Drumroll Please...

Well, the 83rd Annual Academy Awards have come and gone. And although we may not have witnessed any scandals during last night’s event (i.e. wild pop stars hatching out of eggs or an unexpected win from an alternative Canadian band), we did get to see some of Hollywood’s greatest talent walk the red carpet and accept film’s most prestigious awards, while honoring the wide range of films released over the past year.

Much like Hollywood’s biggest night, the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago also has a ceremony. The only difference is that ours celebrates individuals who live the Red Cross mission within our community. And although some of last night’s Oscar winners deservingness may be questionable, there is absolutely no denying that the 2011 Red Cross Heroes announced this year are entirely deserving of their newly crowned title. Each person has made a significant impact on the lives of others and carried out a mission that truly stands out among the rest. Every hero that the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago has recognized sets a prime example of what it means to live the Red Cross mission.

The annual Heroes Breakfast is our signature fundraiser. The ceremony is made up of ten specific categories: Citizenship, Community Impact, Disaster Relief, Emergency Medical Assistance, Firefighter, Adult Good Samaritan, Youth Good Samaritan, Law Enforcement, Military, and Nurse. The Heroes Breakfast is now in its ninth year and is the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago’s most successful fundraiser. Last year, we were fortunate to have more than 650 Chicagoland community leaders attended the event.

We are all extremely excited for this year’s Heroes Breakfast event, which will be held on April 14, 2011 at the Fairmont Chicago.

Take a moment and check out our 2011 Red Cross Heroes at http://www.chicagoredcross.org/heroes. Each story represents a fantastic and unique look into what makes an inspiring hero in 2011.

Photo credit to Cinesystem Cinemas on Flickr

Save A Life, take a CPR class

What do you do if you see someone bleeding or falling unconscious on the floor? It’s a situation no one wants to encounter and yet it happens around people everyday. It happened this January in Arizona, when the shootout left several people bleeding and injured on the ground. It also happened to Patricia Carmona, who while leaving her friends house, witnessed a man having a massive heart attack. These situations are more common than we would like to admit. In fact, more than 25% of Americans say they’ve been in situations where someone needed CPR.

“You think you’ll never need to give someone CPR, but spontaneous situations happen all the time. If you’re trained, at least you can pump the heart, and keep the blood flowing till help arrives,” said Carmona.

To make CPR more accessible and to honor congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the American Red Cross is hosting a Gabrielle Giffords Honorary Save-a-Life Saturday on March 19, 2011. This event will take place in more than 50 locations across the nation and will be free of charge, thanks to our sponsors, Safeway and Walgreens. The Red Cross will provide fast and easy classes to teach the basics of hands-only CPR, the treatment of shock and how to treat wounds. For more information and details on locations, please visit www.redcross.org.

Are you a messenger of hope? Will you protect humanity in the midst of war?

When was the last time you considered yourself a student? How about a messenger?

A few months ago, I took a class that was worth more than any course credit. That Saturday morning, the Red Cross introduced me to international humanitarian law (IHL). The class explores the “rules of war” and how to preserve dignity in the midst of conflict. One student in my class pointed out that the “rules of war” seemed to be an oxymoron, as he questioned why these laws exist in the first place.

Saudi Arabia, China, Pakistan, Iraq, and lately, Egypt have taken over international news channels. “Brutality” and “destruction” are words that come to mind, but what about “innocence” and “neutrality”? As the Red Cross Red Crescent Societies, we are committed to serving victims in the center of armed conflict a dose of dignity. Built on the foundation of Red Cross values -- humanity, impartiality, and independence -- the “rules of war” are a commonality among people who may not share any other common beliefs.

A returned Peace Corps volunteer, an international relations graduate student and a professor of humanitarian action decided to be messengers of the movement, just as I have. One participant asked, “How can humanitarian law be used as part of a process for global change?”

It’s possible, but it starts with you discussing the essence of humanitarianism to others who are willing to do the same.

By helping the helpless, we – meaning you – are a part of the foundation of humanity. Is that something to risk? Do we settle for inaction when action could begin with something as simple as a conversation? We hope not.

The global part of the change is what intrigues us. By offering this class virtually in real-time to anyone, anywhere in the world with internet access, we’ll spark the conversation together.

Take the first step in making change happen. Take the class. Talk about change. Carry your message. Whoever and wherever you are.

*Light the conversation using the hashtag #RulesofWar on Twitter

By Katie Wilkes

Wake the Social Butterfly from its Winter Slumber. Flirt with Us

I don’t know about all of you, but I definitely think we deserve a little self love and appreciation from time to time, especially this February given the record snow levels and miserable cold temperatures. And I’m not just talking about sipping that $8.00 bottle of Yellowtail from 711 while watching the latest episode of House Hunters on HGTV. We deserve more than that. We deserve some “grade A” socialization with other fabulous Chicagoans who will appreciate us and what it takes to live in this city in February. With winter in full force and the weekend approaching, what better way to spend this Thursday night than by rewarding ourselves and supporting the Red Cross mission at the American Red Cross of Great Chicago’s “Flirting for Disaster” event at LuxBar with other Chicagoans.

“Flirting for Disaster” brings some of Chicago’s most interesting young professionals together under one hotspot roof. This social mixer allows a philanthropic and professional crowd to briefly forget about the miseries of February and enjoy the company of other vibrant Chicagoans, while enjoying music, drinks, appetizers, and raffles. We can leave the Yellowtail and House Hunters on hold for one night, can’t we?

This month’s “Flirting for Disaster” theme is A Heart Filled Celebration and is hosted by the Auxiliary Board of the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago. Tomorrow night’s event will be held at LuxBar from 6:00-9:00 p.m. and is sure to awaken the social butterfly from its winter slumber. You will not only benefit your social life and sanity, but also provide the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago with the support and donations we need to help our chapter and others during a cold season that sparks more home fires than any other time of year. Could it spark something in your life?

Buck up, Chicago, get out and flirt with us. Visit http://www.flirtingfordisaster.com/ for tickets and more information.

What happened last night?

Throughout the past day and a half the American Red Cross has been helping people in 19 states offering food and shelter to those who have been displaced due to the massive winter storm. We opened 73 shelters yesterday nationwide to help people affected by this large-scale storm which buried the country in ice and snow from the Rocky Mountains to Maine. In the Chicago area alone, more than 360 people spent the night in 10 Red Cross shelters throughout our region.

Hundreds of people were stranded in their cars on Lake Share Drive in Chicago last night, when the road was closed due to unsafe driving conditions, blinding snow and large waves splashing out of Lake Michigan and spilling onto the roadway.

Chicago Police and Fire personnel and National Guard members went car to car to get stranded motorists on warming buses and to take them to a nearby Red Cross shelter at Malcolm X College in Chicago. Many had been stranded in their cars for several hours. The Chicago Tribune released a crowd sourcing tool to help people solve blizzard related problems and we did our best to aid in this effort through our twitter feed, @chicagoredcross.

American Red Cross workers greeted the 340 weary motorists, many arriving in the middle of the night by ambulance, bus or fire truck and provided them with hot coffee and snacks. In a large open room with rows of Red Cross blanket covered cots, the motorists-a doctor, a teacher and a cab driver among them, gathered to tell their stories, get warm and discuss ways to get their abandoned cars back and how to best reunite with their families. Red Cross workers provided warm clothing and toiletries to the shelter residents and diapers and teddy bears for families with small children. The most commonly fulfilled request of the evening? Socks.

Barbie, a preschool teacher from Wrigleyville was stranded in her car for several hours. Upon arrival at the shelter she was offered water, coffee, blankets, food and a cot by the Red Cross volunteers. "I cannot tell you how thankful I am that the Red Cross was there. I am still in awe about this whole experience, but the Red Cross support was the shining moment in my night."

At last the group was able to wind down from their ordeal and get some rest on the cots in the shelter. Many stayed for a breakfast served by the Red Cross the next morning. As of mid-day today there were still a few dozen people there enjoying lunch provided by Red Cross volunteers and staying safe from the hazardous conditions outside. As for the Red Cross? We'll be at shelters today with blankets, food, hugs and comfort for people who need us. Visit the American Red Cross web site and click on “find a shelter” call 1 800 RED CROSS (1 800 733 2767) to find a location near you. Follow the Red Cross on twitter at @redcross and @chicagoredcross locally for up to date information on our response to the blizzard.

Here's some information we think you may need in the next few days. It focuses on power outage safety and how to minimize food spoilage etc. Stay safe and warm everyone.

Martha Carlos and Kendall Knysch

Where Does the Haiti Relief Money Go?

Today, I had the opportunity to talk with the staff of Threadless -- a t-shirt company that you should know about, if you don't already. They made a $100,000 donation about a year ago to support our relief effort in Haiti, and they wanted to know more about how the money made an impact.

There are a lot of ways that we can answer that question -- "Where does the money go?"

We can do the math: Well, if $100 can provide a cooking set, hygien pack, blankets, and water containers for a family of five, your $100,000 helped 1,000 families.

We can tell the story: "A line of men, women and children stretches around the corner of the white tent, each waiting patiently to tell their story to the attending doctors from the Red Cross mobile health clinic..." and so on.

We can provide the data: Pie charts, maps and such will show you, quite precisely where the money goes.

We can show you very touching videos with pleasant music.

But, with Threadless, this just didn't feel right. I mean, look at their Headquarters, here in Chicago:

Does this audience strike you as one that wants to hear numbers or watch more than a couple of videos? Me neither.

Talking with them today reminded me how isolated our donors must feel from the impact of their donation. It just doesn't occur to you that you actually save lives, does it?

Listen up. You do.

Even $5 bought some individual in Haiti a water container to store clean drinking water. That individual you helped with your 5 bucks may have been this kid:

You did that. Threadless did that for 19,999 additional kids. Do you get what I'm saying?

Do me (and yourself) a favor. If you gave to the Haiti relief effort, do these 3 things:

1) think about how much you gave

2) do the water container math ($5 bucks a pop)

3) and look at the faces of the people it helped.

You matter to that kid. Man oh man. You matter.

Make a Difference With a Blood Donation

You don’t have to be a superhero to make a difference in someone’s life. Even donating a pint of blood goes a long way in preparing and helping a community. Ordinary people took some time out of their busy schedules to give blood at the American Red Cross blood drive hosted by Loyola University. Some came to continue a legacy; others were first-timers who felt it was their way of giving back to society.

“My grandmother gets blood transfusions regularly and I’m just trying to catch up,” said Jeff McDonald, a law student at Loyola University. Jeff’s grandmother is 101 years old and the transfusions boost her health and mental disposition, he said.

Another blood donor, James Wade, was there to fulfill a family commitment. “My dad always gave blood so I’m keeping up the tradition,” Wade said.

One person in the United States needs a blood transfusion every two seconds. Blood and platelets are also used for trauma victims-those who suffered accidents and burns-heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, premature babies and for patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases, such as sickle cell disease. Thus, the need is unending.

Recently, the American Red Cross sent out an urgent appeal for blood donations. The extreme winter weather and predictions of upcoming storms caused 14,000 blood donation cancellations this season. And this is the first time in ten years that the Red Cross blood supply has dropped this low.

Blood donor, Greg Vera, considers it to be his responsibility. “Giving blood is so accessible that it’s inexcusable not to if you can. For me personally, it’s almost to be like a moral obligation. I try to give once every 8 weeks,” he added.

Donors at the Loyola blood drive had the chance to meet reality star Jillian Harris of the Bachelor and Extreme Home Makeover. Harris is a long time blood donor and also encourages people who are eligible to give blood. While lying on the cot waiting for her turn, she said it was the easiest way to make a big difference in someone’s life.

To schedule an appointment for a blood donation today, please visit, http://www.redcrossblood.org/. You can also visit chicagoredcross.org for more information.

Written by Erica Serna and Maliha Sadiq.












To see more photos from the Loyola blood drive visit our Flickr page.

Blood, Sweat and Bears

Sixty seconds was all it took for the most anticipated football game in the Midwest to sell out. The Bears and the Packers face off for the 182nd time and are prepared to give it their all. The rivalry between the teams runs deep, so the fans are ready for an intense play-off game 60 years in the making. Already, Chicago is rallying to show our team that we are behind them 150%.

Even though I’m not a football fan, I find it difficult not to feel a sense of excitement and pride in knowing that the Bears are in the plays-offs. I cannot help but be swept away by the energy that radiates from football enthusiasts. The fervor is contagious and makes me want to join the Bears movement and become a die-hard fan.

As I get swept away in Bear fever, I realize that energy and enthusiasm drive us, but loyalty to Chicago binds us. Like Bears fever, the Red Cross of Greater Chicago is a movement that uplifts, unites and inspires Chicagoans. Our disaster volunteers unite to provide aid and support to those in need. We find that there is a joy in having the ability to help someone in need. The joy and energy we experience when serving others drives our donors, staff and volunteers to deepen their loyalty to our movement.

The Bears will leave their sweat and blood on the field on Sunday. Are you ready for that kind of die-hard loyalty? Bear down, and become a volunteer.

By Erica Serna

Staying Safe on the Road in Drizzle, Sleet, and Snow

When I was a kid I used to love waking up and seeing the sparkly white sheet of snow outside, and wished that there would be enough of it for me to make a snowman. But as an adult the mere mention of snow throws me in a state of panic. This morning I woke up and realized that I had to drive my nephew to his school in snowy weather. Although my nephew’s school is less than 5 minutes away, it’s a dangerous route as the chances of skidding on the narrower street are much higher.

Before leaving my home I decided to make a plan and take the routes that I knew would minimize the risk of my car skidding. If you are in the same situation as me and your best option is to drive, it’s a good idea to pre-plan your commute. Here are some useful tips from the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago:

Before you hit the roads
• Let your family or friends know your destination, your primary and alternate routes, and when you expect to arrive. If your vehicle gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.
• Pay attention to the weather forecast. Your local TV and radio stations can provide updated storm information that can help you avoid treacherous weather.

If you are stranded
• Stranded drivers should stay with the vehicle and not try to walk to safety. You can quickly become disoriented in wind-driven snow and run the risk of developing hypothermia and frostbite. Exercise your arms and legs to maintain body heat.
• Use the heater for 10 minutes every hour and leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so you can be seen.
• Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up in the vehicle
• Make it easier for rescuers to find you by tying a brightly colored cloth to the antenna
• After the snow has subsided, raise the hood to indicate you need help.

In snowy weather it is important to keep calm while driving and be prepared. For more safety tips visit winter storm safety and preparation, please visit the chicagoredcross.org.

Written by: Erica Serna

More Than a Sign

The Minnesota Planetarium Society has sent our world into frenzy with the newly-released announcement that most of our zodiac signs have changed due to the Earth’s current alignment. According to some astrologers, Earth’s current position in relation to the Sun means that our signs, which were put into place approximately 3,000 years ago, are now outdated. As a result, date alignment with the signs shifted nearly a month causing many individuals to question their self identity. Whether you are a skeptic or a believer, there’s no doubt that the world has, literally, been shaken by this announcement.

As a Capricorn, my natural appreciation of stability has me feeling extremely uncomfortable with the news. Have we all been living a lie? Does the goat tattoo on my lower back need to be removed and replaced with a centaur? I don’t know the first thing about being a Sagittarius!

We at the Red Cross have daily experience with receiving startling news that can shake up the world on both personal and worldwide levels. We learn first-hand to expect the unexpected. Despite the unpredictable nature of our mission at the Red Cross, one factor remains stable—we believe in hope. This common denominator among disasters of any proportion allows us to persevere through the hard days knowing we have the ability to do what we do everyday. It provides us with the power to help others and stand strongly behind the Red Cross mission. We see this belief all the time. We see it in our volunteers. We see it in our donors. We see it in our staff. We see it in the victims we assist. We see the belief in all of you who believe in us and our mission.

You may or may not believe that the fate of our love lives and stubbornness means changing from a goat to a four-legged man, but when it comes to persevering through the those disasters that seem impossible, we too can say, “keep on believing.”

Hope happens. What keeps you going?

Written by David Roth & Katie Wilkes

"Are You Still in Haiti?"

"Are you still in Haiti?"

Many of the employees and volunteers of the American Red Cross are asked this question. Today, we'll be asked more than usual.

"We are," we answer. "We probably will be there for a few years."

We sometimes forget to remind you, though, that you are still in Haiti.

If you volunteered, donated, helped raise awareness, gave blood, supported evacuees who sought refuge in Chicago Red Cross shelters... if you showed up in any way to support Red Cross efforts between January 12, 2010, and today... you are in Haiti.

Your donation is still at work and will be for years as we unravel one of the most complex relief efforts we've ever undertaken. Take a look at the difference you are making.

Be on Track to a Safer Commute.

2011 has only just begun, but it is already looking like a great year for many residents of Chicago with the arrival of the CTA’s highly anticipated ‘Train Tracker.’ The Chicago Transit Authority and Mayor Richard Daley made an official announcement Saturday, January 8 that the new application was now available for use. With Chicago’s brutal winter season just beginning, it seems like the announcement of the city’s new ‘Train Tracker’ couldn’t have arrived at a more appropriate time. The new technology covers all eight of Chicago’s L-train lines and 144 train stations. Although this new tool is still in its early stages of development, the application is already available from both residents’ computers and smart-phones.

With Chicago’s L-train system being the third busiest system in the United States with over 650,000 riders each weekday, it is crucial that commuters be prepared for CTA emergencies. This past June, a highly reported track fire ignited on the Red Line just north of the Chicago platform. It left 19 injured and created a standstill with the north and southbound red line trains for approximately three hours. Although CTA mishaps of this size aren’t extremely common, emergencies of all sorts do happen no matter how much the city tries to avoid them. Even today, Monday, January 10, smoke was reported between the Lake and Grand stations of the Red Line. Although it was a false alarm, the report resulted in firefighters investigating the scene and the trains to be rerouted on the elevated tracks for a short period of time.

In order to be as prepared as possible for potential emergencies while commuting, the American Red Cross has teamed up with U.S. Department of Transportation to create helpful information for those who may find themselves in a commuter emergency.

On a Train
• If the train stops, follow the operator’s instructions quickly and calmly.
• In an extreme emergency when you must evacuate the train without the operator’s assistance, follow posted emergency procedures.

On a Station Platform
• Familiarize yourself with all the exits at the stations that you use in case you ever have to take a different exit.
• Listen for announcements and follow instructions quickly and calmly.

The American Red Cross also suggests that commuters purchase a Safety Tube, which can be found on our website. This portable emergency safety tube provides commuters with a water pouch, an individually wrapped mask, a whistle, and a foil wrapped-six-hour light stick.

For more information on commuter safety, please visit our Safety Tips page on chicagoredcross.org.

Photo credit to Christopher & AmyCrate on Flickr

Butt-Dialing: What if it had been a Real Emergency Response?

The occasional ‘butt-dial’ usually brings forth a sense of confusion or awkwardness, but for one man it brought a SWAT team to his place of work. On January 4, 2011 a woman received a call from her husband around 5:00 PM. Instead of hearing his voice, the woman was greeted with muffled sounds paired with rap music. Alarmed, the woman reported what she somehow assumed was a hostage situation to 911. Unknown to her and the police force, the man had actually accidentally ‘butt-dialed’ her while driving. Within a short period of time, thirty members of the Lake County SWAT team arrived at Carlton Washburne School in Winnetka, IL. After searching the school, the SWAT team discovered that there was in fact no hostage situation.



While this couple was lucky with a false alarm, it doesn’t always end up this fortunate for those in a real-life crisis. Social media has moved far from the Facebook status update about your New Year’s Eve plans and has become a life-saving device for disaster victims. For example, those affected by the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti were able to communicate to loved ones. “Phones are working somewhat in Haiti. Can't get a hold of my family though," was one post Tweeted among the many others.

As we continue to utilize the benefits of instant communication, more and more people believe in the power – which is both positive, but a serious challenge to emergency response organizations like the Red Cross. In an online survey of 1,058 adults conducted for the American Red Cross found that if they needed help and couldn’t reach 9-1-1, one in five would try to contact responders through digital platforms (such as email, websites or social media). Further, a high percentage of 74 expected help to arrive less than one hour after their tweet or Facebook post. As the rate of socialization increases, the time frame for emergency workers to respond decreases.

The Red Cross held an Emergency Social Data Summit last August to discuss the reality of the public expectations when it comes to using social media as a form of emergency response.

The following questions were asked and are still being discussed:

• What can we do to prepare in advance of a crisis?
• Who should have custody of social data? How should it be used?
• Can we codify a solution?
• What about issues of accessibility?
• How do we avoid a duplication of effort?
• What is the best way to authenticate requests?
• How do we manage citizen expectations for response?

What do you think - would you use a traditional phone call or social media to find help during a crisis? Have an opinion? Be sure to join the online discussion by using the Twitter hashtag #CrisisData .

Posted by David Roth, Katie Wilkes & Lauren Snyder

Blizzard safety tips for stranded Chicagoans

The blizzard that hit the East Coast today left many Chicagoans stranded in different cities. Lauren Tate Snyder, a Red Cross intern, is among the hundreds that can’t make their way back home from holiday trips to the Northeast. Flight cancellations, road blocks and commuter train delays can be frustrating and dangerous for the holiday visitor. The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago offers a few useful tips for you to pass along to your loved ones who may be snowed in on the East Coast.

First and foremost, it’s important to monitor the weather reports and follow the instructions of local authorities. If it is absolutely necessary that you drive during bad weather, inform someone of your travel route, destination and expected arrival time. Store a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle and remember to keep the gas tank near full to avoid ice building up in the gas tank and fuel lines.

In case you get stranded on the road, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Stranded drivers should stay with the vehicle and not try to walk to safety. You can quickly become disoriented in wind-driven snow and run the risk of developing hypothermia and frostbite.
• Exercise your arms and legs to maintain body heat.
• Change out of wet clothing, using dry replacements from your supplies kit to prevent hypothermia.
• Use the heater for 10 minutes every hour and leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so you can be seen.
• Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up in the vehicle
• Make it easier for rescuers to find you by tying a brightly colored cloth to the antenna
• After the snow has subsided, raise the hood to indicate you need help.

If you encounter black snow or ice, here’s what you need to do:

• Stay with your vehicle. Do not try to walk to safety as you risk developing hypothermia and/or frostbite.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
• Start the vehicle and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up in the vehicle.
• As you sit, move your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to help you stay warm.
• Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.
• Leave the overhead light on inside the vehicle when the engine is running so you can be seen.
• After the snow has stopped falling, raise the hood to indicate you need help.

For information on winter storm safety and preparation, please visit chicagoredcross.org.

Celebrate Christmas with Care

Jingle bells, Christmas trees and the smell of fresh snow really makes Christmas special. Unfortunately, not everyone gets to enjoy their Christmas laughing and celebrating with their family and friends. Fire raged late Sunday night at Barry Houser's home in McHenry County, where the family had gone to celebrate their Christmas weekend. Fortunately, no one was hurt but the home was completely destroyed and the decoration and festivities were all gone.

Around 12,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms every year during the 60 days surrounding the winter holiday season, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Most of these injuries are preventable so at the risk of sounding like a party pooper, take the following precautions and protect yourself and your families from a holiday mishap.

• Keep Christmas trees fresh – Choose a fresh Christmas tree and secure it in a sturdy stand. Place the tree away from heat sources and exits, and water it daily. If you purchase an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant.

• Test tree trimmings – When decorating with lights, be sure to purchase only those labeled by a testing laboratory. Never use lit candles to decorate Christmas trees. For outside decorations, use only those lights labeled for outdoor use. Be careful not to overload electrical outlets, and always unplug all lights before leaving home or going to bed. Never put electrical light on metal Christmas trees.

• Beware of holiday lighting – Take care when burning candles. Be sure they are kept away from decorations and other combustible materials. Don’t leave children unattended in a room with lit candles, and always keep candles, as well as matches and lighters, out of the reach of children. Never display lit candles in windows or near exits.

• Cook with care – Wear fitted clothing when cooking; hot burners can ignite loose clothing. Always turn pot handles in. Don’t store items on the stovetop as they could catch fire. Keep kitchen appliances clean and in good condition, and turn off after use. Don’t overload electrical outlets and don’t use appliances with frayed or cracked wires.

• Be cautious with portable and space heaters – Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything combustible, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing, pets and people. Never leave space heaters operating when you are not in the room or when you go to bed. Don’t leave children or pets unattended with space heaters and be sure everyone knows that drying wet mittens or other clothing over space heaters is a fire danger.

• Keep alcohol away from kids and pets- Intake of alcoholic drinks by children and pets can cause alcohol poisoning. It’s good to be merry and drink and toast to each other, but just make sure all drinks are far away from children and pets.

How to Be Red Cross Ready for Rare Celestial Events and Their Potentially Dire Consequences

This Tuesday December 21 marks the first time in 456 years that the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, coincides with a full lunar eclipse. Now I’m not saying this is ominous. Absolutely not. It’s just an exceedingly rare set of events that use to terrify primitive peoples and may be sending out some funky cosmic energy. I’m sure there are tons of movies and books that start with these circumstances and don’t end in tears. Right? Still, doesn’t hurt to be prepared.

Just in case Tuesday morning's events activate any latent zombies, it might be helpful to have that two week supply of emergency food and water stocked up at home. The Red Cross recommends storing easy to prepare nonperishable foods and one gallon of water per person per day for each member of your family. Trust me, when your neighbors are fighting their way through the zombie hoards to get to the supermarket you will be glad you had the foresight to stock up!

Now I know what you’re thinking. What if the covens of flying solstice/eclipse vampires manage to get themselves tangled in power lines and we lose electricity? Well, then you’ll be glad you have a complete disaster supply kit because it will have a battery powered/hand crank radio to receive important updates from whatever interim government emerges after the initial crisis. Also make sure you have plenty of flashlights and batteries. Avoid using candles at all costs! Accidents happen, and if a candle is left unattended or gets knocked over by a pet or a child you could experience a house fire. We at the Red Cross see a spike in the numbers of home fires we are called to respond to whenever there are power outages. While fire may be good for scaring off Frankenstein’s monster, it’s going to draw the zombies and vampires right to you.

You might not be on board with the whole monster threat thing. Well okay realist, let’s talk about a chain reaction of cataclysmic natural disasters. After initially sheltering in your home from the freak meteor strikes and tornadoes, you hear the interim government announce on your battery powered radio that a giant mega volcano has formed out in Tinley Park. Your area is in the projected hot zone for the imminent eruption so it's time to evacuate north and take shelter with our friendly neighbors in Wisconsin. You are ready to go within minutes because YOU have prepared your disaster supply go-kit. It contains copies of important papers, a 7 day supply of any medications you may need, personal hygiene items, family and emergency contact information, emergency blankets, maps of your area, and extra cash (remember the vampires brought down the power so there are no functioning ATMs!). Personalize your kit by thinking about each member of your household and their unique needs.

Even if the Tuesday solstice/eclipse turns out to be nothing (keep dreaming optimist!) the preparations you have made will be useful for more mundane emergency situations like winter snow storms, floods, pandemic flu, etc. And whatever the situation, your friends at the Chicago Red Cross will always be there to help. For more information about disaster supply kits and creating an emergency family plan, visit us at www.chicagoredcross.org/beprepared.

Space Heaters: Recalled for a Reason

“The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of "Flow Pro," "Airtech," "Aloha Breeze" and "Comfort Essentials" heaters sold at Walmart stores nationwide from December 2001 to October 2009.” – KTLA News

Is it just me or does “Aloha Breeze” and “Comfort Essentials” sound enticing? A few hours before this recall, my roommate called me from Target with the intention of purchasing a space heater for our small apartment. The windows in our high-rise are hardly suitable for Chicago winters and continuously keep our rooms at a chilling temperature of around 45 degrees.

“Lauren, I’m buying this space heater for our apartment so we don’t have to wear our winter coats to bed. You can thank me later,” said my roommate under the impression that I would be grateful.

“If you bring a space heater into our place, I will make sure it ‘disappears’ in the middle of the night and that the keys are changed while you are in Cincinnati so you cannot enter our apartment. You do know that space heaters are involved in 74 percent of fire-related deaths, right?”

This was my reaction before the huge recall on space heaters. And yes, I knew that statistic on hand.

When 2.2 million heaters go on recall due to “reports of burn injuries and property damage from fire”, you know there is a major problem. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) found that “heating equipment - primarily space heaters and fireplaces - caused an estimated 66,100 home structure fires resulting in 480 civilian deaths, 1,660 injuries and $1.1 billion in direct property damage in 2008.”

As a Red Crosser, I know that space heaters pose a danger to my friends and community and these numbers reinforce my fears. Not only has my house burned down before, but last Thursday, the other Marketing and Communication intern, Zach, also lost his home in a fire. I bet you can’t guess what caused his fire.

A space heater.

And the scary part of his story is that his mother had absolutely no control over the fire. She watched the spark jump from the space heater. Within seconds, it was clear that there was nothing she could do to stop the flames from taking over and she hurried out of the house to call 911. She was just sitting there in her living room. And then it was gone.

Now, I would like to consider myself a reasonable person. I understand that for one reason or another, getting rid of your space heater might not be something you are willing to do. Here are some safety tips which I hope you follow so I can sleep without worrying about receiving another call in the middle of the night. Trust me, it’s not the kind of call you want to hear during the holidays.

• Keep all potential sources of fuel like paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves, or fireplaces.
• Portable heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended. Turn off space heaters and make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home.
• If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
• When buying a space heater, look for models that shut off automatically if the heater falls over as another safety measure.
• Obviously, don’t buy any of the space heater brands that were put on recall.

Chicago, please be careful this winter season. Every day I come into work and receive an incident sheet from Disaster Services from the day before. Every day I see the numbers of fires increase as the weather gets colder. Every day I count the number of individuals who are displaced from their homes.

Be safe Chicago.

“Thank you for finding the first seven years of my life."

Harriet has lived the majority of her life not knowing that she still has an older brother and half-sister who live in Europe. We sit down and she begins her story. I listen, eager to learn. “I feel as though I have entered the twilight zone” she says, as her adoptive sister, Geri, listens from across the table.

Harriet was born in a displaced persons camp in Germany after World War II. At the age of seven, she was adopted by an American family. With no memories of life in the camp, she had little information about her birth family. Though she had always wondered, Harriet was hesitant to learn more until Geri began a project to map the family tree. She discovered the Red Cross’ family tracing services and encouraged Harriet to inquire. Together they embarked on a search for Harriet’s past.

In just a few months the Red Cross was able to locate a set of documents from the Holocaust archives in Bad Arolsen that shed light on Harriet’s birth family. The findings even included a small photo of her mother. Shortly thereafter, the Red Cross found more information to share with Harriet: the name and current address of her biological brother.

Harriet’s tracing results began to answer some of her life-long questions. Who am I? Where do I come from? Was I loved? I don’t doubt these are questions that people like Harriet ask the universe.

As she looked at photos of her childhood, provided by her biological brother, she reflected how she could almost remember what she wore. Shoes, a warm coat, and combed hair are about more than just grooming – they’re signals that we were loved and cared for. “I looked well loved,” said Harriet.

Harriet is now in contact with her biological brother and half-sister. Through email and letters they trade photos and stories about their families, slowly filling each other in on the 50+ years since their separation. The siblings talk of meeting in person, hopefully one day soon.

As Harriet’s interview came to a close she began packing up the nostalgic photos, letters, and mementos from her vague former life. She looked at us and said with gratitude, “thank you for finding the first seven years of my life.” For that, Harriet, we couldn’t be happier.


The American Red Cross works through the worldwide Red Cross Network to trace loved ones missing or separated by conflict or disaster, including the Holocaust and its aftermath. We assist individuals seeking information about themselves or a family member and provide documentation often needed for reparations claims. Our free services include:
• Searching for surviving family members
• Finding the fate of loved ones affected by the Holocaust or other conflicts
• Proof of detainment
• Evidence of forced labor or internment in a concentration camp
• Proof of evacuation from an occupied territory

Do you know someone who could benefit from our tracing services?

For more information, please contact Emma Crandell Ratajczak at ratajczake@usa.redcross.org or 312.729.6238.

Posted by Kendall Knysch

The Red Cross Movement -- It's Alive

Yesterday, a blog post by Sam Davidson put the smack down with the Red Cross.

I reacted the way I usually do. I gave myself permission to be upset for a minute, then I tried to truly hear what Sam had to say so we could talk.

Sam listened and approached the dialogue with an open mind and heart. Many of Sam’s other blog posts explored topics that are close to the heart of many Red Cross staff. He discussed the difference between making a living and making a life, finding happiness through a purposeful and present life, and a number of other topics that ignite the right kind of fires in people. As I read his other blogs, I couldn’t help but notice how much he resembled some of our best volunteers – the ones who hold the Red Cross accountable to become a better organization and challenge us.

I chose to work at the Red Cross mostly because I like people like this and want to be around them for more hours out of the day. I am inspired by front line volunteers, entrepreneurial board committee members and leadership volunteers who partner with us to turn a very, very big and heavy ship. I observe daily that the Red Cross agrees that the we all need to raise the ante in non-profit, and in order to do this we must organize solutions that keep us moving forward, in spite of the drag that can be created by 130 years of carbuncles. The magnificent, historic ship keeps moving in part because of volunteers who resemble Sam.

The Red Cross movement is behemoth. It takes entrepreneurs, bravehearts and big thinkers to fuel it. It also takes people who want to work within a large, complex, and decentralized ecosystem to make it continue to breath, live and evolve.

I often joke that the Red Cross has been crowdsourcing for 130 years, and I challenge people to consider the implications of that. Take a minute to really consider the implications of achieving more that 90 percent of your work through volunteers and preserving the breadth and reach of international organization that truly has to touch every corner of the world without government ties. Our staff is comprised of millions of people and our customers are everyone.

Sam and my conversation reminded me that the Red Cross system is alive and richly symbiotic. We do change, but it is much more like an evolution, because all of humanity is part of our system and our earth shakes and reeks havoc.

Sam, we'll make your ideas matter if you keep sharing them and continue to honor the size and scope of our movement. Change happens here… differently. Organically and open-heartedly. Like a weather system, it will build, then unleash furiously and extraordinarily. And when it does, new dawns break and new shoots surface. Sometimes it strikes awe when thousands of people help thousands of people in unimaginable situations that demand something new. Sam, I think you’d like it.

One of our volunteers, Hala, fled extreme dangers in Baghdad and volunteered with the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement in Syria when she was in her mid-teens. Now a Chicago Red Cross volunteer who is helping us extend the reach of our free humanitarian law class by offering it online, Hala describes her volunteer experience with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society as "what allowed me to move from victim to volunteer."

Just last night, one of our volunteers was personally devastated by losing his family’s home in a fire that stuck at midnight. When I listened to him today, he shared with me that his work with the Red Cross has been healing for him during this first, most difficult day. He didn’t feel helpless.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, we invite you to challenge us and change us. Sam already crossed that line into volunteerism as soon as he talked with us, listened, then talked again. By the way, we liked Sam's second blog -- the one about how we listened. But we have to confess, we liked the first one, too. Sam and millions of other people are what makes the Red Cross better.

Let’s all keep talking and witness the evolution unfold.

How the Red Cross Mission Becomes Personal

Last night I received a call that I never thought I would get. On my iPhone it displayed my brother’s phone number. When I answered, however, it was my father on the phone. Something was off in the way that he greeted me. My usually boisterous Dad was somber. My mind went into a tailspin. I thought my brother was hurt, but fortunately he was fine. My father went on to tell me that my mother’s house had just burned down. Shocked, my body began to convulse uncontrollably. My Dad talked me through it, and I finally got to speak to my mother. She was distraught, crying, but thankful that everyone got out okay.

My mother was cold, and decided to turn on a space heater in the house. After turning the heater on she decided to continue watching television. Moments later, she saw a large spark come from the heater. The spark turned into a flame. That flame, into a blaze. She immediately grabbed my dog and cat and ran outside of the house. She got in the car and drove it far enough away from the house just to stay out of harms way. My mom called 911 from her car, and fireman soon arrived.

It is still unclear whether the house will be inhabitable or not, but I know that half of the house has been charred. Our living room, kitchen, and my sister’s bedroom are all destroyed. Thankfully, my father lives just under 2 miles away from my mother’s now destroyed house and will be hosting my mom until her living situation has been sorted out. Unfortunately, for thousands every year, there is not a person close enough or even capable enough to help them through this process.

The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago responds to 3-4 fires every single day. As an intern for the American Red Cross, I always left shocked after I left the scene of the fire. Now, the roles have been reversed.

I am working on finding a right in the situation. Everyone is ok, and everyone will be taken care of in the future. For those who don’t have a strong support system, the Red Cross becomes like a guardian angel. The Red Cross administers aid to fire victims in the form of food, clothing, emotional support, and shelter.

Space heaters are actually one of the leading cause of house fires in America, and I have written about this fact numerous times, and not thought twice about it afterward.

I never thought I would have to go through something like this, and this makes me appreciate even more the work the Red Cross does to help those in their darkest hour.

A few words of advice from a new fire victim. Surround yourself with the ones you love. Try as hard as you can to keep calm, because your strength may just be the rock that someone needs in order to cope.

As the cold begins to make itself at home in Chicago, the number of house fires increase. This week alone the Chicago Red Cross has responded to over thirty fires and provided food, shelter, clothing and more to disaster victims. If you would like to help us provide comfort to those in need this Holiday season, please consider donating to Chicago Red Cross and truly give the gift that saves the day.

-Zach Zimmerman, Communications and Marketing Intern