Gayle Gallagher of Stepping Stones Donates to American Red Cross – Rock River Chapter

Gayle Gallagher from Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. donated $1,500 to the Red Cross

Gayle Gallagher of Stepping Stones stopped by the Rock River Chapter of the American Red Cross to drop off his generous donation to victims of the recent flooding. Gayle said he saw the people on TV being effected by the flooding and wanted to help – so, he helped in the form of giving us $1,500!

Thanks Gayle!

Area Hospitals Make Joint Donation to American Red Cross – Rock River Chapter Disaster Relief Fund

In light of recent fundraising for the Red Cross’ Disaster Relief Fund, the Rock River Valley’s three largest healthcare providers have banded together to donate $15,000 to the Rock River Chapter. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rockford Health Systems and Swedish American Hospital have generously provided this gift to ensure that the American Red Cross is able to capably support community members after disasters such as the recent flooding in Machesney Park. Locally, the Rock River Chapter:

• Served 694 meals and 1,888 snacks
• Distributed 136 cleanup kits
• Provided shelter to 35 registered guests

These organizations, along with other generous supporters, will be recognized at a special reception Thursday, July 31, 2008 at Cliffbreakers. The ceremony begins 5:30 p.m. The Rock River Chapter will recognize these local business leaders for guaranteeing our neighbors have the basic relief services that will assist and lead to recovery after a disaster.

For more information on the Disaster Relief Fund and other Red Cross programs and services visit www.rockriver.redcross.org or call: (815) 963-8471.

Bloodmobiles for August 2008 Schedule

WALK-INS ARE WELCOME!!
For appointment call: 1-800-448-3543

Tues. August 12^th, 1:00pm- 6:00pm
First Presbyterian Church
110 E. 3^rd Street
Dixon, IL 61021

Tues. August 19^th, 10:30am- 5:30pm
KSB Hospital
403 E. First Street
Dixon, IL 61021

Thurs. August 21^st, 10:00am-4:00pm
Dixon IDOT
819 Depot
Dixon, IL 61021

Wed. August 27^th, 12:00pm-5:00pm
St. Paul Lutheran Church
421 S. Peoria Avenue
Dixon, IL 61021
Self-contained unit used.

Wed. August 27^th, 9:00am-3:00pm
Dixon Correctional Center
2600 N. Brinton Avenue
Dixon, IL 61021
CLOSED TO PUBLIC

Fri. August 29^th, 12:00pm-5:00pm
Dixon Lifehouse Liberty Court
124 Liberty Court
Dixon, IL 61021
Self-contained unit used.

Inventory Stuff in Your Home – for FREE

The Insurance Information Institute is now offering free software to inventory the stuff you have in your home, to make an insurance claims easier in times of disaster. The Know Your Stuff Home Inventory software is a full-featured tool for cataloging your possessions in case disaster should strike and best of all – it’s FREE.

Click the link below to download the software:

http://www.knowyourstuff.org

Do you already have experience with this software? Let us know how it works, by leaving us some feedback.

Honors Ceremony presented by American Red Cross on July 31st at Cliffbreakers

On Thursday, July 31, 2008 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Cliffbreakers River Restaurant the Rock River Chapter will recognize over thirty local businesses for supporting disaster relief efforts and the local HEROES Campaign in addition to presenting distinguished corporate partners including Exelon, Rockford Area Association of Realtors, Culver’s, Wal-Mart, Woodward Governor, Associated Bank and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Sign Up for Red Cross Health & Safety Classes Online!

MATT LEINART Learning CPR

Signing up for Health & Safety Classes at the Red Cross Rock River Chapter just got easier. You can now sign up for Health & Safety classes online on our website 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Just click the class you’d like to sign up for and you’re in! It can’t get any easier.

Just click this link and sign-up today!

American Red Cross Offers Water Safety Tips

The Rock River Chapter of the American Red cross reminds families to follow these safety tips for staying healthy and safe in or around the water:

• Learn to swim and swim well.  One of the best things anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is learn to swim.  No one, including adults should ever swim alone. Adults should practice “reach supervision” which means to be within arm’s length of a child in case an emergency occurs.
• Outfit everyone with the proper gear. Kids – and even adults – who are not strong swimmers or who appear to rely on inflatable toys for safety should use U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) whenever they are in or around the water.  Everyone, including strong swimmers, should use an approved PFD when boating. When used properly, this lightweight plastic equipment can help save lives.
• Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the residential pool and know how to use it. A first aid kit, cordless phone, phone list with emergency contact information, reaching pole and ring buoy with a line attached is recommended.  First aid kits should contain plastic face shields, which can help prevent disease transmission. Plastic ring buoys are a good idea; because of their maneuverability even a child can use one if the need arises.  In addition, the Red Cross recommends that pools be surrounded on all sides by a fence that is at least four feet high.  It should not provide any footholds, which would allow a child to climb over or spacing to climb through.  The fence should have a self-closing, self-locking gate locks when the pool is not in use.
• Swim in supervised areas only.
• Obey “No Diving” signs.
• Watch out for the “dangerous too’s.” Take a break at the point of being too tired, too cold, or too far from safety, too much sun, too little hydration, too much strenuous activity.
• Don’t mix alcohol and swimming.  Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills and reduces your body’s ability to stay warm.
• Pack a “safety” bag for a day at the beach or lake. Water-proof sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher, water shoes to keep feet safe from the heat and sharp objects on land and plenty of water are musts.  All containers should be plastic to prevent injuries from breaking glass.  Also, a hat and sunglasses keep eyes safe from dangerous UV rays.
• Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

• Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR.  While the above tips can help prevent emergencies, it is important to know what to do if a situation arises. And all caregivers, including grandparents, older siblings and babysitters should have these lifesaving skills.

For more information on staying safe in and around the water visit www.redcross.org or contact the Rock River Chapter at 815-963-8471.

Brother and Sister Give Back to Chinese Earthquake Victims

Everyone can give back to the Red Cross in various ways. Thomas Yue Wu and Christna Yi Wu, a brother and sister, who’s Mother hometown was struck by the earthquake in China decided to act after they heard the news. They decided to raise money to help the efforts of Red Cross in China doing relief work.

When it was all said and done the brother and sister team raised over $1,000 to help victims of the earthquake in China. You can see a picture of them below. They’re students at Machesney Park Elementary School and Ralston Elementary School.

Thanks Thomas and Christina! They are pictured below.

This just in – New Red Cross Avatars!

This is from Red Cross Chat we now have new Red Cross avatars!

You can check them out here or below. Just right-click and choose “save as.”

Red Cross Reunites Siblings Separated by WWII

Over the past 66 years, Irene Famulak’s thoughts often strayed thousands of miles from her home in Philadelphia, PA.

Irene remembered the Ukraine. She could close her eyes and see her mother, her father, her six brothers and sisters. Time and again, Irene re-lived that day in 1942 when Nazis invaded her home, captured her family and separated them.

Click here to read more…