Since the flooding that occurred over the weekend, two regions (Chicago and Moline) were declared a national disaster by the American Red Cross today. The hardest area hit was Northwest Illinois, including Freeport, Carroll County, and Pearl City, Illinois. Shelters were opened and mass care was provided by the Freeport Chapter and Gateway Chapter.

Approximately 200 homes were affected, mostly with basement water. Four families and 8 women were displaced and housed by the Red Cross in Clayton and Dubuque Counties. One family has been permanently displaced. Requests for about 10 clean up kits have been received.

You can help people affected by disasters like floods, tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and countless crises at home and around the world by making a donation to Disaster Relief. This can be done by going to www.redcross.org, texting REDCROSS to 90999 or by sending a check to your local chapter. 2400 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA 52001

Although the rain is abating locally, the American Red Cross of the Tri-States is actively assisting residents who have been displaced due to the recent rains and subsequent flooding. Eighteen people are currently in alternate housing through the Red Cross and clean up kits have been distributed in Dubuque and Clayton Counties.

In Dubuque County, one family was evacuated by boat when their home was surrounded by water. Their basement was full and the water seeped into the main floor. Another Dubuque County family had severe flooding plus diesel fuel flowing through their home. Families are considered displaced if they cannot cook, eat, or sleep in their homes and do not have alternate housing available.

The ability of the local Red Cross to provide for the immediate needs of those affected or displaced during times of disaster is entirely dependent upon annual unrestricted contributions by the community. Donations are accepted during the week at the local American Red Cross Chapter offices, 2400 Asbury Road, Dubuque, by calling 563-583-6451, or by going to www.redcross.org and selecting your local chapter.

The Red Cross is working closely with area Emergency Management personnel to address the current needs as they evolve. No shelters are open at this time locally. The Red Cross will continue to monitor the water level and respond to residents as needs are identified and Emergency Management requests.

The American Red Cross is also assisting throughout the region. A shelter has been opened in Freeport, IL and others are pending EMA requests. Significant flooding is being anticipated for the Quad Cities and below the Lake Delhi dam.

In response to the effects from the recent excessive rainfall, the American Red Cross of the Tri-States is ready to assist those affected by flooding. The Red Cross has already distributed Clean up kits in Clayton County and Dubuque County and assisted two Dubuque County families with alternative shelter. Clean up kits are available to residents in the affected areas. Those who have been displaced by flooding can contact the American Red Cross at (563) 583-6451. No shelters are open at this time.

In addition to providing clean-up supplies for the flood victims, Red Cross will continue to monitor the water level and respond to residents as their needs are identified.

Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss. The American Red Cross urges the community to use the following tips to prepare for flooding:

„X Know the difference between WATCHES and WARNINGS.
A National Weather Service WATCH is a message indicating that conditions favor the occurrence of a certain type of hazardous weather. For example, a severe thunderstorm watch means that a severe thunderstorm is expected in the next six hours or so within an area approximately 120 to 150 miles wide and 300 to 400 miles long.

A National Weather Service WARNING indicates that a hazardous event is occurring or is imminent in about 30 minutes to an hour. Local National Weather Service forecast offices issue warnings on a county-by-county basis.
„X Be aware of flood hazards.
Floods can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges, and scour out new channels. Regardless of how a flood occurs, the rule for being safe is simple: head for higher ground and stay away from flood waters. Even a shallow depth of fast-moving flood water produces more force that most people imagine. The most dangerous thing you can do is try walking, swimming, or driving through flood waters. Two feet of water will carry away most automobiles.

Repair Your Flooded Home:
„X Care for yourself. Care for your children. Stay healthy.
„X Give your home first aid.
Make sure it¡¦s safe to reenter your home. Keep listening to your local TV or radio stations to find out if and when you can reenter your home. If you¡¦re not sure whether you can go back, contact your local emergency manager. Have someone with you when you check your home and do repairs. Wear sturdy shoes and gloves when doing repairs. Check your home before you go in. Walk carefully around the outside of your house and check for loose power lines and gas leaks. If you find downed power lines or gas leaks, contact your utility company. Check the foundation of your home for cracks or other damage. Turn off the gas and electricity. If the electrical or gas controls are inside your home, DO NOT turn them off until you can safely enter. Enter your home carefully.

Check the ceiling carefully before entering to make sure it¡¦s not ready to collapse. Check it for signs of sagging. Your ceiling may be holding water if there was a lot of wind and rain or if the flood was very deep. Rescue your most valuable items. Find and protect your ¡§irreplaceable¡¨ items such as money, jewelry, insurance papers, photographs, and family heirlooms. Protect your home from further damage by getting fresh air moving through your home, patching holes, repairing sagging floors or roof sections, removing debris, and checking for broken or leaking water pipes. Drain your basement carefully.

Water in the ground outside your home pushes hard against the outside of your basement walls. The water inside your basement pushes right back. Draining your basement too quickly may make the walls and floor crack and collapse, causing serious damage. Hose your home and its contents.

„X Get Organized. Call your insurance agent. Start listing the damage. Check for structural damage. Ask yourself if you really want to be flooded again and decide whether you want to stay in the area or not. If not, contact your local government or disaster assistance officials about help rebuilding where floods can no longer damage your home. Plan your recovery.

The American Red Cross in Dubuque is seeking administrative volunteers to assist locally. This team would be responsible for general office work, support to accounting, and data entry. The goal is to have a team sharing the variety of duties. Supervision, orientation, and training will be provided.

¡§I am excited about expanding our volunteer corps to fulfill these critical office needs. Everything that happens in our office every day ensures that the Red Cross is ready to help when needed whether down the street, throughout the country, or elsewhere in the world. And, because we are so careful with the donated dollar, our reliance upon volunteers is essential,¡¨ stated Sue Olsen, Executive Director.

Tom Wagner, Board Chair, agreed. ¡§I can testify that volunteering in any capacity for the Red Cross is extremely rewarding. Not everyone needs to be a disaster volunteer. I know that my work on the Board and behind the scenes is just as important to fulfilling our humanitarian mission.¡¨

By volunteering locally, individuals expand the organization¡¦s ability to prevent, prepare, and respond. The need is great and volunteers will have fun while helping an organization that plays a critical role in our community.

For more information, call 563-583-6451 x301 or visit the local Red Cross website, www.arcdbq.org. All volunteer candidates will need to go through the Red Cross application process, including a background check.

WASHINGTON¡X The American Red Cross today announced a series of new or expanded initiatives that will help keep open the largest general hospital in Haiti, help build more semi-permanent shelters for 40,000 people now living in tents and tarps, and provide financial assistance to tens of thousands of earthquake survivors through an innovative text messaging program.
The announcements were made during a Red Cross briefing on the upcoming six-month anniversary of the devastating January 12 earthquake in Haiti.
¡§Six months after the earthquake, Haiti is filled with signs of hope and progress as well as reminders of the immense needs that still remain,¡¨ said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross, who has been to Haiti three times since the earthquake. ¡§The Red Cross has improved the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Haitians with emergency shelter, food, water, medical treatment, latrines and other supplies ¡V and we are also investing in other recovery projects such as building shelters and improving water and sanitation systems.¡¨
The new or expanded American Red Cross initiatives include:



Health
• $7.9 million for health programs, including a $3.8 million agreement with Partners in Health to pay salaries of more than 1,800 Haitian doctors, nurses and other staff at the largest general hospital in Port-au-Prince. All of these hospital employees had been working without pay since even before the earthquake, and American Red Cross funding will cover their lost wages and enable to hospital to continue to provide critically needed health care.
• $1.8 million to keep open a German Red Cross field hospital in Carrefour that has seen an average of 1,700 patients a week since it opened in January.
• $1.4 million in prosthetics and rehabilitation support to injured Haitians through a partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
• $900,000 on health programs in camps to educate Haitians about hygiene and HIV to prevent outbreaks of disease.
Shelter
• $8.6 million on new shelter efforts in Haiti, with this money focused on building semi-permanent shelters for people now living in tarps and tents in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas.
• In coming weeks we expect to sign agreements worth more than $21 million to build more semi-permanent shelters to house about 40,000 people.
• Construction on 300 temporary shelters, enough for 1,500 people, has begun in the Port-au-Prince neighborhood of Cite Soleil in what will be the first large-scale shelter project in the capital by a single organization.
Financial Assistance
• $9.7 million for a series of new or expanded programs that provide financial assistance to Haitians, including a $6.1 million cash-for-work program with Mercy Corps to support families outside Port-au-Prince who are hosting homeless Haitians and a $3.6 million expansion of a cash grant and loan program with Fonkoze, Haiti¡¦s largest microfinance institution.
Innovative Text (SMS) Cash Transfer Program
In addition, the Red Cross said today that it is launching a major $50 million SMS cash transfer program to give cash grants of approximately $125 to up to 400,000 Haitian families over the next several months. Recently, the American Red Cross tested a technologically innovative program to give cash grants to families using cell phones and text messaging. During this successful pilot, smaller $50 cash grants were given out to help nearly 1,800 families move from at-risk camps to camps in safer areas. This newly expanded program will enable families to buy food and supplies, fund the education of their children, purchase medicine, repair homes, relocate from camps, and invest in their businesses and livelihoods.
¡§Through these programs, families who once stood in line for relief distributions will now be empowered to buy some of the basic items they need most, which in turn should help stimulate the country¡¦s economy,¡¨ McGovern said, noting that even modest amounts of money can make a big difference to Haitian families, as 70 percent of Haitians lived on less than $2 a day prior to the earthquake.
¡§The same cell phone technology that enabled Americans to text donations for Haiti will now enable earthquake survivors to access money to support their families,¡¨ said McGovern.
Hurricane Preparedness
With hurricane season already underway, the Red Cross is working on disaster preparedness programs for vulnerable people currently living under tarps or tents. This includes programs that will train 500,000 camp residents on emergency first aid, safe evacuation procedures and early warning systems, as well as funding efforts to dig ditches and put sandbags on steep hillsides to reduce flooding. In addition, the Red Cross is pre-positioning emergency supplies such as tarps, tents and blankets for 125,000 people in 10 cities around Haiti and in a regional warehouse in Panama.
Money Raised and Spent
The American Red Cross has raised approximately $468 million for the Haiti relief and recovery efforts, spending nearly a third of the money - $148.5million ¡V in the first six months. About 38% of the money has been spent on food and emergency services; about 35% on emergency and transitional/semi-permanent shelters; 10% on livelihoods and host family assistance; 8% on health and disease prevention programs; 5% on disaster preparedness activities as well as 4% on providing clean water and sanitation. The shelter and financial assistance agreements to be signed in the next several weeks will add another $71 million in spending.
The American Red Cross is on track to meet its goal of spending more than $200 million to address immediate needs ¡V mostly in the first 12 months after the earthquake. The remainder of the funds raised will go to longer-term recovery over the next three to five years, with spending plans likely to evolve to respond to changing needs.
¡§We know that the crisis in Haiti is not over and the recovery process will be long and difficult,¡¨ McGovern said. ¡§Haiti and its people must rebuild their homes, economy, health systems, schools and transportation networks. With an estimated $12 billion needed to rebuild Haiti, the needs are beyond the capacity of the Red Cross alone to fix, and will require the collective efforts of governments and humanitarian groups around the world.¡¨
¡§The American Red Cross will support earthquake survivors in the months and years to come, and will be in Haiti until the last donated dollar is spent,¡¨ she added.

Red Cross Tips for a Safe Fourth of July
This Fourth of July, friends and loved ones all across the country will gather to celebrate our nation's independence and what is for many, the unofficial start of summer. If your traditions include fireworks, barbecues, or relaxing days at the pool or beach, the American Red Cross can help you prevent emergencies and enjoy a safer holiday by offering the following tips:
Water safety at the pool and beach:
The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. The Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To find out where lessons are offered or to enroll in a CPR/AED or first aid course, please visit www.arcdbq.org, or www.redcross.org.
• Swim in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard present, and swim with others. Never swim alone.
• Enter the water feet first. Enter the water headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.
• Adults should never leave a child unobserved around water. Practice "reach supervision" by staying within an arm's length of young children and weak swimmers while they are in and around the pool, lake or ocean.
• Take frequent breaks (about once an hour) where everyone gets out of the water, drinks water, reapplies sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and rests.
• If you are caught in a rip current, 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.
• Post CPR instructions and directions to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.
• Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool.
• If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.
Firework safety:
There are nearly 9,000 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks a year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission. You can enjoy these Fourth of July staples safely by doing the following:
• Never give fireworks to small children, and 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.
• Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
• Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
Safe Grilling:
Nothing says summer quite like the smell of barbecue. Make sure safety is a key ingredient in your Fourth of July by reading the following tips for safer grilling:
• Use gas and charcoal barbecue grills outside only.
• Position grills far from siding, deck railings, overhanging branches and house eaves.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using grills.
• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
For more safety tips or to register for a water safety, first aid or CPR/AED course, visit www.redcross.org. The American Red Cross wishes everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July!

The American Red Cross of the Tri-States responded to an apartment fire at 812 2nd Ave SE, in Dyersville, Iowa early this morning. Three Disaster Action Volunteers assisted a family of four, and one other individual.

The Red Cross provided assistance for food, shelter, clothing, comfort kits, storage and resource guides.

Members of the Disaster Action Team are volunteers with the American Red Cross of the Tri-States specially trained in various aspects of disaster response including casework interviews, damage assessment, shelter and feeding, health services and crisis counseling.

The American Red Cross of the Tri-States responded to a house fire at 2051 Sentinel Road, in Decorah, Iowa. The fire occurred early this morning. Two Disaster Action Volunteers assisted the two individuals.

The Red Cross provided assistance for food, clothing, comfort kits, storage, and resource guides.

Members of the Disaster Action Team are volunteers with the American Red Cross of the Tri-States specially trained in various aspects of disaster response including casework interviews, damage assessment, shelter and feeding, health services and crisis counseling.

RED CROSS RECEIVES $5,000 DRA GRANT

Dubuque, IA-- The Dubuque Racing Association awarded a $5,000 grant to the American Red Cross of the Tri-States through its annual charitable distribution program.

The grant will be used to purchase a new network server for the Tri-States Chapter. ¡§The Board and Staff of the Red Cross locally are really excited about this grant because it will accomplish two things: it gets us off of a server that locks up on a regular, sometimes daily basis and will allow the Chapter to join the national Red Cross email system. We are extremely grateful to the Dubuque Racing Association for this generous gift,¡¨ stated Sue Olsen, Executive Director.

The Chapter still requires an upgrade of 2 desktops and 2 laptops to complete the system upgrade. The Chapter¡¦s website, www.arcdbq.org, will not be affected.

Computers play a critical role in ensuring efficiency and effectiveness when preparing, preventing, and responding to major disasters locally, nationally, and internationally. Mike Lippert, Board Chair and member of the local Disaster Leadership Team noted, ¡§It is critical that an organization such as the American Red Cross stay on top of technology in order to serve the citizens of the Tri-States. We are fortunate to have a funding source through the Dubuque Racing Association.¡¨

DUBUQUE FIRE DISPLACES FAMILY OF FIVE
Dubuque, IA .The American Red Cross of the Tri-States responded to a house fire at 6226 Asbury Road, in Dubuque, Iowa. The fire occurred today, June 22, 2010. Two Disaster Action Volunteers assisted the individuals.

The Red Cross provided assistance for food, shelter, clothing, comfort kits, and resource guides.

Members of the Disaster Action Team are volunteers with the American Red Cross of the Tri-States specially trained in various aspects of disaster response including casework interviews, damage assessment, shelter and feeding, health services and crisis counseling.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary gifts of time and money from the American people.

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, collects and distributes nearly half of the nation¡¦s blood supply, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time, money and blood to perform its humanitarian mission.

###

The American Red Cross held its first glow ball event on June 11, 2010. The event was at the Lacoma golf course, and was a 4 person best shot. "I have never golfed a night tournament, it was lots of fun!" stated Tom Blosch, board member of the Red Cross. We look forward to next year's event!

DUBUQUE FIRE DISPLACES FOUR PEOPLE; RED CROSS RESPONDS
Dubuque, IA .The American Red Cross of the Tri-States responded to a house fire at 707 Table Mound Road, in Dubuque IA that occurred on Saturday, June 12, 2010. Two Disaster Action Volunteers assisted the individuals.

The Red Cross provided assistance for food, clothing, comfort kits, and resource guides.

Members of the Disaster Action Team are volunteers with the American Red Cross of the Tri-States specially trained in various aspects of disaster response including casework interviews, damage assessment, shelter and feeding, health services and crisis counseling.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary gifts of time and money from the American people.

We are raffling two $300 John Deere toy packages, a $250 Younkers shopping spree, and a golf get-away in Galena, IL. Raffle tickets are $5.00 or 5 for $20, four chances to win! Younkers is selling raffle tickets, or you can contact Michelle to purchase your raffle ticket! We will be pre-selling tickets, so contact your local Red Cross for your chance to win!!!!
.All the proceeds raised from this event will stay local, helping families in the Tri-States region. About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, collects and distributes nearly half of the nation¡¦s blood supply, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time, money and blood to perform its humanitarian mission. The American Red Cross of the Tri-States serves people in Dubuque, Clayton, Allamakee, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties in Iowa as well as East Dubuque in Illinois.

The American Red Cross of the Tri-States is hosting its first annual glow ball event on June 11, 2010 at Lacoma Golf Course in East Dubuque, IL. This fun event is a 4 person best shot that takes place in the evening with the use of glow sticks to direct the golfers. It will be a spectacle of glow on each and every hole! Reception starts at 7, and tee time starts at Dusk. The cost is $75.00 per person, which includes 9 holes of glow ball, glow wear, dinner before golf, drink tickets, and prizes! If you are not interested in night golf, but would still like to come and support the Red Cross, join us for the meal. The cost for a meal alone is $35 which includes two drink tickets, food, and a night of fun! Space is limited.
This fund raising event is sponsored by Mystique Casino, American Trust, Crescent Electric, US Bank, Service One, Runde Chevrolet, Medical Associates, The Bank, The Three Mile Super Club, Homeinstead Senior Living, Rudzianski¡¦s Business Equipment, Tom and Julie Johnson, and Peggy Mulderig. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.
To sign up, call Michelle at 563-583-6451 ext. 306, or return the form found on the website www.arcdbq.org and return to: American Red Cross of the Tri-States, 2400 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA 52001.
All the proceeds raised from this event will stay local, helping families in the Tri-States region.

Gail Howatt, a Disaster Action Team Volunteer has been deployed to Memphis, Tennessee to assist with the recent flooding. Currently, the Red Cross has four Disaster volunteers in Nashville Tennessee, and one volunteer assisting in Jackson, Mississippi. Gail will be the Supervisor of Health Services. This is her 6th National Disaster Relief Operation Assignment for the Red Cross.

The American Red Cross has opened more than two dozen shelters in response to a powerful weather system that generated tornadoes and caused severe flooding across the South.

Floods are typically long-term relief operations, given that waters can take days to recede and can wreak devastating damage on homes. As heavy rains continue across the South, the Red Cross encourages people in the affected area to register themselves and their loved ones on the Safe and Well Web site, to allow family and friends around the country to know of their status:

• Visit redcross.org, and click on the Safe and Well link.
• If you are currently being affected by this disaster, click: ¡§List Myself as Safe and Well,¡¨ enter your pre-disaster address and phone number, and select any of the standard message options.
• If you are concerned about a loved one, click ¡§Search¡¨ and enter the person¡¦s name and pre-disaster phone number OR address. If they have registered, you will be able to view the messages that they posted.
• If you don¡¦t have internet access, you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register yourself and your family. Follow the prompts for disaster information.

The American Red Cross of the Tri-States held its 94rd Annual Meeting and volunteer recognition dinner at the Hotel Julien on May 6, 2010

Newly elected board officers for the year are Chairman Tom Wagner, Vice Chair Tom Stricker, and Secretary Glen Schwab.
Board members continuing their terms are Brendan Houlihan, Brent Johns, Catherine Basten, John Miller, Marilyn Holscher, Carol Heying, Mike Lippert, and Don Warren. Board members nominated to a one year term, Andre Lessears. Board members nominated to a three year term, Joey Anderson, Joe Blodgett, Tom Blosch, Mark Dalsing, Mike Dillman, Chuck Donnelly, Bobbi Earles, Julie Johnson, Peggy Mulderig, Jack Nachtman, Rich Runde, Marie Wiewel, and Sam Yamoah
This year¡¦s volunteer award winners are: Darla Jones, Brendan Houlihan, and Steve Kelley for the Everett Hauber award. The Marion Hackney Disaster Volunteer of the Year goes to Shawn Scott-Fitzgerald
A special thank you to our volunteers, we appreciate all that you do for the Red Cross.

Dubuque, IA,¡V A another member of the Disaster Action Team from the American Red Cross of the Tri-States has been deployed to Nashville ,Tennessee, in response to the current floods and provide support to the ongoing relief effort. Tracy Birch of Dubuque IA will be assisting with Client Case work. This is Tracy¡¦s first National Assignment!.

Severe weather caused heavy winds and flooding throughout the state of Tennessee closing roads, leaving thousands of people without power which prompted the evacuation of over a thousand residents within the affected area on Saturday, May 1. Currently the Red Cross of the Tri-States have 4 people deployed, 2 to Jackson Mississippi, and 2 to Nashville Tennessee.

RED CROSS ANNUAL MEETING LEGAL NOTICE
Dubuque, IA, April 29, 2010 -- The American Red Cross of the Tri-States will hold its 94th annual ¡§Celebration of Support¡¨ at 5:30pm on Thursday, May 6 at the Hotel Julien for the purpose of electing officers and new members to the Board of Directors as well as recognizing volunteers.

The meeting is open to the public, but reservations are required to attend the dinner. Dinner reservations and payment are due by May 1. The cost for the dinner is $25.00. For more information or to reserve space, call 563-583-6451 ext 306.

Decorah, IA, April 29, 2010 ¡V Darla Jones, a member of the American Red Cross of the Tri-States, has been deployed to Nashville, Tennessee assisting individuals affected by the devastating tornado that destroyed several homes on Saturday. This will be Darla¡¦s first disaster assignment. Darla will be taking a two-week leave to provide disaster relief to those less fortunate.
Mississippi and Alabama were hardest hit by tornadoes on Saturday, April 24. Damage is widespread and thousands are without power.
Red Cross workers from several states throughout the region continue to provide safe places to stay, food to eat, and basic necessities such as toiletries and clean-up items to those whose homes were either destroyed or damaged by the deadly winds.
Meals are available at the shelters as well as from Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) traveling throughout the storm-torn area. Red Cross Disaster Action Teams are performing casework services and assistance and visiting families as they return to their neighborhoods and try to salvage some of their belongings.

RED CROSS DEPLOYS A LOCAL DISASTER RELIEF WORKER TO MASSACHUSETTS

Dubuque, IA, April 5, 2010 ¡V A member of the Disaster Action Team from the American Red Cross of the Tri-States has been deployed to Westborough, Massachusetts to respond to the current floods and provide support to the ongoing relief effort. Shawn Scott Fitzgerald will be managing and distributing relief supplies from the Red Cross warehouse. This will be Shawn¡¦s 7th time assisting with a national major disaster relief operation for the Red Cross. ¡§I am looking forward to going out and helping; I am ready to wear a lot of different hats¡¨ stated Shawn Scott Fitzgerald

Since the flooding began, The Red Cross has provided 1,415 clean up kits, distributed 9108 bulk items such as bottled water, and trash bags, and has served 377 meals to the Massachusetts flood victims.

UPDATE: American Red Cross Responds to Chile Earthquake
Chilean officials report that more than 2 million people have been affected by the earthquake, 500,000 homes have been seriously damaged, and approximately 1.5 million houses may have sustained damage. The American Red Cross is ready to assist the citizens of Chile, and have mobilized additional support including relief supplies, trained personnel, and additional financial assistance for the victims.

In response to the International Federation¡¦s decision to launch a $6.4 million preliminary emergency appeal to Chile, the American Red Cross will now accept contributions designated for victims of the February 27 earthquake. ¡§We waited to accept Chile-designated donations until more was known about the need and there was a specific request for help for the earthquake survivors. Now that the needs are better known and the Federation has made an appeal to assist the Chilean Red Cross, the American Red Cross is accepting Chile-designated donations.¡¨ Neal Litvack, Chief Development Officer of the American Red Cross stated.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has launched a Family links Website aimed at helping people in Chile and abroad to register the names of relatives with whom they wish to restore contact. People can register at: https//www.icrc.org/familylinks.

How Our Community Can Help:
Terrible times like these bring out the best in people, and the American Red Cross is grateful for the support being given.

• People who want to help those affected by the Chile earthquake can make a donation to the American Red Cross International Response Fund at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. People can also call 1-800-257-7575 to make a donation in Spanish.

• The Red Cross is also receiving money through a third party mobile fundraising effort in which mobile donors can text "Chile" to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross. The funds will go to support the Red Cross relief efforts in Chile.

The American Red Cross is also continuing to support the massive relief operations in Haiti, where more than 1.3 million people have been helped since the January 12th earthquake in that country. Over 600 Red Cross/Red Crescent workers from more than 30 national societies have been deployed to Haiti and are working alongside an estimated 13,000 Haitian National Red Cross Society volunteers. More than six weeks since the earthquake struck, the immense needs in Haiti continue. All humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross, are racing against the clock to provide safe, waterproof shelter before the rainy season begins in April.

The American Red Cross of the Tri-States Marks Red Cross Month by
Thanking Supporters and Volunteers

Red Cross is responding to disasters down the street, across the country and around the world.

Dubuque, IA, March 8, 2010¡X With March proclaimed as Red Cross Month, The American Red Cross of the Tri-States today recognized and thanked the supporters and volunteers whose efforts enable the Red Cross to respond to disasters down the street, across the country and around the world.

¡§The Red Cross works tirelessly to be there with help and hope when people need it most¡Vand we are grateful for the public support that enables us to continue our work ¡V here at home and abroad,¡¨ said Executive Director Sue Olsen. ¡§Our community and our nation depend on the Red Cross in times of need, and the Red Cross depends on the support of the American people to achieve its mission.¡¨

¡§During Red Cross Month, we want to recognize the valuable supporters whose generosity makes the work of the American Red Cross possible,¡¨ Sue added. ¡§In addition, Red Cross Month is a great time for people to get involved with the Red Cross, such as donating blood; signing up for a CPR, first aid or another Red Cross course; giving a financial gift that can really save the day when the next disaster strikes, or getting involved as a volunteer.¡¨

The Red Cross provides shelter, food, comfort and hope to survivors of nearly 70,000 disasters each year; helps prepare communities for emergencies; is the largest single provider of the nation¡¦s blood; teaches lifesaving skills to more than 5 million people a year; supports military members and their families, and provides international humanitarian aid.

The American Red Cross touches the lives of millions of people every year through its network of 34,000 employees and more than 600,000 volunteers in more than 2,000 locations across the United States and more than 30 countries around the world.

¡§The Red Cross has responded following the Haiti earthquake in January, working to turn despair into hope,¡¨ Sue said. ¡§The Red Cross is in Haiti and Chile now ¡V and we are also here each day in the Tri-States area for families who need us.¡¨

Although major disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires capture national media headlines, the day-to-day work of the Red Cross often takes place in local communities. In the past year, the Tri-States Chapter has responded to 28 families who lost their homes to fires, assisted 199 military families and trained close to 12,000 people in lifesaving skills
President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation in 1943, recognizing the American Red Cross as a true reflection of the humanitarian and volunteer spirit and calling on Americans to ¡§rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross.¡¨ Every president since that time has recognized the work of the Red Cross with a Red Cross Month.

The American Red Cross of the Tri-States has activities planned for Red Cross month including an instructor class on March 20,2010.

Tens of millions spent or committed for key priorities of food, water and shelter

In an operation that has involved more emergency response teams than any other single-country disaster in global Red Cross history, the American Red Cross has so far spent or committed more than $67 million to meet the most urgent needs of earthquake survivors in Haiti.

The American Red Cross is currently focusing on three areas through its emergency responders and partners:
1. Sending food to those in need, including 3 million pre-packaged meals and funding for World Food Program efforts that will enable them to feed up to 1 million people for a month.
2. Providing clean drinking water, including 3.5 million liters distributed to date in 68 settlements. Each day, the Red Cross is distributing enough water for 100,000 people.
3. Distributing shelter items, such as blankets, tarps, sleeping mats and tents, to families who have been left homeless.

The Red Cross is also meeting the health needs of Haitian survivors and providing support to Haitian families in Haiti and the US. This includes providing relief supplies, shipment of blood products, family linking services and providing Red Cross volunteers to the USNS Comfort, which have been in Haiti for one week.

To date, 79 percent of the funds have been committed or spent on food and water; 18 percent on shelter items; and the remainder on health and family services.

More than 49 flights carrying Red Cross aid have arrived in Haiti. Additional planes, ships and trucks carrying Red Cross humanitarian assistance are en route. For example, yesterday, 15 trucks of relief supplies arrived from Santo Domingo. A new Red Cross warehouse with more than 50,000 square feet of capacity is also now operational in Port-au-Prince, which means that relief supplies have a safe place to be stored ahead of distribution.

Although the current focus is on addressing urgent needs, the American Red Cross is also looking ahead and applying experience gained after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. For the past five years, the American Red Cross has been working with partners in Southeast Asia to construct water and sanitation systems, provide emotional support and health care, build shelters, restore livelihoods and prepare communities for the next disaster. The American Red Cross plans to offer a similar level of support in close collaboration with Red Cross partners and other international and local aid organizations in Haiti.

People can donate in support of the relief effort in Haiti at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Mobile donors can text ¡§Haiti¡¨ to 90999 to make a $10 contribution. A $10 donation made through mobile giving can provide a family with two water cans to store clean drinking water, basic first aid supplies or a blanket appropriate to the climate.

You can help the victims of countless crises, like the recent earthquake in Haiti, around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.

UPDATE: The Red Cross is Getting Aid into Haiti despite Aftershock
The Red Cross staff is assessing the impact of a major aftershock that occurred this morning, the largest in two days. Reports indicate that all Red Cross activities will continue as planned. Despite the constraints of the aftershock, the Red Cross and other relief agencies are reaching an increasing number of earthquake survivors with medical assistance, food, water and shelter. Medical supplies, water and sanitation, tents, food, fuel and transport equipment continue to be priority needs.

More than 70 American Red Cross Creole speaking volunteers have been trained and will soon join the USNS Comfort offshore in Haiti to translate for patients receiving medical care from the U.S. military. The American Red Cross is providing approximately 3 million pre-packaged meals in partnership with the World Food Program in Haiti. More than 100 truckloads of meals will leave Miami by air in the next few days and are expected to arrive in Haiti this weekend.
In the days ahead, the Red Cross will provide tents and shelter supplies for an initial 20,000 families in Haiti. 100 tons of Red Cross aid has arrived in Haiti. Planes and trucks carrying Red Cross humanitarian assistance are arriving in the region daily.

American Red Cross President and CEO, Gail McGovern, visited relief operations in Haiti yesterday. She witnessed the extensive damage and need as well as the growing presence of Red Cross services. Through Red Cross services such as first aid posts, hospitals, relief distribution sites, water trucking programs and family linking stations, the Red Cross is providing relief every minute for the people of Haiti. Gail is currently planning for a multi-year recovery operation with other Red Cross leaders from around the world and heads of state from the region.

Key Developments:
• A total of 18 Red Cross Emergency Response Units have been activated for the response, of which eleven have arrived and are operational, delivering medical care, clean water, logistics and telecommunications support. With the deployment of two additional teams yesterday, the Haiti disaster response has expanded to become the single largest deployment of the global Red Cross network for one affected country in history.
• The Red Cross is now reaching affected areas outside of Port-au-Prince, establishing first and posts and assessing water needs for earthquake survivors. Inside Port-au-Prince, distributions of relief supplies, delivery of clean water and medical care continues. Relief distributions have been planned for 300,000 people.




How Our Community Can Help:
• People who want to help those affected by the Haitian earthquake can make a donation to the American Red Cross International Response Fund at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
• You can support the American Red Cross by adding our link to your website at: www.redcross.org
• The Red Cross is also receiving money through a third party mobile fundraising effort in which mobile donors can text "Haiti" to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross. The funds will go to support the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
• Currently, we are deploying only Red Cross volunteers specially trained to manage international emergency operations. Please consider supporting your community¡¦s local needs by volunteering with your local Red Cross.
• At this time, what we need the most are financial contributions ¡V whether by check, online or by phone. The Red Cross and other the organizations leading the efforts in Haiti most need financial gifts in order to best serve the victims. Things like clothes are not helpful right now because there is nowhere to store them, no one to sort them, and it would be difficult to transport the items to Haiti. One good way to turn clothes into cash is to have a garage sale and then donate the money to the relief efforts.

You can help the victims of countless crises, like the recent earthquake in Haiti, around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.

January 18 Update: American Red Cross Provides Aid to Haiti

January 18, 2010-The American Red Cross is making progress. The American Public has reached out to help, and their support is getting to the Haitian earthquake survivors. We have more than 400 Red Cross Workers from around the world as well as several thousands of local volunteers addressing the needs and mobilizing a massive response operation in Haiti. Truckloads of Red Cross supplies arrived in Port-au-Prince on January 18, providing water, and first aid as well as finding lost loved ones and transporting people with serious injuries to nearby health facilities.

¡§America¡¦s support- donations made in the United States to the American Red Cross, is reaching the hands of survivors in Haiti,¡¨ said Steve McAndrew, disaster relief specialist with the American Red Cross in Port-au-Prince. Within the convoy that arrived yesterday, there are 50 bed field hospitals and purification equipment capable of producing 10,000 gallons of drinking water per day. The mobile hospitals have a dedicated section to help people cope with emotional trauma. Toys and specially-trained volunteers will be available to comfort children. An additional seven truckloads of equipment and materials including medical supplies were re-routed to Dominican Republic on Friday and are expected to arrive sometime today. ¡§We are working with the Haitian Red Cross volunteers, who have intimate knowledge of the community, ¡§said McAndrew. ¡§Survivors are receiving aid from their neighbors, who they know and trust, with support from the international community.¡¨

On Tuesday, American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern will travel to Port-au-Prince to join other Red Cross leaders in assessing the relief efforts and planning for long-term recovery. ¡§Our focus now is on the immediate relief for the people of Haiti, but make no mistake, this is going to be a massive long-term recovery operation,¡¨ McGovern stated.
Since the earthquake struck, more than 21,600 people have registered with the International Committee of the Red Cross sponsored Web site (www.icrc.org/familylinks) helping to reconnect families separated during the earth quake. This website enables people in Haiti and abroad to search for and register the names of relatives missing since the earthquake. Almost all registrations were from people searching for news about their relatives.
As always, blood donors are encouraged to call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit us online at redcrossblood.org to make an appointment. Donations to the International Response Fund can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington D.C. 20013 or made by phone 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) You can also donate by going to www.redcross.org.

The American Red Cross has raised more than $103 million dollars for relief efforts. This is a massive urban disaster of unprecedented proportions, and we know that this is going to be a costly long-term recovery operation.




How Our Community Can Help:
• People who want to help those affected by the Haitian earthquake can make a donation to the American Red Cross International Response Fund at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
• You can support the American Red Cross by adding our link to your website at: www.redcross.org
• The Red Cross is also receiving money through a third party mobile fundraising effort in which mobile donors can text "Haiti" to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross. The funds will go to support the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
• Currently, we are deploying only Red Cross volunteers specially trained to manage international emergency operations. Please consider supporting your community¡¦s local needs by volunteering with your local Red Cross.
• At this time, what we need the most are financial contributions ¡V whether by check, online or by phone. The Red Cross and other the organizations leading the efforts in Haiti most need financial gifts in order to best serve the victims. Things like clothes are not helpful right now because there is nowhere to store them, no one to sort them, and it would be difficult to transport the items to Haiti. One good way to turn clothes into cash is to have a garage sale and then donate the money to the relief efforts.

.
You can help the victims of countless crises, like the recent earthquake in Haiti, around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.

American Red Cross Provides Aid to Haiti

The American Red Cross today is releasing an additional $9 million for earthquake relief in Haiti, bringing our commitment to $10 million. Five disaster management specialists from Peru, Mexico and the United States are arriving in the Dominican Republic today and will travel by land to the disaster zone. These individuals join the 15-person staff we already have on the ground in Haiti as well as thousands of local Red Cross volunteers. As airports begin accepting relief shipments and more commercial flights, tarps, cooking sets, hygiene items and other supplies from the American Red Cross warehouse in Panama will be distributed to an initial 5,000 families.

Our partners within the global Red Cross network are also responding to the urgent humanitarian need. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is helping to reconnect separated families within the country. They have established a special Web site, enabling persons in Haiti and abroad to search for and register the names of relatives missing since the earthquake: www.icrc.org/familylinks. An ICRC plane carrying 40 tons of supplies ¡V mainly medical items ¡V is expected to leave Geneva today. Included are specialized kits to help treat the wounded, basic medicines and chlorine for water treatment. Other Red Cross partners have deployed a mobile hospital as well as medical teams to support it as well as more than 40 others who can coordinate the relief activities, including sheltering, water, sanitation and telecommunications.

The Red Cross provided blood and blood products to the US Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. That blood, requested by the US Navy, was shipped by the US Navy to their facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of Haitian evacuees and patients. In addition, the American Red Cross sent a shipment of blood products to the United Nations Mission in Haiti. To date, the Red Cross has sent more than 100 units of blood and blood products to Haiti and Guantanamo Bay. The American Red Cross is meeting the needs of this tragedy through current supplies. At this time we do not anticipate the need for a special donor appeal to support our efforts. As always, blood donors are encouraged to call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit us online at redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.

How Our Community Can Help:
• People who want to help those affected by the Haitian earthquake can make a donation to the American Red Cross International Response Fund at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
• The Red Cross is also receiving money through a third party mobile fundraising effort in which mobile donors can text "Haiti" to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross. The funds will go to support the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
• Currently, we are deploying only Red Cross volunteers specially trained to manage international emergency operations. Please consider supporting your community¡¦s local needs by volunteering with your local Red Cross.
• At this time, what we need the most are financial contributions ¡V whether by check, online or by phone. The Red Cross and other the organizations leading the efforts in Haiti most need financial gifts in order to best serve the victims. Things like clothes are not helpful right now because there is nowhere to store them, no one to sort them, and it would be difficult to transport the items to Haiti. One good way to turn clothes into cash is to have a garage sale and then donate the money to the relief efforts.

The American Red Cross has received more than $3 million as of 9 a.m. EST ¡V through a third party mobile fundraising effort to support our relief efforts in Haiti.
• The funds will go to support the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
• The mobile fundraising effort launched on January 12, approximately three hours after the earthquake struck Haiti. The program is powered by Mobile Accord and the MGive Foundation in coordination with the U.S. State Department as part of its ongoing support of this disaster response.

You can help the victims of countless crises, like the recent earthquake in Haiti, around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.



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American Red Cross Provides Aid to Haiti
The American Red Cross has pledged an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by yesterday¡¦s earthquake in Haiti, and is prepared to take further action as local responders assess the situation.
¡§Initial reports indicate widespread damage in Port au Prince, with continuing aftershocks,¡¨ says Tracy Reines, director of international disaster response for the American Red Cross. ¡§As with most earthquakes, we expect to see immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.¡¨
The American Red Cross has made available all of the relief supplies from its warehouse in Panama which would provide for basic needs for approximately 5,000 families. In addition, it is deploying a disaster management specialist to Haiti, and has additional disaster specialists on standby if needed.
The American Red Cross has an extensive partnership with the Haitian Red Cross, which is expected to lead the Red Cross response to the earthquake. The American Red Cross has staff on the ground in Haiti who provide ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention and disaster preparedness programs. At this time, all the three American Red Cross staff in Haiti have all been reported safe.
The Haitian Red Cross was founded in 1932 and is one of the primary organizations in the country responding to disasters. Although earthquakes are less common, Haiti is frequently impacted by hurricanes including those in 2008, and the Haiti Red Cross has developed experience in disaster response due those disasters.
We are not accepting volunteers to travel to Haiti. If you would like to volunteer for the American Red Cross, please contact your local chapter. For inquiries about relatives living and who have citizenship in Haiti, please be patient and call repeatedly until the lines clear or contact other family members who live nearby. Telephone, Internet and other communication lines are often disrupted in times of disaster. People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Haiti should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.
You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Donations to the International Response Fund can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.

Five Years After Indian Ocean Tsunami, Millions of Survivors Assisted and Moving On With Their Lives
American Red Cross tsunami recovery program to finish in 2010

National Headquarters
2025 E Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
www.redcross.org
Contact: Public Affairs Desk
FOR MEDIA ONLY
media@usa.redcross.org
Phone: (202) 303-5551

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, December 15, 2009 ¡X Nearly five years after the Indian Ocean tsunami killed more than 230,000 people and destroyed entire communities, hundreds of thousands of houses have been rebuilt, life has returned to normal and communities are more prepared for future disasters.


The more than 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami, which hit 12 countries from Southeast Asia to East Africa in December 2004, caused more than $8 billion in damages and affected nearly 5 million people.

Even as it responded to the emergency, the American Red Cross was already making plans to meet long-term needs, such as rebuilding houses, providing water and sanitation systems, and reigniting the local economy by getting people back to work.

¡§When I saw the devastation and the emotional trauma people were dealing with, I knew it would take a long time to get people back on their feet and for communities to recover,¡¨ says Gerald Anderson, senior director of the Tsunami Recovery Program for the American Red Cross.

After consulting with survivors and local leaders about what was needed to help communities rebuild and recover, the American Red Cross decided to focus on six key program areas ¡V water and sanitation, psychosocial support, health, shelter, livelihoods and disaster preparedness.

Over the past five years, the American Red Cross and its partners were able to assist 4 million people through more than 80 relief and recovery projects. These efforts included:

Building or repairing more than 16,200 temporary and permanent houses
Providing nearly 200,000 people with improved access to clean water
Giving loans, livelihood resources or job training to more than 91,000 people
Protecting 111 million people through disease prevention activities, such as vaccinating children against measles
Helping more than 780,000 people overcome the emotional trauma caused by the tsunami
¡§Not only have communities been rebuilt, they have been built with a sustainable future in mind,¡¨ Anderson said. ¡§From the onset we designed our programs to make communities stronger, safer and better prepared by considering the environmental impact of our work and giving people the skills and training to know how to respond to future emergencies.¡¨

Involving people at the community-level has been at the heart of American Red Cross recovery efforts in tsunami-affected countries. Men, women and children in more than 580 communities and schools have been trained to know what to do if another disaster occurs. Local volunteer disaster teams have mapped the hazards their communities face, have been trained in emergency first aid and have conducted mock disaster response drills.

The American Red Cross received $581 million to help the affected communities rebuild and recover. As of November 30, $517 million of these funds have been spent, with the remainder already programmed to finish existing recovery projects by the end of 2010.

Even as the American Red Cross finishes its tsunami recovery work, the work of the local Red Cross continues. American Red Cross partner national societies, such as the Indonesian Red Cross, will continue to help communities prevent, prepare for and respond to future emergencies.

Experts are available for interview in Washington, DC, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Maldives. Video, photos and additional information are available upon request. Contact Eric Porterfield for more information: porterfielde@usa.redcross.org or 202-701-3309.


About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization ¡X not a government agency ¡X and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dubuque, IA, December 7, 2009 ¡V The American Red Cross is pleased to announce the appointment of Sue Olsen as its new Executive Director. She joined the Red Cross on December 1, 2009 proceeding Stan Schwartz.

Sue is no stranger to the non-profit world. She has served 19 years as Executive Director of Girl Scouts of Little Cloud Council in Dubuque, IA, was involved with interim assignments for the Girl Scouts of the USA, and interim assistance with the Grand Opera House and DuRide in Dubuque. In addition to being a University of Iowa graduate, Sue earned a Masters in Business Administration from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. Sue stated, ¡§I am honored to step into another well-known and highly respected non-profit-one that saves the day when crisis arises.¡¨
Former Executive Director Stan Schwartz commented, ¡§Sue Olsen¡¦s successful experience in non profit work will serve the American Red Cross of the Tri-States well. She has the compassion and skill to continue to carry out the mission of the Red Cross by providing emergency relief to victims of disasters, and help people prepare for, and respond to emergencies.¡¨ Stan Schwartz retired after serving 27 years with the American Red Cross, 12 of those years spent at the Dubuque Chapter.
We are pleased to have Sue Olsen on board and we welcome her to the Red Cross Family.

Don¡¦t Let the Flu Ruin Your Holiday

Red Cross Offers Steps to Help Avoid Illness During the Thanksgiving Weekend

With H1N1 flu causing illness all across the country, the American Red Cross has some steps to take that will lessen the chances of getting sick over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods in the United States. If traveling for the holiday or hosting a family celebration, washing one¡¦s hands as often as possible is important to help ward off illness.
The Red Cross offers the following ideas to help halt the spread of the flu virus during the Thanksgiving holiday:

Tips for Travelers

Before traveling¡K

• If sick, stay home. It¡¦s disappointing to not be able to join in the family celebration, but act responsibly and stay home to avoid spreading the flu.

• It¡¦s possible to spread the flu virus one day before actually showing symptoms. Those who have been in close contact with a sick individual should be extra careful about using good hand hygiene and cough etiquette and very aware of what might be flu symptoms.

While traveling¡K

• Wash hands with soap and water as often as possible. If soap and water aren¡¦t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

• Use sanitizing wipes to disinfect hard surfaces such as airplane tray tables, luggage handles, cell phones, door handles and seat armrests.

• Remember to wash hands or use a hand sanitizer before eating any meals or snacks. It¡¦s important to remember that you are touching a lot of surfaces that others are touching as well. Make sure your hands are clean before you put anything into your mouth.

• Bring personal blankets, pillows and earphones to avoid using something which may have been in contact with the flu virus.

• After washing hands in a public restroom, turn off the faucet with a paper towel. Then use another paper towel to dry hands and open the door when exiting the restroom.

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RED CROSS, PAGE TWO OF TWO

Have a safe celebration
Thanksgiving is all about food, family and friends. Here are some steps that will help keep the celebration happy and healthy:

• Avoid the usual kisses and handshakes when greeting friends and family.

• If hosting the holiday dinner and someone in the household becomes ill, make sure that they can be isolated into a separate area for care, or ask another family member to host dinner to avoid spreading the flu.

• Wash hands frequently, before preparing food, while cooking, and especially before eating.

• Keep plenty of hand soap in the bathroom, preferably in a pump container. Skip the pretty hand towels this year and instead use disposable hand towels or a roll of paper towels.

• Consider putting the glasses away this year and using plastic cups, or provide a way for guests to identify their drinks. Don¡¦t drink out of anyone else¡¦s glass.

• Put serving utensils in every dish, including snacks like nuts, pretzels, etc. This allows people to spoon out their portion instead of reaching in with their hands.

Remember¡Xalways cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and clean hands afterwards. If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into the inside of the elbow or upper arm. Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth to prevent spreading germs. Visit Redcross.org for more information on how to keep safe and prepared for any emergency.

American Red Cross Launches New Holiday Giving Campaign
Featuring ¡¥Gifts that Save the Day¡¦ Online Catalog

This holiday season, when economic conditions are tough and people really want their gifts to matter, the American Red Cross is kicking off a new holiday campaign that offers a way to give a gift that has real impact.

Gifts that Save the Day is a new holiday giving campaign that inspires people to make a gift that can save the day for those in need. Through the online catalog at www.redcross.org/gifts, people can make a donation that could provide food and shelter for a disaster victim for a day; a military comfort kit with a robe, phone card and other supplies for a wounded warrior; or a month of basic necessities for a family in another country who lost everything in a disaster.

¡§We know that these are difficult times for many families and businesses in the Tri-State area, but the Red Cross has seen that when Americans are in need, America always responds,¡¨ said Stan Schwartz, CEO, American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Area. ¡§The holiday season is traditionally a time of hope and generosity, and this campaign gives us all a chance to make a difference in someone¡¦s life.¡¨

The holiday giving campaign is being launched at a time when a new national survey for the American Red Cross finds that support for charitable giving remains strong even as many people are tightening their belts on gift-buying and other activities. The Red Cross survey found that 29 percent are cutting back on money spent on holiday gifts, 31 percent are planning to spend less for parties this year, 40 percent are cutting back on spending for holiday decorations, and 44 percent are reducing their travel costs. However, only 20 percent planned cuts in their donations to charity, with 17 percent planning to spend more and 62 percent planning to spend the same.

The survey, conducted November 5-8, shows that nearly one in four (23%) had their salary or hours reduced this year, with 14 percent saying they had been laid off from their job and 41 percent losing money in the stock market. However, 67 percent say that because of the economy, it is more important this year to give something to charity.

Although retail sales are projected to remain flat this holiday season, online holiday gift-giving is expected to grow by 4 percent. Following this trend, people buying gifts online this holiday season can make an online donation to the Red Cross in the name of someone special.

Gifts made through the catalog are contributions towards a Red Cross program area, not a donation to a specific project or item. The donations will be used to provide assistance where it is needed most within the program area; remaining money is put to use where it is needed most.

A key part of the Red Cross holiday campaign will be national advertising, including cable television, in-flight magazines and online advertising urging people to make a donation to the Red Cross. The ads feature photos and images of people being offered comfort and help by the Red Cross after a disaster, when they need life-saving blood or following a local home fire. The ads seek to capture the ¡§Red Cross moment¡¨ when people go from despair to hope, and urge people to give the gift that saves the day.

¡§These have been turbulent economic times for the Red Cross and other non-profits, with more and more people seeking help,¡¨ said Stan Schwartz. ¡§The Red Cross is working very hard to raise money now so the organization can be there tomorrow with help and hope when people need it most¡Xwhen the next disaster strikes, when a neighbor¡¦s house burns down or when someone needs life-saving blood.¡¨

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The telephone survey of 1,001 U.S. adults 18 years and older was conducted November 5-8, 2009 by CARAVAN® Opinion Research Corporation. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization ¡X not a government agency ¡X and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

A recent poll on the H1N1 flu conducted by the American Red Cross found that more Americans are taking or planning on taking extra measures to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissue (78%) or wash their hands more carefully (76%) to avoid getting the flu.
The survey also found that 62 percent plan on being vaccinated against this new flu virus if one is offered.
While only 1 in 10 of those surveyed by the Red Cross claimed to be very worried about H1N1 flu, results show people have a strong interest in taking protective actions.
The survey found that 93 percent of Americans are taking or planning to take at least one action to guard against this new flu. Nearly half of those surveyed (46%) plan on assembling a two-week supply of food, water and medicine that they might need in the event they or someone in their family becomes sick and need to stay home for extended periods of time.
The survey results also found that women are more likely to take protective actions, with 84 percent making an extra effort to cover coughs and sneezes (versus 71 percent for men), and 81 percent washing their hands more carefully and more often (compared to 71 percent for men).
However, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating that a vaccine may not be available until later this fall, the Red Cross is urging people to remember these simple actions to help guard against the flu:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.
• Wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home if you are feeling sick.
As with any emergency, the Red Cross encourages people to prepare by getting an emergency kit, making a plan and being informed.
More information about H1N1 and the seasonal flu is available at www.redcross.org/pandemicflu. This site contains video resources, preparedness tips and information about how to help lessen the spread of the flu virus. The Red Cross also has products available at www.redcrossstore.org to help people protect themselves against the flu

The American Red Cross of the Tri-States responded to the fire at 150 Main Street in McGregor Friday by dispatching a Disaster Action Team member to care for the two families displaced.

The Red Cross provided six people with financial assistance for shelter, clothing and shoes along with comfort kits and referrals.

Members of the Disaster Action Team are volunteers with the American Red Cross of the Tri-States specially trained in various aspects of disaster response including casework interviews, damage assessment, shelter and feeding, health services and crisis counseling.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary gifts of time and money from the American people.

The American Red Cross of the Tri States will be offering free CPR training to residents of the Washington Neighborhood and clients of the Crescent Community Health Center. Classes are funded through a grant from the Alliant Energy Foundation.

The classes will be held at the Comiskey Park shelter, 2400 Jackson St., on the following dates and times:
• 2-5 p.m. July 22
• 6-9 p.m. July 22
• 2-5 p.m. August 18
• 6-9 p.m. August 18
• 6-9 p.m. September 24

Class sizes are limited to ten and pre-registration is required. To sign up, call the Red Cross at 563-583-6451 ex. 314.

The American Red Cross of the Tri-States responded to the fire at 1020 University Avenue in Dubuque Wednesday by dispatching a Disaster Action Team member to care for the individual displaced.

The Red Cross provided the individual with financial assistance for food and clothing along with recovery materials.

Members of the Disaster Action Team are volunteers with the American Red Cross of the Tri-States specially trained in various aspects of disaster response including casework interviews, damage assessment, shelter and feeding, health services and crisis counseling.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary gifts of time and money from the American people.