area so the chances of being directly hit are small. However, tornadoes can strike anywhere.

Myth: Taking shelter in the southwest corner of your home will protect you.
Fact: This is based on an outdated theory that all tornadoes come from the northeast. Tornadoes can move from any direction and no one corner of your home is always safe.

Get access to alerts, information on what to do, and more tornado safety tips by downloading our Red Cross Tornado app for your mobile device!

Ten Ten Three

Ten Pints, Ten People, Three Lives Changed.

In September 2010, expecting mother Ursula went to the hospital with intentions of meeting her new baby later that day.  During labor, Ursula began having trouble breathing which caused the baby’s heart rate to drop and Ursula was rushed to the operating room for an emergency C-section. On the way to the operating room, she stopped breathing —she was resuscitated and her baby was delivered within 60 seconds.

Almost immediately, Ursula began to bleed profusely. Within an hour, she was diagnosed with a rare, often fatal, syndrome known as amniotic fluid embolism. Ursula underwent surgery and received ten pints of blood. ¹ “I can only thank my team of doctors, nurses and guardian angel along with the ten people that made blood donations that changed my life,” said Ursula. “Without those ten people, my husband would have to live without his wife and my son would grow up without a mother.”

After 24 hours in the Intensive Care Unit, Ursula was able to meet her new baby boy, Cameron. “I am alive because of those ten people. I still get teary eyed thinking about what my family went through that day.”

It’s Everyday Heroes like you who make happy endings to stories like Ursula’s possible! Thank you for all that you do! Would you like to help countless others like Ursula? Find a blood drive taking place near you.

March Matchness

We have some exciting news for new and existing donors who want to give above and beyond for Red Cross Month! Edward and Linda Reiter are offering a $5,000 Matching Gift to support the mission and efforts of the Red Cross.

If you’re a new donor, simply donate between $500 and $5,000 and your gift will be matched. If you’re an existing donor, donate an amount that exceeds your gift from last year and the difference between the two will be matched. For example, if you donated $700 last year and donate $1,000 this year, Ed and Linda will match $300 making the donation total $600! Now here’s a little secret: this is an opportunity to double-dip! A donation between $1,000 and $9,999 to the Red Cross in any twelve month time frame qualifies you as a member of the Clara Barton Society. The Clara Barton Society offers an experience to members filled with recognition and rewards in the spirit of our founder, Clara Barton.

Ed and Linda Reiter are longtime supporters of the Red Cross and our community. They understand the importance of giving back to those who are in need. We’re blown away by their generosity and encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to double your contribution!

For more information on the matching gift or the Clara Barton Society, contact our Major Gifts Officer, Chris Diefenthaler, or call 419-329-2375.

Faster Than a Speeding Bullet

The world needs heroes; when the signal is in the sky, our team of volunteers and staff are ready to answer your call. In celebration of Red Cross Month, we are having an “Everyday Heroes Contest.” We’ll be posting pictures in the albums of our Northwest Ohio, West Central, and Hancock Facebook pages of various, heroic Red Cross volunteers and staff in masks and capes. All you have to do is guess the secret identity of each individual by commenting on their photo!

1 Guess = 1 Entry
1 CORRECT Guess = 2 Entries

These entries will then be placed in a drawing for a chance to win a Red Cross swag gift basket! That’s enough to make anyone feel super! Expect to see new heroes added each day until the contest ends Saturday, March 22nd. Could you be the next “World’s Greatest Detective?” Play and find out the week of March 30th when three lucky winners will be chosen.

Hopefully it goes without saying, but no heat vision, mind reading, plotting for world domination, or teleporting allowed. (The verdict is still out for super speed, but that should be okay.)

Origin of Red Cross Emblem

The Red Cross emblem is a well recognized logo. It’s easy to identify: white background, red cross, and equal sides all around. Why that symbol, though? And doesn’t it seem to bear a striking resemblance to the Swiss flag? There’s a history behind it and you’ll be surprised to learn where it all comes from!

The founder of the International Red Cross movement was a man named Henry Dunant of Geneva, Switzerland. During a personal trip to Italy, Henry witnessed the grisly Battle of Solferino, a key moment in the struggle for Italian unification. He saw the need for medical help for more than 40,000 personnel and troops on both sides of the front. He brought together nurses and specialists to treat the wounded, independent of who they were fighting for.

This tragic event started a motion of events in Dunant’s life. First, he wrote A Memory of Solferino, his account and experiences of the war. The book proposed improved treatment to victims of war and a collective agreement among nations to recognize first aid personnel on the battlefield. He met with other delegates in what would later become the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to discuss his ideas and to adopt a symbol that was easily identifiable and universal.

In 1864, The First Geneva Convention was adopted and international humanitarian law was created. It was at the First Geneva Convention that it was decided that the universal emblem should be a symbol of neutrality to reflect the ideals behind it. If you examine closely, you’ll see that the Red Cross emblem is a reversal of the Swiss flag. Switzerland has long maintained an armed neutrality and this was a fair representation in the emblem. Additionally, a white flag is generally a sign of surrender or negotiation. Thus, the Red Cross logo was formed!

Bonus Section: Given the religious nature of the cross, the Ottoman empire later adopted the Red Crescent (still giving respect to the Red Cross.) For countries who wished to take part in the ICRC’s humanitarian efforts without adopting the background of the Cross or the Crescent, the Red Crystal has become a symbol to represent neutrality for medical staff as well.

(left-to-right) Red Cross, Red Crystal, Red Crescent

You can also check here for a full history on the emblems of The Red Cross.

Red Carpet Round Up

Even with the threat of a looming snow storm, 700 tickets were sold and more than $146,000 was raised to make the 11th annual Oscar Night event the highest grossing ever!

Guests arrived to Oscar Night in style with a red carpet to welcome them into the Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts. Toledo News Now’s Jerry Anderson and former anchor Chrys Peterson greeted guests with interviews and open arms!

The entertainment was off the charts with Randy and the Reefsharks rockin’ it on the main stage and Johnny Rodriguez crooning sweet tunes in this year’s newly added pub room! Craft beer was donated by Heidelberg Distributing Company, and guests had the opportunity to purchase tickets to sample up to eight different varieties.

More than 30 local restaurants generously provided delicacies to the crowd: Beirut, Burger Bar 419, Byblos, Cherry Lane Cakes, Ciao! Ristorante, Deets BBQ, Final Cut Hollywood Casino Toledo, Georgio’s Cafe International, Heidelberg Distributing Company, Java Sensations, Jed’s Holland-Sylvania, Jimmy Johns, Joseph’s Beverage Center, Karyn’s Cookies, Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant, La Scola Italian Grill, Mulvaney’s Bunker, The Mancy’s Restaurant Group, Nick and Jimmy’s Bar & Grill, Poco Piatti, Premier Catering, Rachel Michael’s Gourmet Popcorn, The Real Seafood Co. of Toledo, Registry Bistro, Revolution Grille, Rosie’s Italian Grille, Super Suppers, TJ’s Cookout & Catering, Two Seasoned Chicks, and Zia’s.

Guests also had the opportunity to vie for a variety of auction items donated by local businesses including a pair of ruby and diamond earrings from Harold Jaffe Jewelers.

We want to thank everyone who this glamorous evening. It wouldn’t be possible without all of your combined efforts. Check out the rest of the photos on Facebook.

We definitely look forward to seeing you at the next Oscar Night!