Youth Council Hosts 10th Annual Tea & Fashion Show

Christiana Lee, Giselle Kiraly, Waverly He, Allyse Ripley dressed in period uniforms lead Elvis Presley (Adam Griffis) down the runway.
(Photo by Dan Osilla)

The Red Cross Youth Council’s 10th Annual Tea and Historical Fashion Show raised $2400 that will go to support the missions of the Southwest Washington American Red Cross. There were 106 people in attendance at this year’s event which was held at the Firstenburg Center on May 19.

Youth council members, all students of local high schools, presented a fashion show of both period clothing and Red Cross volunteer uniforms for each decade from 1910 through the 1980s.

The presentation included a slide show featuring Red Cross history and Hollywood stars of each decade, accompanied by music of the period.

Assisting the Youth Council were members of area high school Red Cross clubs who served tea, sandwiches and desserts, all of which were provided through the generosity of Lynn Rullman, The Grant House.

This year’s tea was sponsored by Southwest Washington Red Cross Board Member Delano Morgan.

Jim Boline
SW Washington Red Cross Media Team

Help us help Moore

Yesterday, as I watched the live news feed from Moore, OK, after the city and surrounding area were decimated by a tornado, I wanted to cry.

I wanted to be there to comfort those who lost loved ones.

I wanted to grab a shovel – or a pick – or anything to help dig through the rubble to look for people who might be trapped.

I felt hopeless to do anything but watch. I felt numb.

Yet, through all of the devastation; through all of the turmoil and tears, people immediately reached out to help.

First responders who lived close to the devastated area rushed in to help. People from throughout the country asked what they could do to provide relief and bring comfort to those thousands who were affected.

While it’s not possible for most of us to help in person, there are still a number of ways you can help:

• Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
• Click here to donate to the Red Cross online. You can select whether to have your donation applied where the need is greatest or give it directly to your local chapter.
• Download the Red Cross Tornado App available from the Apple Store for Iphone devices, or from Google  Play for Android devices. If you know someone who lives in Tornado Alley, make sure they have the app downloaded on their mobile devices, too. The app sounds an alert when severe weather is in the area, shows the nearest Red Cross shelters, and provides checklists to help you prepare for and recover from a tornado.
• If you were in the Moore area during the tornado, or if you are looking for someone who was in the Moore area during the tornado, to go to the Red Cross Safe and Well site to list yourself as safe and well or to search for others.
• Give blood. The need is always great but it is especially important to ensure blood supplies are available after disasters occur. Many people were injured in the Moore area because of flying debris. Many pints of blood and blood products will be used in the coming days to help those people recover. Click here to find the nearest blood donation center. The need is constant; the gratification is instant.
• Become a volunteer with the SW Washington Region of the American Red Cross by calling 360-693-5821 or stopping by the local Red Cross headquarters at 3114 East Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver.

Right now, anything you can do will help. Please help us help Moore.

Sue Anderson
SW Washington Red Cross Media Team

Preparing for a disaster: Are you ready?

Are you ready should a disaster occur in your area? Do you even know what types of disasters could occur locally?

For us here in SW Washington, it could range from a disaster that affects only you and your family – like a home fire or medical emergency; to a disaster that  affects your entire community – like an earthquake, flood or volcanic eruption.

How to prepare for a disaster

• Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get information, whether through local radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio stations or channels.
• Know the difference between different weather alerts such as watches and warnings and what actions to take in each.
• Know what actions to take to protect yourself during disasters that may occur in areas where you travel or have moved recently. For example, if you travel to a place where earthquakes are common and you are not familiar with them, make sure you know what to do to protect yourself should one occur.
• When a major disaster occurs, your community can change in an instant. Loved ones may be hurt and emergency response is likely to be delayed. Make sure that at least one member of your household is trained in first aid and CPR and knows how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). This training is useful in many emergency situations.
• Share what you have learned with your family, household and neighbors and encourage them to be informed.
• Download the Red Cross apps for First Aid, Wildfires, Earthquakes, Hurricanes and Tornadoes. These apps offer a wealth of information to help you prepare for and recover from a disaster. Apps for iPhone devices are available from the Apple App Store. Apps for Androids are available from the Google Play Store .

Print Emergency Contact Cards

• Print one card for each family member.
• Write the contact information for each household member, such as work, school and cell phone numbers.
• Fold the card so it fits in your pocket, wallet or purse.
• Carry the card with you so it is available in the event of a disaster or other emergency.
• You can download an emergency contact card template here.

Donating to Your Red Cross by Giving Your Time

During the Spring season, everyone is busy: busy gardening, busy cleaning out the garage, busy being outdoors, busy just being busy!

For the Red Cross, this is a busy season, too.

We’re preparing for the upcoming hurricane season, flooding season, tornado season and fire season.

We’re collecting blood, preparing supplies, and holding classes so you know how to care for yourself and your neighbors should a disaster occur locally.

We depend on you for help. Most people know about the Red Cross through blood drives and disasters. But did you realize that you could also help the Red Cross by teaching, taking or simply hosting one of the many Red Cross classes?

More than 9 million people will learn lifesaving skills through the Red Cross this year. Regardless of age or occupation, our health and safety courses offer peace of mind to all who participate. No one expects to be faced with an emergency situation. The Red Cross can help you to be prepared with the right knowledge and skills to respond when the time comes.

The American Red Cross also educates the American public about the principles of international humanitarian law. We promote Exploring Humanitarian Law curriculum for high schools and universities. Its adaptable resources give teachers easy-to-use information to bring alive lessons about human life and dignity.

Take a Class

Get involved with your local Red Cross by taking a class. From First AID and CPR to Disaster Preparedness and International Humanitarian Law, the local Red Cross can help you learn new skills and get prepared. And in the process, you’ll get a first-hand opportunity to see how the Red Cross is engaged within your community. Click here to find classes that are available in your area.

Become an Instructor

Red Cross Health and Safety instructors are a quality group of professionals who teach valuable lifesaving skills to more than 9 million people each year in businesses, schools and communities. American Red Cross Disaster Response instructors train volunteers to respond to disasters in a variety of specialized roles. And American Red Cross International Humanitarian Law instructors deliver presentations about the Geneva Conventions and their connections to current events. Click here to learn more about the types of classes for which we need instructors.

Provide Training

With full service training, community classes, authorized provider training or classroom and online options, the American Red Cross is the most trusted training provider of health and safety training that meets OSHA guidelines and many other professional and regulatory standards. Click here to learn more about training options.

Offer Disaster Safety Lesson Plans

The American Red Cross Masters of Disaster®curriculum is centered on a series of ready-to-go lesson plans that help organizations educate youth about important disaster safety and preparedness information. Masters of Disaster contains lessons, activities, and demonstrations on disaster-related topics that organizations can incorporate into daily or thematic programming. Click here to learn more about the Masters of Disaster coursework.

We know you’re busy but we could really use your help. If you’ve got an hour to spare, we encourage you to share it with us during this busy Spring season. And in doing so, you’ll be helping your family, your friends and your neighbors.

Red Cross Month: Clark County Proclamation

March is American Red Cross Month and throughout the month, we’ll highlight cities and counties throughout our region who are celebrating with us by signing March is American Red Cross Month proclamations.

Clark County Commissioners signed and presented a proclamation to Pete Capell of the SW Washington Region of the American Red Cross. Capell is a board member for the SW Washington Region. The proclamation names March as American Red Cross Month in Clark County.

Our thanks to the Commissioners and the citizens of the Clark County for their support of and commitment to the SW Washington Region of the Red Cross throughout the year.

Clark County Commissioners signed a petition naming March as American Red Cross Month. The Commission presented the signed petition to Red Cross Board Member Pete Capell.

Red Cross Month: Kelso Proclamation

March is American Red Cross Month and throughout the month, we’ll highlight cities throughout our region who are celebrating with us by signing March is American Red Cross Month proclamations.

Kelso Mayor David Futcher signed and presented a proclamation to Suzanne Arnits of the SW Washington Region of the American Red Cross.  The proclamation names March as American Red Cross Month in the City of Kelso.

Our thanks to Mayor Futcher and the citizens of the Kelso area for their support of and commitment to the SW Washington Region of the Red Cross throughout the year.

Kelso Mayor David Futcher presents the signed proclamation to Suzanne Arnits.

Red Cross Month: Battle Ground Proclamation

March is American Red Cross Month and throughout the month, we’ll highlight cities throughout our region who are celebrating with us by signing March is American Red Cross Month proclamations.

Battle Ground Mayor Lisa Walters signed and presented a proclamation to Dennis Rugg of the SW Washington Region of the American Red Cross. Rugg is the past board chairman for the SW Washington Region. The proclamation names March as American Red Cross Month in the City of Battle Ground.

Our thanks to Mayor Walters and the citizens of the Battle Ground area for their support of and commitment to the SW Washington Region of the Red Cross throughout the year.